The M62 engine is a prototype of a novelty, which we will analyze today “for parts” and not only. The release of the improved novelty was carried out from 2001 to 2010 and included all the innovations that Bavarian engineering owned at the beginning of the 21st century.
Features:
- easily smooth (alusil) cylinder block, the complete absence of cast iron parts,
- each cylinder additionally underwent chemical etching, which allowed silicon to appear on its surface, forming a kind of hone on it,
- phase shifters are located on each camshaft,
- each cylinder head on the intake side has a Valvetronic system,
- the geometry of the intake manifold changes depending on the load on the engine.
The manufacturer offers modifications of this engine model with volumes in the range of 3.6-4.8 liters, where the differences are due to differences in cylinder diameters and piston stroke.
For the first time it was installed on the seven E65, and later on the five E60 and six E63, and, of course, the BMW of the 5th and 6th generations.
The factory version of the M62 is naturally aspirated, but Alpina took the liberty of modifying the 4.4L version by adding a centrifugal compressor to it and it became known as the H1. The modification gained the ability to additionally produce 0.8 bar at the inlet (total 1.8 bar) due to the fact that the compressor impeller acquired a drive from the crankshaft pulley.
You can find and purchase an engine for BMW in a unique catalog of used engines.
Reliability
The novelty is more reliable than its prototype. For example, the wear period of the chains is not short, and the presence of a doubled number of phase shifters did not reduce its reliability in the slightest, but this was not always the case.
In the first year after their launch in 2000, they broke down very quickly due to melting and destruction of catalysts. Everything happened like this, as soon as the catalyst got a little bit clogged up, it immediately began to crumble and the ceramic chips formed in this case were instantly sucked into the cylinder.
A real vacuum cleaner was formed, due to which such a motor died immediately. Everything is easily explained, during a short moment of engine operation, the exhaust manifold pressure exceeded the pressure created in the cylinder, and everything that the pistons ruthlessly knocked out of the ceramic structure of the cylinders was drawn into the catalysts.
Besides, that the latter clogged very quickly, there was a rapid abrasion of the surface of the cylinders to an elliptical shape, and this was a loss of compression and an engine crash. Further, only the replacement of the block or the sleeve with a cast-iron alloy.
Oil leaks on the valve cover
The novelty received from its ancestors and not very reliable rubber gaskets. Therefore, the valve cover continues to let oil through after 150 thousand kilometers, but it often happens during the warranty period for using the car. Replacement will not be difficult. Much more painstaking will be the work of “laundering” the motor, which will take a lot of time.
Alternator support gasket
Traces of oil may appear on the cylinder block, which indicates the need to urgently replace the gasket 12 317 507 808 located between the cylinder block and the generator support. Often this is combined with the appearance of oil leakage through the oil thermostat connected to this plate. Replacing several rubber rings 11 421 725 947 will help eliminate the leak. This is not easy to do. A couple of years ago, this would have required removing the subframe, today it is done somewhat faster and easier. But it all depends on how much “space under the hood” of the car on which this motor is installed.
Mechanics recommend changing these gaskets at the same time, regardless of whether a second oil leak is detected or not.
Cold thermostat
The BMW62 operating temperature is 105 ?, this is not critical, but it negatively affects the life of the oil and valve stem seals. Reprogramming the thermostat will help reduce this figure to 90-95, which will affect the life of the thermostat itself.
Abroad, this indicator of the operating temperature of the engine is achieved by installing an additional atmospheric thermostat, which acts as a tuning element.
Mechanics may reanimate the existing thermostat. Take a thermostat and paraffin. The thermostat is removed, separating the spring, any paraffin is added to the flask where the heater is placed, which, when heated, controls the moment the thermostat starts to work. It all depends on the amount of paraffin added. Usually it is 2-3 peas the size of a match head. The start-up time of the thermostat can be checked outside the vehicle. Test drive in a tank of hot water.
Intake manifold
In the N62 engine, the intake manifold is able to change its geometry, which directly depends on the load. It has a servo behind it that controls the operation of the damper. The first models had one servo drive, later modifications were equipped with a pair of such “controllers” equipped with plastic cases.
With a significant mileage, errors may occur in their work. If there is only one servo, then there is a break in the wiring from the sensor potentiometer that controls the location of the damper. In paired systems, oil appears through a worn shaft seal, which leads to damage to the electric motor; a potentiometer is not provided for in it.
You can find and purchase an intake manifold for an engine in a unique catalog of contract engines .
Antifreeze leak
Antifreeze is supplied to the engine of the N62 model through an aluminum pipe located in the collapse of the cylinder block. It is sealed at both ends with rubber bands vulcanized to it. After about 150 thousand kilometers, such a connection leaks and antifreeze liquid enters the collapse of the cylinder block, which is a sin for each engine of this model.
Mechanics can take out the tube after cutting it into pieces, attach new sealing rubber bands and insert a hose between them. Another option: winding this tube from the pump. And some, not “very skillful” car mechanics, simply fill the sealant with base plates and the pipe itself.
Crankcase ventilation system
Each of the valves of the N62 modification engine is equipped with membranes for the crankcase ventilation system. When they break through, the engine literally draws oil vapor into itself, or rather into the intake system. In this model, the appearance of such a flaw is manifested by the formation of a light exhaust and a decrease in the amount of oil in the sump.
Ideal to change membranes. For this model, they are sold separately complete with springs and caps (11127547058).
A sharp increase in oil consumption during the formation of white exhaust is the result of damage to the membranes of the crankcase ventilation system. These are crankcase gases, which, with intact membranes, are fed into the intake through the pipes of the front of the intake manifold. Engines until 2004 had a combined tee of all tubes, which, if one of them broke down, had to be replaced as a block. Since 2004 crankcase gases have been supplied by a separate pair of tubes.
Over time, the tubes crack, no matter who made them, and the air-fuel mixture intended for intake becomes poorer. This is manifested by the appearance of a misfire and uneven operation of the engine at idle.
Valvetronic Mechanism
Beneath the N62 valve covers is an intricate Valvetronic intake mechanism. But with a more subtle consideration of it, there is nothing super complicated in it when compared with the usual in-line engines. With a sufficient amount of high-quality oil, this mechanism, like the gas distribution mechanism, is resistant to wear. When the levers and shafts are worn, the motor starts to work unevenly, misfiring occurs more and more often, but Valvetronic will continue to work stably.
Valvetronic motors are arranged with collectors up and at an angle. Therefore, coal dust from the brushes does not cause them to short to ground, which is typical for BMW in-line analogues with a horizontal arrangement of the same motors.
Significant mileage makes the N62 engine more responsive to the accelerator as fuel consumption rises. If everything is left as it is, then the Valvetronic system will fail very quickly. And the problem is the wear of the collector motor. Replacement for a new is expensive, but the mechanics have learned how to open it, change the brushes and regrind the collectors, which will cost much less.
Timing chains
This system has two circuits + an oil pump drive circuit. Standard service life from 250 thousand kilometers. Stretching causes noise. When replacing, you will have to remove the engine and the right cylinder head, which resembles a minimal, but overhaul.
Valve stem seals
The period of uninterrupted operation of valve stem seals in the N62 engine is less than 120 thousand kilometers, in which the role of high operating temperatures of the motor itself is important. This is what causes rapid “tanning” and cracking.
When they fail, oil leaks and white smoke appears in the exhaust at idle. Gas release causes a thicker cloud to form. This burns out the oil that has entered the system during downtime. Therefore, replacing the caps every 100-200 thousand kilometers is more likely to be a service maintenance of the car than to correct the breakdowns that have occurred in its N62 engine.
Cylinder piston system
BMW with N62 gets a reliable and durable cylinder-piston system. This is true, but its service life largely depends on the quality and regularity of service maintenance, the quality of the oil and gasoline used. As well as the cleanliness of the cooling system. To drastically shorten the life of this cylinder-piston system, one refueling with low-quality gasoline and / or skipping service is enough. And replacing catalysts with flame arresters will not save here either.
Piston rings are not subject to wear. Today you can buy original repair rings for cylinder bore +0.25mm d. It is possible to sharpen an aluminum block, but this can only be done in the production workshop of the manufacturing plant, because this restoration must be completed by chemical honing. There are no aftermarket or compatible piston rings for this engine.
Repair liners
Replacing the connecting rod journals and main bearings will cost R400 and R800, respectively, but it is possible to sharpen the crankshaft journals in 2 rem sizes. Not cheap and this is a great opportunity to reanimate a runaway motor.
If you are in need in replacing your BMW N62 engine, please contact us today of a quote!
