E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > Replace Oil Cooler after Spun Bearings?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-14-2022, 09:38 PM   #1
carguy138
Second Lieutenant
147
Rep
296
Posts

Drives: E90 335i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NH

iTrader: (0)

Replace Oil Cooler after Spun Bearings?

In the process of swapping motors and wondering what to do about the oil cooler in the wheel well. I experienced a spun rod bearing and possibly a main bearing and had the normal glitter bomb in the oil filter housing. There were a ton of magnetic metallic fragments that most likely came from the crankshaft.

I used my Motive power bleeder to push 4 quarts of Honda ATF through the oil cooler and then another 5-6 quarts of 5w-30 in both directions. After the oil ran through the cooler I had a magnet on the end of the line so all "waste" oil washed over the magnet. Zero metal particles were picked up.

I figured I would be good to go reuse the oil cooler but came across this TSB that has me second guessing what I did.

The BMW TSB 11 02 20_ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND ENGINE REPAIRS states "If the lubrication circuit is contaminated with metal fragments, then the oil cooler and the oil cooler lines need to be replaced. Cleaning these components will not be effective."

Any suggestions?
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      12-14-2022, 11:01 PM   #2
feuer
Major General
feuer's Avatar
United_States
4289
Rep
9,226
Posts

Drives: wife crazy!
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (5)

I would not and have not without any adverse effect. Besides you clean that oil cooler well.
Appreciate 0
      12-15-2022, 09:33 PM   #3
carguy138
Second Lieutenant
147
Rep
296
Posts

Drives: E90 335i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NH

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by feuer View Post
I would not and have not without any adverse effect. Besides you clean that oil cooler well.
So re-using the oil cooler in this case should probably be OK?

I've already installed all new turbo oil lines and flushed the turbo as well. nothing in there either.

Since the new motor has new bearings and rings, I'm going to do a proper break-in. For the first start-up I plan to bring RPMs up to 1,100 for several minutes and let it get up to operating temperature, then drain the oil. Then will drive moderately for the first 1,000 miles with a few oil changes in between as well to flush any debris.

For oil, should I use non-synthetic to help the rings seat? On my last built motocross engine, the engine builder was adamant about not using synthetic early on for this reason.

Thanks

Last edited by carguy138; 12-15-2022 at 09:40 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-15-2022, 10:02 PM   #4
335i54n
Captain
358
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: e90 335i, e39 m5
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: socal

iTrader: (0)

will you see any negative effect in your ownership life, probably not. its such a low expense to get a used one or upgrade, why not at this point imo.

https://drivenracingoil.com/c-138919...mbly-oils.html
Appreciate 0
      12-15-2022, 11:51 PM   #5
witty
Second Lieutenant
witty's Avatar
22
Rep
204
Posts

Drives: 2010 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

probably not, its recommeneded to change your oil during your bearing breaking in period anyways, so after 500miles you can do your oil change and see if there's any metal residue left in your oil filter, most of the time, they will just end up on your oil pan.
__________________
'10 354 E90 335i - Wedge Performance - 1K FMIC - ARM DP - Injen CAI - TD04L 19T Turbos - Stage 2+ LPFP
Appreciate 1
feuer4289.00
      12-16-2022, 06:48 PM   #6
iqraceworks
Brigadier General
iqraceworks's Avatar
2098
Rep
3,811
Posts

Drives: 2007 335i
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Missouri

iTrader: (0)

I would just clean it out..no need to replace it.
Appreciate 1
feuer4289.00
      12-17-2022, 12:11 PM   #7
feuer
Major General
feuer's Avatar
United_States
4289
Rep
9,226
Posts

Drives: wife crazy!
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LtxDavies View Post
Rod bearings are a typical wear item and more critical on highly stressed engines like a tuned N20 or N54. Although these engines do not rev very high, more mileage with additional boost will eat into bearing life. On our Project 335i we decided to replace the bearings before adding serious power and were surprised to find significant wear at 82,000 miles. Track your bearing wear with regular used oil analysis and plan on rod bearing replacement some time in your engine's future.”
Oil analyzes will tell you very little if any info in respect to rod bearings on these particular engines. Whole deal is nothing more than forum anecdote. Please remember : perfectly healthy bearing can fail at any given point in time for many different reasons. Also opposite applies. Damaged bearing can last quite awhile.
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2022, 03:16 PM   #8
M-technik-3
Lieutenant Colonel
2506
Rep
1,670
Posts

Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: western Ma

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1995 M3  [9.00]
2007 E91  [7.25]
1988 M3  [9.50]
I would, the previous owner of my 88 Alpine Weiss M3 had built an 2.5l out of the 2.3 after it spun a rod bearing and bunch of metal ended up in the oil cooler. Needless to say the 2.5 suffered premature bearing wear and it died after a shot life.

I bought it for short money an put a rebuilt 2.3l that got a new oil cooler. I cut the end cap off and checked it out. Wished I could find the hard drive with the pictures I have of it.
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2022, 09:04 AM   #9
carguy138
Second Lieutenant
147
Rep
296
Posts

Drives: E90 335i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: NH

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the replies everyone.

How does debris get past the filter? I can understand if it went on for a while or the filter collapsed? In my case, I changed the oil/filter prior to a track day and the bearing spun during the second session. So it all happened pretty quickly.

Looking at the oil circuits, the oil is sucked up from the sump and passes through the oil filter. Then if the OFH thermostat is open, the oil passes through the oil cooler but if it's closed, the oil looped back to the top/bottom end?

Any info is much appreciated.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:57 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST