My motor blew up at the dealership

[gsracer]

So Ive had my M4 since 4,800 miles sitting on 37,800 miles now.

Early december I had a service apt, the day before the service apt I get a drive train malfunction first thing with the car running rough likes tis down a cylinder or two. So I pop the hood check a few things and notice the air to water intercooler reservoir is low top it off and start the car back to normal.

Take it to the dealer the next day for service, I mention the situation to the service advisor and he says well take a look at it.

So I get the car back a couple days later. They told me it had a misfire in cyl 3 and 4 and that they changed all the injectors because it was something they had seen before. Not only that they did a compression check on the motor all cylinders where at or above 200 psi.


So about two weeks later I start the car in the morning drive train malfunction running rough but this time I don't shut it off and get out of the car to check under the hood and notice smoke coming out of the exhaust. I check the air to water resivoir again and its pretty much empty. So I'm thinking perfect busted intercooler core no big deal.

So I take it to the dealer the next day and tell them exactly whats going on. They say we will check it out, so the next day they pressure tested the intercooler and found it to be defective and leaking internally.

We wait a week for parts and I get a call yesterday, that they received the parts but when they go to start the car in the morning to pull it into the bay the motor is knocking.

I'm thinking they obviously put the car back together to not keep it on a lift for 5 days, the water from the intercooler drained into the engine and when they went to start it hydro locked the engine and bent a valve a rod.


Now there's a case opened with BMW NA and I'm starting to get a iffy feeling. As if finger pointing is going on between the dealer and BMW.

Ill report in once I get the final word.

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by gsracer

So Ive had my M4 since 4,800 miles sitting on 37,800 miles now.

Early december I had a service apt, the day before the service apt I get a drive train malfunction first thing with the car running rough likes tis down a cylinder or two. So I pop the hood check a few things and notice the air to water intercooler reservoir is low top it off and start the car back to normal.

Take it to the dealer the next day for service, I mention the situation to the service advisor and he says well take a look at it.

So I get the car back a couple days later. They told me it had a misfire in cyl 3 and 4 and that they changed all the injectors because it was something they had seen before. Not only that they did a compression check on the motor all cylinders where at or above 200 psi.


So about two weeks later I start the car in the morning drive train malfunction running rough but this time I don't shut it off and get out of the car to check under the hood and notice smoke coming out of the exhaust. I check the air to water resivoir again and its pretty much empty. So I'm thinking perfect busted intercooler core no big deal.

So I take it to the dealer the next day and tell them exactly whats going on. They say we will check it out, so the next day they pressure tested the intercooler and found it to be defective and leaking internally.

We wait a week for parts and I get a call yesterday, that they received the parts but when they go to start the car in the morning to pull it into the bay the motor is knocking.

I'm thinking they obviously put the car back together to not keep it on a lift for 5 days, the water from the intercooler drained into the engine and when they went to start it hydro locked the engine and bent a valve a rod.


Now there's a case opened with BMW NA and I'm starting to get a iffy feeling. As if finger pointing is going on between the dealer and BMW.

Ill report in once I get the final word.

Dealer: "gremlins came in the night and bent three of your conrods"

Edit: do let us know how this turns out OP

[f80er]

Yeah I would think you have a pretty open and shut case. You took the car in for service, they claimed they fixed it but probably fixed the wrong thing. They take it back and the engine takes a shit while in their possession. I don't see how any of this could be your responsibility or fault.

Hopefully the dealer and or BMW make you whole again.

[damageprone]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the charge cooler internally leaking issue mentioned here? https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1570544

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by Railgun

Jesus...coming out of the woodwork. All of a sudden, this is a thing?

That's what I was thinking. Spun crank hub, front oil cooler/skid plate hysteria all over again haha...hopefully not.

[RRedline]

Originally Posted by damageprone

I wonder if this has anything to do with the charge cooler internally leaking issue mentioned here? https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1570544

Originally Posted by Railgun

Jesus...coming out of the woodwork. All of a sudden, this is a thing?

Right? Let's hope this isn't...a thing.

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by Railgun

Jesus...coming out of the woodwork. All of a sudden, this is a thing?

It almost feels like it's fake news, all with the goal to sell us more intercoolers.

