X5 4.4 - Sludge in engine and oil filter housing... help!

[ArNarX5]

So I changed the oil for the very first time on the 03 4.4 I just bought two weeks ago and to my surprise.... WOW: wow: talk about sludge everywhere in the in the engine and filter housing! I was disgusted. ;puke;

How could someone be so careless to leave their oil in the car so long that it turns into sludge!?! There was rock like black crystals in an oil filter that said it was made in India.

Needless to say, I cleaned whatever I could in the oil filter housing and drained ALL of the nasty burnt oil from the car and replaced with OEM Oil Filter and Almost 9 Qts of Mobile 1 5w/30.

The car has 100k on it and the engine runs fine as if you could not tell it has that entire gunk built up inside of it.

My Question....

What can I do to safely remove all the build up from inside the engine components? I am planning on dumping this oil in about 2,000 miles and it's a waste since it's Mobile 1 and cost almost $70. Has anyone ever had a similar situation? If so, how did you deal with it?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!:beerchug::thumbup:

[The Salt]

Sheesh.... now you have me worried!

[Naz24]

as for your poll, my service advisor told me that BMW recently redefined lifetime as 100k, so according to BMW you should change the trans oil. But on the other hand, there are certain particles in there that you might not want to lose

[ArNarX5]

I have an independent mechanic that I took it to who knows these cars in and out. I asked him the same question and he said change it, but there is always a risk. In his opinion though, the risk is greater if you drive and not change the oil at all.

From what I understand, there is only one type of Transmission oil that can be used on this car and it's not available to the public.

The mechaic wants $500 to do the oil change - $30/qt x 10 qts + 200 labor.

Sounds a bit steep but he justifies it with 500 for an oil change or 5,000 for a transmission.

Do you know if BMW sells the oil to the public? Or is it available anywhere else? Thanks.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by ArNarX5

I have an independent mechanic that I took it to who knows these cars in and out. I asked him the same question and he said change it, but there is always a risk. In his opinion though, the risk is greater if you drive and not change the oil at all.

From what I understand, there is only one type of Transmission oil that can be used on this car and it's not available to the public.

The mechaic wants $500 to do the oil change - $30/qt x 10 qts + 200 labor.

Sounds a bit steep but he justifies it with 500 for an oil change or 5,000 for a transmission.

Do you know if BMW sells the oil to the public? Or is it available anywhere else? Thanks.

I got the impression he was talking about the engine oil and not the transmission fluid.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by ArNarX5

So I changed the oil for the very first time on the 03 4.4 I just bought two weeks ago and to my surprise.... WOW: wow: talk about sludge everywhere in the in the engine and filter housing! I was disgusted.

How could someone be so careless to leave their oil in the car so long that it turns into sludge!?! There was rock like black crystals in an oil filter that said it was made in India.

Needless to say, I cleaned whatever I could in the oil filter housing and drained ALL of the nasty burnt oil from the car and replaced with OEM Oil Filter and Almost 9 Qts of Mobile 1 5w/30.

The car has 100k on it and the engine runs fine as if you could not tell it has that entire gunk built up inside of it.

My Question....

What can I do to safely remove all the build up from inside the engine components? I am planning on dumping this oil in about 2,000 miles and it's a waste since it's Mobile 1 and cost almost $70. Has anyone ever had a similar situation? If so, how did you deal with it?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I'd recommend you flush it at the 2,000 mile mark as planned and then not worry about it.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by ArNarX5

What can I do to safely remove all the build up from inside the engine components? I am planning on dumping this oil in about 2,000 miles and it's a waste since it's Mobile 1 and cost almost $70. Has anyone ever had a similar situation? If so, how did you deal with it?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I think you are on the right track. I would do a couple short interval oil changes when the oil is nice and hot. I wouldn't put in any additives or anything else like that.

As far as the trans is concerned. I don't think any fluid is "lifetime fill". However, the problem is that there are possible risks to changing the fluid out for the first time at a higher mileage (say 100,000 miles).

I am no professional, just my $0.02.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I think you are on the right track. I would do a couple short interval oil changes when the oil is nice and hot. I wouldn't put in any additives or anything else like that.

As far as the trans is concerned. I don't think any fluid is "lifetime fill". However, the problem is that there are possible risks to changing the fluid out for the first time at a higher mileage (say 100,000 miles).

What are the risks?

[TheKingSim0n]

How come you made the poll so way off topic? lol

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by sunny5280

What are the risks?

Read this thread;

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...intenance.html

Especially the first post by JCL. He knows his stuff.