Major Oil Woes, 1990 520i

[David (NZ)]

Hello.

My situation is as follows.

I've renently purchased a 1990 BMW 520i (actually only got it 4 days ago). After traveling 700km (half the way home) it suddenly stalled on me as I slowed down to turn of the highway. I tried several times to restart the engine but it was a no go. Thankfully their was a strong wind behind me which allowed me to roll the car to the side of the road.

I waited approx 20 minutes, restarted the engine and did a u-turn into the local garage (i know - damn lucky breaking down opposite a workshop). I noticed smoke entering the cabin so i quickly shut the engine off.

Upon first inspection of the engine bay there was large amount of oil being burnt, as well as that, the rear bumper was coated with oil from the exhaust. Uppon jacking up the car their was oil all over the exhaust pipes etc.

The mechanic cleaned it all up and replaced the oilfilter. Took it for a test drive and bamn same thing happens, car stalls and oil goes everywhere.

So to cut a long story short, the mechanic wasn't confident about having it fixed within a two weeks so I hitched 1000k's home so I can at least get back to work to pay for the repairs.

How back to the problem, anyone have some ideas as to what has gone wrong with my BMW??? I fully trust the mechanic but anthing I can do to speed up the repairs would be good.

Thank you for reading, I look foward to getting my BMW back on the road as I have some big plans for it.

[Dan in NZ]

Hmmmmmmm, oil leak? If the car stalled, and it's something to do with the oil, I'd say it could quite possibly be ****ed. But at least it started again so it can't have seized up. Sorry, I don't really know much.... Where abouts in New Zealand are you? Where were you going to-from? I hope that mechanic knows something.

[winfred]

a major crank case vaccum leak can cause it to stall, id look at where the oil's coming from, i had a 90 525 come in with a weird oil leak on the left side of the car, it turns out the oil pressure switch on the right side below the oil filter was leaking, and the oil was being forced through the loom covering the wire all of the way around the motor and was filling up the wiring harness box and spilling out. it could be this is happning and the oil is messing with a connection, on the usa cars theres a plug below the intake for the fuel injectors and the temp sensors, usually it's water that screwes it up but mabey oil can get there too, it's a long shot, that's about the only connection i can think of at the moment between oil and dieing

[David (NZ)]

Dan, I was driving from Auckland to Queenstown. Car was running like a dream all the way to Wellington. About 10k's out of blenhim it died :(

[632 Regal]

just doesn't sound real good so far.

[David (NZ)]

Thats what the mechanic said :( Thanks anyhow.

[Dan in NZ]

David, I'll be in Queenstown for a week from the 9th of April (then going to bmw driver training in Christchurch, woohoo), hope to see it on the roads by then!!!

[David (NZ)]

Thanks Dan, lol I doubt it'll be on the road by then but my fingers are crossed.

[David (NZ)]

Good news, just got of the phone with the mechanic, he believes it's a stuffed oil pump. He can order one in for $400NZD (approx $290USD) if anyone knows where i can find one cheaper please let me know.

Thanks. .Dave

[Dan in NZ]

SD European in Hamilton often has good prices, and they do overnight courier on most parts. www.sdeuropean.co.nz

Also try Specialised Auto Spares in Wellington (04) 5278111, haven't bought anything from them yet but I hear they are good.

[David (NZ)]

Thanks Dan, $175+gst is definetly better on the pocket.


Have a good weekend.

Cheers. .Dave