What to do!!

[v_j_r]

Ok here we go ,i have problems with constantley noisey/ticking cam followers in my BMW 525i SE (E34 M50TU) so i asked my local BMW garage to diagnose the problem cams had been ruled out it was confirmed that some of the lifters were faulty.

 

I asked if the job could be done by eliminating the faulty lifters and replacing them to keep costs down.

 

I was informed that in his opinion it would be difficult to eliminate them and so the job would only be undertaken if he/they were to replace all 24, he/they actually refused the job if i was to not replace all 24 and with BMW OE equipment at a cost of £675.00.

 

I stated that the car was nigh on due it's oil change and i would rather change the oil (Magnatec 10w-40w) first to see if this could cure the problem i also stated that on this ocassion i was not prepared to pay his price's for the oil service of £115.00 using magnatec 10w-40w and would seek out a more local garage to do the job i would also be supplying a BMW OE filter.

 

I eventually had this done by a local well known garage service using magnatec 10w-40w at a cost of £35.00 they supplying the oil and i supplying the filter kit.

 

After some 500 miles or so it had not cured the problem in fact it was worse to the point of now being quite embarassing to drive the car it was so noisey.

 

I informed the BMW specialist that the oil change had not improved matters and it was booked in for x24 cam lifters to be replaced, at no stage did he say anything thing further would be recommended he siad the job was a 4 hour job and he ordered the cam followers from BMW along with gaskets extra.

 

 

The next day i called and asked how the work was progressing, he stated that they had to come to a halt as when removing the vanos unit revealed that it would require a BMW modification and as a result they could not fit it back on untill this was done it eventually took another 48 hrs to get the parts required for the modification.

 

While it was in there garage i took the opertunity took take a look at the cams etc just for my own piece of mind as i had had the car since 1999 @46,000 it was now @118,000 so a visual look was taken and all was in good order with regards to the lobes etc no excessive wear was visible in fact it all looked like new.

 

The next day i picked up the car and it was transformed quiet and very smooth and powerful, apparantley the vanos had not been working correctley untill this modification was done.

 

At around 800 miles or so to my horror very apparent lifter noise had returned upon startup and right the way untill the temp guage had reached nigh on it's normal tempreture the engine had been filled with magantec 10w-40w about a week before so that was not an issue.

 

The car has now done some 1,200 miles and the BMW garage has/was informed, this week i returned the car to him as he would like to change the oil again using 10w-40w magnatec and filter at no expense to me and he would flush the engine forte engine flush, while the car was being run in the workshop with the engine flush added he informed that he had ran out of 10w-40w magnatec and was awaiting a callback from castrol regarding the use of a new LL04 oil 0w-30w (CASTROL EDGE TURBO DIESEL).

 

The call came back and i was informed that it was suitable and although i was'nt happy using this new oil but the work was carried out, we are now a few hundred miles on this oil and filter guess what the noise is back again and getting worse, is it likely a few of the followers have gone capput what do you suggest i do please?.

[LondonPam]

Please don't think I'm being rude but I believe this site is more for comsumer issues rather than specific problems with car engines. Saying that, maybe someone out there knows a bit about BMW's. There are many forums out there that would be more specific with regards engine problems. Have you Googled the problem ?

[Rich44]

I think the guy was after advice on how to approach the garage over it more than what do you think is wrong with the car as such

[JonCris]

I think the guy was after advice on how to approach the garage over it more than what do you think is wrong with the car as such

 

He does but he needs to consult an expert to see if the garages have done anything wrong before returning & accusing them of neg. Particularly as he refused to accept the original garages advice to replace all of the lifters

 

To be forwarned is to be forarmed as they say.

[v_j_r]

He does but he needs to consult an expert to see if the garages have done anything wrong before returning & accusing them of neg. Particularly as he refused to accept the original garages advice to replace all of the lifters

 

To be forwarned is to be forarmed as they say.

 

 

Please read it again,all hydrualic lifters were replaced X24 with "OE" BMW Parts?.

[JonCris]

I understood you only agreed to that at the 2nd garage. However I still suggest would still need to seek the advice of qualified technition as to whether or not the work was faulty. Without that information then advice is difficult as your complaint needs to be specific. You could report the problem to the garage in the hope they will realize they have made a mistake & want to correct it but don't hold your breath

 

eg Should they have reccomended additional work but didn't