[Riick]

It has to be diagnosed in person by a qualified BMW mechanic.

[klungie]

Just got a verdict from a mechanic. Need a new engine, gonna cost $10,000. I bought the car for $13,000. What do you think I should do? Do you think BMW NA will help pay the cost?

[malicem3]

Why does it need a new engine? Is your mechanic a BMW specialist?

I just had similar issues and it turned out it was the eccentric shaft and valvetronic motor that needed to be replaced. The total bill was $3100 with 11.5 hours of labor.

As N55's with Auto Start/Stop age, I think we may see more failures. Here is a great explanation.

[klungie]

Originally Posted by malicem3

Why does it need a new engine? Is your mechanic a BMW specialist?

I just had similar issues and it turned out it was the eccentric shaft and valvetronic motor that needed to be replaced. The total bill was $3100 with 11.5 hours of labor.

As N55's with Auto Start/Stop age, I think we may see more failures. Here is a great explanation.

He said the engine doesn't have compression at all.
I am getting a second opinion from bmw dealership. I suspect that mechanic doesn't know bmw that well.

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by klungie

He said the engine doesn't have compression at all.
I am getting a second opinion from bmw dealership. I suspect that mechanic doesn't know bmw that well.

Good deal. Please keep us updated on what they come back with.

Also, have you driven the car at all since the initial "drive train malfunction" error?

[klungie]

Originally Posted by malicem3

Good deal. Please keep us updated on what they come back with.

Also, have you driven the car at all since the initial "drive train malfunction" error?

I wish I could. The car doesn't want to start. I even had to buy a backup car after that incident.

By the way, does anyone live in Des Moines area know any good and cheap/ reasonable bmw specialist other than bmw dealership?

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by klungie

I wish I could. The car doesn't want to start. I even had to buy a backup car after that incident.

By the way, does anyone live in Des Moines area know any good and cheap/ reasonable bmw specialist other than bmw dealership?

Probably a good thing you haven't drove it. Let's hope the first mechanic is wrong.

I would use bimmershops.

[klungie]

Originally Posted by malicem3

Probably a good thing you haven't drove it. Let's hope the first mechanic is wrong.

I would use bimmershops.

I checked with bmw dealership, they go by hour for diagnosing the issue, and the rate is $159.

One bmw mechanic charges $250 for diagnosing.

Do you think I should go with dealership (can a problem like this be diagnosed within 2 hours?) or go with bmw mechanic flat rate?

I am just afraid if I go with dealership and they will just rip me off by hours. 7 hours will cost $1000 already.

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by klungie

I checked with bmw dealership, they go by hour for diagnosing the issue, and the rate is $159.

One bmw mechanic charges $250 for diagnosing.

Do you think I should go with dealership (can a problem like this be diagnosed within 2 hours?) or go with bmw mechanic flat rate?

I am just afraid if I go with dealership and they will just rip me off by hours. 7 hours will cost $1000 already.

That would be my concern. My shop said in order to diagnose/confirm and replace the eccentric shaft and valvetronic motor, they spent ~18 hours while billing for 11.5. Perhaps there is a bit of exaggeration but I could see a dealer charging more.

[klungie]

Originally Posted by malicem3

That would be my concern. My shop said in order to diagnose/confirm and replace the eccentric shaft and valvetronic motor, they spent ~18 hours while billing for 11.5. Perhaps there is a bit of exaggeration but I could see a dealer charging more.

Thanks for the info. I'll go with indy shop then. The mechanic that charges $250 actually shows up on bimmershop list.

[klungie]

malicem3
Do you remember if your engine had no compression at all cylinders?

I did some more reading and found out that the cause of no compression on all cylinder is only bad timing chain or broken camshaft.
I start to believe that my timing plastic support might be broken after all.
Or maybe just a head gasket failure all over the surface.

[Iowa X3]

I'm in the Des Moines area and am curious how this shakes out for you. Who did you buy it from? BMW of Des Moines? If so, it should be CPO and I would think they may help out.

If you didn't get it from them, there are good Indy shops here, if BMW of Des Moines doesn't look like they'd help out (I'd ask them before even letting them look at it and charge you with a diagnosis fee). Let me know which shop you take it to.

It would be incredibly strange for an engine that was running fine before to just suddenly have "no compression at all" if you're seeing the timing chain move when the engine is cranked and it seems tight. From what I've seen, with the way the chain guides fail, that chain would be flopping around in there pretty good if they had failed.

Maybe PM me. I don't have a lot of experience working on BMW's as my 2013 28i has been really solid since I got it 4.5 years ago but I've got a lot of experience working on cars in general.

