awilli6

Just had the 928 towed following advice in the WTF thread below. My son has my old car in DC at school. 2003 BMW 325i, 150k on the clock. White smoke from rear tail pipe and rough running. I think crank case vent valve & have it towed to mechanic yesterday. I get a call while waiting for my tow & mechanic states engine is gone. What? Car has oil & antifreeze in it. Didn't run hot. Gave compression numbers in 20 & 30s for each cylinder. He also stated both belts were broken

I drove the 928 to DC week before thanksgiving and came home weekend after. The BMW ran great, very smooth, no issues...

My question: what would make the engine just go out like that?

1989porsche928

I skipped the part that said the car had white smoked. I assumed the timing belt snapped and asked if it was an interface engine before the edit

Avar928

Is this for the 928 or the BMW? I'm confused.

Never mind.

1989porsche928

awilli6 did you drain the oil to see if it looked unusual or contained metal shavings / cut open oil filter? I could be wrong but is antifreeze leaking into the engine? What does the smoke smell like?

awilli6

Just curious about the BMW. I know this is a 928 forum but I'm no mechanic & you guys are very knowledgeable

awilli6

I'm in Memphis & car is in DC. I'm going off what the mechanic said

1989porsche928

I think it is either (or both) the Crankcase Ventilation Valve and Pressure Regulator Assembly.

Avar928

Blown head gasket or cracked head?

awilli6

1989Porsche: would eithe of those cause the compression to be so low? Would the engine be toast with pressure regulator out?

1989porsche928

funny you mention that vehicle, my wifes x3 (slightly over 100,000 miles on it) key does not open the door so I have to pay $500 to get another one.
Sounds like some people have had to do several repairs on your vehicle:
your >>> http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Re...model=3-Series
http://www.carcomplaints.com/BMW/325i/2003/
http://repairpal.com/bmw-325i-2003
recalls - http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2003/...eries/recalls/

awilli6

Car has been relatively issue free which is why I'm curious to engine being toast.

1989porsche928

Is their any chance you can get your son to check the compression in each cylinder himself? What is the stock compression ration? I don't really see the pistons rings all of the sudden becoming very warn. I crack is possible, gaskets giving away if a very good guess. I really hate to believe you would need a new engine. The white smokes to me sounds like it could be coolant burning.

1989porsche928

To add the my last post, before I did alot of reading and experience (still need a ton more) on cars I had a 928 get a fried ecu because of a old wire harness. I took it to a mechanic and he told me try and start the engine. He shines a flashlight and said it was the timing while I was trying to turn on the car. It turns out you can't check the timing with a flash light especially without taking a single thing off the vehicle. Luckily his employee was from Europe and did all the work on the vehicle. Some times people don't want to look for the real solution. My daily driver a Honda Accord starting making noise in the power steering pump only when cold. The dealer and another mechanic said I needed to spend $800 for a new pump. I searched on you tube and all I needed was a $1.00 rubber seal and power steering fluid (it was on a Technical Bulletin) . I don't want to make you get emotional about the mechanic, he could be the best BMW mechanic in the world.

awilli6

He can't check it. I had a 98 740iL that poured white smoke when vent valve went out. Will bad pressure regulator give those low readings? I may fly out to check & tow it back next week.

awilli6

I agree and I'm not sure of his skills. It Is a certified Bosch BMW shop. I may spring for a 2nd opinion before I fly out