what is up with the twin turbo BMW engine?

[engatwork]

I've seen a 2011 or so 3 series in with a locked up engine at less than 140 miles, another 2012 year model 3 series with low oil pressure warning and now this X5 with under 100k miles. There are no low oil pressure warnings/indications other than the degradation of the intake cam. This is pic of cam lobes for #6 cylinder. The other cam lobes look good.

I suspect running to recommended oil change interval using wrong oil (I did see a little sludge) is causing it but the one that came in with the locked up engine was supposedly maintained by the book. Maybe oil pump system design missed the mark? There is something going on with the oiling systems on these cars.

[Dubyagee]

That looks like rust damage. Might have sat for awhile.

[tbomachines]

Check the oil pump for debris. There are situations where the serp belt will shred, and get sucked into the pan via the main seal. Crazy but true.

It would be very unusual for an n54 to fail like that, theyre excellent engines outside of HPFP (which should have been replaced) and some vanos issues.

[t walgamuth]

I would suspect wrong oil. It is very difficult to know and find correct oil on modern cars since there is such a wide selection of weights and consistancies.

[Zulfiqar]

I have took apart more than a handful of such, I showed them to a very good machine shop.

This failure is the oil pump going a bit nuts, the oil pump in these newer NG8 engines is not a regular pump but a variable geometry pump which is ECU controlled, For this reason the engine needs to be primed when a job involving the oil main oil gallery is done.

Also heavy fuel dilution causes rapid oil breakdown in these engines - and the cherry on the cake is the crazy oil change interval.

btw - the picture you posted looks like an engine with valvetronic and you also mention X5, - that would make it an N55 which is a single turbo DI engine

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I would suspect wrong oil. It is very difficult to know and find correct oil on modern cars since there is such a wide selection of weights and consistancies.

Its still very simple, the manufacturer has published the spec and its available in retail too.

[t walgamuth]

I'm glad it works for you.

[engatwork]

It is a 2012 x5. Plastic cover over engine says twin turbo but that may be a BMW marketing ploy.

[engatwork]

write up on variable displacement oil pumps

I was quite surprised how much it improves fuel economy and that the ECM can tell you are not running the correct viscosity. There are going to be a lot of second owners that don't quite understand the importance of good and frequent oil changes that are going to be severely disappointed.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by engatwork

write up on variable displacement oil pumps

I was quite surprised how much it improves fuel economy and that the ECM can tell you are not running the correct viscosity. There are going to be a lot of second owners that don't quite understand the importance of good and frequent oil changes that are going to be severely disappointed.

This same oil pump is used on chev cruze turbo engines, and a lot failures happen after a few jiffy lube jobs.

The cool bit about the BMW is that the oil level sensor measures quality and temperature too - so the ECU knows what to set the oil pump drive to and measures the pressure and temperature after the pump also.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by engatwork

It is a 2012 x5. Plastic cover over engine says twin turbo but that may be a BMW marketing ploy.

yes - its just marketing speak for "twin scroll turbo"

buyers dont care for scroll - sounds too old timey and boring. - "twin power turbo" sounds very "trendy" and 90% buyers think its actually twin turbo - like the old 335 or 535i had (which were ridiculously fast)

[barry12345]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I would suspect wrong oil. It is very difficult to know and find correct oil on modern cars since there is such a wide selection of weights and consistancies.

I would have to order the right oil in from someplace for the wives engine. Even the dealers do not usually have it. My two local dealers do not even seem to know it exists.


So I run the lowest recommended viscosity. Being 5-30 As it is really painful to get what should be used. That is 5-40 . Plus it is listed as optional in the manual.


I have heard that some dealers have it but it is expensive. So customer oil changes do not get it usually. They do get the right type thought. Being 507 low ash.

[engatwork]

Got another one in this week. A four cylinder twin "scroll" turbo (I think) 2012 320i. Had these codes when it came in:

Engine oil pressure control, plausibility static, pressure too low.
Check control message (ID 212). Engine oil pressure! Stop the vehicle carefully.

I read the codes and sent the guy down the road. I really don't want it in the shop when the engine finally locks up. I suspect the first owner probably changed the oil per BMW requirements and the screen over the oil pump on the suction side has some build up on it. I told the owner what it would take for us to resolve. The other thing I'm reading is that the chain guide comes apart and the debris blocks the oil pump pick up which seems to be the diameter of a US quarter.

I would not wish a BMW on anyone.

[Paulg1]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Got another one in this week. A four cylinder twin "scroll" turbo (I think) 2012 320i. Had these codes when it came in:

Engine oil pressure control, plausibility static, pressure too low.
Check control message (ID 212). Engine oil pressure! Stop the vehicle carefully.

I read the codes and sent the guy down the road. I really don't want it in the shop when the engine finally locks up. I suspect the first owner probably changed the oil per BMW requirements and the screen over the oil pump on the suction side has some build up on it. I told the owner what it would take for us to resolve. The other thing I'm reading is that the chain guide comes apart and the debris blocks the oil pump pick up which seems to be the diameter of a US quarter.

I would not wish a BMW on anyone.

Took my ‘06 e46 naturally aspirated with MT to 211,000 miles. Would have driven it a lot longer but I got T boned (Actually more of an L).

Changed water pump once before it failed, control arm bushings, fuel pump, lock on trunk, 2 brake jobs, engine mounts, some engine gaskets and belts, and regular oil changes.
Used specified oil, half the time from BMW and the rest was Mobil 1. Was burning some oil after 200k.
It was a refined monster.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Got another one in this week. A four cylinder twin "scroll" turbo (I think) 2012 320i. Had these codes when it came in:

Engine oil pressure control, plausibility static, pressure too low.
Check control message (ID 212). Engine oil pressure! Stop the vehicle carefully.

I read the codes and sent the guy down the road. I really don't want it in the shop when the engine finally locks up. I suspect the first owner probably changed the oil per BMW requirements and the screen over the oil pump on the suction side has some build up on it. I told the owner what it would take for us to resolve. The other thing I'm reading is that the chain guide comes apart and the debris blocks the oil pump pick up which seems to be the diameter of a US quarter.

I would not wish a BMW on anyone.

The long change interval also causes blockage/failure of the oil pressure sensor which is next to the oil filter, when it blocks the ecu makes the oil pump ramp the pump to 100% cycle (highest pressure)

but the N20 engine you just saw is a gift that keeps on giving if its not the timing chain, its the turbocharger itself, LOL