[klungie]

Originally Posted by Iowa X3

I'm in the Des Moines area and am curious how this shakes out for you. Who did you buy it from? BMW of Des Moines? If so, it should be CPO and I would think they may help out.

If you didn't get it from them, there are good Indy shops here, if BMW of Des Moines doesn't look like they'd help out (I'd ask them before even letting them look at it and charge you with a diagnosis fee). Let me know which shop you take it to.

It would be incredibly strange for an engine that was running fine before to just suddenly have "no compression at all" if you're seeing the timing chain move when the engine is cranked and it seems tight. From what I've seen, with the way the chain guides fail, that chain would be flopping around in there pretty good if they had failed.

Maybe PM me. I don't have a lot of experience working on BMW's as my 2013 28i has been really solid since I got it 4.5 years ago but I've got a lot of experience working on cars in general.

I'll pm you.

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by klungie

malicem3
Do you remember if your engine had no compression at all cylinders?

I did some more reading and found out that the cause of no compression on all cylinder is only bad timing chain or broken camshaft.
I start to believe that my timing plastic support might be broken after all.
Or maybe just a head gasket failure all over the surface.

There were no compression issues.

[nastradacha]

i am having this exact same issue, 2013 x3 is parked in my garage. it cranks but no start. it stopped in the exact way you described.
i am also in Des moines area so i would lke to know how you get this resolved and where.
Thanks.

[klungie]

Originally Posted by nastradacha

i am having this exact same issue, 2013 x3 is parked in my garage. it cranks but no start. it stopped in the exact way you described.
i am also in Des moines area so i would lke to know how you get this resolved and where.
Thanks.

My car has been diagnosed with zero compression on all cylinders, so I am planning to open the valve cover to see if the timing guide is broken.

No start condition is not always caused by the same issue. You need to check the fuel system, sparks, air, timing, and electrical.

If your mileage is still below 70k just have the car diagnosed by bmw of Des Moines.

[nastradacha]

I have 100000 miles on it, so I'm hoping its just a sensor or repair cost not greater than $2000 to fix .
I will do some checks this weekend, then maybe take it to bmw if I find nothing

[klungie]

Originally Posted by nastradacha

I have 100000 miles on it, so I'm hoping its just a sensor or repair cost not greater than $2000 to fix .
I will do some checks this weekend, then maybe take it to bmw if I find nothing

Alright, keep me posted.

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by malicem3

Why does it need a new engine? Is your mechanic a BMW specialist?

I just had similar issues and it turned out it was the eccentric shaft and valvetronic motor that needed to be replaced. The total bill was $3100 with 11.5 hours of labor.

As N55's with Auto Start/Stop age, I think we may see more failures. Here is a great explanation.

Do you think this is issue exists only on N55's with Auto Start/Stop?

[TheCoolX3]

I bet it is... I turned mine off with bimmer code about 25k miles ago. I hate that feature its incredibly annoying. I hope that somehow helps the issue!

Originally Posted by x3sm

Do you think this is issue exists only on N55's with Auto Start/Stop?

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by x3sm

Do you think this is issue exists only on N55's with Auto Start/Stop?

Yes. The ONLY explanation for the failure I experienced would not be due to oil change intervals. It was as if the engine didn't pump oil throughout the entire engine consistently. I too coded my Auto Start/Stop off immediately upon receiving the car but the PO never had. I guarantee we see more and more failures due to it.

Originally Posted by TheCoolX3

I bet it is... I turned mine off with bimmer code about 25k miles ago. I hate that feature its incredibly annoying. I hope that somehow helps the issue!

Agreed. I would recommend EVERYONE code it off. There is no reason to leave it on if you plan on keeping the care for a while.

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by malicem3

Why does it need a new engine? Is your mechanic a BMW specialist?

I just had similar issues and it turned out it was the eccentric shaft and valvetronic motor that needed to be replaced. The total bill was $3100 with 11.5 hours of labor.

As N55's with Auto Start/Stop age, I think we may see more failures. Here is a great explanation.

Originally Posted by TheCoolX3

I bet it is... I turned mine off with bimmer code about 25k miles ago. I hate that feature its incredibly annoying. I hope that somehow helps the issue!

Originally Posted by malicem3

Yes. The ONLY explanation for the failure I experienced would not be due to oil change intervals. It was as if the engine didn't pump oil throughout the entire engine consistently. I too coded my Auto Start/Stop off immediately upon receiving the car but the PO never had. I guarantee we see more and more failures due to it.

Agreed. I would recommend EVERYONE code it off. There is no reason to leave it on if you plan on keeping the care for a while.

What about N55's without auto start/stop function? Don't they have the same eccentric shaft and motor?

I can confirm that my sisters CLA250 had a failed eccentric shaft and she always has auto start/stop on.