11-14-2021, 05:34 PM | #1 |
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Seized N55
Hello,
I have a 2013 335i xDrive at around 103k miles. Unfortunately, I had my OFHG and Valve Cover Gasket replaced last week and on the drive back from the shop, my engine stalled. I had it towed back to the shop and found out the engine is seized. I have no power modifications and am really unsure of my options at this point. I have been quoted $19k for a full engine swap for an 85k mile N55. Does this not seem high? I have also seen places like Ghassan Automotive that sell built engines. Being a 21 year old college student, I definitely have a budget but I want to do whatever needs to be done, the right way. Please feel free to just share ideas, ask questions, or share your own stories and experiences! Thanks! |
11-14-2021, 06:13 PM | #2 |
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Sounds like the shop didn't prime the oil system as required by BMW after OFH is removed for gasket change.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...51166-9999.pdf |
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11-14-2021, 06:15 PM | #3 |
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I think the shop fucked something up. I'd argue hard they fucked something up and killed the engine. They probably left a rag in the OFHG or something and it starved your engine of oil.
This really sucks but a 21 yr old college student has no business driving an N55 BMW especially if you aren't doing all the work on it yourself. Anyway, hope they fix it for you.
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11-14-2021, 06:25 PM | #4 | |
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Thanks for the help! |
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11-14-2021, 06:32 PM | #5 | |
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11-14-2021, 06:39 PM | #6 |
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....The engine ran without issue for XX,XXX miles before entering their shop. It suffered a lubrication related failure x miles after shop made repair that introduced air into the oiling system. Get a lawyer or take them to small claims court if you can't work something out.
How long did shop have the car? Did they change the oil also? I've often wondered if this problem is more likely to happen if engine is disassembled for several days, which allows oil to drain more completely. Is this the same shop that wants $19K to replace the engine? |
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11-14-2021, 06:58 PM | #7 | |
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11-14-2021, 07:03 PM | #8 | |
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( https://www.ghassanautomotive.com/ ) and had another shop do it, I could get it down to around $12k for a baseline because inevitably there will be issues. |
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11-14-2021, 07:07 PM | #9 | |
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11-14-2021, 07:12 PM | #10 |
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Small claims won't help. Talk to them rationally and calmly. Tell them that this is their fault and they can fix it now or via lawyers. Let them know that since you are screwed either way, it doesn't matter to you how long it takes to get 19k from them.
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11-14-2021, 07:20 PM | #11 |
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Thanks! I have already learned how difficult it can be dealing with mechanics and shop owners so keeping a level head is definitely the way to go. It is also something I will need to work on since this will not be a quick process. I will be calling them throughout this week in hopes to get this worked out so I will be updating the situation here! I appreciate the help.
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11-14-2021, 07:22 PM | #12 | |
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BMW engines don't just randomly seize. This was not random. It was immediately following work on the lubrication system that they serviced.
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11-14-2021, 07:22 PM | #13 | |
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Sure are alot of N55 problems lately on the forums. |
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11-14-2021, 07:32 PM | #14 | |
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And yup! Sure seems like N55's are having their moments more frequently now. |
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11-14-2021, 07:36 PM | #15 | |
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And I agree. I knew that when they claimed they weren't at fault that this couldn't be as simple as "it was time for the engine to die". I have all service records showing great maintenance and they have been servicing my car a lot recently. I think with what you and a few other members have mentioned, I have a solid chance at coming to some deal with the shop this week. Thanks for the help again! |
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11-14-2021, 08:28 PM | #16 |
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I'd stay away from Ghassan, I've heard some horror stories about their motors. As for your seized motor, the shop 100% screwed up. In some states mechanic shops have to have insurance to operate. It's not like they can't cover the cost of their f*ck up.
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11-15-2021, 05:31 AM | #17 |
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I'm sorry you're in this position but it seems like you're a smart kid and as others have noted getting counsel is the right thing to do. I'd also add that it might be in your best interest to bring your car to another shop, maybe even a dealer and have them diagnose exactly what caused your engine to seize. But run that by your lawyer first There is no doubt in my mind it was related to the work they performed in some way. Do not let the original shop hold on to your, do not let them "diagnose" your engine failure issue. At this point you need to keep them and their work as far away from the car as possible to avoid any, let's call it….funny business. If you catch my drift. I'm confident this experience will end up playing out in your favor.
The reason I suggest taking it to another dealer is because if they end up taking responsibility for their obvious mistake they want say they will perform the repair work themselves. I'd be hesitant on this as they seem to have shown to be less than thorough with their work. If they can't handle a gasket replacement they sure as shit shouldn't be trusted with an engine replacement. I think you have a situation where you get a new engine replaced by a bmw certified technician with all expenses paid by the insurance of the original shop. So in conclusion, lawyer, lawyer, lawyer. Even if you spend $1k in counsulting fees and they end up saying "sorry kid, you got no case here" it still leaves you with $11k in your pocket. id also say, if for some reason this doesn't end up working out in your favor, that spending that amount of money out of pocket to repair a 9 year old car doesn't really make financial sense and you'd be better off selling the cat independently to someone who could take on the work of an engine replacement and walking away from this one. But thats just advice from a stranger who doesn't know your sentimental attachment to your car or what, if any, you still owe on it from a loan standpoint. Good luck and keep us posted
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11-15-2021, 12:21 PM | #18 | |
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Thanks again for the help and I will keep this thread updated! |
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11-15-2021, 12:23 PM | #19 | |
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Thanks for the advice and I'll be updating this thread consistently if you want to keep up on the status! |
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11-15-2021, 01:12 PM | #20 | ||
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I can't see a car making it 20 miles and then seizing because the oil system wasn't primed prior to driving. BMW's TIS suggests 30 seconds of priming. So lack of priming may put extra wear on some components, but we're talking about engine failure at 250k miles instead of 300k miles. Not failing at 85k. I CAN see an engine lasting about 20 miles without enough oil and then seizing. I wonder if there's a code for "low oil level" or "low oil pressure" that you could pull. Quote:
I assume some oil was lost due to pulling the OFHG. Did they top it off? Bottom line, you need to figure out the cause of engine failure. Hydro-lock from a head gasket leak? Probably your fault. Seizure from oil starvation after the lubrication system was worked on, probably their fault. Also, you may want to be careful about what you post publicly. Negative info could hurt your chance of resolving it with the shop and could also cause a problem with a lawsuit. |
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11-15-2021, 02:23 PM | #21 | ||
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