A Sad Day for a Jet Black ZHP

[Avetiso]

I'm not sure how possible it is, nor how available performance parts are available for the M54B30, but I would try to rebuild and squeeze a little more power out in the process. However, I don't know how possible this would be given your circumstances.

[Avetiso]

How do you know it's seized?

If the motor has truly seized, I'd bet on low oil level and the hill was the final nail in that coffin.

If it has not actually seized, put me down for fuel pump.

Wouldn't it still turn over if it was fuel pump?

[JG330i]

That sucks big time. Could CCV have failed and hydrolocked? Bummer.

Tell us more once you know some details. Swap sounds good if the rest of the car is in good shape.

I definitely will keep you all posted.

Damn.... So sorry to hear of this. I say put in a rebuilt engine or rebuild yours if you can.

If not... Part out and pay off. Not sure this is legal though, now that I think of it.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

Dane - What would be illegal about this? Just curious.

Thanks buddy, it sucks, but I'm sure it will all workout somehow.

Also curious as to what would be illegal? I am guessing since I do not own the title and possess it as there is a lien on the vehicle through my auto loan.

Sorry to hear the news. If it was me, I would look into an used engine. Just my 2 cents. GL on this one.

Thats what I am considering too, but it will all depend on what the actual diagnosis provides.

I would assume that he would need to get a salvage title. Would the insurance company actually do anything for this?

I am wondering that too. I plan on calling my insurance company today and speaking to them to find out what would occur if the engine is indeed gone-zo.

Oh man! Hopefully a rebuilt one is not as expensive. Sorry to hear this.

Thanks man. Rebuilt will run me around $2400 is the lowest price I have seen. Lower mileage, around 67k-70k would run me between $3500-$4000 from what I have found thus far.

I think it's preamture to talk about replacing the engine. First need a good diagnosis. Who knows, it may be something simple. On the other hand, it may have threw a rod. Maybe the oil pump went out and it shut down before it got wasted?

What motor oil had you been using?

Yeah, I just figured to put it out there and start a conversations about options at least. Never a bad idea to prepare mentally haha. Fuel pump is an option as that is one thing I had not yet had a chance to replace and check the condition of.

I have been using 5w30 oil (Castrol).

Could be something as simple as fuel pump. You didn't mention it in your list and they all fail between 125 and 160k.

This is good to know! Glad you and Dave brought it up.

How do you know it's seized?

If the motor has truly seized, I'd bet on low oil level and the hill was the final nail in that coffin.

If it has not actually seized, put me down for fuel pump.

Mechanic just told me it was locked and that it would be due to an internal failure. He might have used a code scanner to narrow down what happened since I did get a CEL after it happened.

I'm not sure how possible it is, nor how available performance parts are available for the M54B30, but I would try to rebuild and squeeze a little more power out in the process. However, I don't know how possible this would be given your circumstances.

My only concern is getting it running. As much as I would love more power, I really dont need it and love the mpgs this thing has been getting lately.

Wouldn't it still turn over if it was fuel pump?

Thats what I am wondering as well.

[BimmerWill]

That sucks to hear. Im leaning towards a fuel pump as well. Rattle could be caused by improper fuel pressure. When it loses pressure or starves it does a kind of bucking rattle thing...maybe have your mechanic take a wrench and just turn the motor over that way...see if it hangs up on something....id pull oil pan first.

Fuel pump check first though. Best of luck figuring it out!

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[danewilson77]

I didn't think a vehicle, that someone else owns (the bank) could be parted out.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

[nike001]

Does it crank?

That's one question.. I'm surprised that it took this long for someone to ask this simple question, honestly.

[Johnmadd]

If the mechanic says its locked up and seized you can check that by turning on the crank with a wrench or try to roll it in 6th gear.

[Hermes]

That sucks to hear. Im leaning towards a fuel pump as well. Rattle could be caused by improper fuel pressure. When it loses pressure or starves it does a kind of bucking rattle thing...maybe have your mechanic take a wrench and just turn the motor over that way...see if it hangs up on something....id pull oil pan first.

Fuel pump check first though. Best of luck figuring it out!

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agreed 100%

if you can manually turn the motor via the crank pulley then the issues are somewhere else besides within the motor

[static667]

If it comes to changing the engine, make sure you get one that has the performance package (cams) that your original has. Good luck with this issue, man. I know how you feel right now. Believe me.

[JG330i]

That sucks to hear. Im leaning towards a fuel pump as well. Rattle could be caused by improper fuel pressure. When it loses pressure or starves it does a kind of bucking rattle thing...maybe have your mechanic take a wrench and just turn the motor over that way...see if it hangs up on something....id pull oil pan first.

Fuel pump check first though. Best of luck figuring it out!

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

Thanks man! Good pointers to keep track of and definitely will pass these q's onto my mechanic.

I didn't think a vehicle, that someone else owns (the bank) could be parted out.

HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA

Thats what I was figuring as well.

Does it crank?

That's one question.. I'm surprised that it took this long for someone to ask this simple question, honestly.

If the mechanic says its locked up and seized you can check that by turning on the crank with a wrench or try to roll it in 6th gear.

agreed 100%

if you can manually turn the motor via the crank pulley then the issues are somewhere else besides within the motor

No crank. Went and visited the beast today and the engine is done-zo.

If it comes to changing the engine, make sure you get one that has the performance package (cams) that your original has. Good luck with this issue, man. I know how you feel right now. Believe me.

Yeah, I was thinking of doing so but I actually am just going with a standard M54. A buddy of mine is going to let me have a used M54 with 87k on the ODO for a little under $1200, which is well below wholesale. The total swap in terms of labor should be around $800 bucks.

I can muster up the money for the engine for now and save up to get the labor. In the meantime, I guess its time to get my fat a$$ a road bike and start riding to and from work. (I'll slap a nice roundel on it to keep the BMW theme going )