[zeikei]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

So did he? You can do that with a borescope. The low compression could be rings, could be valves. Either is more likely than a piston. Even if it is the piston that can be replaced for a lot less than the cost of an engine, so long as the block is OK.

For a tuned N20 or B48 a failed piston is unfortunately quite common. Local BMW forums here have stories and pictures of them frequently, my understanding is they seem to fail in a similar manner. One from a B48 shown below. That particular engine was repaired but it was more expensive in total than the engine swap cost mentioned in this thread.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by zeikei

For a tuned N20 or B48 a failed piston is unfortunately quite common. Local BMW forums here have stories and pictures of them frequently, my understanding is they seem to fail in a similar manner. One from a B48 shown below. That particular engine was repaired but it was more expensive in total than the engine swap cost mentioned in this thread.

I wonder if OP’s piston looks just like that.

[floridaorange]

Would the engine run if it looked like that? Mine still runs...

[JimKden]

The busted piston damage looks exactly line LSPI damage and the common cause has been determined by oil not formulated for LSPI. There are white papers on the subject. Amsoil has reformulated all of their oils to eliminate LSPI. See page2 of the attached document. I don't know if the Amsoil European have been updated because they are constrained by BMWs specs.

[floridaorange]

Funny that's the oil my younger cousin recommends - he a mechanic in South Carolina.

[JimKden]

LSPI didn't exist before the prevalent use of turbo chargers where the turbo develops high boost a low rpm. BMW automatics hold the engine in high gears at high power levels and low rpm and the tinest bit of the wrong oil in the first ring groove gets so hot that it ignites on it's own. No gasoline needed. Blown pistons are the result.
I try to tell folks that oil is not all the same, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

[Gen13 F36]

OIL can do this? Do we need to open another oil thread without LSPI...🤔 I'm concerned

[floridaorange]

The muffler shop actually asked me if I was sure the oil was changed (I change mine every 5k miles)( Valvoline).

Meaning from the way the car was idling and since the new plugs, coils did nothing - they thought it sounded like an oil issue. Oil levels were always full though.

[AlmondJayRoM3]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

OIL can do this? Do we need to open another oil thread without LSPI...🤔 I'm concerned

Bad oil can certainly be a contributing factor for LSPI, especially old oil that has some fuel dilution. The major Using a high quality oil can mitigate LSPI but not necessarily prevent it. The biggest contributing factor, however, is the high load/boost at low rpms that modern turbo engines experience. Throw in the weaker components of the N20 and a tune that further raises the boost and you have a ticking time bomb on your hands.

All this isn’t just relegated to LSPI and the N20. Look at all the problems people had with tuned WRX/STIs. Most modern turbo engines coming out for these cars are engineered at the ragged edge to achieve high hp and good mpg and reliability at their respective hp. It goes without saying that tuning will eat away at that reliability and the OP just learned this the hard way.

[GreenF30N26]

A lot of good info on this thread. Seems like a lot of concerns were raised back in 2013 when the engine was first introduced and over time not talked about as much as the new tunes and piggybacks came out. I’ll be moving on from this engine a lot earlier than I anticipated.

[floridaorange]

I had a car with a rebuilt transmission once - when I sold it the buyer was happy to have the new trans.

But with BMW - when I trade it in - will the engine with 35k miles decrease the value if trade in is close to $11k? Or will it not matter? Because once its fixed I'm certainly not keeping it. Since I won't be tuning it again.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

I had a car with a rebuilt transmission once - when I sold it the buyer was happy to have the new trans.

But with BMW - when I trade it in - will the engine with 35k miles decrease the value if trade in is close to $11k? Or will it not matter? Because once its fixed I'm certainly not keeping it. Since I won't be tuning it again.

If you are trading in the car to a dealer there is no point in disclosing that info. Now if you were selling the car to a private party, disclosing that info would be ideal.

[JimKden]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

OIL can do this? Do we need to open another oil thread without LSPI...🤔 I'm concerned

Do some reading:

https://www.oronite.com/about/news/l...-ignition.aspx

[floridaorange]

I'd like to read that as well but link didn't work for me? Maybe because I'm on my phone.

[city1991]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Well - that's that for my 48,000 mile 320i. Piston blew I guess.... don't have more info at this time but engine would need to be replaced. No warranty so I'm sol. Guess stage 2 was a bad move. I never red-lined the car.

Hopefully BMW will provide financial assistance since the motor is under 50,000 miles. In my opinion, being out of warranty is irrelevant. They can't build an engine that makes it to 50,000 miles, then they need to help.

[floridaorange]

Regardless of stage 2 tune? Would be great if they did. Who should I call? Bmw NA?

[Machinebuilder]

I have blown engines in two BMW's and one Subaru. I would recommend trading it in and moving on unless you are a mechanic or really have one you can trust. I always ran into extra costs as once there they look around they recommend more parts to change and its a slippery slope. I was never fully satisfied with the car after dropping in a new engine. It also takes longer than expected and you really don't know the quality of your new engine. It also shows up on your carfax and resale value is affected. They assume you beat on it.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by JimKden

LSPI didn't exist before the prevalent use of turbo chargers where the turbo develops high boost a low rpm. BMW automatics hold the engine in high gears at high power levels and low rpm and the tinest bit of the wrong oil in the first ring groove gets so hot that it ignites on it's own. No gasoline needed. Blown pistons are the result.
I try to tell folks that oil is not all the same, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

What suggestions on oil do you have to avoid this from happening with our pistons?

[sspade]

FWIW... Bootmod3 Stage 1 / 91 seems to work real well for my FBO setup. 86k and running like a top. Oil changed every 5k, only Shell V-Power (or worst case, Top Tier alternative) and a catch can. Not sure if any of this matters but figured Id mention it...

Honest opinion, the BM3 Stage 2 and Trans tune is a bit scary for me since this is my DD. Probably just stay where Im at.

Runs strong, pulls pretty hard and has been very reliable so far. Im good. There's always faster. I do plan to get a BMW straight 6 at some point but the time is not now.

[floridaorange]

Yah you're fine with the 328 stage 1 mate. if i end up in a benz am i disqualified from posting?

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Yah you're fine with the 328 stage 1 mate. if i end up in a benz am i disqualified from posting?

Literally your disqualified but hey as long as you talk BMW you always welcome here to me

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

I have blown engines in two BMW's and one Subaru. I would recommend trading it in and moving on unless you are a mechanic or really have one you can trust. I always ran into extra costs as once there they look around they recommend more parts to change and its a slippery slope. I was never fully satisfied with the car after dropping in a new engine. It also takes longer than expected and you really don't know the quality of your new engine. It also shows up on your carfax and resale value is affected. They assume you beat on it.

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

I have blown engines in two BMW's and one Subaru. I would recommend trading it in and moving on unless you are a mechanic or really have one you can trust. I always ran into extra costs as once there they look around they recommend more parts to change and its a slippery slope. I was never fully satisfied with the car after dropping in a new engine. It also takes longer than expected and you really don't know the quality of your new engine. It also shows up on your carfax and resale value is affected. They assume you beat on it.

Tomorrow my friend wants to run a compression test. Wondering if I should even bother given that I do believe the first mechanic knows what he's taking about. But several of my gear head friends are in total disbelief.