Hi, I took my 2011 BMW X5 ( Bought in 2013 Dec 31st with 38K miles) - Took to the dealer for the VANOS RECALL on Sep 2015, after a month around Oct 19th started listing a noise ( like a motor bike sound) in the engine. Took back to the dealer - They suggested to change oil, filter, solenoids, also diagnosed saying the nose is coming from the belt tensioner and wanted to change the belt. I took the diagnosis from the dealer to my local mechanic. He was not ready to accept the diagnosis from the dealer, however he changed all suggested except the belt since the belt seems to be perfect. He thought may be the sound coming from the timing chain so he changed the timing. Sound did not go. He suggested to take the vehicle back to the dealer because he thought something wrong with the engine. Now my dealer says I need a new engine and turbo because my local mechanic did something wrong. I doubt this is something related to recall fix. Created a case with BMW NA. Can you please help on this. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Since this BMW was purchased as a used vehicle, I have to wonder…
Did the previous owner always change the oil as per the mfr’s maintenance schedule?
Does the OP always change the oil as per the mfr’s maintenance schedule?
Can the OP verify through documentation that the previous owner used the European-spec motor oil that is required for this engine?
Does the OP use the European-spec motor oil that is required with this engine?
Were the solenoids that were replaced connected with the variable valve timing system?
And, the other thing that puzzles me is that the OP questioned the advisability of changing a drive belt and its tensioner, but…He authorized his indy mechanic to go ahead and replace the MUCH more expensive timing chain?
From afar, nobody will be able to diagnose this with much accuracy, but I think it is very possible that the engine is simply the victim of damaging sludge that has built-up as a result of going too long between oil changes and/or not using the correct spec motor oil. Either of those scenarios will pretty much destroy the variable valve timing system on a BMW.
Not much help but my niece bought one of these vehicles brand new in 2011. It had so many problems that BMW wound up buying it back from her. As I recall…she had to have a new engine installed at less than 20K. It was a beautiful vehicle but it had loads of ugly problems.
his mechanic changed the timing, but not the timing chain. At least that is how I read it.
I mean my mechanic changed the Timing Chain Tensioner. ( WP11317584723)
I bought this vehicle as a used one from the same dealer
Its going to be difficult to convince a dealer shop to fix a damaged engine on their dime under a used-car or new car warranty when another shop has worked on it already. Especially if the part replaced by the other shop was involved with the timing chain. That’s tricky business with interference engines, which I presume this one is.
What does BMW say is wrong with the engine?
Dealer do not have a proper reason why the engine failed, but I am strongly doubt they have messed up. If I hire an attorney will be good idea?
You want to hire an attorney to repair your car? Or do you want to sue the mechanic that replaced your timing chain tensioner? You will need to know the cause of the engine failure and pictures of the damage to prove fault. Did you ask to see the damage or are they unable to show you without disassembling the engine?
My car is with the dealer. He is not giving me any reason why the car need a new engine. He is just pushing me saying you have to replace the engine and turbo, which I am not able to understand. I wanted to hire an attorney to sue the dealer.
To my mind, this is analogous to a surgeon telling me that I need surgery, but refusing to tell me why I might need that procedure to be done. Since I wouldn’t accept that type of witholding of information from an MD, I certainly wouldn’t accept it from the service writer at a car dealership.
I think that, at this point, an attorney and a diagnosis from an independent foreign car specialist are both needed.
Does he/she offer an explanation, but it’s just you don’t understand what is being said? If so, write it down and post it here. Maybe somebody here can translate it for you in a way so you can understand it.