Thoughts on an N54 engine swap? Details inside

LOL_E90 · 10-03-2018, 08:37 PM

Hey gang,

Long story - hope you stick with me

In a bit of a pickle. I wanted to get some feedback from you all.

Details on the car:
- 2009 335xi
- Manual transmission
- Purchased a year and a half ago with 50k miles. Currently has 60k miles.
- Turbos replaced under warranty at 55k miles
- The car is in amazing shape EXCEPT for the engine

When I purchased the car, I did private sale. At the time the car had no issues. The previous owner had replaced a belt that had snapped due to oil leaking on it.

Fast forward 2 months after purchase, I keep getting check engine lights and low power. I bring it in to the shop and they find that there were pieces of the belt that were pulled into the engine. He pulls the oil pan out and cleans it out, but mentioned there might be damage internally. After cleaning it out though, it was running great.

A few months ago I started hearing a clacking sound. I brought it in and the shop wasn't able to figure out what it was. I didn't experience any power loss so I just kept monitoring it. I'm now getting check engine lights every other day with CC ID 29. I'm bring it to the shop tomorrow to see if they can pull detailed codes.

I've come to the conclusion that it's most like the rod bearings aka I need an engine replacement. I'll have to wait till the shop can confirm.

My question to you: Do you think it's worth doing an engine swap? I'm struggling between trying to do a trade in somewhere and getting a different car, or paying the $$ it will cost to get the swap done. I've loved driving this car when it's been running well, but not sure if the swap is the right choice. This is all still new and I'm trying to figure out my options but wanted to throw it out to ya'll on opinions or personal experiences with swaps.

Thanks for reading!

JuniorB · 10-04-2018, 05:01 AM

If your just under an assumption about bearings, it's best to be 100 if it was the bearings. You can do an oil sample, pull the pan and bearings. If there were bearing issues, it should of showed earlier after the belt finding.

10-04-2018, 08:46 AM

Dude; invest in a cheap code scanner. No need to wait for a shop to get you this easy to acquire info.

LOL_E90 · 10-04-2018, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Dude; invest in a cheap code scanner. No need to wait for a shop to get you this easy to acquire info.

Which do you recommend?

LOL_E90 · 10-04-2018, 03:12 PM

Shop confirmed it's the rod bearings. I'm going the route of a replacement engine. Hopefully will be be here and done in the next 2 weeks.

wardvette · 10-04-2018, 07:40 PM

How was the belt pulled into the engine?

IllSic_Design · 10-04-2018, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wardvette

How was the belt pulled into the engine?

Belts shred apart and then get pulled behind the crank pulley and force their way through the front main crank seal an into the timing components/engine. Not so uncommon on the "N" series 6cyl motors.

JuniorB · 10-06-2018, 08:24 PM

It's common when owners don't take the time to keep there engines clean and up to date. You would think that after all the threads of belts being sucked in, they'd take the appropriate measures to prevent it in the first place.

Chris@VargasTurboTech · 10-06-2018, 09:23 PM

If you love the car, owe money on it, have long term plans, etc. then yes, do a motor swap. It's not the end of the world.

If you're mostly planning on staying stock, etc, I'm not sure it's really worth the hassle, although you're kinda screwed in that you'll get next to nothing for that car with a blown motor.

Make sure you get a couple quotes on the work. It can vary WILDLY in $$$.

Jklad · 10-07-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuniorB

It's common when owners don't take the time to keep there engines clean and up to date. You would think that after all the threads of belts being sucked in, they'd take the appropriate measures to prevent it in the first place.

Sometimes there's just nothing you can do. Bmw recently increased the price of the upgraded 335is engine mount from 100 to over 500 dollars which is complete bs. So I think people are stuck going with turner solid mounts, as others like 034 have failed and lead to this same issue.

JuniorB · 10-08-2018, 09:30 AM

Don't forget, that is mount was only specific to that model, it was later on it was found out it was a stronger mount, and were being used as a set, on all replacements. A quality set of oem mounts are perfect for a daily driver in the 4-450 range. There are mixed reviews on the 034 mounts.

