How many miles between oil changes? Scary content!

[PierreLP]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1281659

[wookiecj]

Gosh, that's really scary stuff... I've never seen the inside of any engine in that sort of a state, even ones which have been well past their service intervals for either time or mileage!

Mileage between changes? Stick with what the book says and use the recommended lubricants and you should be fine. Reduce the interval and you should minimise wear and tear but it's a trade off between cost, maintenance time/downtime and benefits. It's your call really, within limits.

[Jonathan]

New engine ?

Looks like fuel contamination of the oil...

Suprised it kept running !

[rogerch]

My initial thought was what kind of oil adative did he put in there, advertised to prolong milage between oil changes. As to kleening it, I'm not sure I should admit to this but in my youth (and very poor) I seem to recall running up an engine on idle to operating temprature for about 20 mins on parafin oil to flush all the oilways, it worked

[freshcut]

Without reading through all 50 million pages of that posting, I'm just curious what prompted the guy to have the engine looked at. All that sludge that appeared to be in the oil pan almost certainly had to plug up the pickup tube long ago I'd have thought.

I can just hear it now...."Well, it just doesn't run like it used to."

[Sparky]

Yup - had one like that a few years ago. Ford Escort 1.6CVH. Punters said it was gutless and difficult to start. When I got there I took the rocker cover off and found much the same as that pic. I managed to start it (cover off as no oil was going to fly around!) and the engine actually seized as I was watching it - no exaggeration.

They'd bought it new and had done 58000 miles in it without a single service. They didn't know what a dipstick was. I told them how much a new engine would cost and they didn't bat an eyelid - just told me to do it, whatever the cost. I put a new one in and told them they must get back to me for oil service intervals. Never heard from them since. More money than sense!

[red vtec]

Think I better change my oil.....

[davegtst]

When i used to work for a ford dealer i was servicing a fiesta with a 1.3 ohc engine that was worse than that. The sludge in the rocker box was so bad the rockers had made prints in it, you could even read the part numbers in the sludge!

[red vtec]

If you run enough oil through it and do changes will it clear out?

[matk]

Yeah that's exactly what I was wondering. Is it reversible or permanent?

[rogerch]

The first thing I did with mine when recieved in OZ was a compression check, not good 127 / 119 / 128 / 135. The oil was crap and god knows how long it had been in there. After the 2nd oil and filter change the compressions were 139 / 139 / 139 / 139. Sometimes you get lucky. Actual oil pressure is if anything a bit higher than I would like.

[Sparky]

If you run enough oil through it and do changes will it clear out?

Depends on the value of the engine, but from a business point of view, I wouldn't waste time trying to rescue it as the cost of failure would be too high. If it were mine, I might give it a go.

[freshcut]

You might have to flush before each oil change. There are some solvent additives that can be used within the last few minutes before an oil change, typically when warming the engine at idle prior to draining the oil that can help to break up the sludge. I would not however rely on that as a general course of maintenance. I guess looking at these pictures one can truly see the importance in using high quality oils and frequent changes.

[Bibs]

Should have used Giugiaro oil!

[ifly]

The pictures and this thread have rather unusually made me hungry for treacle toffee!

[Kimbers]

Jeez! Maybe they used grease instead of oil?

I still know people who don't service their cars. My Step sister is the perfect example. You'd think with our dad she'd be more careful but so far gone through 3 cars and their engines. Every one seized! She now has a new BMW Z3. I suspect that will go the same way.

BTW she's proud shes never had a service as they are "A rip off!" and "the cars were cheap and a service a waste of money".

Glad she's only killing Beemers!!

[freshcut]

Doesn't BMW offer free scheduled maintenance during the warranty period, or is that a US only deal?

[ifly]

Blake we get 4 years or 50,000 miles, in Europe your mileage varies but I think its only 2 years in most countries on Beemers. Also in the US you get the option to purchase another 2 years or 50,000 miles that tacks onto the end of your full maintenance warranty.