Engine problem/advice
 

Hi guys.

I've still not got round to fixing my tranny problem, but there is a more pressing issue at hand.

I was driving on the motorway last week and the engine light came on. Then the dot matrix said 'stop engine', then as I was pulling over, the engine stopped.

I got recovered to a garage and the camchain has snapped.

Does anyone know if the valves on a 4.4i can hit the pistons? I know on most engines, they do, but some don't. I'm hoping on this engine, they dont.

The garage quoted $18000 for a new engine or more to rebuild it. I was going to have a go at rebuilding it myself, but only if there will be no valve/piston/head damage.

I am gutted!!!!!!!!!

So the computer said to stop the engine, yet you persisted, restarted and drove it anyways? You sound like the same kind of negligent owners who are ruining 7 series resale values by letting them goto crap w/o maintaining them. You should just cut your losses and sell it to someone else who will actually maintain it wince that quote is more than what its worth.$18,000 engine vs $50 tow charge....Anyways. I was able to get a rebuild and modified engine from Bavarian Engine Exchange & Rebuilt BMW Parts and was installed and out the door for around $11k. $18,000 is rediculous and you're being rapped, so I don't even wanna know where you drove it to.

m5james: Given that in the UK items cost in pounds sterling what they cost in dollars in the rest of the world, that $11 k would be $18.6 k (at current exchange rates).

pmercer: Look for a used engine. Or, take it apart and find out if the valves did hit the pistons. I expect that they would in this case, but only an inspection will tell you for sure.

When he said "I got recovered to a garage" i think he meant the car was towed to the workshop after he pulled over when the engine light came on........correct me if i am wrong, just my interpretation of it

That is exactly how I read it.

Just to confirm, most of you did read it right. I was doing 70mph ish on the motorway and the light and dot matrix warnings came on. I slowed down immediately and before I managed to come to a standstill, the engine stopped.
I got a flat bed tow truck to recover me to a garage. I did not try to start the engine again.

As mentioned, prices in the UK are a lot more. I've been looking for a used engine, but not found one yet.

Just thought I'd get confirmation as to whether the valves can hit the pistons in these engines.

Cheers

Paul

Breaking a timing chain must be a pretty rare event. I know timing belts go but I have never heard of a chain snapping. I wonder if something else seized and caused it to break? Have they been able to tell you, or is that one of those 'let us take it to bits first' type questions?

Is there any way you can look into the bores and see if there's any damage? Multi-valve engines do have a higher risk of valve strike but I don't know what the clearance is on the 4.4. Try ringing either BMW UK or another dealer if no one here knows.

How many miles had you done? Whatever the case you have my sympathy!! There might be an independent dealer who can take it on and they charge a lot less per hour. I have just had a look in the UK BMW Car Club Magazine and the only independent listed who might help is a long way off in Milton Keynes - PCS. Might be worth giving them a call.

PCS - BMW index

(By the way, does the terms RA 5 mean anything to you?)

Rick

Yes, I do believe the valves contact. The only case I remember at my shop was an E39 M5 that an independent shop didn't have the special timing tools and had it off to the point of bending valves.

So if you go for new heads. just make sure the shop doing the work has access to all the BMW special tools needed. If you buy a shortblock, that will not be an issue as it comes assembled.

What a bugger, but given the engine is shagged, what have you got to lose by opening it up anyway and having a look? I am sure you can source a good used engine somewhere, autotrader always had plenty of write-offs in it.

try findanengine.co.uk : Find a car engine
find an engineer with a camera scope to look into the broken engine bores
i had same failure with a Ford years ago at 108,000 miles, bent 4 valves and split 2 guides but had engineer repair cyl head and car run another 80,000 miles no probs , sold car still running fine .

My apologies....when he said recovered, I took it as he was able to get the motor to start again and drove it to a shop. Try calling around to some of the US rebuilders and ask about the interference issues. www.metricmachanic.com, Bavarian Engine Exchange & Rebuilt BMW Parts. As for junkyards in your area, I have no clue how to help you. I've seen 5 series forums specifically from the UK, so maybe they can help since we all share the same motor.

I've found this one on Ebay and its not too far from you.

X5 BMW X5 4.4 V8 bmw petrol engine on eBay (end time 30-Aug-09 23:02:04 BST)

I hope you can get yourself back on the road without too much cost.

bring it to someone else for a second opinion. the engine may be ok.

Thankyou all for your advice.

I think that as the garage has said that the chain has snapped, the garage must be fairly certain about this fact. I've spoken to a few mechanics and they have all done a sharp intake of air when I've mentioned it.

I was looking at old 540i and 740i cars with the 4.4i engine and thinking about buying the car and doing an engine transplant. These cars are only going for about $5000.

I hadn't thought about ebay for a used engine, let alone a rebuilt one. I think that price is fairly good considering...... I think that'll be the route to go.

I'll keep you updated.

I'd say with the price of that eBay rebuilt unit that says they install it for 450, that may be the way to go. Fully rebuilt engine installed (with your old engine as a core I'd assume) for about 2300 pounds. (~$3900 USD) and you can be back on the road within a week.

I spoke to the guys from ebay and then went over to see them. They have sold the engine advertised, but have lots of spares. They say that the hard bit to find and that they can rebuild my engine for less than the one they were advertising.

I've got to get the address of the garage where my car is and they'll collect it as well for me.

They looked like a typical engine builders. There were engineless cars everywhere and engines were all on the benches with a few people rebuilding them. They looked like they knew what they were doing which was reassuring. The boss knew about engines, and this block specifically, but said that his workers, knew much more than he did. He put his hands up and said that rebuilding an engine properly was beyond him which was why he had other people doing it for him.

He reckons it'll be a week or so as they are busy at the moment. Watch this space......

Good, I hope it all works out for you.
There is nothing better than finding a good indepedent garage.