KIES Crank Seal Guard

[Gertsee]

Thoughts on this?
I'm guessing these OFHG leaks are more common on the N54/N55 platforms but since the S55 and N55 share so many of the same components I wonder if this would be worth the investment?

[9M71]

This video has made me paranoid. Engine blocks sucking in the belt then imploding? Add this to my list of nightmares.

[N1rve]

First I’ve ever heard of this.

[fiveohwblow]

Happened to me on my e92. Created a year long nightmare I’d LOVE to forget. The issue is real, just not sure how real it is on s55...

[icegrill]

Better not be a damn issue on the s55 already been down this road with the N54.

[jpy1980]

Sounds like a good idea: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1623258

[MisterF80M3]

Wish I saw this before I put my CBC on..

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Wish I saw this before I put my CBC on..

Makes two of us

[maddmatth]

This was a known issue on the N54 and N55... I would have thought BMW have corrected this for the newer engines.

Are there any known cases of this actually happening? I haven't seen any. The case linked above didn't result in any pieces of the belt getting inside the engine.

Sounds like a case of trying to make money by fear mongering...

[jmciver]

This is a nice solution, and not that difficult to install. But it still does not replace proper preventative maintenance on these cars or any car. Barring an unpredictable catastrophic failure of the belt (which appear to be rare), inspecting/replacing your drive belts and also routine inspection for oil leaks (like from the valve cover) will keep your engine running fine. Even the other thread posted above states the importance of routine preventative maintenance - which many people are not that good about, especially once the BMW factory maintenance plan expires.

My M3 just went past the 50k mile point. A "far" visual inspection of my belts (i.e. not taking anything apart to get a closer look) indicates they are good and also no oil leaks coming from the engine. However, as part of my 50k mile maintenance, I plan to replace both belts, the belt tensioner and the two idler pulleys - that is ~$300 in parts and a few hours of my time. As a comparison, the Kies solution is $199 and the work/time to install it is essentially identical.

So in IMHO does this solution help protect you from a potential problem on the S55? Sure. Is it a critical must have? Not if you do your preventative inspections and maintenance (or pay someone to do it if you can't/won't do it yourself).

[Imperial328i]

Originally Posted by jmciver

This is a nice solution, and not that difficult to install. But it still does not replace proper preventative maintenance on these cars or any car. Barring an unpredictable catastrophic failure of the belt (which appear to be rare), inspecting/replacing your drive belts and also routine inspection for oil leaks (like from the valve cover) will keep your engine running fine. Even the other thread posted above states the importance of routine preventative maintenance - which many people are not that good about, especially once the BMW factory maintenance plan expires.

My M3 just went past the 50k mile point. A “far” visual inspection of my belts (i.e. not taking anything apart to get a closer look) indicates they are good and also no oil leaks coming from the engine. However, as part of my 50k mile maintenance, I plan to replace both belts, the belt tensioner and the two idler pulleys - that is ~$270 parts and a few hours of my time. As a comparison, the Kies solution is $199 and the work/time to install it is essentially identical.

So in IMHO does this solution help protect you from a potential problem on the S55? Sure. Is it a critical must have? Not if you do your preventative inspections and maintenance (or pay someone to do it if you can’t/won’t do it yourself).

I saw this piece and I wanted it. I saw it cost $200 and I hesitated. Then I read your post and yeah, no way I'm buying that thing. I can't help but tinker with my car. Hell today I spent three hours conditioning my seats and then taking apart the engine bay to clean stuff. Definitely inspected the OFH while I was there. I'm an aircraft mechanic and I like to treat my car like an airplane. It should be taken apart semi-frequently to be inspected and cleaned. I was able to remove a bunch of leaves from my cowl drains, use Sonax Gummi-Pfleger on some rubber boots and seals, and get a good general look around. I think I'll spot a problem long before catastrophe.

[Gertsee]

At what mileage would it be ideal to change belts?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Gertsee

At what mileage would it be ideal to change belts?

BMW says 90K, we change at 60K.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

BMW says 90K, we change at 60K.

Hey Tom!

I was just there today and asked Kevin about the belt job, but totally forgot to get the labor only quote!

I have these parts on me, is that the complete list of items needed for the belt job? See attached photo.

Also I added the obligatory “in front of EAS” cell phone photo!

Julian

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Hey Tom!

I was just there today and asked Kevin about the belt job, but totally forgot to get the labor only quote!

I have these parts on me, is that the complete list of items needed for the belt job? See attached photo.

Also I added the obligatory "in front of EAS" cell phone photo!

Julian

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Hey Tom!

I was just there today and asked Kevin about the belt job, but totally forgot to get the labor only quote!

I have these parts on me, is that the complete list of items needed for the belt job? See attached photo.

Also I added the obligatory "in front of EAS" cell phone photo!

Julian

That's a great PSA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

+1 for the factory 18's absolutely perfect ride balance
Sport/comfort

[RugbyBro]

FWIW I saw that VTT sells a crank seal guard like this for $69 (niceee) - under the N54/N55 section

[Jbonly21]

Best thing to do is change your belt and tensioner earlier, it's such a pain trying to get the broken belt out of the crank seal, happen to my X5 with an N55 engine .

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

That's a great PSA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

+1 for the factory 18's absolutely perfect ride balance
Sport/comfort

Werd!!!

I just “upgraded” in “ride comfort” by trading my Titan7 19 inch wheels for the 513m wheels. BEST DECISION EVER. ride is awesome on 40 profile tires!!

Car also looks more racecar-y. I shouldve never sold them in the first place!!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Hey Tom!

I was just there today and asked Kevin about the belt job, but totally forgot to get the labor only quote!

I have these parts on me, is that the complete list of items needed for the belt job? See attached photo.

Also I added the obligatory “in front of EAS” cell phone photo!

Julian

Nice! I'll work on the quote for you right now and follow up via PM.

[Twistm4]

Its more of a likely hood the OFHG gasket fails on the side that mates to the block, rather than the bottom like on the n54. If it fails you're way more likely to see oil in your coolant (happened to mine at 59k) rather than external leaks onto the belt.

Basically a non issue on s55. Scary as shit in the past though..

[mad1stgen]

Originally Posted by Twistm4

Its more of a likely hood the OFHG gasket fails on the side that mates to the block, rather than the bottom like on the n54. If it fails you're way more likely to see oil in your coolant (happened to mine at 59k) rather than external leaks onto the belt.

Basically a non issue on s55. Scary as shit in the past though..

How do you figure this ?

S55 uses the same oil filter housing/cooler setup as all other N5x engines, and the same two gaskets as every single I6 BMW for the last 15 years.

Open your hood once a while and check for leaks. It's a BMW. Whether the seal guard is a good idea, well that's another story.

[Twistm4]

Originally Posted by mad1stgen

How do you figure this ?

S55 uses the same oil filter housing/cooler setup as all other N5x engines, and the same two gaskets as every single I6 BMW for the last 15 years.

Open your hood once a while and check for leaks. It's a BMW. Whether the seal guard is a good idea, well that's another story.

Because I am an all knowing genius.

Lol on a serious note I've never seen this happen on s55. But have seen the gasket fail, which sucks because you have to take the manifold off to get to the last bolt on this design. Theres still a bit of oil spots in the coolant res. But a year later its been fine. Just drained it. Didn't even pressure flush.