BMW 1-series Timing Chain snapped
Discussion
fxman said:
Deep Thought said:
Oil changes @ 8-9K are key and weekly checking / topups of oil.
A weekly top up would suggest you have a leak.I haven't changed oil in more than 6-7 years owing to low mileage driving and too busy. No chain problems here. But mine's a 3 series.
My sons did seem to use an amount of oil. I think thats another "feature" of the engine that leads to timing chain problems - very long service intervals and the engines ability to use oil means you could get to your 18-20,000 miles service with oil like water and not even registering on the dipstick.
You've a heart like a lion not changing oil in a 3 series for 7 years, by the way.
fxman said:
Donno. I think degraded oil runs more smoothly. My belief is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That definitely isn't true. Oil will lose its detergency and become acidic over time, eventually your engine will be clogged up and attacked by the products of combustion. Another point to note - a chain doesn't 'stretch', it will elongate. It is possible to measure elongation if you design access to do so.
to3m said:
fxman said:
A weekly top up would suggest you have a leak.
I haven't changed oil in more than 6-7 years owing to low mileage driving and too busy. No chain problems here. But mine's a 3 series.
The BMW tolerances for oil use seem to be pretty slack. My 330i has used some oil, despite there being no obvious leak, to the tune of about 1L/1,500 miles. I thought this was a bit much, but apparently even 1L/1,000 miles is acceptable! - which seems ridiculous, but if that's so, what can you do? Fingers crossed it was just due to the rather hot and dry summer we had.I haven't changed oil in more than 6-7 years owing to low mileage driving and too busy. No chain problems here. But mine's a 3 series.
(I've had two BMWs previously, a 320d and a 330d, neither of which used any oil at all.)
I expect only a few people drive 52,000 miles a year, but 26,000 miles a year is very plausible, so a topup per fortnight, and checking each week probably wouldn't hurt.
Anyway, whatever, but this might suggest that if you have a BMW that requires manual oil checks, and you don't do them, then perhaps you should.
His did use oil at that similar rate, at very least, but i had him check it weekly and ensure it was topped up when needed.fxman said:
underwhelmist said:
Doesn't it degrade with time, regardless of mileage?No, absolutely not. This is a big no-no especially in a diesel whereby the oil will get contaminated over time. Really really bad idea.
Roller89 said:
fxman said:
Donno. I think degraded oil runs more smoothly. My belief is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That definitely isn't true. Oil will lose its detergency and become acidic over time, eventually your engine will be clogged up and attacked by the products of combustion. Another point to note - a chain doesn't 'stretch', it will elongate. It is possible to measure elongation if you design access to do so.
Mr2Mike said:
Troll or genuine ignorance?gforceg said:
It gets better. He went on to say;
" I caused the leak when I pry-bar'ed open the engine cover and bent it a bit at the corner. So the oil seeps out and goes over my AC compressor."
Sounds like his motto is "If it ain't broke, break it"
What do you want from me, blood? I had to open the engine to change the vanos seals. I am not muscular like the rest of you here, so pry bar was my only option. Pry bar on the well worn and hardened plastic cover naturally does some damage." I caused the leak when I pry-bar'ed open the engine cover and bent it a bit at the corner. So the oil seeps out and goes over my AC compressor."
Sounds like his motto is "If it ain't broke, break it"
Nanook said:
No, I think just common sense.
Like, if you break something you fix it, or ask someone that can to fix it for you, as opposed to telling us all you drive about in a car that leaks oil into your AC compressor.
The oil never reached the engine under cover. It got air dried before that. My assessment is that it's not a serious leak, and well within BMW's oil consumption recommendations.Like, if you break something you fix it, or ask someone that can to fix it for you, as opposed to telling us all you drive about in a car that leaks oil into your AC compressor.
fxman said:
What do you want from me, blood? I had to open the engine to change the vanos seals. I am not muscular like the rest of you here, so pry bar was my only option. Pry bar on the well worn and hardened plastic cover naturally does some damage.
If the engine had some fresh oil your vanos seals probably wouldn't have needed changing....
Nanook said:
What does this mean? Earlier you told us it was leaking oil onto your AC compressor.
Also, you know the manufacturers specified oil comsumption recommendations relate to the amount of oil that the engine uses? Not the amount that leaks out?
It never got below the compressor.Also, you know the manufacturers specified oil comsumption recommendations relate to the amount of oil that the engine uses? Not the amount that leaks out?
Oil disappearing (aka consumption) from the engine is kinda leaked out one way or another. I don't consider my leak is worse than other kind of leaks. We all leak. The only difference is I know where mine is. The leak is within my tolerance. So, I live with it.
njw1 said:
If the engine had some fresh oil your vanos seals probably wouldn't have needed changing....
fxman said:
It never got below the compressor.
Oil disappearing (aka consumption) from the engine is kinda leaked out one way or another. I don't consider my leak is worse than other kind of leaks. We all leak. The only difference is I know where mine is. The leak is within my tolerance. So, I live with it.
Back to school tomorrow Oil disappearing (aka consumption) from the engine is kinda leaked out one way or another. I don't consider my leak is worse than other kind of leaks. We all leak. The only difference is I know where mine is. The leak is within my tolerance. So, I live with it.
TooMany2cvs said:
Back to posing with "rolex" and "champagne" on instagram for FXman, you mean?
You are prejudiced against BMW owners. I got the car because I just loved its looks, sporty and very practical - could carry quite a bit of ikea furniture/luggage/passengers in a coupe. Also loved the small turning circle, smaller than that of a fiat punto. Solid steering and rock steady feel on the motorway. Easy to fix from the endless amount of available information on the internet. I don't think I want another kind of car, it has everything I want in a single package.Edited by fxman on Sunday 23 September 12:08
fxman said:
Nanook said:
What does this mean? Earlier you told us it was leaking oil onto your AC compressor.
Also, you know the manufacturers specified oil comsumption recommendations relate to the amount of oil that the engine uses? Not the amount that leaks out?
It never got below the compressor.Also, you know the manufacturers specified oil comsumption recommendations relate to the amount of oil that the engine uses? Not the amount that leaks out?
Oil disappearing (aka consumption) from the engine is kinda leaked out one way or another. I don't consider my leak is worse than other kind of leaks. We all leak. The only difference is I know where mine is. The leak is within my tolerance. So, I live with it.
Deep Thought said:
By any definition (other than yours) an engine using oil is a much different issue to an engine leaking oil....
My definition is a practical one. A sealed container cannot lose material. If material disappears, it is leaked. I am not against people using definitions provided by car dealers or the general consensus. I am not going to changing my mind about fixing it. It is within tolerance of my circumstances.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff