[N55Detta]

I need help and some answers also please note I live in Ontario Canada

So I have a BMW 335i that needed some repairs done. I decided to look on Kijiji and found a mechanic shop 40kms away from me because I was quoted a fair price. I asked him for a repair estimate as my Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler housing gasket that needed to be replaced and was quoted $180. Drove it to his shop having no issues and left it in his care to deal with the repairs. They removed the Oil filter housing assembly and replaced the gaskets, and also added a new oil filter because I wanted an Oil changed as well, during the processes both coolant hoses that were removed during the repair were damage and needed to be replaced which I had to pay for. They topped up the coolant and added oil then started the car to bleed the coolant line and left it running until it was bled, after that was complete they turned the car off. I went to pay and he told me he’s charging me for the pipes that broke and if I don't pay then he’s leaving it on the hoist. I didn't want the headache so I paid extra for the pipes and he then gave me the keys. Upon leaving the shop I drove local roads to merged on to the highway, 2 mins later the engine seized and locked up. I was only 10mins away from the shop.

Upon doing some research I found out that after doing repairs like that, the engine must be primed before being turned on. I’m sure they didn't prime the engine because I was watching them from the store front. This mechanic didn’t know to prime the engine resulting in my engine to fail and now he’s trying to say he did everything right and car was running before I drove off but he also didn’t test drive the car to make sure everything was in order.

He is saying he’s not taking responsibility and won’t replace my engine. What do I do.

I need a BMW specialist to confirm what I am saying is true. The engine wasn’t primed leading to lack of lubrication causing engine to seize.

There’s also evidence from BMW stating this procedure is a must. Check the pdf link the below

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20..._8d38l9AvwtYoA

[Foghorn]

There has been much debate here on the need to prime the oil system after an OFHG gasket change. It’s a simple procedure to do so it seems worthwhile insurance of sorts.

Starting the engine is not the correct procedure to bleed the cooling system. There is a built in method to enable running the water pump at various speeds for 12 minutes that’s both simple and effective.

Sounds like the shop isn’t knowledgeable about BMWs. Good luck pursuing them if you choose that route.

[Wolf 335]

Which shop was this?

[flapeo]

sounds like they dont know anything about BMWs, Id pursue legal action good luck.

[wheela]

Sorry to hear about this, that really sucks. You're correct about the priming procedure, the BMW dealership told me they prime specifically to prevent this from happening. Some people DIY it, don't prime, and get lucky and have no issues. But your chances of seizing up (from what i've seen anyway) are higher if you don't prime it properly. Sounds like a super shady mechanic...

[Wolf 335]

This was mainly an issue with N55 engines if i remember correctly.

[bmw335ie90]

Gotta love first year design engines (2011 N55)

My b-hole was clenched when I started mine up after doing the OFHG about 5k miles ago. I completely removed my intake manifold when doing the job to ensure nothing fell into the opened oil system, most people half ass it and try to leave the manifold in place. Also did the priming procedure.

Do not believe there are any threads where someone has reported seizure if the priming procedure was followed. From an engineering standpoint though the oil priming doesn't really seem like it would do much as the oil system is pressurized within a second of starting the engine so the bearings would have no oil for a very very short amount of time.

Typically rod bearing failure (in general) is attributed to oil starvation while a large load is being applied to the engine.

[richas]

Engine seizure due to loss of oil pressure? Didn't any of these people see a warning light? I don't know what the loss of oil pressure indication is in the E 90, but I bet it's pronounced.

Rich

[BimmerHausPerformance]

This 100% happens and is well known by bmw techs, even at the dealership. It is oil starvation at start up and particular procedures will leave the oil pump 'unprimed' and cause improper lubrication for just long enough that the metal on metal on the rod bearings/crank will blow the bearings. I got a buddy that works at bmw and this just happened to one of their techs, bmw did the rod bearings for free. You have a case here.

[carguy138]

Originally Posted by N55Detta

I need help and some answers also please note I live in Ontario Canada

So I have a BMW 335i that needed some repairs done. I decided to look on Kijiji and found a mechanic shop 40kms away from me because I was quoted a fair price. I asked him for a repair estimate as my Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler housing gasket that needed to be replaced and was quoted $180. Drove it to his shop having no issues and left it in his care to deal with the repairs. They removed the Oil filter housing assembly and replaced the gaskets, and also added a new oil filter because I wanted an Oil changed as well, during the processes both coolant hoses that were removed during the repair were damage and needed to be replaced which I had to pay for. They topped up the coolant and added oil then started the car to bleed the coolant line and left it running until it was bled, after that was complete they turned the car off. I went to pay and he told me he’s charging me for the pipes that broke and if I don't pay then he’s leaving it on the hoist. I didn't want the headache so I paid extra for the pipes and he then gave me the keys. Upon leaving the shop I drove local roads to merged on to the highway, 2 mins later the engine seized and locked up. I was only 10mins away from the shop.

Upon doing some research I found out that after doing repairs like that, the engine must be primed before being turned on. I’m sure they didn't prime the engine because I was watching them from the store front. This mechanic didn’t know to prime the engine resulting in my engine to fail and now he’s trying to say he did everything right and car was running before I drove off but he also didn’t test drive the car to make sure everything was in order.

He is saying he’s not taking responsibility and won’t replace my engine. What do I do.

I need a BMW specialist to confirm what I am saying is true. The engine wasn’t primed leading to lack of lubrication causing engine to seize.

There’s also evidence from BMW stating this procedure is a must. Check the pdf link the below

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20..._8d38l9AvwtYoA

Sorry you are going through this bud. I am in the same boat after spinning a rod bearing last month (72k miles and second owner).

I've been researching options too and thinking about going with Miami Engines.

They offer rebuilt N55s with new rod bearings, new crank, new rings and all new seals. About the same price as an unknown used N55.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

This 100% happens and is well known by bmw techs, even at the dealership. It is oil starvation at start up and particular procedures will leave the oil pump 'unprimed' and cause improper lubrication for just long enough that the metal on metal on the rod bearings/crank will blow the bearings. I got a buddy that works at bmw and this just happened to one of their techs, bmw did the rod bearings for free. You have a case here.

This is isolated to N55 engines, correct?

[SlimE92]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

This is isolated to N55 engines, correct?

Had it happen to a friend of mine as well on his N54.

[BimmerHausPerformance]

For sure in the n55. I am about to swap over the s55 primary and secondary pumps along with the s55 pan for the baffles and even though I am doing that I still think it would be good 'practice' to prime the oil after any major service.

[carguy138]

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

For sure in the n55. I am about to swap over the s55 primary and secondary pumps along with the s55 pan for the baffles and even though I am doing that I still think it would be good 'practice' to prime the oil after any major service.

Please post as much as you can about the swap. I'd be interested in doing the same.

[BimmerHausPerformance]

Originally Posted by carguy138

Please post as much as you can about the swap. I'd be interested in doing the same.

I have a build thread going and am documenting everything on YT, I just posted here yesterday if you'd like to follow