Now you know why the car was abandoned.....they thought it needed a new engine. They did not know about Timecerts.

You do what my friend Steve did and you'll be good to go with a nice ride.

It will be worth all the time you've put into her.

I was thinking the same thing.

Funny story: The car was abandoned at a repair shop south of Atlanta for over a year. The shop manager called to tell me that two days after I bought it, the previous owner showed up to pick it up. He made quite a scene when he found out it had been sold and demanded to see the paperwork authorizing the shop to legally sell the car. When he was given the paperwork he accused them of faking it and called the police. One of the documents they showed him was a police report. The officer took one look at that and basically told the guy to pound sand.

Moral of the story: Don't leave your car at a shop for a year, ask them to babysit it indefinitely, and then expect to just walk in and pick up your keys!

In case there was any question in my mind why the head bolts weren't tight, this pretty much sums it up:
http://www.creative-pro.net/cars/x5/Helicoil.jpg

These things are barely 1/2" deep. No way that's enough thread! I'd LOVE to know what the guy who installed them was thinking...

3.0 L head bolts are M10 x 110 length. From memory, the engineering rule of thumb is two or three times the shaft diameter for the threaded engagement (for something with lots of pressure like a head bolt. Five turns for minimum engagement, ten is better, I can't remember any more beyond this (too may years since university).

You could consult to see what an engineering manual will give you but I'd expect the longest Timecert (actually you now need Big Sert as the block was previously Helicoiled) for an M10 bolt to be 20 mm or 30 mm.

The Big-Serts are 24.5mm deep. The rep I spoke with assured me that will be more than enough. They are engineered specifically for the job of securing head bolts.

The Neverending Project…
 

It's been a while since I've posted any updates because I've mostly just been doing busy-work for the last couple of weeks while I stockpile parts and tools. Also, my actual income-producing job has been keeping me pretty busy and I haven't had much time to work on the X5 or make Internet posts. Ironic, since my day (and-sometimes-night) job is developing Internet content.

Anyway, I get the impression that whoever worked on this car last time went out of their way to deliberately sabotage it. It seems like every time I find a problem and attempt to fix it, I find another problem buried within. But I think that I might *finally* be past the turning point and can begin to reassemble the engine. Here's to hoping!

After I pulled the head, I discovered that one of the timing chain guides was broken. To replace it, the front lower timing cover has to be removed, which requires removing the harmonic balancer. It's obvious to me that the timing cover has already been removed by the previous mechanic. Which, of course, begs the question: Why the f@¢k wasn't the chain guide replaced then? So, I had to buy the special holding tool to lock the harmonic balancer while removing the center nut. While removing the timing cover, I found that one of the bolts going through the oil pan and into the bottom of the timing cover was cross threaded - which means that I'll have to re-tap the hole. See what I mean by deliberate sabotage?

Here is a photo of the new timing chain guide after its simple snap-in installation:
http://www.creative-pro.net/cars/x5/...hain_Guide.jpg

While the timing cover is off, it makes sense to replace the front crankshaft seal. It's not showing any signs of leaking, but it would be nuts to leave it in service since a new one only costs about $6 and it's so easy to replace with the cover on the bench.
http://www.creative-pro.net/cars/x5/Front_Seal.jpg

Here is the Big-Sert kit as delivered. It's a really nice bit of kit - and ought to be for what it costs!
http://www.creative-pro.net/cars/x5/Big-Serts.jpg

Here's an installed Big-Sert. Installation is a bit unnerving. Drilling into the block with a HUGE drill bit can make anyone nervous - I don't care who you are. It took an entire day to install all 14 inserts. But those bad boys are tough. There shouldn't be any more head bolt problems now.

The installation instructions say to cover the top of the engine with clear packing tape to prevent shavings from getting into the engine - a great idea. The tape is still on in the photo.
http://www.creative-pro.net/cars/x5/Insert.jpg

I had some time to kill, so I cleaned up the outside of the engine as much as I could.
http://www.creative-pro.net/cars/x5/Cleaned_Block.jpg

http://www.creative-pro.net/cars/x5/Cleaned_Pistons.jpg

The last of the parts should be here this week and maybe I'll get to start putting it back together this weekend. If the Car Gods smile upon me, I might have it running again by next weekend. I say a prayer in the morning facing toward Spartanburg, SC in the hopes that it will win me some favor with them! :D

Don't forget the $4 oil filter housing gasket while its opened up! Looking great on progress man, you have huge balls to do all this (I hope you literally got this X for next to nothing for all the work you've done)

On page 1, belated Wilkommen!

Thanks for the reminder about the OFHG! I already have the gasket on hand. I usually have a couple of them "in stock" all the time anyway. It's such a common replacement item that I sometimes include a couple of them when I order parts.

I thought I was getting it for a really good price when I bought this X5, but now I'm not so sure. I always look for cars that I can add value to, and there will be plenty added to this one!

Oh, and I can assure you: just slightly above-average sized balls. :)

Love all the pictures! Enjoying following your project along.