BMP Design Inc. 3208 Park Center Drive Tyler, Texas, 75701 www.BMPdesign.

com

Toll Free: (800) 648-7278 Local: (903) 581-1855 24-Hour Fax: (903) 581-8206

Sales: sales@bmpdesign.com Customer Service: customerservice@bmpdesign.com

BMW Tech Tips - How to adjust the valves on a BMW E46 M3

For more Tech Tip videos - Click Here to view the index, or online at BMPdesign.com/technical The M3 e46, MZ3, MZ4 with the S54 engines all use mechanical valve lifters. Although mechanical lifter vehicles require periodical valve adjustments, they do have much higher R.P.M. capabilities.

On a mechanical lifter engine it is important to maintain clearance between valve stem and valve lifter. This gap is required to compensate for heat expansion.

Without proper valve clearance the valves will not seat fully. A partially open valve will result in compression loss and improper valve cooling. The final result is burnt valves.

BMP Design Inc. 3208 Park Center Drive Tyler, Texas, 75701 www.BMPdesign.com

Toll Free: (800) 648-7278 Local: (903) 581-1855 24-Hour Fax: (903) 581-8206

Sales: sales@bmpdesign.com Customer Service: customerservice@bmpdesign.com

The tools used for this job: 1. Set of feeler gauges, on BMW intake valves you will need a minimum of 7 thousandths & a maximum of 9 thousandths, on the exhaust side a minimum of 11 thousandths & 13 thousandths. 2. 1 inch Micrometer 3. BMW Shim (puck) Removal Tool 4. Note Paper - to record the details 5. Set of shims To Check the Valve Clearances:

Step 1. Remove the valve cover, spark plugs, upper fan shroud, fan clutch & blade assembly. This allows access to the crank shaft in order to rotate the engine.

Step 2. Rotate the engine clockwise using a 1/2in drive ratchet with appropriate socket. Continue rotating until cam lobes on #1 intake cam lobes are pointing straight up.

BMP Design Inc. 3208 Park Center Drive Tyler, Texas, 75701 www.BMPdesign.com

Toll Free: (800) 648-7278 Local: (903) 581-1855 24-Hour Fax: (903) 581-8206

Sales: sales@bmpdesign.com Customer Service: customerservice@bmpdesign.com

Step 3. Use the feeler gauge to check clearances between the back side of the cam lobe and the rocker arm. Ideal clearance would be .008 in. (To confirm you can use a .007 in. blade which should fit easily, and a .009 in. which should not fit.

Step 4. Rotate the motor so that cylinder #2 cam lobes are straight up and check clearance, as described in step #3. Repeat all steps on remaining cylinders.

Step 5: Follow the same procedure on the exhaust valves. With the optimum clearance on exhaust valves being .012 in. with a range of .011 in. to .013 in.