Nightmare dealer situation (Updated)

[GreyM340i]

There is a good possibility nothing is wrong. Honestly, I would have wiped the dipstick oil off on my shirt before simply saying well I can't check the oil. This sucks and you didn't cause it, but I promise you I would have known the oil level before turning it over to anybody.

I agree however I was confused why my car just shut off on the ramp so I tried to restart it and then quickly turned it off. It’s then I got worried and checked the oil from above and below and saw it coming out.

[oceansize]

Problem is dealership is saying the car is driving fine, sounding fine, and no codes or anything. Saying even their insurance wouldn’t cover anything because nothing is currently wrong and they would want a explanation. I’m screwed at this point. They still have the car for a few more days to drive it around and see if anything comes up.

There is a good possibility nothing is wrong. Honestly, I would have wiped the dipstick oil off on my shirt before simply saying well I can't check the oil. This sucks and you didn't cause it, but I promise you I would have known the oil level before turning it over to anybody.

[GreyM340i]

I would say in the worst case scenario, you could explain this situation to your insurance company and they would go after the dealership for the damage. Not sure about your individual policy but your insurance company should cover this sort of incident.

Problem is dealership is saying the car is driving fine, sounding fine, and no codes or anything. Saying even their insurance wouldn’t cover anything because nothing is currently wrong and they would want a explanation. I’m screwed at this point. They still have the car for a few more days to drive it around and see if anything comes up.

[EthanolTurbo]

I would say in the worst case scenario, you could explain this situation to your insurance company and they would go after the dealership for the damage. Not sure about your individual policy but your insurance company should cover this sort of incident.

[GreyM340i]

Sounds reasonable. Hopefully it's that and not excess friction in the bearings or cylinder walls

Let’s hope.

[heinzboehmer]

heinzboehmer My guess is the engine shut off due to the oil pressure drop resulting in the VANOS system fixing the timing in a position where the engine could not continue running properly.

Sounds reasonable. Hopefully it's that and not excess friction in the bearings or cylinder walls

[Slideways]

heinzboehmer My guess is the engine shut off due to the oil pressure drop resulting in the VANOS system fixing the timing in a position where the engine could not continue running properly.

[fattycharged]

The dealer said it has a safety system that will turn the car off if oil gets too low. Then the independent BMW shop said there is no such thing and they’re lying to me. Not sure who to believe.

In this scenario, the indy. They're either lying to you, or they're ignorant, neither is beneficial for your situation.

[heinzboehmer]

Wall of text/pics warning, but I'm pretty sure the signals from the oil level and pressure sensors do not influence engine running or starting.

Here's what TIS has to say about the oil light:



Notice there's no mention of switching the engine off when the oil level is too low.

Fuse 30 is what I've seen referenced as being blown by the oil level sensor. However, it will not shut the car off, only prevent it from starting.

Maybe some people have had it blow when their oil level is low, but I highly doubt the DME is purposefully blowing it. That fuse provides +12V to a bunch of engine components, including the oil level sensor.

The oil level sensor works by heating up a resistive element and measuring how fast it is cooled (by the oil). I suspect what is happening is that the lack of oil does not allow it to cool and the sensor ends up drawing enough current to blow the fuse.


In case anyone wants to read up on this/look at the wiring diagrams/show this to the dealer, the info can be found in the "BMW E46 M3 Coupe / Wiring Diagrams and Functional Description / Body / Displays and information / Warning and indicator lights" section of TIS.

[GreyM340i]

Fuse 30 is what I've seen referenced as being blown by the oil level sensor. However, it will not shut the car off, only prevent it from starting.

Your dealer is lying or ignorant.

Yeah that makes more sense. Just not sure what turned the car off while getting onto the exit ramp. That’s my concern.

[oceansize]

Fuse 30 is what I've seen referenced as being blown by the oil level sensor. However, it will not shut the car off, only prevent it from starting.

Your dealer is lying or ignorant.

[GreyM340i]

The thermal oil level sensor noticed there was too less of an oil and sent a signal to the DME, which immediately destroyed the fuse therefore the engine was no longer running with no oil.

The dealer said it has a safety system that will turn the car off if oil gets too low. Then the independent BMW shop said there is no such thing and they’re lying to me. Not sure who to believe.

[GreyM340i]

Yes and no.
Crank and rod bearings have more oil than cam bearings, but remember the crank and rods carry more load, and so need higher oil pressure to avoid damaged. I would worry about the vanos as it carries little load. Yes, I agree that the cams bearings and rockers/lobes should be checked as they are the first to suffer when running with low oil.

The squeal noise is a serious concern, or it could the sound of a humpback whale exhaled the air -- the oil pump sucked in air and those pressurized air bubbles escaped the tight bearings making the trumpet noise like a whale.

This is the problem as I’m not a mechanic or familiar with this motor. So not sure what that noise was however it didn’t sound good to me. Still waiting to hear back from the GM on what they can offer to do. At this point the service department doesn’t even want to look into the motor as they think it’s all fine. He keeps saying that it’s a 95k mile motor that who knows what wear it already had. I told him I understand however the service history I have for it plus I wasn’t the one who made it loose all its oil on the side of the road. This sucks and I’m tired of dealing with it.

[sapote]

I then tried to start the car and it hardly ran plus I heard a squeal sound before I quickly shut it off.
....
when I spoke to a local I independent shop he mentioned he would be more worried about the top half of the motor as that area is first to loose oil. He said most likely the bottom half is probably ok because there was still oil in that area. He said he would first check Vanos and the head then move to the bottom half..

Yes and no.
Crank and rod bearings have more oil than cam bearings, but remember the crank and rods carry more load, and so need higher oil pressure to avoid damaged. I would not worry about the vanos as it carries little load. Yes, I agree that the cams bearings and rockers/lobes should be checked as they are the first to suffer when running with low oil.

The squeal noise is a serious concern, or it could be just the sound of a humpback whale exhaled the air -- the oil pump sucked in air and those pressurized air bubbles escaped the tight bearings making the trumpet noise like a whale.

[sapote]

The thermal oil level sensor noticed there was too less of an oil and sent a signal to the DME, which immediately destroyed the fuse therefore the engine was no longer running with no oil.

Do you have any references for this?