Engine - Revised Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance

GROUP 11
Engine

11 08 01

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Service Engineering

November 2001

SUBJECT
Connecting Rod Bearing Clearance

MODEL
E46 M3 with S54 engine
E36 M roadster, M coupe with S54 engine

SITUATION
The specification for connecting rod bearing shell clearance on S54 B32 engines has been changed.

The minimum connecting rod bearing clearance has been changed from 0.03 mm. (0.0012 in.) to 0.04 mm (0.0016 in.) and should be used whenever a connecting rod or connecting rod bearing repair is performed.

PROCEDURE

If the connecting rod bolts are removed and reinstalled while performing engine repairs, the procedure described in the repair manual, group 11, section 11 24 571 must be followed.

Procedure change:

Contrary to the rule for all other BMW models that states connecting rod bolts should always be replaced during final connecting rod assembly, the connecting rod bolts should never be replaced on S54 engines.

In the rare event a connecting rod bolt is damaged, all connecting rods (set of 6) with bolts must be replaced as outlined in repair manual, group 11, section 11 24 571.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Information only.