Seized Engine

11.75 E90 M3 6MT
130k kms (81k miles)
Rod Bearing serice history is unknown, likely original.
Oil was changed less than 2k ago with BMW branded 10w60.
Factory tune, only engine mods are test pipes + gintani axleback.


Was doing some harmless donuts/burnouts yesterday outside my buddy's shop and the car just stalled out suddenly without warning. No crank after that. No loud thud or smoking, not a drop of fluid on the ground. Just engine shut off right away. I thought maybe it was a broken engine ground strap but it wasn't.

Rolled it right in and threw it on the hoist, pulled out the fan and intake to turn the engine by hand. She is seized up good.

Pulled out all 8 spark plugs. Looked good.
Car is not throwing any codes.
Drained the oil to inspect for any metal shavings, oil was clean.

So I'm thinking my rod bearings seized right onto my crank? If that's the case and the engine stopped immediately is there a chance the engine is still salvageable?

I'm worried it's my main bearings. But obviously no way of knowing until I drop the oil pan and look.

Hoping to get some feedback based on my circumstances. I'm already sitting on another E92 M3 with a blown engine (purchased that way) so I really would prefer not to have two expensive dead bodies on my hands.

Pic of my car where it died.

It’s usually main bearings when it seizes. Probably cooked the oil, causing it to seize up on you.

@Assimilator1: Count it!

Did you inspect the filter? Cut it open? Odd that a seize bearing doesn't have metal in the oil.

No such things as harmless burnouts and donuts.

This engine was already on its way to failure before the burnouts and donuts. Not doing them would have made driving a lot less fun and the engine would still have failed. Who wants their motor to fail before they have gotten to enjoy burnouts and donuts?

Enjoy the car. Fix it when it breaks. And consider doing preventative maintenance such as rod bearings. If it’s the main bearings, you are exceptionally unlucky.

tdott wrote

Did you inspect the filter? Cut it open? Odd that a seize bearing doesn't have metal in the oil.

I'll check the filter today. I also thought it was odd that I didn't see any metal shavings.

rcracin wrote

It’s usually main bearings when it seizes. Probably cooked the oil, causing it to seize up on you.

Oil temps were fine while I was in the car, I wasn't bouncing off the rev limiter or anything. Only thing I can say is the oil smelled like fuel when I drained it.

pbonsalb wrote

This engine was already on its way to failure before the burnouts and donuts. Not doing them would have made driving a lot less fun and the engine would still have failed. Who wants their motor to fail before they have gotten to enjoy burnouts and donuts?

Enjoy the car. Fix it when it breaks. And consider doing preventative maintenance such as rod bearings. If it’s the main bearings, you are exceptionally unlucky.

You think there's a chance that I might be able to get the car running again by just changing the bearings and maybe polish the crank?

Still of course need to drop the oil pan and see what's going on. But if its not a main bearing failure and the rod bearing seized onto the crank I wonder if this motor can be saved without breaking the bank.

e46IX wrote

Oil temps were fine while I was in the car, I wasn't bouncing off the rev limiter or anything. Only thing I can say is the oil smelled like fuel when I drained it.

Possible that one injector was stuck open.

ItsGary wrote

Possible that one injector was stuck open.

Also possible.
Happens frequently with 2011 models apparently.

I don’t know about these cars and the injectors but I had a buddy hydro lock his AMG from leaking injectors. He learned AMG motors are pricey. Very very pricey lol

e46IX wrote

You think there's a chance that I might be able to get the car running again by just changing the bearings and maybe polish the crank?

Still of course need to drop the oil pan and see what's going on. But if its not a main bearing failure and the rod bearing seized onto the crank I wonder if this motor can be saved without breaking the bank.

A tiny chance if its rod bearings. I am not an expert but wound say if it locked up due to a bearing welding to the crank, the crank will need more than a polish. And if it’s a main bearing, even less chance. The news is likely bad but let us know what you find. Take some good pics and maybe a pro line deansbimmer will see them and give you some feedback on what to do.

Well at least she went out in a blaze of glorious donuts.. with the picture to prove it. Most of them just blow up driving to work at 45mph.
Best of luck. We would all like to see what happened inside that engine I'm sure..so hopefully you'll post updates.

wet sump + donuts = possible oil starvation

Sounds like the motor was on it way out soon anyway, sorry to hear. I guess going out in a blaze of glory has its merits.

I still can't believe how many times this happen and people still won't replace the rod bearings. It just doesn't make sense not do bearing.

If your engine is toast you could have spent $2500 for a little extra insurance. Good luck spending under $10,000.

Curious how long were you doing the burnouts and what rpm range you were holding?

davesaddiction wrote

wet sump + donuts = possible oil starvation

I've never seen oil pressure drop doing donuts.

Next logical question:
You gonna LS swap that thing?

I got another engine guys. I'll drop the new motor in and see what happened with the old one after I pull it out.

davesaddiction wrote

wet sump + donuts = possible oil starvation

The S65 'wet sump' handles 1.4G, more than other 'dry sump' systems