Death by Rod Bearings (again)

[ellekz]

I wanted to share with a wider audience how my replacement engine failed again after another user convinced me to create a new thread for it.

So, as some of you might've read, I bought my (used) car in August and 2 hours later the engine full on blew up (rod bearings) at ~150mph (250kph) on the German Autobahn (original thread). Being only 2 hours old, the car was obviously still under warranty, so the dealer replaced the engine with a used one (they claimed the used engine had about the same mileage as mine, ~45,000mi (75,000km)). The car also later turned out to be a previously declared total loss vehicle.

Now to the funny part Yesterday.. engine warmed up and at approx. 210°F (100°C), oil level is at exactly the middle between Min and Max. After driving it for a while and then a little more "sportier" driving for less than 5 minutes, I lift off the gas pedal and let the car roll for a couple of seconds and then made a stop to make a u-turn. Right at the moment when the car came to a standstill, the iDrive display said something about "Engine malfunction" and "reduced engine power". So I decide to make a left turn into the side alley instead of making that u-turn. Well, at that moment I knew what happened - loud metallic hammering noises came from the engine bay when I tried to drive. I barely made it off that intersection and stopped the car immediately when it was safe.

Here's a video of that noise:

I'm no expert, but this surely sounds like a loose rod hitting the engine block, i.e. a rod bearing failed. Can you guys believe it? What are the chances of having two engines die on you because of rod bearings??

My motorcycle is in a hibernation garage until spring. I now have to take the f*cking bus again

I also tried to take a photo of the engine, because in the lower corner of the block it looked really wet which was definitely not there before, probably oil leaking.


If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it myself this just happened again

[tam099]

=/

[VictorH]

Wow, that is really bad luck. Maybe that car just needs to go back to the dealer and let them keep it (with full refund of course).
Alternatively, if you go for round #3 it should be a BMW remanufactured or new long block. Good luck, sorry to hear about your saga.

[wrecklessfool]

[vsix]

Alter Schlappen....Sorry to hear that! Hmmm...it look's like all these fail's do happen while driving the car at "higher" speed's. Wow...could you please explain what RPM's you had when you felt something went wrong?
At least that way you can help other user's to prevent their engine failure's.

Let me put it this way:
Only because it say's in your cluster 8-9k RPM doesn't mean you can really hit it without any consequences!
For me, even it is a M-machine, it's still a burbling V8 and V8's have their comfort zone in lower region's. Only because the fact, german engineer's managed and finally allowed you to rocket these engine's into beyond possible high RPM areas, doesn't also mean these car's actually like to be reved that high.
As for me, my car won't see past 5k ...screw everything else what they say, high reving motor and all that jazz? V8 is a V8!

[MFL]

Lol, Such horseshit.

That's definitely rod bearings.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by MFL

Lol, Such horseshit.

That's definitely rod bearings.

Say that again, kid?

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by vsix

Alter Schlappen....Sorry to hear that! Hmmm...it look's like all these fail's do happen while driving the car at "higher" speed's. Wow...could you please explain what RPM's you had when you felt something went wrong?
At least that way you can help other user's to prevent their engine failure's.

Let me put it this way:
Only because it say's in your cluster 8-9k RPM doesn't mean you can really hit it without any consequences!
For me, even it is a M-machine, it's still a burbling V8 and V8's have their comfort zone in lower region's. Only because the fact, german engineer's managed and finally allowed you to rocket these engine's into beyond possible high RPM areas, doesn't also mean these car's actually like to be reved that high.
As for me, my car won't see past 5k ...screw everything else what they say, high reving motor and all that jazz? V8 is a V8!

Why do you have a 8300rpm engine that only wakes up after 6k..?!?

Anyway, back to the OP' thread.

[BPMSport]

Oh boy..

Time for yet another new engine :/

Maybe this time they will put a new one in.

[xpunisherx]

OUCH! Terrible news...I am sorry for your troubles!

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Oh boy..

Time for yet another new engine :/

Maybe this time they will put a new one in.

I would say, lawyer up and do an engine swap, not just internals!

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Why do you have a 8300rpm engine that only wakes up after 6k..?!?

Anyway, back to the OP' thread.

I'm really sorry to hear that OP!
What it wakes up after 6? Oh my good lord...and I thought you can't top the feeling that the car give's you from 1.5-4.5k...no...I'm serious!
Holy good lord...

[X5-User]

ouch! just wondering did you have the engine history of 2nd engine that was swapped? The engine that dealer swapped it with might was in very bad condition/abused. Did you do BS report for the swapped one to check its health?

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

ouch! just wondering did you have the engine history of 2nd engine that was swapped? The engine that dealer swapped it with might was in very bad condition/abused. Did you do BS report for the swapped one to check its health?

