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View Full Version : So this is it... N55 EXPLODED! Need some advice...



2002VT
07-04-2021, 10:35 AM
Hello all,

Long time lurker, limited poster. I tend to work out most of my thoughts and ideas on my own - but I need some advice.

Background:

2011 BMW 335i Sedan X-Drive with 137,XXX.
Performance Mods: Exhaust Delete (Stock cats and FMIC). MHD Stage 1 and 1+ from time to time. Replaced hi-performance charge pipe.

On 6/25 I brought the car in (to a longtime and helpful BMW Dealer - where I bought the car in 9/2014 with 37,000 miles) for a oil change, brake flush, check odd idle when cold, confirm my wheel bearing was failing, as well as to diagnose a whistle sound which was variable.

On 6/25 the dealer processed the oil & filter change, brake flush, and spark plug change. Called to inform me that the driver side wheel bearing was worn, but not 100% needing replacing if I wanted to buy some time. They also informed me that the whistle was coming from the rear main seal.

On 6/26 I informed the dealer to go ahead and change the wheel bearing (I felt the vibration in the wheel enough to hate it) and go ahead with the rear main seal replacement.

On 7/2 (at 7:30am) I picked up the car with all the work completed and paid $3969.91 with a 10% discount due to some communication issues with the text app and an incorrect quote for the rear main seal.

On 7/2 (at 6:58pm) around 200 miles later the engine made a popping sound and oil filled the cabin while driving at a speed of near 70mph. The car went into limp mode and then alerted a loss of oil pressure and shut down while I was slowing to the side of the road. Four hours later I was at home after being towed by AAA to my house on a flatbed.

On 7/3 I removed the air box to see where the oil had some from, and I saw metal chunks under the exhaust manifold. I was able to use a "grabber tool" and took our a large chunk sitting on the motor. I then could see a large hole in the side of the engine low, but above the oil pan - looking to be cylinder 5.

Carly found the obvious errors for cylinder shutdowns and loss of oil pressure.

Now - I am nearly 100% sure I threw a rod. However, I am open to ideas.

Recommendation:

I texted the dealer back (while they were closed) and I received a response to bring the car back and they will check it out. Again, they have been good to me over the years...

It is a MASSIVE coincidence that this happened after a service inspection and all the work - and it could be completely unrelated - who knows. But maybe not?

Sooo...I just dropped about 4K in to the car - and less than 12 hours the engine blows up. What should I do? The car is clean and fresh elsewhere and I always have kept it up to date regarding needs.

*Edit: Not including what I replaced above, over the last 6-24 months, I have replaced the water pump and thermostat, hood release cables (which broke), belt, oil pan gasket, coolant expansion tank, oil filter gasket, high pressure fuel pump, headlight leveling system, rear brake caliper. More stuff prior, but mostly cosmetic / suspension.

Thanks,
Josh

marvinstockman
07-04-2021, 08:01 PM
Did you lose oil? Was the drain plug loose?

2002VT
07-05-2021, 08:00 AM
I didn't smell anything or have a notification for oil level or oil pressure until after the failure. I will jack up the car and take a look today. Typically these things are alert happy when anything is off norm.

R Shaffner
07-05-2021, 08:11 AM
I'm wondering if the RMS failed, or blew out from pressure in the crankcase.

2002VT
07-05-2021, 08:49 AM
I'm wondering if the RMS failed, or blew out from pressure in the crankcase. I almost wonder that too - and then with it repaired it grenaded. What a disaster. The car and I have 7 years of awesome amazing memories.

R Shaffner
07-05-2021, 08:58 AM
I mean, I'm wondering if they messed up the RMS repair. Or if they messed up the CCV system, causing positive pressure in the crankcase, which could push the RMS out enough to leak badly. (That happened to my son's turbo VW, the day after the dealer worked on it.)

If you see signs of oil leaking from the the RMS, after the repair, it might have been the dealer's fault.

2002VT
07-05-2021, 09:36 AM
Gotcha. Thanks, R Shaffner.

The dealer who did the work will likely receive the car this week via flatbed. They can say whatever they want once they get the car back, you know? I assume a new/rebuilt n55 installed is not cheap, and after dumping 4K into the car I don't have a huge appetite for more.

2002VT
07-05-2021, 11:11 AM
Well - just called the dealer. They were sympathetic, asked me if I have AAA. I do - so it's headed down. I will keep you posted.

marvinstockman
07-05-2021, 12:31 PM
Remember, dealers have insurance against just such incidents.

2002VT
07-05-2021, 04:15 PM
Thank you - I actually didn't realize that. It makes complete sense for when the "shit happens" light comes on.

2002VT
07-06-2021, 01:35 PM
Got the news - dealer stated they were not liable and it will need an engine. Quoted a new engine installed at $20,341.79. They did say they would knock the previous cost of the RMS job off if I decided to go ahead...so maybe $19K out the door.

