Any idea what this stuff is?

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

So...the free M52 I just picked up is coated with this brittle gunk. No wonder the camshaft broke. Any idea what it is? The motor's getting torn down, so I'm not to worried about it, just curious.

Underside of valve cover:
http://www.turn2photos.com/images/bmw/gunk_1.jpg


Cam support bearing where camshaft broke: :eek: :eek:
http://www.turn2photos.com/images/bmw/gunk_2.jpg


This is the top of the camshaft cover. I scrapped a little of the stuff off with a screwdriver tip. It comes of very easy and is brown. :confused::confused:
http://www.turn2photos.com/images/bmw/gunk_3.jpg

[daygoVR6]

oh wow....that looks bad like water got into the oil and it sat for a few years

[ncttrnl]

oh wow....that looks bad like water got into the oil and it sat for a few years

That's what I'm thinking... old sludge

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

That's what I'm thinking... old sludge
It's very brittle though, not gooey like sludge. Previous owner says he drove it regularly, hear a lifter tick, pulled the valve cover and saw this stuff. He says he tried to clean it, which undoubtedly resulted in some particles getting into the oil passages an starving the bearing.

[mike]

It has used cheap non synthetic oil, and been severely overheated, I've NEVER seen the inside of a BMW motor look like that. Not even an N62 from a 745 that went 27K miles without an oil change before the motor let go., Motor is junk. I doubt the head is any good. I do know of an S52 sitting for sale if you are interested

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

It has used cheap non synthetic oil, and been severely overheated, I've NEVER seen the inside of a BMW motor look like that. Not even an N62 from a 745 that went 27K miles without an oil change before the motor let go., Motor is junk. I doubt the head is any good. I do know of an S52 sitting for sale if you are interested
All I need out of it is the rods and crank. How much for the S52?

[mike]

doh, I asked and he changed his mind, he might have an extra S52 crank and rods too

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

doh, I asked and he changed his mind, he might have an extra S52 crank and rods too
I think I'm gonna stick with my original plan. M50 stroker. Woot.

[Ivan]

You mean I'm sapposed to change the oil filter? Hmmm.
:eek:

[Monster8V]

It looks like a new born baby pooped in there!

[cynicalgeek]

Um, yeah... Have fun with that. :p

Can't wait to see what block looks like...

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

I should have it broken down this weekend. I'm gonna put the rods and crank into the M50 you're holding for me. ;) But hey, the exhaust manifolds are in good shape. And the price was right.

[Mr. Nobody]

Can someone clue me into what car an M52 is?

Thanks

[Monster8V]

Can someone clue me into what car an M52 is?

Thanks


Thats a B-EM-FLUBALU

Or as ze say in ze fazahrland, Bee-Em-Vee...... Jah....

[cynicalgeek]

Can someone clue me into what car an M52 is?

Thanks
It's the engine code. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M52) entry on the M52 engine.

[cynicalgeek]

I should have it broken down this weekend. I'm gonna put the rods and crank into the M50 you're holding for me. ;) But hey, the exhaust manifolds are in good shape. And the price was right.
Yep, can't beat free. ;) Hope the crank came through of that kind of abuse OK.

Curious, why M52 exhaust manifolds? The M50 still has the manifolds attached to the head, in case you need those instead.

[Bimmer Pilot]

Can someone clue me into what car an M52 is?

Thanks
It's the engine code. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M52) entry on the M52 engine. http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq/

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

Yep, can't beat free. ;) Hope the crank came through of that kind of abuse OK.

Curious, why M52 exhaust manifolds? The M50 still has the manifolds attached to the head, in case you need those instead.
The M52 manifolds are lighter and flow better. They're welded tubular stainless headers vs. cast on the M50.

The valve buckets and cam lobes look pretty good, so I'm optimistic about the internals.