[Pokerpot]

I just posted about mine busting for the second time....

[Fast4d]

is there a dash warning for low coolant level in the intercooler circuit?

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by r0wr

It almost feels like it's fake news, all with the goal to sell us more intercoolers.

LOL you freaking conspiracy theorist!!!!

The sad part is you may be more than 50% correct.

Take everything on the internet with a grain of salt....runs to frantically check intercooler

[TurboM]

Water/coolant getting into the intake or crankcase of the motor can cause all sorts of issues. Good luck with a resolution.

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by r0wr

It almost feels like it's fake news, all with the goal to sell us more intercoolers.

or maybe it's EAG buying up all the F8X, now that they've cornered the E46 market

[gsracer]

To update, after Fasta download, valve train inspection, etc. The motor bent rods from water ingestion, BMW NA authorized engine replacement. Motor should be here next wednsday. Thankfully everything is working out to this point, plus ill have an additional two years of warranty on the motor.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by gsracer

To update, after Fasta download, valve train inspection, etc. The motor bent rods from water ingestion, BMW NA authorized engine replacement. Motor should be here next wednsday. Thankfully everything is working out to this point, plus ill have an additional two years of warranty on the motor.

Wow that's fantastic, congrats!

What's not fantastic is this sudden issue of leaking intercoolers we're hearing about on this forum!!!

[Ferg]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Wow that's fantastic, congrats!

What's not fantastic is this sudden issue of leaking intercoolers we're hearing about on this forum!!!

Agreed, anyway of detecting a leak other than occasionally checking the tank?

[jpy1980]

I just checked mine today and it was empty! Filled it up and made a call to my SA. Hopefully its not a big issue!!

[Pokerpot]

For me it caused a drivetrain malfunction. Last time it happened I checked and circuit was dry. Took to dealer and they misdiagnosed it at first but then figured it out (after refilling the tank and having it burn through the engine). Everything checked out.

Yesterday drivetrain malfunction, got out and put my hand on the heat exchanger --- Warm!

Easy way to check is 1. you get a DT malfunction. 2. Pop hood and put hand on IC on the top. If it's not cool to the touch, you are low on coolant.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Pokerpot

For me it caused a drivetrain malfunction. Last time it happened I checked and circuit was dry. Took to dealer and they misdiagnosed it at first but then figured it out (after refilling the tank and having it burn through the engine). Everything checked out.

Yesterday drivetrain malfunction, got out and put my hand on the heat exchanger --- Warm!

Easy way to check is 1. you get a DT malfunction. 2. Pop hood and put hand on IC on the top. If it's not cool to the touch, you are low on coolant.

Does it have a level indicator or just needs to be filled till the top?

[Pokerpot]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Does it have a level indicator or just needs to be filled till the top?

There is a level indicator in there. Tough to get to because you have to look down vertically and y'all know where the reservoir is... smack dab in the middle of the engine closest to the windshield.

The isssue is, if you look and it's bone dry, you are better off getting it to the dealer. It's a sealed circuit and should not leak.

For my issue, to have one blow and then have the new one blow again two months later... I'm just wondering if anybody here familiar with the circuit would have any ideas what would cause it to happen.

[Poiseuille]

thanks very much to OP for starting this thread, and to all those who responded with insight. very much appreciated for sure.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Pokerpot

There is a level indicator in there. Tough to get to because you have to look down vertically and y'all know where the reservoir is... smack dab in the middle of the engine closest to the windshield.

The isssue is, if you look and it's bone dry, you are better off getting it to the dealer. It's a sealed circuit and should not leak.

For my issue, to have one blow and then have the new one blow again two months later... I'm just wondering if anybody here familiar with the circuit would have any ideas what would cause it to happen.

Checked mine just now. The liquid is level with the top portion of that yellow thing in there (see picture). Is that okay or does it need to be level with that dot right on top (circled in red). Thanks.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Checked mine just now. The liquid is level with the top portion of that yellow thing in there (see picture). Is that okay or does it need to be level with that dot right on top (circled in red). Thanks.

I believe the one you are currently looking at is your coolant reservoir. The intercooler one is at the top of the engine towards the middle.