[shhhpark]

Hi All,

I have a 2014 428i xDrive which has about 60k miles on it. I've been pretty much in constant fear of the timing chain guide issue on the N20 motor so I finally brought my car into an indy to check it out because I was hearing some noise I didnt recognize. Turned out the timing chain was fine but I needed to replace the oil filter housing gasket (which was already replaced a couple years ago!), serpentine belt and the e-brake cable guide clip. Apparently the e-brake cliip was most likely the noise I was hearing. I didn't go with shop which did the initial evaluation due to pricing and went to a nearby European car specialist which quoted me a much more reasonable price. The day after getting my car back my car just died while going highway speeds and I had to ghost ride to the shoulder. I had it towed back to the shop and they re-checked all their work, replaced the battery and checked the alternator. They weren't able to diagnose what the issue was but they couldnt get the engine to turn over. As a last ditch effort I took it to my local BMW dealership and paid them to do a multi-point inspection. They stated pretty much the same thing, they couldnt identify the issue. The did note a burning smell while draining the oil but I they didnt mention any issues with the gasket or anything that had been worked on. There were no fault codes or check engine lights at all prior and after the failure. The only error that popped up on the screen was an ignition/starter failure.

Pretty much SOL at this point it seems but does anyone have any idea of what migh t have happened and if the work done at either shop is at fault? I don't want to point fingers but the car only had 60k miles on it and I NEVER had any major issues. The only time I got a check engine light in 9 years of ownership was due to spark plugs needing to be replaced a year or two ago. Porbably drove about 8k miles since then. I don't want to blame anyone but it can't be a coincidence that my engine simply fails days after getting work done right?!

[MidtownMike]

How far did you drive since getting the car back? Did you check oil & coolant levels after the repair and after the engine failed? Did any lights come on?
A seized engine with a burnt smell combined with the Oil Filter Housing Gasket job is suspicious and makes me think of low coolant or oil, but your instrument panel would light up. Unless they ran the engine with low oil or coolant during the repair, overheated and/or seized, and did a quick ghetto fix before you picked it up.
If the specialist messed up by not filling oil or coolant after the OFHG job, it is likely that they got rid of any evidence by now.

[shhhpark]

Originally Posted by MidtownMike

How far did you drive since getting the car back? Did you check oil & coolant levels after the repair and after the engine failed? Did any lights come on?
A seized engine with a burnt smell combined with the Oil Filter Housing Gasket job is suspicious and makes me think of low coolant or oil, but your instrument panel would light up. Unless they ran the engine with low oil or coolant during the repair and did a quick ghetto fix before you picked it up.
If the specialist messed up by not filling oil or coolant after the OFHG job, it is likely that they got rid of any evidence by now.

Thanks for the info! I drove about 10 miles from the shop to home and then the next morning to work I probably made it about 10-15 miles as well. I didn't get any sort of warning light about either on either of those trips. Actually no error/warning lights triggered at any point even after the engine died. Just the ignition/start malfunction on the infotainment but nothing on the dash. The shop I had the work done at is a European car specialist and he mentioned he's done this repair countless times. Of course he could be lying but i have no way of knowing at this point. Jeez just my luck...

[thejeremyman9]

Did they try turning if over by hand?

If they didnt prime the oil system after OFHG, bearings might be gone and engine seized. It's probably the most common cause of bearing failure, aside from oil starvation.

[shhhpark]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Did they try turning if over by hand?

If they didnt prime the oil system after OFHG, bearings might be gone and engine seized. It's probably the most common cause of bearing failure, aside from oil starvation.

Yep, both the shop and dealership couldnt get it to turn over even when they tried manually. They did mention priming the oil system could have been a the culprit if not done but didnt give me any solid info on if they were able to tell from their diagnosis.

Edit

I'm leaning towards it wasn't oil starvation I also requested he change the oil and he stated he used liquimoly on my vehicle. I'll have to ask him about the priming but at this point he has no reason to fess up to a mistake if it was him....sigh all this after fairly routine maintenance. Now I'm down huge with these repairs

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by shhhpark

Yep, both the shop and dealership couldnt get it to turn over even when they tried manually. They did mention priming the oil system could have been a the culprit if not done but didnt give me any solid info on if they were able to tell from their diagnosis.

Edit

I'm leaning towards it wasn't oil starvation I also requested he change the oil and he stated he used liquimoly on my vehicle. I'll have to ask him about the priming but at this point he has no reason to fess up to a mistake if it was him....sigh all this after fairly routine maintenance. Now I'm down huge with these repairs

You probably have an uphill battle ahead of you to try and prove the shop caused/contributed to engine failure. This sounds very much like what happens when people replace OFHG and bearings go shortly after.

If the oil is still in the car now, you would probably be able to tell from inspecting the oil filter and/or oil if it is indeed bearings, otherwise you are pulling the pan and starting to open the engine.

Choose the next steps carefully if you are going to try and prove any fault.

[shhhpark]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

You probably have an uphill battle ahead of you to try and prove the shop caused/contributed to engine failure. This sounds very much like what happens when people replace OFHG and bearings go shortly after.

If the oil is still in the car now, you would probably be able to tell from inspecting the oil filter and/or oil if it is indeed bearings, otherwise you are pulling the pan and starting to open the engine.

