Valve Clearances - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

AndyE · 6th July 2004, 17:33

In a fit of efficiency, I decided to measure my valve clearances this morning - for no other reason than I assume they're wrong!!

And, they are. Mixed over and under tolerance, here's the table.

Measuring the clearances is an easy but time consuming job - about an hour and a half from opening the bonnet to closing it again.

Cyl # ----- Intake ------ Exhaust --
---------- a ---- b ---- a ----- b --
- 1 ----- 0.21 - 0.22 - 0.28 - 0.29 -
- 2 ----- 0.25 - 0.28 - 0.31 - 0.33 -
- 3 ----- 0.22 - 0.28 - 0.31 - 0.34 -
- 4 ----- 0.25 - 0.22 - 0.33 - 0.33 -
- 5 ----- 0.25 - 0.26 - 0.32 - 0.36 -
- 6 ----- 0.28 - 0.28 - 0.36 - 0.38 -

This means that the valve lifters are outside the range of recommended tolerance as follows (red meaning overshimmed)

Cyl # ----- Intake ------ Exhaust ---
---------- a ---- b ---- a ----- b --
- 1 ----- 0.07 - 0.06 - 0.00 - 0.01 -
- 2 ----- 0.03 - 0.00 - 0.03 - 0.05 -
- 3 ----- 0.06 - 0.00 - 0.03 - 0.06 -
- 4 ----- 0.03 - 0.06 - 0.05 - 0.05 -
- 5 ----- 0.03 - 0.02 - 0.04 - 0.08 -
- 6 ----- 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.08 - 0.10 -

So, at some point I need to either get hold of enough shims to do the job, or book it in for adjustment...

ECM4 · 6th July 2004, 17:44

Now you've done it!!

You won't be happy until this is sorted out and that's not easy. First you have to remove each shim and measure it with a micrometer then decide which size (up or down) is required to hit the your target (assume this to be 0.28!). You won't achive 'bang on' but no harm in trying.

First you will need a tool to remove those shims. I'd advise getting the correct one from BMW. I've tryied various similar tools and they just don't work, at least not for all valves.

Once your done could you please send me the BMW tool.............

Bader · 6th July 2004, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECM4

Now you've done it!!

You won't be happy until this is sorted out and that's not easy. First you have to remove each shim and measure it with a micrometer then decide which size (up or down) is required to hit the your target (assume this to be 0.28!). You won't achive 'bang on' but no harm in trying.

First you will need a tool to remove those shims. I'd advise getting the correct one from BMW. I've tryied various similar tools and they just don't work, at least not for all valves.

Once your done could you please send me the BMW tool.............

can i quote vadas1 "if it aint broke fix it till it is"

nuff said

AndyE · 6th July 2004, 18:55

To make this thread a real multimedia affair, here are the pictures:

www.b1a.co.uk/andy/m5lifters/gallery.html

I have a feeling a friend of mine who has a 24v lancia of some sort has a tool for the job. If I can get it, I'll let you know!

ECM4 · 6th July 2004, 19:31

Some have real nasty shim access problems. Number 6 inlet at the back for example.........Check the Lancia tool fits all the shim locations before you start hauling them out. Imagine the frustration of a half finished job....arrrh!

plisken · 6th July 2004, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyE

To make this thread a real multimedia affair, here are the pictures:

www.b1a.co.uk/m5lifters/gallery.html

I have a feeling a friend of mine who has a 24v lancia of some sort has a tool for the job. If I can get it, I'll let you know!

Hey, man, you got far too much time on your hands... :p

Bader · 7th July 2004, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by plisken

Hey, man, you got far too much time on your hands... :p

yeh andy...we all have to meet up at some point then you can do ours too if you're bored

Eryk_PL · 17th November 2004, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyE

In a fit of efficiency, I decided to measure my valve clearances this morning - for no other reason than I assume they're wrong!! [...]
So, at some point I need to either get hold of enough shims to do the job, or book it in for adjustment...

Too bad the beasts don't have hydralic compensation...

Little chance for even a BMW garage to have the right shims available on hand... wouldn't worry about a few hundredth's off, but that 10-ner might warrant the job all right.

vadas1 · 17th November 2004, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eryk_PL

Too bad the beasts don't have hydralic compensation...

Little chance for even a BMW garage to have the right shims available on hand... wouldn't worry about a few hundredth's off, but that 10-ner might warrant the job all right.

Maybe I'm out of line but a redline of 7250 doesn't equate with hydraulic compensation.

ralph (vadas1)