I can't speak for the OP but what I could read out of his previous thread was that he probably trusted that the dealer would do a good job with swapping the engine. To me it sound's fishy that someone explain's to a costumer that a knocking engine could be "fixed". Just read his previous thread.
I would definately screw the internal "fixing" by "someone" and definately go for a professional swap of the internals or even do an complete engine swap!

I do know a very reputable shop in germany that does these swap's and with around 2.500 Euros you are good to go! Also they provide lower mile engine's IIRC with a 2 year warranty for 7.5k Euros, ( towing incl. )

[TrevorM3]

is there a certain year in which they were affected? i know the 6.2 amg has headbolt issues up until 12.

[TommyLights]

Sounds like they may have torn the motor apart and patched it back together.

[s85e90]

The pic of the motor and slight oil leak is normal

[r1762]

ouch sorry to hear

[ellekz]

Originally Posted by vsix

I can't speak for the OP but what I could read out of his previous thread was that he probably trusted that the dealer would do a good job with swapping the engine. To me it sound's fishy that someone explain's to a costumer that a knocking engine could be "fixed". Just read his previous thread.
I would definately screw the internal "fixing" by "someone" and definately go for a professional swap of the internals or even do an complete engine swap!

Sounds like they may have torn the motor apart and patched it back together.

To avoid any misunderstanding: During the first incident the dealer told me it could be fixed after he took a first look. When they towed the car to BMW, they've been told it could not be fixed and a new engine is needed.

The dealer bought a used engine, which they shipped together with the car to BMW in Hungary (cheaper labor costs). They assured me it was an official BMW dealer.

And they definitely swapped the engine and did not just repair the old one. The old one had a hole in the block and I could tell it's a different engine.

ouch! just wondering did you have the engine history of 2nd engine that was swapped? The engine that dealer swapped it with might was in very bad condition/abused.

Unfortunately no, I did not have the history. By law they're only required to fix issues and restore it to a condition that is at least as good as it was before (or better of course). But yes, my guess is they bought some rather cheap engine (i.e. abused/badly maintained) off eBay, hoping it would last me until after the warranty runs out.

Did you do BS report for the swapped one to check its health?

Unfortunately we don't have Blackstone in Germany But I was gonna try and send it to the US.

The pic of the motor and slight oil leak is normal

Maybe. But I never had that leak there before. And I checked the engine a day before because I occasionally check to make sure my oil cap isn't leaking again (different issue).

Just so everyone knows, I've been lawyered up since the first incident. A lawsuit has been filed. Not because of the blown engine but because after the first incident (with the help of Mike Benvo from BPM) I found out the car was not accident-free and the dealer doesn't want to take it back. So in the legal sense, nothing really changed. I already called my lawyer yesterday and next week he's gonna send their lawyer another official letter, setting a deadline for the engine repair (he's probably gonna miss that deadline and thus providing us with more arguments for the court date).

[Denk]

What an terrible mess. I hope you get it resolved in your favor.

[beats]

Brutal, and as others have said, I would definitely push for a new engine replacement.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by ellekz

To avoid any misunderstanding: During the first incident the dealer told me it could be fixed after he took a first look. When they towed the car to BMW, they've been told it could not be fixed and a new engine is needed.

The dealer bought a used engine, which they shipped together with the car to BMW in Hungary (cheaper labor costs). They assured me it was an official BMW dealer.

And they definitely swapped the engine and did not just repair the old one. The old one had a hole in the block and I could tell it's a different engine.


Unfortunately no, I did not have the history. By law they're only required to fix issues and restore it to a condition that is at least as good as it was before (or better of course). But yes, my guess is they bought some rather cheap engine (i.e. abused/badly maintained) off eBay, hoping it would last me until after the warranty runs out.


Unfortunately we don't have Blackstone in Germany But I was gonna try and send it to the US.


Maybe. But I never had that leak there before. And I checked the engine a day before because I occasionally check to make sure my oil cap isn't leaking again (different issue).

Just so everyone knows, I've been lawyered up since the first incident. A lawsuit has been filed. Not because of the blown engine but because after the first incident (with the help of Mike Benvo from BPM) I found out the car was not accident-free and the dealer doesn't want to take it back. So in the legal sense, nothing really changed. I already called my lawyer yesterday and next week he's gonna send their lawyer another official letter, setting a deadline for the engine repair (he's probably gonna miss that deadline and thus providing us with more arguments for the court date).

So you could face a court time of approx. 7-10 month, that's how long it would take if the dealer refuses everything. From the outside-of-court settlement to the actual verdict against the dealer. No matter what, you could definately be in the position to win, so keep your spirit's high, just be patient and for the rest german law system will take care!