Choose the next steps carefully if you are going to try and prove any fault.

Appreciate the input. Pretty much assuming I'm SOL on this. Really shitty situation

[wenlubin]

Originally Posted by shhhpark

Appreciate the input. Pretty much assuming I'm SOL on this. Really shitty situation

I noticed you’re from NJ. Maybe try giving Bimmer Hub a call (google Bimmer Hub LLC). They’re my go-to local shop in Westfield, NJ and they’re extremely reliable. Owner’s name is Joe. Best of luck!

[shhhpark]

Originally Posted by wenlubin

I noticed you’re from NJ. Maybe try giving Bimmer Hub a call (google Bimmer Hub LLC). They’re my go-to local shop in Westfield, NJ and they’re extremely reliable. Owner’s name is Joe. Best of luck!

appreciate it! I'm actually in TX now, gotta change that haha

[F15_SGM]

They didn't prime it. A lot of shops say they have done OFHG multiple times and say they haven't had to prime it based on their past repairs. But I assure you that it's required and the cause of failure.
You should go and ask if he can go through all the steps involved with the repair. I'm sure he won't mention priming it.
If he does ask him how that's done.
If he gives any other method than the OEM priming procedure, you may have a case against him. But really he needs to own up to it and fix your car for free.

[shhhpark]

Originally Posted by F15_SGM

They didn't prime it. A lot of shops say they have done OFHG multiple times and say they haven't had to prime it based on their past repairs. But I assure you that it's required and the cause of failure.
You should go and ask if he can go through all the steps involved with the repair. I'm sure he won't mention priming it.
If he does ask him how that's done.
If he gives any other method than the OEM priming procedure, you may have a case against him. But really he needs to own up to it and fix your car for free.

man this sucks...hoping we can find a resolution. Not super confrontational so i'm having trouble pretty much pointing the blame at him.

[keithyo88]

You can choose to look at this as a positive opportunity to express yourself. You are not placing any blame, but just affirming your right to a good job for a fair price. I suggest that you bring a friend (a lawyer would be ideal but not a must) with you when you speak with the "European car specialist." You might also speak with the first "indy" who checked your car. You are not being confrontational but just getting information. You have several tools to use if necessary, including social media, local news outlets and outright law suits, but I hope none of those are needed. Just be sure to document Everything related to this incident. Best of Luck to you.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by F15_SGM

They didn't prime it. A lot of shops say they have done OFHG multiple times and say they haven't had to prime it based on their past repairs. But I assure you that it's required and the cause of failure.

Wow this forum and its knowledge always amazes me

[shhhpark]

Originally Posted by keithyo88

You can choose to look at this as a positive opportunity to express yourself. You are not placing any blame, but just affirming your right to a good job for a fair price. I suggest that you bring a friend (a lawyer would be ideal but not a must) with you when you speak with the "European car specialist." You might also speak with the first "indy" who checked your car. You are not being confrontational but just getting information. You have several tools to use if necessary, including social media, local news outlets and outright law suits, but I hope none of those are needed. Just be sure to document Everything related to this incident. Best of Luck to you.

ugh I just spoke to him on the phone and expressed my concerns over his potential mistake. He pretty much said he had just done a couple BMWs for this a few weeks ago. I mentioned all the signs pointed to him not properly following BMW specs but he isnt relenting on owning up to it...sigh dont even know what I can do about this now. I dont really have any way of proving it was his fault

[wenlubin]

Originally Posted by shhhpark

ugh I just spoke to him on the phone and expressed my concerns over his potential mistake. He pretty much said he had just done a couple BMWs for this a few weeks ago. I mentioned all the signs pointed to him not properly following BMW specs but he isnt relenting on owning up to it...sigh dont even know what I can do about this now. I dont really have any way of proving it was his fault

These things are best discussed in person. I would still recommend going in person.

[F15_SGM]

Originally Posted by shhhpark

ugh I just spoke to him on the phone and expressed my concerns over his potential mistake. He pretty much said he had just done a couple BMWs for this a few weeks ago. I mentioned all the signs pointed to him not properly following BMW specs but he isnt relenting on owning up to it...sigh dont even know what I can do about this now. I dont really have any way of proving it was his fault

Tell him at minimum split the cost. Tell you can buy a used engine and have him do labor for free or vice versa.

[mwat]

Man it's so upsetting to hear that in 2023 we are STILL not priming after a OFHG repair.

What is going on at these shops?
That's awful I would be furious. Good luck to you.

[keithyo88]

Originally Posted by shhhpark

ugh I just spoke to him on the phone and expressed my concerns over his potential mistake. He pretty much said he had just done a couple BMWs for this a few weeks ago. I mentioned all the signs pointed to him not properly following BMW specs but he isnt relenting on owning up to it...sigh dont even know what I can do about this now. I dont really have any way of proving it was his fault

Ok, you tried. Now, do your homework. What does the BBB or other certifying agencies have about him? He has had to have had complaints in the past, so find them. You drove in with good faith and now cannot drive the car. Use your creativity to map out your options going forward. The more you can find out about your legal rights and his past history, the better. There may be community legal aid that can help. You are helping not only yourself but other potential 'victims' of incompetent work, for reasons clearly noted by fellow members.