X5 4.4i Blown Engine (I think)
 

Hello Guys and girls, I need your opinion. I have a 2001 X5 4.4 with almost 135K miles on it. This morning on my way to work the engine suddenly stopped. When I tried to re-start it, I only heard a clicking sound almost as if the battery were dead. Luckily, I was on a hill so I coasted to a parking lot where I could take a closer look.

When I opened the hood, I could see that the engine was extremly hot and it was smoking. Taking a closer look, I noticed that it was leaking fluid from the somewhere and that the fluid seemed to to be a mixture of Water and oil. I know this is a big red flag that usually means Catastophic engine failure.

Anyway, I'm wondering If I should just get another car or try to fix this one. I was really trying to avoid getting another car payment in these unpredictable times. But.... maybe this car has done it's job and it's time to put it to rest. What do you guys think?

Major Repairs I've made to this so far (besides normal maint like brakes and oil changes):

Replaced Various Window Regulators since 50K - $ 600.00
Replaced Broken Drivers side Door latch around 65K- $200.00
Replaced Expansion Tank around 68K- $200.00
Replaced Alternator at 70K - $1,500 at the stealer
Replaced all spark plugs and ignition coils at 80K - $1100.00 at an indy
Rebuilt Transmission at around 95K - $3500 at an indy
Replaced Water Pump at 105K - $ 700 at the stealer
Replaced All CV Axles at 110K - $ 800 at an Indy

So I'm estimating I've put at least 9K into the car for repairs. I think an Engine would cost probably 7K with labor. Maybe I should just take that 7K and apply towards a new vehicle. Comments/Suggestions?

if your thinking of selling, please let me know.

If it really does need a replacement engine I feel the car is scrap. However, just because the engine looked hot under the hood, was it running hot on the gauge? Was the coolant low/empty? A coolant leak of hot water would dissolve and mix with any surface oil on the engine and make it look like a coolant/oil mix. the fact that the stARTER COULD NOT CRANK OVER A HOT ENGINE DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE ENGINE IS SEIZED. You recently had a water pump fitted so a radiator or hose leak is the most likely cause of a coolant loss and these are generally quite violent so you would have seen them.

Let it cool off and get an experienced mechanic to take a look at it before you jump in the deep end.

If motor is blown part it out!
 

You'll get plenty for all the parts. I wouldn't replace the motor. These cars have endless failures after 100,000 miles. I have 218,000 and have spent over $15K since about 100,000 miles. Plenty of stuff I don't even fix, just put black tape over annoying idiot lights (check engine, air bag).

Today I have to send the ABS module and $308 so that I can get my speedometer back working.

that sucks dude, I have a friend who just hit 210k with his 4.4, he doesnt have near the issues your having, hes believe it or not is still pretty good shape, he had to replace his transmission once and after that its been smooth sailing...

Obviously not worth splurging on a new engine for a vehicle with 135,000 miles. But don't bury her yet, I'm not convinced that engine is dead. May just need new hoses and fluid re-fills (oil, coolant).

right-o, i suspect your valve covers leak and that a hose blew and thats why it looks like a mixture. check the hoses, oil and coolant levels. my 4.4i runs what i think to be HOT but its dead center on the gauge. if the computer threw a code it may be disableing the car from starting for one reason or another. are any lights on?

i doubt the engine is toast.

seems like you blew the heagasket. thats a big job....prob 3000 or more. you could have done more damage than that.

Update on Blown Engine
 

Guys thanks for all the help! I had the car towed to my indy shop and it seems that the head gasket has indeed blown. As a result, oil was leaking into the spark plug veins and basically shorting out all of the plugs. This is why the car suddenly went dead and would not restart. Indy changed the spark plugs and had it running in 30 minutes. He says that the oil will eventually fill up the plugs again and i will have the same unexpected problem one day.

He's checking out other things to see what the total price tag is going to be. If it's under a 3K repair I'll keep it; tax and title alone for a new car will be that much. If It's much over 3K, I'll probably sell it. At some point in time, I'll have to draw the line on how much I'll continue to put into this 8 year old SAV.

Funny, I have been trying to get away from BMWs for the last two cars, but I can't find anything that feels as solid. This old X5 was still running great until the other day. I went car browing yesterday and test drove a few cars and none of them felt as good as my 135K BMW. I guess you pay for the feel. I have a 2001 honda accord that i bought for my wife. I've done nothing but change the tires and brakes on it since it was new... I wish BMW would have that level of quality for their cars.

Anyway... I'll let you guys know if I intend to sell it, someone on this board may want it.

Thanks for all the replies

That wouldn't be head gaskets causing the oil in the spark plug tubes, it would be the valve cover gaskets.

Was there actually oil and coolant mixed? Or was it just oil dripping from the gaskets leaking.