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> Why I have not been around, Long story.
ClayPerrine
post Jul 2 2026, 04:04 PM
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Life's been good to me so far.....
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So last October I got laid off. I was out of work until February. I got a job with a defense contractor in Denton, Texas. It is a 35 mile commute one way, and usually it takes an hour in rush hour traffic.

The second week I was at the new job, I was hospitalized with kidney stones. Spent three days in the hospital after getting them removed. Not a good time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I was driving our 95 BMW 540i to work. It was running great. To beat traffic, I leave for work about 5:30 am. One morning in early March, I left for work. Got around the corner and ended up turning off into a bank parking lot when the check engine light went on and off twice and the engine died. I tried the key and it definitely didn't have any compression.

I opened the hood, and took off the oil filler. I stuck my finger in the hole and pulled out one end of the broken timing chain.

The motor ate 32 valves and broke the lower timing cover, one upper timing cover and the air/oil separator.

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Years ago, I went to rebuild the original motor after a blown head gaskiet. Well the block recall was never done, and the one that was in the car has unobtainium piston rings. I was able to find 7 sets of piston rings for a V8. So I ended up buying a used motor. That was after having the heads rebuilt at a machine shop. So I have ready made heads to go on it.

But it has taken months to round up all the little bits and pieces necessary to put it back together. I have been haunting ebay and the various BMW forums to find all the parts.

The last one arrived yesterday, the air/oil separator. So I am going to spend time in the garage getting a BMW engine put back together this long holiday weekend.

After that, I can get back to my 4.0 Flat Fan conversion motor. It is calling to me and I can't help it yet. I have to have transportation to work. Betty has been working from home, and when she absolutely HAS to go into the office, she has been driving the non air conditioned blue 914-6. So she is ready for me to get it fixed.

And I have missed this place.

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930cabman
post Jul 2 2026, 04:14 PM
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Sounds like life has gotten in the way, it can happen from time to time. I have never experienced either kidney stones or eaten valves. I'm sure things wil work themselves out
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Superhawk996
post Jul 2 2026, 04:44 PM
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That’s some serious dedication to keep a 95’ Bimmer running. Not sure whether that’s a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) or a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) but I admire the dedication to keep old stuff running.

Sorry to hear of all the drama and health issues but I can surely relate. Keep on keeping on. We missed you round here.
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Root_Werks
post Jul 2 2026, 05:27 PM
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Well sun of a Nut Cracker! Has been a minute.

My kid has an 850 I'm storing for him. Drive it monthly and always hope nothing happens.

Nice to see you back, we've missed you too.
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76-914
post Jul 2 2026, 07:32 PM
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Kidney Stones; Ugh! I feel for ya. Been there, done that......3 times. Drink lots of purified (R/O) water. 64oz's a day. Yes you'll pee a lot. My urologist told me pee should be clear not yellow. Color is a good indicator so pay attention to that. Ask any woman that has experienced child birth and kidney stones. She'll tell you child birth is less painful. Glad your back but remember those stones will be back too if you don't start flushing your kidneys with more water. ps Lemonade is good too. The acid softens the minerals before they solidify. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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PanelBilly
post Jul 2 2026, 08:20 PM
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I’ve only got one thing to say


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Maltese Falcon
post Jul 2 2026, 08:46 PM
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Hi Clay , you are a dedicated engineer on whatever project that I've seen you working on here at World, make that 5 series sing again.
Keep hydrated, lots of h2o, and you might need to give up dairy milk, certain green veggies, (lots of calcium there) , I'm sure your Doc' is giving you the best advice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
LMK if you need any specific bimmer parts...might be able to source for you ¡
Marty
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ClayPerrine
post Jul 2 2026, 09:19 PM
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Life's been good to me so far.....
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QUOTE(76-914 @ Jul 2 2026, 08:32 PM) *

Kidney Stones; Ugh! I feel for ya. Been there, done that......3 times. Drink lots of purified (R/O) water. 64oz's a day. Yes you'll pee a lot. My urologist told me pee should be clear not yellow. Color is a good indicator so pay attention to that. Ask any woman that has experienced child birth and kidney stones. She'll tell you child birth is less painful. Glad your back but remember those stones will be back too if you don't start flushing your kidneys with more water. ps Lemonade is good too. The acid softens the minerals before they solidify. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)



This is not my first kidney stone. That was many years ago. It was 10mm and it took 3 rounds of ultrasound to break it up. Now they just go in the out door with a fiber optic wand and play asteroids with a laser.

