[BeamChop]

I got my oil changed back in October of 2023. 5 months later in March my N51 motor blew at 89.5k mi. I had the car towed to my local BMW dealership and I was told that the oil filter currently installed in the car is 1) not the correct filter 2) appears to be extremely aged. There were rod bearing particles in the oil where the oil filter / OF cap sits. The receptionist and service advisor that I spoke to at the dealership said it is very much possible that the fact that the quick oil shop that I went to either installed a wrong/old filter or never replaced it at all even though I payed for it to be installed during the oil change.

Could this oil cap filter issue be the reason why my motor blew? The only other issues with the car was a prominent lifter tick especially when low on oil and a slightly leaking VCG. As I await the regional manager of the oil shop to contact me I wanted to see if any of you guys had any possible insight as to why my motor blew so prematurely. I’ve attached a picture of the oil filter as was shown by the BMW technician last week. Mind you, this oil filter was supposedly changed ~4.8k mi ago by the oil shop in question but it is obvious they either did not replace it at all or replaced it with a very old and cheap filter.

[CLAUDE PREMJEETH]

It's looks like it has never been changed

[Efthreeoh]

Quick oil shop. 'nuff said.

Hope they pay for a new engine.

[mainbearing]

I would never use a quick lube place. Not even with a clunker.

And does the oil filter cap still have the center tube and bypass valve intact?

Yup, hope that shop's insurance pays for a new engine.

[lobotomy]

You had a previous post where a few days prior the engine stalled, SES light, and when you checked oil level it was at minimum line?
Cannot say you had no prior warnings that something was amiss!

[Efthreeoh]

OP, any update on your saga? It's a shame a nice N51 got euthanized so early in its life.

[Bmw1939]

This is why doing your own maintenance is essential.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I'm having a hard time understanding how a old oil filter will cause motor to blow up. We're not talking about a oil filter that was there since that start of its life right. And you had no oil pressure warnings.

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I'm having a hard time understanding how a old oil filter will cause motor to blow up. We're not talking about a oil filter that was there since that start of its life right. And you had no oil pressure warnings.

bypass valve clogged? on the picture there's a black plastic piece that shouldnt be there?


here I saw those kind of story. Most of the time, is because mechanics got too many jobs and start the car dry...


I know people dont have the resources or the will/motivation to do a oil change, but this DIY is one of the easiest and you have control on quality.

ordering my stuff online, quality oil (liqui) , doing the oil change and taking the time to do a general checkup (like cut open the oil filter) ; took less time to drive my car to the shop, wait for the guy to put it on the lift and do the change, wait for the guy finishing chatting with the previous client.

time is money, and not only I pay less, I have better quality and take less time.

[gbalthrop]

YO! "BC": You ever going to post again? NO Posts in last 9 days. Your description of HOW the engine quit & never started again in other thread does NOT match with "Blown Motor":
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2088677

There are a LOT of knowledgeable/ helpful folks on this forum. GET HELP!

There have been an ALARMING number of confirmed, or at least POSSIBLE VANOS Bolt failures (subject of RECALL) recently. Your 2011 N51 is a potential candidate. You said you have a Laptop. INPA/ ISTA? You can get a $20 USB Endoscope and visualize VANOS Bolts via Oil Filler Cap. You can View, SAVE, POST ScreenPrints of DME Fault Memory, & History Memory, to see WHAT faults occurred & at what Mileage/km.

You NEVER even answered the question: Does Starter Crank Engine? If it Does, the engine did NOT "Blow" or is NOT "Seized". Even if it WERE Seized, VANOS Bolts MAY have been the cause. FACTS are needed, NOT BS.
George

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

bypass valve clogged? on the picture there's a black plastic piece that shouldnt be there?


here I saw those kind of story. Most of the time, is because mechanics got too many jobs and start the car dry...


I know people dont have the resources or the will/motivation to do a oil change, but this DIY is one of the easiest and you have control on quality.

ordering my stuff online, quality oil (liqui) , doing the oil change and taking the time to do a general checkup (like cut open the oil filter) ; took less time to drive my car to the shop, wait for the guy to put it on the lift and do the change, wait for the guy finishing chatting with the previous client.

time is money, and not only I pay less, I have better quality and take less time.

Ahh yeah maybe. All the aftermarket filters I find online like FRAM all have open in the middle! They must have replaced it after all but used the wrong one.

And agree so much, oil change DIY almost pays for itself the first time if you compare to normal places (or quickshops to if you take possible engine replacement into account lmao). And not to start a oil thread but you can save even more with oil from local stores on sale, most of as good quality. I use Pennzoil Euro 5W-40 from Canadian Tire on sale.

[whyzee125]

Holy crap that looks bad