Lockdown project ...

[Bob]

Charles wrote:
> [quote=Rav post_id=199156 time=1586010925 user_id=50927]
> What do i win? Can i have the old gasket to frame?
>
> These 3.4 engines like to eat HGs. Is there no upgrade part available?
> [/quote]
> Hold your horses - the box isn't empty yet!
That box is bigger than Mary Poppins' bag!

[Charles]

That box is bigger than Mary Poppins' bag!

Needs to be with this inside

Yes, Jim - you were right but I wanted to stretch things out a bit longer than 38 minutes!!!!

[Rav]

More guesses!!

[Charles]

More guesses!!

Not really, Rav.

Took the car in for an oil change early January only to find significant coolant loss, no apparent leaks but excessive vapour in the exhaust. Exploration revealed that coolant was escaping past the non-OEM gasket into the cylinders. Stripped things down and the reason for increasing oil consumption became apparent - namely excessive wear in the cylinders.

So it appears that the 3.4 engine is only good for 350,000 miles - how disappointing.

So I was faced with some big decisions and, long story short, bit the bullet and purchased a new block, OEM gasket and piston rings (thankfully via AWD to avoid BMW UK tax).

Car is with Phil at CPC who is effectively building me a new engine so that I can do another 350,000 miles

[hashluck]

Wow that is some lockdown project, but indeed should see you through another 350K miles! :)

[Bob]

Wow, wasn’t expecting to see that in there! 😲

350k must be a real limit then, since it’s unlikely you’ll find another 3.4 that’s had such consistent usage and sympathetic maintenance over that kind of distance.

[Charles]

Wow, wasn’t expecting to see that in there!

350k must be a real limit then, since it’s unlikely you’ll find another 3.4 that’s had such consistent usage and sympathetic maintenance over that kind of distance.

That's very kind, Bob.

The good news is that I now know what to expect over the lifetime of the engine and I can enjoy running another one in again!

[Bob]

So, does that mean a block becomes a "consumable" part with enough miles covered?

[Charles]

So, does that mean a block becomes a "consumable" part with enough miles covered?

Don't see why not

[Alpina Jim]

Charles wrote:
> [quote=CaesarBob post_id=199163 time=1586041470 user_id=47422]
> That box is bigger than Mary Poppins' bag!
> [/quote]
> Needs to be with this inside :shock:
>
> Yes, Jim - you were right but I wanted to stretch things out a bit longer
> than 38 minutes!!!!

So I was kind of right on both counts then Charles, including the expensive comment unfortunately.

Good luck with the project though.

[Rav]

You have done a great job with your car Charles and area real advert to the longevity of these cars, if looked after properly.
My car has just clicked over 111k miles, so no where near your car - so i just drive and enjoy it.

I am sure that i am not alone in requesting that you put up some photos of the re-build. It would be interesting to see the work.

So what are you driving whilst the mega machine is at Phil's?

[Charles]

A photo series is planned - don't worry

Currently I have an 05 plate X3 sitting doing nothing on my drive!

[Charles]

All cleaned up and ready to go

[Charles]

On your marks, get set..

[Charles]

Further progress today - bottom end almost finished