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TASK · ENGINE & S54

E46 M3 Valve Adjustment

Measure and adjust intake and exhaust valve clearances on the S54 to BMW specification. Out-of-spec valves cause ticking, rough idle, and power loss. Covers shim removal, measurement with feeler gauges, and shim selection.

Videos2DifficultyadvancedAvg time6–10 hoursRiskmoderate
Fits your situationEngine: S54
★ Community Top Pick · #1 of 2  ·  Ranked by outcomes
E46 M3 S54 Valve Adjustment — Full DIY Guide
99:00
#1
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E46 M3 S54 Valve Adjustment — Full DIY Guide

BD
Bimmer DIY

Complete S54 valve clearance measurement and adjustment. Covers shim removal, feeler gauge measurement, shim selection, and reassembly. Thorough and well-filmed.

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Other top picks.

BMW S54 Valve Clearance Check — Overview
#2
43:00

BMW S54 Valve Clearance Check — Overview

Community overview of S54 valve adjustment procedure and shim selection.

Steps from the top pick.

6 chapters
  1. 1:1501
    Tools required — feeler gauges and shim tool
  2. 3:3002
    Valve cover removal
  3. 8:0003
    Measuring valve clearances — intake
  4. 11:3004
    Measuring valve clearances — exhaust
  5. 17:0005
    Shim removal and selection
  6. 26:0006
    Reassembly and final torque