N55 engine DEAD!!!

[The Wind Breezes]

N55 has better oiling than N54. Also, maybe BMW oil change intervals are too long.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

N55 has better oiling than N54. Also, maybe BMW oil change intervals are too long.

Not better oiling... better crankcase venting/re-circulation(to minimize carbon buildup).

[The Wind Breezes]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Not better oiling

Incorrect, N55 has an improved oil pan with baffling / windage tray to help prevent starvation.

[Flagler ///M135]

Originally Posted by Elsabor67

That metallic noise you are hearing is from your crank. I had the same issue on my N54 and had bearing failure around 85,000 miles and I do track my car heavily. Dackelone can attest to that. I was told that by my mechanic here in Germany when he checked it out. He also stated to me that N54 and N55 bearings will last around that mileage before they start wearing down and failing. My engine is getting rebuilt right now with a new crank and bearings. Everything else checked out fine.

I would stay away from a used engine because you don't know how the previous owner treated it. If you can afford it, I would just get it rebuilt. That way, you know that you have a sort of 0 mileage engine under the hood again. Food for thought.

My damage to my wallet here in Germany is close to 8K euros ($9100). Compared to a new engine here in Germany that run for almost 15K euros and that is just the head and block.

What type of internals did you use on the rebuild. I have zero mechanic experience, but at these prices, I may have to grab some tools and go to town. I have nothing to lose at this point. I want to remove the oil pan and see what type of damage I have before I go forward, but I have to remove a subframe and I'm just afraid!

Looking at other forums, there are a lot of people having issues with rods and bearings...from stock to modified engines. My gut feeling is that there will be a class action down the road, there has to be!

[Elsabor67]

Originally Posted by Flagler ///M135

What type of internals did you use on the rebuild. I have zero mechanic experience, but at these prices, I may have to grab some tools and go to town. I have nothing to lose at this point. I want to remove the oil pan and see what type of damage I have before I go forward, but I have to remove a subframe and I'm just afraid!

Looking at other forums, there are a lot of people having issues with rods and bearings...from stock to modified engines. My gut feeling is that there will be a class action down the road, there has to be!

Flagler,

I stayed with the stock internals since the machinist that rebuilt my engine stated to me that my pistons and conrods were still in excellent shape. And the guy builds the track engines for a good friend of mine and some VLN endurance teams. Everything that was replaced were the crank and bearings, Timing chain and guides/tensioners, front and rear main seals and also the conrod bearings.

My car was tuned in the area of 430-440 at the wheels. I also maintained oil change intervals every 5000 miles but during track season I change every 3rd track day which can amount to every 2-3 months. Once this engine is broken in again, I will stay at about 450WHP. I am happy with the power it gives and for the circuit it is perfect.

Most guys with issues I would say are the ones pumping out over 600WHP and over 25-28 pounds of boost and I don't think that these rods cannot handle that much boost. I know some single guys are in the 700's and 800's of WHP but I feel that eventually the conrods will fail on their cars.

I would entrust it to a good machine shop and allow them to diagnose and repair it. I am very mechanically inclined and do most of my work myself but I knew that I had to let a pro do this one.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Not better oiling... better crankcase venting/re-circulation(to minimize carbon buildup).

The N55 has a better oil pump design and baffled oil pan. Revised crankshaft scraper tray and better oil return passages in the head and block. Overall the N55 has a much better oil system than he N54.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Flagler ///M135

What type of internals did you use on the rebuild. I have zero mechanic experience, but at these prices, I may have to grab some tools and go to town. I have nothing to lose at this point. I want to remove the oil pan and see what type of damage I have before I go forward, but I have to remove a subframe and I'm just afraid!

Looking at other forums, there are a lot of people having issues with rods and bearings...from stock to modified engines. My gut feeling is that there will be a class action down the road, there has to be!

Any update? I sure hope you are able to find an affordable resolution.

[Downeaster1]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

Ditch the car, get a Porsche.

Said nobody, ever.

[Rob_BMW_PNW]

I hear more about high mileage (6 figure) N54s with over 400whp failing than anything else lol

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Rob_BMW_PNW

I hear more about high mileage (6 figure) N54s with over 400whp failing than anything else lol

There is likely a reason BMW set the PPK at 320.

[Rob_BMW_PNW]

I dont think BMW built a shitty car to not handle a little extra oomph with exhaust mods and what not.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

There is likely a reason BMW set the PPK at 320.

I think the N54 and N55 can handle a little more than 320hp. Obviously BMW was being conservative with PPK. For example, my car has 355hp and 401lb-ft of torque (reportedly) with the Dinan S2 flash tune on an otherwise stock N55 engine and that is a conservative tune as well, just like PPK is. My car is running great. Actually, with the Dinan flash my oil temp has gone down a bit.

[Gangplank]

Pretty much saying the same thing. BMW was conservative. If owners want to up the ante ok! More & more, eventually something has gotta give. BMW just doesn't want to pay for it under warranty.

[Esteban]

Yes, there are limits but PPK isn't even close to the limit. Sounds great though. When are you gonna get the PE to enhance that sound?

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Yes, there are limits but PPK isn't even close to the limit. Sounds great though. When are you gonna get the PE to enhance that sound?

Working on it. Gotta finish a kitchen remodel that's ongoing, and going

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Working on it. Gotta finish a kitchen remodel that's ongoing, and going

What what what!? You're putting off your car for... the kitchen? Someone's got their priorities mixed up.