Reliable Used & Reconditioned BMW Engines Supplied and Fitted

Timing-chain or guide failure

Rattling at start-up, timing faults, poor running or failure to start

Bent valves, damaged pistons, cylinder-head damage or loss of oil-pump drive

When the chain fails and causes extensive valve-to-piston contact or oil-starvation damage

Stop driving and arrange timing-system and compression checks

Oil-pump drive-chain failure

Oil-pressure warning, whining from the lower engine or increased mechanical noise

Loss of lubrication, damaged bearings, crankshaft wear or engine seizure

When prolonged oil starvation damages the crankshaft, bearings or cylinder surfaces

Switch off the engine immediately and check oil pressure

Connecting-rod or main-bearing failure

Deep knocking, vibration, low oil pressure or metal in the oil

Crankshaft scoring, damaged connecting rods, block damage or seizure

When the crankshaft or block is damaged beyond economical machining

Do not restart the engine; arrange recovery and internal inspection

Excessive oil consumption

Frequent oil top-ups, blue smoke, fouled spark plugs or rough running

Cylinder wear, piston-ring damage, valve-seal wear or catalytic-converter contamination

When oil consumption is caused by severe internal wear or repeated repairs are uneconomical

Complete a measured oil-consumption test and inspect for internal leakage

Engine overheating

High-temperature warning, coolant loss, steam or reduced performance

Warped cylinder head, failed head gasket, cracked block or piston damage

When overheating causes major head, bore or block distortion

Stop driving and pressure-test the cooling system

Electric coolant-pump failure

Overheating warning, cooling fan running at high speed or reduced-power mode

Severe overheating and cylinder-head or head-gasket damage

When the vehicle has been driven after coolant circulation has stopped

Switch off the engine and test the pump and cooling circuit

EGR-cooler coolant leak on diesel engines

Falling coolant level, white vapour, intake deposits or warning lights

Intake-manifold damage, overheating or coolant entering the intake system

When coolant ingestion or overheating causes internal engine damage

Check recall status and inspect the EGR cooler and intake system

Turbocharger failure

Loss of power, siren noise, blue smoke or rapid oil consumption

Oil starvation, contaminated intake components or engine runaway on diesel models

When broken turbo components or oil ingestion damage pistons, bores or bearings

Stop driving and inspect the turbocharger, oil feeds and intercooler

Piston or cylinder-bore damage

Misfire, low compression, heavy oil use, smoke or crankcase pressure

Scored bores, broken rings, cracked pistons or damaged cylinder walls

When bore damage cannot be corrected economically through machining

Perform compression, leak-down and borescope testing

Cylinder-head or head-gasket failure

Coolant loss, white smoke, overheating, misfires or pressurised hoses

Warped or cracked cylinder head, coolant-contaminated oil or bore damage

When the head or block is cracked, badly distorted or repeatedly overheated

Stop using the vehicle and test the cooling system and combustion gases

Injector failure or bore wash

Difficult starting, diesel knock, smoke, misfires or rising oil level

Loss of cylinder lubrication, piston damage, bore scoring or bearing wear

When prolonged over-fuelling has damaged cylinders or contaminated the lubrication system

Test injector balance, fuel pressure and engine oil condition

Hydrolock or liquid ingestion

Engine stops suddenly, will not turn or produces an abnormal impact noise

Bent connecting rods, broken pistons, crankshaft damage or cracked block

When liquid entering a cylinder causes major mechanical deformation

Do not attempt to restart; recover the vehicle for strip-down inspection

Severe carbon or intake contamination

Reduced power, rough running, smoke or repeated airflow faults

Restricted airflow, damaged intake components or increased combustion stress

Replacement is uncommon unless contamination contributes to major internal damage

Diagnose and clean the intake system before considering engine replacement

Engine seizure

Starter cannot rotate the engine, sudden shutdown or locked crankshaft

Extensive bearing, crankshaft, piston or cylinder damage

Replacement is often more economical when several internal assemblies are damaged

Arrange recovery and complete engine strip-down or replacement assessment