I have the hereditary kind of kidney stones. They will always come back no matter what I do..... unfortunately.
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930cabman
post Jul 3 2026, 04:55 AM
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QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Jul 2 2026, 09:19 PM) *

QUOTE(76-914 @ Jul 2 2026, 08:32 PM) *

Kidney Stones; Ugh! I feel for ya. Been there, done that......3 times. Drink lots of purified (R/O) water. 64oz's a day. Yes you'll pee a lot. My urologist told me pee should be clear not yellow. Color is a good indicator so pay attention to that. Ask any woman that has experienced child birth and kidney stones. She'll tell you child birth is less painful. Glad your back but remember those stones will be back too if you don't start flushing your kidneys with more water. ps Lemonade is good too. The acid softens the minerals before they solidify. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)



This is not my first kidney stone. That was many years ago. It was 10mm and it took 3 rounds of ultrasound to break it up. Now they just go in the out door with a fiber optic wand and play asteroids with a laser.

I have the hereditary kind of kidney stones. They will always come back no matter what I do..... unfortunately.



That 10mm will get you one way or the other, keeping health is #1
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trojanhorsepower
post Jul 3 2026, 05:03 AM
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Hi Clay,
Sorry to hear about your troubles, but I am glad to know you are overcoming the difficulties.
Welcome back!

Hope it goes better from here.

Peter
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914Sixer
post Jul 3 2026, 05:56 AM
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Ugh, no fun. Something wonderful is just around the corner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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friethmiller
post Jul 3 2026, 06:11 AM
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Welcome back! Glad you and your BMW motor are on the mend. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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Cairo94507
post Jul 3 2026, 07:08 AM
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Welcome back Clay; we missed you for sure. Kidney stones are a bitch.
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Steve
post Jul 3 2026, 07:16 AM
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Sorry to hear this Clay! Hang in there! You will need to change your signature to "life's been good until now" JK
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rick 918-S
post Jul 3 2026, 07:59 AM
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Geeze Clay! Those engines are are hard to get parts for. Good luck with the build. Good your thinking about the big 4.0 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)
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Literati914
post Jul 3 2026, 10:32 AM
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Dang Clay, good to hear you're on your way back!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

Bent Valves: We bought a used 2015 Volvo S60 that had a replacement engine.. the timing belt had been replaced - but the tensioner must NOT have been, 'cause it let go and ruined our engine after about a year or so. We sold the car for $700 to recoup what we could (I considered diving in an fixing it, but I'm not a glutten for punishment like you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) ) - so I know the feeling of hitting the key and compression is gone all of the sudden. Sucks.

But timing chain? Not sure I've heard of one disintegrating.. I guess time and wear are gonna get everything though. Let us know how the repair is proceeding!
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jesse7flying
post Jul 3 2026, 10:36 AM
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Sorry to hear about your unfortunate adventures Clay. BMWs are great cars and I love my 535i, but they will teach you to become a proficient mechanic if you have any hope of keeping them running. Funny how some of these old Beemer engines will grenade themselves no matter how good a care you take care of them. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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burton73
post Jul 3 2026, 12:07 PM
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Clay,

Sorry that you have been going through this. The pain sucks big time.

Best to you and Betty,

Bob B
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Artfrombama
post Jul 3 2026, 12:43 PM
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Several times while on this forum I thought "I wonder where Clay is"? Glad you're OK and back with us!
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krazykonrad
post Jul 3 2026, 12:49 PM
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Glad you're back! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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