HELP-two dead cylinders - Page 2 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

KBK · 9th June 2006, 17:40

. My car burns about the same amount of oil. I guess it's time to do a leak down.... Well..if it's rings... I SHOULD be able to do a standard compression test, but I don't know how much a PITA the BMW software is, when it comes to removing a coil pack, or if that will fry the electronics. The capacitance builds on the dangling wire, and might 'bounce' back and kill the elctronics/spark drive system.

Anyone know?

Or the ignition/electronics simply might not allow cranking. Fuggin electronic cars, a total PITA.

I'm not getting misfires, the plugs all look ok, as I've been using coppers and changing them every 6000km (approx 4300 miles) But I've only had the car for the last 20k km. It's at 113k km. Bought it at 91k km.

I'm a naturally paranoid guy, and this stuff is scaring me.

Ah..I'll forget I ever saw this thread..and go back to sleep.

ard · 9th June 2006, 18:22

DavidS did a post on checking compression..search...

A

Jon@TheMShop · 9th June 2006, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

DavidS did a post on checking compression..search...

A

No need to do a compression test. He already had cylinder leakdown test and that gives a better diagnosis than a compression test.

gbogh3 · 9th June 2006, 18:42

You could call dinan and get them to build up a custom motor!

I would discuss with BMW that this clearly has been going on for a while and the dealer should have been able to find something long ago while the car was under warranty. You have 2 cylinders, 80% and 55% worn did not happen in the last 18 months.
keep us posted.

EDIT: DO YOU HAVE ANY OLD SERVICE RECORDS, OR KNOW WHERE THE CAR WAS SERVICED BEFORE TO GET A HOLD OF THEM? BMW SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THEM, BUT THE LIKE TO PLAY DUMB. Ok, sometimes its not playing.........

KirklandM5 · 9th June 2006, 18:48

And another re: Santa Monica BMW, so typical of them...to recommend complete replacement of the engine. Your engine while it does have some issues is repairable. Assuming it's just rings they could probbly just replace the rings on the 2 dead cylinders, button it back up and off you go. However, since it appears that the cylinders are adjacent, it could be someting with the block.

Habu · 9th June 2006, 19:03

brianhardcore,

Sorry to hear about your motor there's a couple other members on the board that went through an engine replacement. Cost quite a bit but I believe in one case BMWNA paid for much of the replacement cost. Not at first but the eventually they did.

Bob

wilsodh · 9th June 2006, 19:10

The good news is you have 3rd party warranty coverage. Carbon isn't behind your leakdown data. Time for your warranty company to put up. Insisting on teardown is pretty standard. With your leakdown data, I'd say the risk is fairly low that they would be able to weasel out. This situation is exactly why you paid for warranty coverage. I'd do the teardown.

Good luck,
Dave

ard · 9th June 2006, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon@TheMShop

No need to do a compression test. He already had cylinder leakdown test and that gives a better diagnosis than a compression test.

Jon- I was replying to KBK... (should have quoted his post)

I agree the OP is well past the diagnosis stage. (FYI- Did you catch his same post in the group offering board?)

A

I'll reiterate- even if you feel you are in good shape with a teardown, make sure the shop or dealer where the car is **AND** the mechanic doing the work will be competent and on your side.

Jon@TheMShop · 9th June 2006, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

Jon- I was replying to KBK... (should have quoted his post)

I agree the OP is well past the diagnosis stage. (FYI- Did you catch his same post in the group offering board?)

A

I'll reiterate- even if you feel you are in good shape with a teardown, make sure the shop or dealer where the car is **AND** the mechanic doing the work will be competent and on your side.

Right on.. didn't see that.

wilsodh · 9th June 2006, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon@TheMShop

Here's the S54 engine that complained of excessive oil consumption. The technician removed the head and I took pictures of it. BMW ended up replacing the entire engine because it was cheaper than to just replace parts because of labor.

This happened sometime in 2002 at a dealer in the Los Angeles area.

Jon,

I dunno, maybe its the photo, but those piston tops don't look all that bad. Don't we expect to see some carbon on the piston tops in normal engines, especially those with some miles?

Dave