2005 e53 4.8l jumped time..should I get a used engine?
 

My x5 4.8l n62 went low on oil. Tensioner most likely stopped doing its job and it jumped out of time. It won't run. The local shop looked at it and they say it's gonna be 6000 to pull the engine and overhaul.....and also do the valve seals which were already leaking before hand(a 3500 job in it self from what I understand) . The vehicle is in really great shape otherwise. I'm not sure what to do here. Does anyone have any experience with this? And might they know of a a place that has a used engine? The shops in Virginia do not.
Thanks for any replays
Cheers

How many miles are on the vehicle? A rebuild would give you a completely refreshed engine and the $6000 doesn't sound much different from what I've seen for used engine prices that would have an unknown background. I'd lean towards the rebuild if you can go without the ride for the time it takes to get done.

2002 X5 3.0 314,600 miles
2014 428i 24,300 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration

Rebuild your best option. Used engine will need to be fixed up to plus the labor to put it in. Cheaper to rebuild what you got and have a new engine.

I'd do the rebuild, because you never know what you're getting with a used engine, especially given how problematic the N62 engines are.

What all is included in their rebuild? How well do they know these engines?

Thanks for the input. The rebuild seems like the way to go....gulp. The shop says they will do the timing, chains, guides, valve seals, all associated gaskets... the engine does have to come out.....they mentioned they are not actually going into the lower part of the engine, so they will not see scoring mark and bent rods, and it was mentioned there could still be a lower knock that they won't be able to diagnose until the engine gets back in. At this point I could just buy a used x5 3.0 for a little bit more........I do trust these guys as well. I have been using these guys for diagnostic stuff for a couple years and then I go do the work my self. This job is out of my league however.

They'll be able to see scoring once the heads are removed. I would get a second quote. 6k for basically a valve job is a lot of dough.

Have they done a bore inspection through the plug holes at least?
Are any valves bent? (a visual inspection as they do not close.)
A compression test? (Yes, I get it if the timing is way off the reading will be meaningless)

If the answer is NO, then I would get a second opinion like you would from a doctor before moving forward with any surgery. Testing before hand will provide a good guess on what happened. As it may be a case of retiming and restarting.

The valve seal replacement on a 4.8is does NOT require head removal. Based on the price they are planning a chain/timing attack followed by a general engine seal job and some valve stem seals, which if I am not mistaken requires the chain to be taken off anyhow.

A second shop might be a good thought. Recommendation: Martin Motorsports in Alex VA. Worth the tow bill after a consultation with Gary on the phone. Call him.

I am struggling with a few things here. How many of you know an engine that has "jumped timing"? I have seen some 4.4 with the guides basically gone and the chain is slapping everywhere, but the chain has not jumped a tooth on the sprockets. Running low on oil enough to lose pressure to allow the tensioner to stop working would have other effects way before that. And, I would run from that shop. To say they aren't looking at the lower end in a $6K rebuild is absolute robbery. Do some more homework, hope the bank account is full

Exactly. If they are quoting 6k for a valve job before they even look at the bottom end (could easily have piston damage), you are in for a much bigger repair bill. This shop doesn't seem legit.