Engine pr0n: M54 teardown

[Salty B.]

I'm sure some of you know about this channel, where he tears down at least one engine weekly, and last night's was pretty instructive.

https://youtu.be/gfciccHBWQo?si=U81jndEPkxX9MMp5

He used some special tools to remove the fan clutch but I couldn't tell what it was. I was under the impression that I would have to remove that to get the thermostat out, but at least in this E46 config that doesn't look to be necessary.

[andrewwynn]

The "special tool" was just a normal universal fit set of clutch removal tool. One that jams onto the bolt heads of the pulley and long handle wrench to turn the giant nut.



One side of the "y" has a hook to grab bolt head i think i like this better than mine which has a couple holes to fit over the bolt heads. I had to bend an "s curve" into mine to get to two bolt heads around the pulley.

[X5chemist]

Going to get in trouble for watching it twice!
Watching a tear down helps on how to do maintenance on it.
Thanks for sharing!

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Going to get in trouble for watching it twice!
Watching a tear down help on how to do maintenance on it.
Thanks for sharing!

Yeah it helped me understand this engine better.

[X5chemist]

@18:56, I didn't know about the external chain tensioner. Is it a serviceable piece? I did one on a 2004 Benz C240 2.6L. No info or video was available. All info lead to the newer 2.6L version. I created a short replacement video. It had over 500 hits on YouTube in one day! It was easy. Set timing to 40 degrees. Unbolt the tensioner. Verify the chain was loose . Install the new tensioner and check for oil leaks. Car ran a lot better.

Edit: One video commentor!
"@topnews1007
1 day ago
M54 chassis E53 out of a 2002 bmw X5 3.0i with 363 thousands Miles still running strong today
Just don't let it over heat"

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Salty B.

I'm sure some of you know about this channel, where he tears down at least one weekly engine teardown, and last night's was pretty instructive.

https://youtu.be/gfciccHBWQo?si=U81jndEPkxX9MMp5

He used some special tools to remove the fan clutch but I couldn't tell what it was. I was under the impression that I would have to remove that to get the thermostat out, but at least in this E46 config that doesn't look to be necessary.

Love this guy's channel. I hadn't seen this one yet. Thanks!

[victell]

Jamie's breakdown is pretty good also:
https://youtu.be/f8Z4OSrI59s?t=111

Whole series including rebuild:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...qxfC-AdAp-7w5d

[Canadian_E53]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

@18:56, I didn't know about the external chain tensioner. Is it a serviceable piece?

Just don't let it over heat"

Yep, I changed my tensioner spring last fall when I was chasing down some ticking noises in my M54. The new spring was a bit longer and more "springy".


As for the overheating...I've seen some pretty abused M54s come back from overheating, including my own. LOL

[X5chemist]

The one technical item no video even mentions is timing. Does timing need to be set? I did a tensioner on a Benz 2005 C240 2.6L Timing had to be set at 40 degrees before TDC. At the timing mark, the chain is loose. The tensioner comes out and goes in easily. If timing is not set, screwing in a tensioner can strip threads, break guides, or even break the chain.

From videos seen, the M54 does not require a timing mark set to install a new tensioner.

[Canadian_E53]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

The one technical item no video even mentions is timing. Does timing need to be set? I did a tensioner on a Benz 2005 C240 2.6L Timing had to be set at 40 degrees before TDC. At the timing mark, the chain is loose. The tensioner comes out and goes in easily. If timing is not set, screwing in a tensioner can strip threads, break guides, or even break the chain.

From videos seen, the M54 does not require a timing mark set to install a new tensioner.

From my understanding the timing is all set when the cams and vanos are all put in, then the slack is just taken up on the back of one of the guides with the tensioner. Even though there's a spring behind the tensioner I believe oil pressure actually pushes through the tensioner too. I saw a little oiling hole when I had mine out so it made me wonder if the spring does anything unless the motor is off.