BMW 320i 2008 engine problem

wannabecraig

Problem started about 5 months ago, engine light coming on and going off within the space of a few mins. Now car was run at all.

Symptoms:
Engine starts, the a massive a mouunt of shaking, if I try to move it at all it just cuts out. Loads of smoke comes out of the exhaust, mostly white smoke I think. Got an emissions test and the car is burning 2x the amount of petrol it's supposed to.

History:
Went to 4 different place, this is what I was told.

1. Guy around the corner: Valve issue, need to 'scrim' the engine, approx cost 1,500€
2. 24 hour service in Glasnevin; Sparks - replaced, replaced 2 coils
3. AMA in artain; Changed timing belt and knock sensor, didn't fix it, didnt charge me for work, very nice people, told me to bring to BMW for full test.
4. Frank Keanes - Report says need to change sparks, coil pack, and injectors.
They also say that it'll cost me 2k to get that work done and they won't guarantee that it will fix the issue.

Really at a loss at this point. JUst want engine fixed.
Any advice on what it could be or where I can bring it?

Four Phucs Ache

That's a lot of work done.

Do you mean chain instead of belt? Im not sure if the petrol model is affected but the chain on n47 engine is well documented as an issue. Highly possible it may have skipped timing and damaged valve stems/seats.A new chain won't fix internal damage.

I think his name is valdas or valdis , most on here will know but he is recommended for BMW knowledge/ specialist.

Leonard Hofstadter

These engines have chains not belts.

If it's an 'Efficient Dynamics' model with the auto start/stop then the most likely cause is dodgy injectors.

It's frustrating to hear that garages are not investigating things properly - if the engine light came on then that means there is a fault code - sure anyone can detect what the fault code is on any car with a Torque Pro App on their phone (or similar) - of course scanning a trouble code is the easy bit, knowing what to do afterwards is different depending on the car.

The car needs to go to a competent BMW specialist to see what's really going on.

I've been told by other boardsies that Valdas aka Motor Confidence out by the Fox and Geese is the place to go for BMWs in Dublin so I suggest taking the car there as an internet diagnosis is no substitute for a proper mechanic.

testicles

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Foxhole Norman

testicles wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Yeah, that's why he said competent

wannabecraig

Thanks for all replies.

Yes, it's the auto start/stop model, although that actually doesn't work anymore
for some reason.

I'll contact Motor Confidence and see what they say.