Overview of the M50 engine

[520John]

Does anybody have like a picture overview of the M50 engine?
The perfect gift for me would be pictures showing which hoses to check for air leaking.... show the location of the ICV, the different sensors and so on....

Another question. The O2 sensor, is that the same as the lambda??

...I belive in Santa.... :D

[Dave M]

Random pics of M50:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/Mar112006005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/Mar112006004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/Mar112006003.jpg

[Dave M]

Continued:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/Engine_3007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/Engine_2013.jpg

See ICV, engine temp. sensor, coolant temp. sensor and camshaft position sensor in the next two. ICV almost right below the BMW stamped on the engine block. Engine temp sensor and coolant temp sensors are below cylinder intakes 1 and 2. Camshaft position sensor is in the top left hand corner of the pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005014.jpg

[Dave M]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005013.jpg

Throttle body hoses etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005003.jpg

[Dave M]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/Block_Swap/nov_22_2005001.jpg

I may have more somewhere, or just ask :)

Dave M

[520John]

Tnx a mill, Dave!!! :D

I have to have a look at my stalling problem tomorrow and since its 10 degrees below I dont want to use more time than absolutely necessary....

I'm just starting with the simple stuff... Changing spark plugs, airfilter, cleaning the MAF, checking for airleaks and maybe try to do the ICV and fuelfilter... I'll just take one thing at a time and see if it helps...

:) :)

[Dave M]

No problem,

When you're ready, provide us with more info on the condition.

When it stalls: warming up, at operating temp, under power, certain ambient temps etc.

Related 'stuff': lumpy idle, noises, etc.

Dave M

[520John]

I'm working on the car now. I removed the coil from the sparkplug furthest to the right (nearest the front, is it #1 or #6?). The whole thing is flooded with oil. I remowed the coil from the plug next to it, the same story? Broken valvecover gasket (I think we call it the topgasket here)??
Is it necessary to put in new sparkplugs and put the whole thing together again without changing the gasket?? How long will that last??

[Morgenster]

I'm working on the car now. I removed the coil from the sparkplug furthest to the right (nearest the front, is it #1 or #6?). The whole thing is flooded with oil. I remowed the coil from the plug next to it, the same story? Broken valvecover gasket (I think we call it the topgasket here)??
Is it necessary to put in new sparkplugs and put the whole thing together again without changing the gasket?? How long will that last??

If flooded: yes definitely replace valve cover gasket. Don't confuse this with headgasket. Where are you from?

[520John]

I'm from Norway.

I think the usual term here is top cover gasket but some also call it valve cover gasket.
I took out all the sparkplugs and all 6 were flooded with oil. Is that normal, that all of them are flooded? Its kinda weird that all gaskets have gone.... There is no leaking from the main valve cover gasket (exterior).
I cleaned all plugs and housings and reasembled the whole thing, but there were no ignition at all. I'll charge the batt over night and have a go tomorrow.

Sometime next week I'll change the gaskets.

[Morgenster]

I'm from Norway.

I think the usual term here is top cover gasket but some also call it valve cover gasket.
I took out all the sparkplugs and all 6 were flooded with oil. Is that normal, that all of them are flooded? Its kinda weird that all gaskets have gone.... There is no leaking from the main valve cover gasket (exterior).
I cleaned all plugs and housings and reasembled the whole thing, but there were no ignition at all. I'll charge the batt over night and have a go tomorrow.

Sometime next week I'll change the gaskets.

Hold on a sec. Did this car ever run?
And what do you mean with 'flooded' plugs? from the plug well down or are the plugs just oily at the tips?
The inner gaskets are two: one per three spark plug wells. If you 've been trying to start this engine with the sparkplug holes really flooded so that the oil envelopes the coil boots you may have fried every single coil.
I'm guessing you have a 520i with an M50 engine.
It would help many here to know what exactly you're trying to achieve or repair and what history the supposed problem has.
As in: "This morning my engine wouldn't start, but it turns over so it's not the starter or solenoid, blabla. It's been running rough for this much time, etc."

[520John]

Its a 520iA '92 with the M50.
I've had it for 3 months and there has been no problem with it except it has needed a little tap on on the gas when starting it hot.

This last week it started to run roughly while driving on the highway. It lost power, and then ran ok again. This went on and of.
Yesterday I started it and drove for a little while. I stopped at the store and afterwards it started again at once. I stopped at an other store for a while and when I came back to start the car, this time it wouldnt start. It ignited several times but just a few turnings and then stalled.

I had to tow it back home. I remowed all the coils and plugs. There were oil in all of the sparkplug wells. The plugs looked ok, but a little difficult to say since I had to pull them out through the oil in the wells.

Was that an ok summary?

[632 Regal]

Ok John, you should change the valve cover gaskets ASAP. The oil will snuff out the spark causing a short circut and can both damage the coils and the computer DME. Hope it isn't too late.

[Jon K]

Dave M - what did you follow for torque specs on everything once rebuilt? My rebuild will be here before I know it and I want to have all the information in front of me.

Thanks.

[Dave M]

Maybe you already have this? It has almost everything you need. Between that and Mr. Bentley, I didn't have to guess at anything;)

right click and save (http://www.mwrench.com/Whitepapers/torqspec.pdf)

Dave

[520John]

Ok Jokn, you should change the valve cover gaskets ASAP. The oil will snuff out the spart causing a short circut and can both damage the coils and the computer DME. Hope it isn't too late.

Ok. Tnx.
I'll hopefully get it changed on tuesday.
I understand you dont recomend me to even try starting it before I get this done? I was thinking about recharging the battery tomorrow and try.... I shouldnt do that??

And... tnx again for all your help. :)

Anybody have any more input, just fire ahead...

[632 Regal]

as ling as there aren't puddles of oil around the plugs you will be fine. Watch how much smoke comes bellowing out of the tailpipe when it does start :D


Ok. Tnx.
I'll hopefully get it changed on tuesday.
I understand you dont recomend me to even try starting it before I get this done? I was thinking about recharging the battery tomorrow and try.... I shouldnt do that??

And... tnx again for all your help. :)

Anybody have any more input, just fire ahead...

[520John]

So.... the car has been standing still today, just charging the batt. Five min ago I tried to fire it ut, but no ignition at all...... :(

The starter turns around nicely....

[520John]

Latest update people.

Today I've changed the valve cover gasket (inner and outer). I put some new spark plugs in and assembled the whole ting again.

Kinda nervous when I turned the key... and I had reason to.
The starter turns as usuall, but no ignition..... :(

Any ideas??

[520John]

Final update and conclusion.

:D The car is again on the road and running better then ever :D :D

Yesterday evening I changed the fuel pump. I had big problems pulling the pump out since it was sticking in one corner. Using some pliers I got good hold and suddenly it popped out.
I changed it with the new one (new, not used!!) and held my breath turning the key. I could clearly hear the pump working! It fired at once! Aaahhhhh....... lovely!!

So... recap.... The car stopped... I removed the coils and all plugs were taking an oilbath. I changed the valve cover gaskets, cleaned it up and new spark plugs. I turned the key and it wouldnt ignite. I checked if the pump was moving fuel... it wasnt. I changed the fuel pump and... voila!!

Summary: It finally ended good. Ive changed the gaskets, new spark plugs, cleaned most electrical contacts and changed the fuel pump. Now Im taking a week or two of vacation from working on the car.
Next things I will have to do is change the shocks, springs and all other stuff that can cure the vibrations I have when driving (especially at approx 120 km/h).

Tnx to all for all the brilliant input you guys have contributed with. It makes working on the car much easier. :D