Sludge in engine, Vanos failures

07-15-2016

I recently purchased a 2013 BMW X3, 28i with 32,000 miles.

Soon after the purchase I noticed gray smoke coming from the exhaust for 20 seconds after starting the car every morning. The dealer replaced the turbo oil line under warranty.

Within 30 miles of replacing the turbo oil line the catalytic converter caught fire; the replaced oil line had failed and dripped oil onto the catalytic converter causing a fire and melting any panels under the engine. The damage was fixed under warranty.

Recently I got a message about a drivetrain malfunction. The dealer says there are many Vanos faults and the engine has sludge everywhere. The car is still under warranty. I am hoping BMW will fix it.

Has anybody run into something similar? Any advice? I have read many different opinions about oil change intervals.

Thanks,
George

07-17-2016

I think they will, or should say they better. The car's a 2013 with 30 k miles on , and if the service light for the oil hasn't come on, I can't see why it would be your fault. Is the car a CPO vehicle? Also seeing its a 13 it should still be covered under the 4 yr/ 50 k warranty depending on when it was put into service.

07-17-2016

Thanks for your thoughts.

I bought the car used; it was not a CPO and I did not buy it from a BMW dealer.

The oil light never came on at any time including when I had the catalytic converter caught fire. The fire under the engine did persist for about 10 minutes before it could be put out and the car was turned off and the battery disconnected at the time.

I did confirm that all necessary maintenance was done before I bought the car and it is still within the warranty period.

My 2007 X3 had a 167,000 miles on it when I traded up to this car and rarely gave me problems. I will have to get an extended warranty if I am going to keep this car.

George

07-18-2016

yes, this was reported on N20 engine number of time in this and F30 forums. VANOS, timing chain, oil pump - all victims. Can destroy engine to the point it needs to be replaced

1. Check if you have plastic oil filter housing
2. Check the color of coolant

07-21-2016

I was told by the dealer that BMW will be replacing my engine with a newly built 2013 engine under warranty. I should have my car back next week.

07-22-2016

Gbm4th wrote
I was told by the dealer that BMW will be replacing my engine with a newly built 2013 engine under warranty. I should have my car back next week.

I can assure you the engine you are receiving will be a remanufactured engine, not a newly built one. That being said, the remanufactured engines are fine and made to be in as new tolerances.

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Sludge in engine, Vanos failures