Um - no.

relative4
07-06-2021, 02:16 PM
Used N55 installed by a reasonable indie sb ca. $5-6K.

marvinstockman
07-06-2021, 06:13 PM
Call the dealer service manager, and ask that they arrange a meeting with the BMW zone rep. If they won't do it, call BMW central and ask for the meeting.


Whatever you do, don't spent $20K on a $10K car.

mandd
07-07-2021, 09:28 AM
Zone rep??, not going to happen.

BMW central?? they will defer back to the dealer.

N55 bottom end failures are well documented typically on the early motors. Performance mods don't help his case unless the dealer is very forgiving.



Call the dealer service manager, and ask that they arrange a meeting with the BMW zone rep. If they won't do it, call BMW central and ask for the meeting.


Whatever you do, don't spent $20K on a $10K car.

Grady in Texas
07-07-2021, 04:15 PM
What was the answer to the question: "Did you lose oil?"

Cobra Jet
07-08-2021, 08:21 AM
On your invoice for the maintenance work performed before the engine failure, did they quote the total amount of oil used for the oil change? Wouldn’t it be detrimental to the engine if the Tech did not put the proper amount of oil back into the engine?

Probably no way to tell now how much oil is in the engine if it ventilated the block and fluids leaked out.

To me, seems kind of suspicious that the engine failed after a service visit.

marvinstockman
07-08-2021, 09:08 AM
Mandd, one of the jobs of the Zone reps is to meet with disgruntled owners, and if you never ask, you'll never know what they will say. Maybe this dealer has had lots of problems, who knows. In 1987, when I purchased a brand new Ford Taurus, I was on a first name basis with the Zone rep and the service manager, as the car was really, really bad.

2002VT
07-08-2021, 12:43 PM
I have left a voicemail for the service manager to call me.

I did text with the service rep during the initial visit on whether or not it was worth doing the rear main seal - asking about the rest of the car. They didn't really answer other than if it was paid for or if I considered keeping it (yes and yes).

The car having 137K on it, probably does not help me. Again - it could be just the luck of the draw - but the timeline really bothers me. There is NFW I am going to pay $20K for the engine to be installed. I called around and have quotes for an engine with 75,000 miles installed for $5K-$6K - the engine is $2,500. There is another engine which has less mileage and a 1 year /10K warranty.

It's annoying because I ordered a new vehicle which I have no idea when the ETA is. So I am just stuck here in limbo - I did also consider an LS swap - but I feel like I am losing my mind.

relative4
07-08-2021, 02:43 PM
Bust
My
Wallet

mandd
07-08-2021, 05:19 PM
Yeah, I have intimate knowledge of the position. They/we typically get involved when it is a new vehicle or a vehicle under the manufacturers warranty.

And yes you are right, if you never ask, you will never know.


Mandd, one of the jobs of the Zone reps is to meet with disgruntled owners, and if you never ask, you'll never know what they will say. Maybe this dealer has had lots of problems, who knows. In 1987, when I purchased a brand new Ford Taurus, I was on a first name basis with the Zone rep and the service manager, as the car was really, really bad.

2002VT
07-12-2021, 09:20 AM
I think I am going to dump the in used 75k N55. I also will likely do a manual conversion. I plan on keeping this car ... even though this makes no financial sense. lol. Maybe I will do a manual swap too.

JDStrickland
07-12-2021, 07:38 PM
Got the news - dealer stated they were not liable and it will need an engine. Quoted a new engine installed at $20,341.79. They did say they would knock the previous cost of the RMS job off if I decided to go ahead...so maybe $19K out the door.

Um - no.




Holy cow! you can buy a car for that.

2002VT
08-06-2021, 10:09 AM
Used N55 is in the car. The repair facility (which is highly rated) is yet to provide me with the paperwork on the motor which I am told has 52K on it. It runs smooth as hell, though.

I was quoted the job verbally to be 5K to 6K. When I called they told me they would call me when the engine comes in. I never got a call until the car was done, and the bill was $9769.99. I asked them why they had not called me, and I was quoted a job of 5K-6K. I was told the first engine was the wrong one and the second engine was more (5500) and that's why. I asked them if they could help me out since they never asked/informed me of it. They knocked it down to $9200.00. Apparently that engine has a 6 month unlimited mileage warranty - but I have no paperwork...yet. Today I have heard the shop is closing for good. Apparently they cannot find the help to keep it going. So I am not sure how good any of the warranty is if they did the work. I also have a odd chatter upon slow speed firm braking. If you can identify it - you win mad respect.

https://youtu.be/_kiRTTBsdRc I will post a new thread on the noise too - just for more attention.

This has been a less than ideal time with the car, but I love the hell out of this car. I will be doing a manual swap next.