engine cooked - BMW Forum

moetinger · 11-28-2005, 10:05 AM

Well last sat night I hit something in the freeway and cracked my oil pan. I drove the car another couple of mile before I realized my oil light was on. I pulled over imediately and the car was still running although hesitantly. My mechanic looked at the lower end and told me that the engine was probably cooked. He was talking about how some of the parts were gray caused by friction and no oil.

Here's the question. Is it worth it for me to buy an oil pan and see if it'll still run? If the engine is fried, does anyone have a recommendation as far as obtaining a new one or having mine rebuilt?

THanks for your help!

325eXTATIC · 11-28-2005, 11:22 AM

OUCH! Most likely you will have a lot of shavings and particles that will be running through the engine... That could cause oil starvation if some of those particles got lodged into an oil passage, and can severely gaul the cylinders, causing a loss of compression and increased oil burning. If you WERE going to try it, I would say to replace the pan, fill with new oil, put a new magnetic drain plug in the pan and a new filter, run the engine for 10-20 minutes, drain the oil, replace the filter, clean the magnetic plug off, and do it again. You may have to do that 3-4 times to really clear most of the metal out of the engine. That isn't my idea of cheap or fun, and their is STILL no guarantee that you have cleaned it out! You are not in the best position here... Best bet is a rebuild or replace engine scenario... OUCH!

Hope this gives you some sort of ideas!
Sorry for your loss, that one HURTS!

Josh W.

moetinger · 11-28-2005, 05:55 PM

Yeah I am really hoping for some good news from my mechanic tonight but it looks grim. What's the most cost effective route-engine rebuild or used engine. There's a guy in town that has a couple for 550-800 range depending on mileage.

Kowalski · 11-28-2005, 08:30 PM

a used engine will be way way way cheaper then a rebuild.

ldsbeaker · 11-29-2005, 09:20 AM

Hell, I would give your old engine a chance... What's the worst that could happen, it blows? If anything, you get an extra week out of it, and you only have to spend $100 to change the pan. Best case scenario, you're engine isn't as bad, and you can run it for another couple years!!

moetinger · 11-29-2005, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldsbeaker

Hell, I would give your old engine a chance... What's the worst that could happen, it blows? If anything, you get an extra week out of it, and you only have to spend $100 to change the pan. Best case scenario, you're engine isn't as bad, and you can run it for another couple years!!

That's the kind of optimism I like to hear! My mechanic was trying to talk me out of changing the pan but I am going to give it a shot anyway. The engine is not seized-he can turn it by hand so maybe that's a positive sign. I'll know tonight and let you guys know. In the meantime I will pray...

ldsbeaker · 11-29-2005, 03:28 PM

You guys ever see that commercial with the motor oil where they drain all the oil, then start it and see how long it lasts until seize? I think that the viscosity of oil is highly underrated, and that it sticks to the moving parts of your engine a lot better than people think.
If your engine didn't seize, there is hope...

moetinger · 12-03-2005, 04:34 PM

Well the jury's still out on the engine if it's fried or not. However, will a m50 engine from a 93 325 mount to my tranny and computer or will I have to replace everything? Are there any pros and cons to be aware about.

THanks!

ldsbeaker · 12-05-2005, 09:13 AM

The engine will mount to your tranny. Your ECU will NOT work.
It' not a very hard swap, depending on your mechanical skill level. Not very much fabrication to work out. It's tried and true.