[GinMac]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I have a BMW 228i registered in early 2015. I hope someone can shed some light on my engine failure. I have always had an extended warranty on the car and had it serviced by a registered BMW dealer. About 6 months ago I notice a puff of blue smoke on startup, BMW discovered the top valves were worn and they had to rebuild the top of the engine. They said the wear was caused be overheating! All was good for a few months and then driving along an A road the whole engine failed. I freewheeled to a layby. BMW say that the lower part of the engine totally failed and a bearing sheared off causing massive damage to cylinder 4 and throwing metal throughout the engine. They also said the failure was caused by overheating. BMW have agreed to replace the engine entirely with a new one. But have yet to give me a satisfactory reason for the failure. Has anyone heard of such fault on this car? I am worried it might happen again.

[freakystyly]

Timing chain guide failures are somewhat common on those engines (not caused by overheating). If the dealer is willing to investigate further that is...

[GinMac]

Yes they are planning to investigate futher. Just interested if anyone here has had the same issue.

[leftoverture]

Timing chain guide failures are somewhat common on 2015 and older 2.0 engines. Starting in 2016 the design was improved. Are you saying the dealer is replacing your engine under warranty? If so, don't worry about it. Just be glad they are making it right.

[Shovelman]

Given the depreciation on these cars and the high repair prices I'm surprised they don't total it. They would pay you for the car then auction it off.

[MC77]

A free new engine in an 9 year old car, I wouldn't worry about it. I've got 130,000 miles on my N20.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by MC77

A free new engine in an 9 year old car, I wouldn't worry about it. I've got 130,000 miles on my N20.

What year is your car?

[GinMac]

I was surprised they didn't write it off too. I am speaking with the engineers tomorrow, but I was told that cylinder 1 overheated due to lack of oil.

[MC77]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

What year is your car?

2015, build date is supposed to have the new guides

[MichaelL]

Originally Posted by MC77

2015, build date is supposed to have the new guides

Yes, I heard it was January 2015 production onwards had the updates. At least that is what I remember.

[GinMac]

So the engineer said it had nothing to do with the guides. Cam shaft apparently entirely ceased and there was damage in cylinder 1. All they could tell me is it overheated due to oil starvation. But they could tell me no more than that.

[Aspen235]

Bmw service intervals are very long causing oil failure. If you are keeping the car I recommend changing the oil twice as often.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by Aspen235

Bmw service intervals are very long causing oil failure. If you are keeping the car I recommend changing the oil twice as often.

I change oil every 5000 miles. I'd rather be conservative that way but I don't think oil change intervals caused his engine failure, unless he never changed it.

[Aspen235]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

I change oil every 5000 miles. I'd rather be conservative that way but I don't think oil change intervals caused his engine failure, unless he never changed it.

We will never know, but oil starvation may be to gummed oil passages. Could be debris or a defect but my money is on poor oil quality due to long intervals.

[GinMac]

I have always had is serviced at an official BMW dealership. So I would hope they do it correctly.