This may be a pointless thread... but here are my 2010 M156 E63 Camshafts at 166,000 miles. Engine has never been opened in any way. Have not checked the other side, will get around to that asap. Was replacing the valve cover gasket on this side.

Wanted to post because i'm wondering if it has to do with my oil change intervals (every 5k, mobil1 0w-40) and checking the oil at least once a week to confirm the level is proper.

I do see some wear- but not near as much as some pictures floating around on the internet.

Anyways

 

can't see photos at all

 

Can't see photos either

 

Like the others, can't see anything.

 

Sorry about that.. should be fixed now

 

My last two change I went to Liqui Moly and I notice my oil temp would drop faster after boosting. I am down less than a 1/2 qrt when I change at 5k. with the Mobil 1 I was about 1/2. 5w40.
My NA 63 never had a tick or any upper motor issues at all. They are good motor but I feel oil changes need to be more frequent.

 

The one doesn't look too good. Or is that just a sample of what you said about the others you see on the net?

 

FIrst two pics? All pics are of the same cam(s), i think just the light made it look worse than it actually is in the first pics. The close ups are of the same lobes that are facing up.

I get a little valvetrain noise maybe once every 2-4 months, goes away within 30 seconds upon revving up to 2k rpms slowly.

Sort of worried about it, solely due to the cost of repairing an m156 that is catastrophically damaged. Considering replacing the "damaged" (if you can call it that) cams / lifters just to be safe since i have no plans of selling this car. ~172k miles now

 

I am using 8oz. of Lucas zinc additive at every oil change which will help protect cams. I may get a damaged converter but I'll take that over engine damage.

 

What will you replace the e63 with?

 

Eeeeh. I'm confused.
For a 172k miles car they looked pretty darn good. And you have some noise every 2-4 months? That goes away? Likely after car has been sitting for awhile?
I say drive, enjoy, and don\t worry.

 

Interesting. You've had yours since new right? Will be curious to see how that helps long term.
Nothing, on the hunt for the perfect (for me) 6spd 996 turbo in the future after finishing/selling some of my "project" cars, and getting a better covered spot to store the ones I keep, but the E63 will stay.

I figure it would be a near impossible sell with the following criteria:
~172k miles
-No service records since 98k since I do all my maintenance/repairs - minus the trans conductor plate/tcm replacement- (no reputable shops nearby, towed it 4.5 hrs for that repair)
-"Wrecks" on record, very minor but still, nonetheless, a collision. Front bumper cover, the three lower grilles in the bumper, and one inner fender liner from one of the "wrecks" and then the rear bumper cover and reinforcement bar from when that idiot rear ended me.

Plus, I just love the car. It isn't the fastest thing out there but it does definitely move around quickly, and sounds excellent doing so. I've taken it from Louisiana to Los Angeles, up to Monterey, back down, then back to Louisiana. Not one single hiccup, other than an aux battery malfunction warning that went away. Did the 1400mi 19hr stretch from AZ to Louisiana in one sitting, only stopping for fuel and snacks, and couldn't have asked for any more from the car.

It's worth way more to me than what it would probably go for given the history.



You have a very valid point. Funny how I've driven GM v8 trucks for years that made noises, and I never once thought "Oh man I need to get in there ASAP and fix that". 350k+ mile engines still running fine. Granted, that's much different than a m156.

As I mentioned, it's just me thinking, "should I "fix" it now, and potentially avoid catastrophically damaging the engine? Who knows. It may run until 500k+ miles with just religious maintenance. I'll check the other bank when I replaced the driver side valve cover gasket. Should have expected that as soon as I replace the leaking passenger valve cover gasket, I would notice the driver one is weeping as well

 

Valve covers on the m156 seem to go bad. I had to have one replaced because of a very very small drip which turned out to be from a hairline crack near one of the bolt holes on the cover. The crack could not be seen unless under a bright light and using a magnifying glass. Dealer replaced it under warranty. The bad was that at the time the valve cover was on back order from Germany for over a month.

 

Yours being a 2011- do you have the black valve covers or the old silver ones?

Mine obviously has the silver ones. I didn't notice any cracks when I replaced my passenger gasket, I'll for sure scrutinize the driver side one when I replace it.

That gasket was literally like plastic after 160k miles. Just chipped it out in little small chunks.

 

My m156 has the black valve covers which have been updated since my car was produced. Update was probably due to fix in the design to stop cracks.

 

Look dang good !

 

So the updated valve cover is black rather than silver, and even the updated black valve cover would develop crack?

 

Yes the first OE black cover was replaced with an updated part which is also black.