Valve Cvr. removed, what do you think Pics of engine
 

This engine was abused for the first 80K when I got it it had oil that was as thick and brown as pudding I'm thinking the oil was changed infrequently. Since then I have been using either Castrol Syntec 5w-40 or M1 0w-40. This is the first time I have removed the valve gasket. Other than some varnish It looks pretty good or does it? no sign of sludge. there is wear on some of the metal pics. The little black valve cover that was inside under the oil cap has gritty deposits see picture.

142,000. 60,000 under my maintenance. Valve cover was leaking.

Do you guys see anything that might be a red flag?

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...2-01152021.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...2-01152037.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...2-01152047.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...2-01152102.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...2-01152114.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...2-01152210.jpg

That sounds like an ad for M1 0-40W.
OK I second it with mine then @75K, M1 0-40, but once in a hwile I use M1 5-30W during winter.

I hadn't thought of that but, I guess it does. Did give a little pub to Castrol. :thumbup:

I am pleased to have opened it up and see a pretty clean engine. I've seen those pics of somes BMW engines with loads of gunk.

The crap that accumulated on the interior cover, is that a concern. the junk on top is like sand, I can't see any metal flakes. It's weird I wasn't expecting a sandy like deposit. Any toughts about that?

I'm not worried about it but I am curious.

Looks like most M52/M54s I've seen that have had above average care, clean and normal

Whoa! Above average care. Wow, I'm beside myself! I wish my dad were still alive to hear this... anyway, Thanks for weighing in. I admit I'm just a diy-er and sometimes I don't know what I'm looking at... for real.
Well since I got the vehicle at 82K and the engine was a sludged up mess when I got it, I thought I'd treat it extra nice with 7,000 mile oci and 3500 filter ci.

Thanks again.
PS I'm changing the oil filter housing gasket today. I did the valve cover yesterday... oil seepage at rear and a little in 2 of the spark plug holes

What do I think. It is missing another bank.

lol

Just messing. Looks good.

vanos looks gunked up pretty bad, only seen a few like this, most engines i see are with 80k and under bmw maintance program have no gunk on the vanos.

Yep, I agree!:thumbup: BMW McClearn Engine ready to be dropped in!:thumbup: Might have to cut up the body a little bit:bustingup

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x..._F1_Engine.jpg

Are we talking about this? I just read instructions and turn screw drivers and wrenches:D Picture below...
I got this car at 82K. The previous owner (a 70 yr old grandmother) didn't know what an oil change was. The filter that was in there was 90% clogged, as in scrape with a screw driver, the oil looked like chocolate pudding plopping out of the drain hole. The CCV blew up the very first day I drove it after picking it up at the dealer. (dealer fixed it)

In 3,000 miles I did 3 oil changes with M1 ow-40. Then 7500 oci's after that. I now have 142,000 miles.

I tried to get that gunk off but it is carbon-ized. It is one level below industrial diamonds. Since that section appears to be just a cover I cleaned what I could and left the rest.
I'm guessing that area doesn't get much oil delivery if any. So any cleaning properties of the oil would be mute.

Is this gunky section a problem?
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...01152102-1.jpg