BMW M62B44, M62TUB44 engines
Content
In 1996, a new series of BMW M62 engines appeared on the world market.
One of the most interesting engines is the series - the eight-cylinder BMW M62B44 with a volume of 4,4 liters. An earlier M60B40 engine served as a kind of prototype for this internal combustion engine.
Engine description
If you look, then in the M62B44 you can find quite a lot of differences from the M60B40. Here are just a few of them:
- The cylinder block has changed in accordance with the new diameters of these cylinders.
- There was a new crankshaft made of steel, long-stroke, with six counterweights.
- The parameters of the camshafts have changed (phase 236/228, lift 9/9 millimeters).
- The double-row timing chain was replaced with a single-row one, with a resource of about two hundred thousand kilometers.
- Throttle valves have been updated and the intake manifold has been changed.
But many things have remained unchanged. So, for example, the M62B44 cylinder heads are almost identical to the heads that were on the M60 series units. The same applies to connecting rods and valves (note: the diameter of the intake valves here is 35 millimeters, and the exhaust valves are 30,5 millimeters).
In addition to the basic version of this engine, there is a version that has undergone a technical update - it received the name M62TUB44 (there is another spelling variant M62B44TU, but this is basically the same thing) and appeared on the market in 1998. During the update (update), the VANOS gas distribution phase control system was added to the engine. Thanks to this system, the engine works optimally in all modes and has good traction. In addition, thanks to VANOS, efficiency is increased and cylinder filling is improved. Also in the technically updated version there was an electronic throttle and an intake manifold with less wide channels. The Bosch DME M7,2 system was supplied as a control system for the updated version.
In addition, in TU engines, cylinder liners began to be made not from nikasil as before (nikasil is a special nickel-silicon alloy developed by German manufacturers), but from alusil (an alloy containing about 78% aluminum and 12% silicon).
A new series of BMW engines with a V8 configuration - the N62 series - entered the market in 2001. Ultimately, after a few years, this led to the cessation of production of similar, but still less advanced units from the M family.
| Manufacturer | Munich Plant in Germany |
|---|---|
| Years of issue | 1995 to 2001 year |
| Volume | 2494 cubic centimeters |
| Cylinder Block Materials | Aluminum and Nikasil alloy |
| Power format | Injector |
| engine's type | Six-cylinder, in-line |
| Power, in horsepower/rpm | 170/5500 (for both versions) |
| Torque, in Newton meters/rpm | 245/3950 (for both versions) |
| Working temperature | +95 degrees Celsius |
| Engine life in practice | About 250000 kilometers |
| Piston stroke | 75 millimeters |
| Bore | 84 millimeter |
| Fuel consumption per hundred kilometers in the city and on the highway | 13 and 6,7 liters respectively |
| Required amount of oil | 6,5 liters |
| Oil consumption | Up to 1 liter per 1000 kilometers |
| Supported standards | Euro-2 and Euro-3 |
The engine number M62B44 and M62TUB44 can be found in the collapse, between the cylinder heads, under the throttle. To see it, you should remove the protective plastic cover and look at a small platform in the central part of the block. To facilitate the search, it is recommended to use a flashlight. If you couldn’t find the number on the first try, then you should remove, in addition to the casing, also the throttle. You can also see the numbers of these engines in the "pit". This room is almost never dirty here, although dust may well accumulate on it.
What cars are M62B44 and M62TUB44
The BMW M62B44 engine was installed on:
- BMW E39 540i;
- BMW 540i Protection E39;
- BMW E38 740i/740iL;
- BMW E31 840Ci.
An updated version of the BMW M62TUB44 was used on:
- BMW E39 540i;
- BMW E38 740i/740iL;
- BMW E53 X5 4.4i;
- Morgan Aero 8;
- Land Rover Range Rover III.
It is worth noting that the Morgan Aero 8 is not a sports car manufactured by BMW, but by the English company Morgan. And the Land Rover Range Rover III is also a British-made car.
Disadvantages and common problems of BMW M62B44 engines
There are several really pressing problems that motorists who drive cars with the described engines should highlight:
- The M62 engine starts knocking. The reason for this may be, for example, a stretched timing chain or tensioner bar.
- On the M62, the valve cover gasket begins to leak, as well as the coolant reservoir. You can solve this problem in an obvious way - change the tank, intake manifold gaskets and pump.
- The M62B44 power unit starts to work unevenly and stably (this is also called "floating speed"). The occurrence of this problem is associated, as a rule, with the ingress of air into the intake manifold. It can also be caused by defects in the KVKG, throttle sensors, air flow meters. Normal contamination of the throttle valves can also cause unstable speeds.
On top of that, after about 250 thousand kilometers, oil consumption increases on the M62 (to solve this problem, it is recommended to change the valve stem seals). Also, after 250 thousand kilometers, engine mounts may be abandoned.
The M62B44 and M62TUB44 power units are designed to interact only with high-quality oil - it is best to use brands recommended by the manufacturer himself. These are oils 0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40 and 5W-40. But oil marked 10W-60 must be used with care, especially in winter - it is thick, and in the cold months of the year there may be problems starting the engine. In general, experts do not advise saving on working fluids if the car has an M62 engine. It is also not worth neglecting timely maintenance and care.
Reliability and maintainability of the BMW M62B44
M62B44 motor (both basic and TU version) featuring a high level of reliability and safety. In addition to this, it has excellent traction at low revs, and in other operating modes. The resource of this motor, with proper maintenance, can even overcome the indicator of 500 thousand kilometers.
In general, the motor is suitable for both local and major repairs. However, it has all the problems of lightweight aluminum engines coated with nikasil and alusil. In a professional environment, some even call such motors “disposable”. Interestingly, alusil cylinder blocks are considered more advanced than nikasil ones - that is, the TU-variation has certain advantages in this aspect.
When buying a used car with this engine, it is recommended to immediately diagnose the engine and eliminate all found faults. Such an investment will allow you to feel more confident behind the wheel.
tuning options
Those who want to increase the power of the BMW M62TUB44 should first of all install an intake manifold with wider channels in this engine (for example, from the basic version).
It is also necessary to install more efficient camshafts here (for example, with indicators of 258/258), a sports exhaust manifold and make adjustments. As a result, you can get about 340 horsepower - this is enough for both the city and the highway. There is no point in simply chipping M62B44 or M62TUB44 engines without additional measures.
If power is required for 400 horsepower, then a compressor kit should be purchased and installed. There are several kits available in online and offline stores that fit the standard BMW M62 piston assembly, but the prices are not the lowest. In addition to the compressor kit, a Bosch 044 pump should also be purchased. As a result, if a pressure of 0,5 bar is reached, the figure of 400 horsepower will be exceeded.
The reserve for tuning, according to experts, is about 500 horsepower. In other words, this engine is great for experimenting with power.
As for turbocharging, in this case it is not very profitable from an economic point of view. It will be much easier for the driver to transfer to another car of the same brand - to the BMW M5.
