M54 woes, electric fans, VANOS tools, Timeserts tools?

[edw1]

Has anyone been able to test an electric primary cooling fan from a manual trans E46 out of the car? 12V across the two fat wires get me only an occasional mild arc, even with 12V on the small signal wire. The intarwebs leads me to believe I need to feed a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) into the signal wire to turn the fan on. Can I just hook up a function generator to that wire? Any idea what frequency and duty cycle the fan likes to see to turn on?

Anyone willing to loan or rent the M54 VANOS and cam tools needed to remove/reinstall/disassemble the head on an M54? I probably need to get the head shaved flat.

Anyone have the Timesert tools needed to repair head bolt threads in an M54 block? I would love to borrow or rent the fancy torqueplate looking tool that lets you drill and tap all 14 locations.

Is there a competent local machine shop that can shave an M54 head? My go to source for BMW head work is in IL but I'll give a local a chance if the cost difference does not greatly exceed shipping to and from IL.




Can anyone guess how many new curse words I invented this weekend?



Ed

[BJerolimic]

sorry about your troubles Ed! FYI I pulled my VANOS to do the Beisan seals and didn't need any special tools, I know the e36 requires a cam shaft holder but M52TU and M54 didn't need it. That said I did not pull the entire head so the procedure may be different. Good luck and let me know if you want my help wrenching (or fetching wrenches)

[victory1auto]

Ed,

I believe you are correct in thinking the demand signal to the fan control is a PWM type.

Be sure to check the block deck for straightness as well as the head. Also check the bores for scuffing. In many cases, when those motors get hot enough to compromise the head-bolt threads in the block, the motor ends up being trash. Some shops report good success with Timeserting the blocks [using the appropriate fixture]. Others have not had success.

Vic

[tjkirk]

Rich Jacksic at Jacksic Machine can the head work. I've used him for years. He's terrific. Not too far from you, up in Blairstown. 908.362.8163

[mmarv]

Can anyone guess how many new curse words I invented this weekend?



Ed

I'm guessing 2. You already know quite a few.

Brian now needs a cnc mill...

[edw1]

Ed,

I believe you are correct in thinking the demand signal to the fan control is a PWM type.

Be sure to check the block deck for straightness as well as the head. Also check the bores for scuffing. In many cases, when those motors get hot enough to compromise the head-bolt threads in the block, the motor ends up being trash. Some shops report good success with Timeserting the blocks [using the appropriate fixture]. Others have not had success.

Vic

If the head comes off, I'll definitely check the block and bores. For what it's worth, a certain independent shop in Chicago has the fixture and averages one head shave/Timesert job a month. Ugh.

On to a completely unrelated and non-selfish topic... I think the chapter toolbox needs to acquire VANOS/cam tools and a Timesert fixture. Ken will need about $1000 to get the tools.

[edw1]

Rich Jacksic at Jacksic Machine can the head work. I've used him for years. He's terrific. Not too far from you, up in Blairstown. 908.362.8163

Thanks. His number is going into my address book right now.

[edw1]

Can anyone guess how many new curse words I invented this weekend?

Ed

I'm guessing 2. You already know quite a few.

Brian now needs a cnc mill...

A mill? Why so fancy? I'll borrow his belt sander.

[mmarv]

Can anyone guess how many new curse words I invented this weekend?

Ed

I'm guessing 2. You already know quite a few.

Brian now needs a cnc mill...

A mill? Why so fancy? I'll borrow his belt sander.

He needs the mill to make the tools.

[edw1]

He needs the mill to make the tools.

If he had a CNC mill, I would just make a new cylinder head and block.





Or, I would make engine mounts for an LS3 conversion.

[mmarv]

He needs the mill to make the tools.

If he had a CNC mill, I would just make a new cylinder head and block.





Or, I would make engine mounts for an LS3 conversion.

That would work too. Tell him to get on it.

[colin]

I found this instructional video that might help. You don't have to thank me or anything, I exist to serve.

[edw1]

I found this instructional video that might help. You don't have to thank me or anything, I exist to serve.

I'm pretty sure you are the problem. You were the last passenger in the car before my coolingpocalypse.

[colin]

How late were you up? Did you remember to tighten up all the bolts in his cooling system

I'm pretty sure you are the problem. You were the last passenger in the car before my coolingpocalypse.

I got halfway home before I realized I needed some extra parts.

[edw1]

I got halfway home before I realized I needed some extra parts.

I guess I got what I deserved. Your water pump pulley is on the floor in Brian's garage.