Engine stopped when working
 

I am a new member and hoping to find some ideas to my recent problem. I drove my 2003 x5 yesterday after sitting in freezing cold. I turned the car on with no problem at all and let it wormed up. I drove it afew blocks and the engine suddenly stopped with no codes. Tried to turn the car on but engine did not turn, only a click sound. No codes again. No prior problem. new alternator and battery a few months old. Tried to jump start it but again the battery has power but the engine does not turn over. No leaks. Your ideas and suggestions will be appriciated. I don't like to tow it to a shop not having any ideas what may be the problem.

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

Hydrolock? Time to go to the mechanic.

I think that may be the problem. Now, when I take it to the shop what are they going to replace and how big of a job is that? I just need to know if I should leave the car with them or take it to another shop. Thanks in advance.

Took the spark plugs out and oil started to come out. Now I think I need to siphone the oil out clean the engine, replace the oil separator and hoses, spark plugs and hope it works. Am I missing anything? Please advise.

That is generally right.

You need to get the oil out (through the spark plug holes). Turn it over. You then need to check to see if anything was damaged, most common damage is a connecting rod, as the engine was running and the oil is not compressible.

Once you put it all together and get it started, you will have to burn all the excess oil off. Lots of smoke.

Good luck.

valve cover gaskets too

Only if they are leaking. If the CCV freezes closed, it pressurizes the crankcase and the valve cover gaskets are a common point of failure.

If it freezes open, oil can be drawn from the sump into the intake manifold, where it can enter the cylinders.

It is unlikely to freeze in both modes simultaneously IMO.

My mechanic was sick and did nothing and the car is still sitting. I had a chance to call a few shops to learn more about this problem. many of the them believe that i should not consider cleaning, replacement of the oil seperator and so on because the likelyhood the engine is damaged is very high. They are suggesting the engine to be replaced all together. I am not sure what is the best way to do it. Is the compression test reliable enough to tell me what the problem is? if the compresion is good, does it mean the rod and other inside parts are good as well? Please advise. thanks in advance.

Is it likely there is damage? Could be. Should you throw away a completely good engine without even bothering to try it? LOL...........no.

A lot of mechanics like to "find" you an engine and keep the other one as "parts" and give you a credit when all they have to do is fix a few parts and sell it for $3000+. You need to find one you an trust and let him try to fix it.

There are a few people on here that have gotten away with only a few gaskets after this problem and driven into the sunset. Others have torn con-rods into pieces. You gotta try to know.

I was lucky, no damage. I replaced the oil separator unit withthe related hoses.changed spark plugs,filter and put new oil and started it up. Lots and lots of white smoke.The engine sounds good so far. thanks forthe help and all the good tips.