JuniorB · 11-03-2018, 08:12 PM

It's unfortunate what happens in a situation like this. There are only two ways belts designate, old,,and wet. This should be a 30k interval, like the fuel filter.

LOL_E90 · 11-06-2018, 09:12 AM

Update: Swap was successful. We found an engine with the same miles as the one I already had (60k). The car has been running better than before. I'm really glad I went this route as I love everything about this car. Thanks all for the tips and insight.

nissubaru · 11-06-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOL_E90

Update: Swap was successful. We found an engine with the same miles as the one I already had (60k). The car has been running better than before. I'm really glad I went this route as I love everything about this car. Thanks all for the tips and insight.

May I ask how much this all cost you? Who did the swap? I'm in the same boat right now, looking at $2500 for a block with 82k miles + 6 months warranty. $2200 for the install roughly + a little extra for gaskets and fluids etc...Probably $5000 all said and done...not a great number but that might just be the best it gets.

LOL_E90 · 11-06-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissubaru

May I ask how much this all cost you? Who did the swap? I'm in the same boat right now, looking at $2500 for a block with 82k miles + 6 months warranty. $2200 for the install roughly + a little extra for gaskets and fluids etc...Probably $5000 all said and done...not a great number but that might just be the best it gets.

I paid a little more than what you got quoted in Utah. I also had some extra items replaced while they had the engines out, and I got a new clutch as well.

MiniXP · 11-07-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissubaru

May I ask how much this all cost you? Who did the swap? I'm in the same boat right now, looking at $2500 for a block with 82k miles + 6 months warranty. $2200 for the install roughly + a little extra for gaskets and fluids etc...Probably $5000 all said and done...not a great number but that might just be the best it gets.

I had mine replaced and came in close to $11k after all was done, this was about 5 years ago. The shop I had do it charged a little less in labor I believe, but the motor was closer to $4k for one with 50k miles. I did replace the turbos and clutch at the same time though, since that didn't add anything to to labor cost.

There were a little over $1k in misc gaskets and sealants to replace while the motor was out. Then another 800 or so after the motor had been installed and test driven and they realized the oil pan gasket needed to be replaced as well as a turbo coolant gasket (not sure why they didn't realize this initially).

10-03-2018, 08:37 PM	#1
LOL_E90 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E90 335i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Thoughts on an N54 engine swap? Details inside Hey gang, Long story - hope you stick with me In a bit of a pickle. I wanted to get some feedback from you all. Details on the car: - 2009 335xi - Manual transmission - Purchased a year and a half ago with 50k miles. Currently has 60k miles. - Turbos replaced under warranty at 55k miles - The car is in amazing shape EXCEPT for the engine When I purchased the car, I did private sale. At the time the car had no issues. The previous owner had replaced a belt that had snapped due to oil leaking on it. Fast forward 2 months after purchase, I keep getting check engine lights and low power. I bring it in to the shop and they find that there were pieces of the belt that were pulled into the engine. He pulls the oil pan out and cleans it out, but mentioned there might be damage internally. After cleaning it out though, it was running great. A few months ago I started hearing a clacking sound. I brought it in and the shop wasn't able to figure out what it was. I didn't experience any power loss so I just kept monitoring it. I'm now getting check engine lights every other day with CC ID 29. I'm bring it to the shop tomorrow to see if they can pull detailed codes. I've come to the conclusion that it's most like the rod bearings aka I need an engine replacement. I'll have to wait till the shop can confirm. My question to you: Do you think it's worth doing an engine swap? I'm struggling between trying to do a trade in somewhere and getting a different car, or paying the $$ it will cost to get the swap done. I've loved driving this car when it's been running well, but not sure if the swap is the right choice. This is all still new and I'm trying to figure out my options but wanted to throw it out to ya'll on opinions or personal experiences with swaps. Thanks for reading!
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10-04-2018, 05:01 AM	#2
JuniorB Major 185 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 07 e60 525 N54 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	If your just under an assumption about bearings, it's best to be 100 if it was the bearings. You can do an oil sample, pull the pan and bearings. If there were bearing issues, it should of showed earlier after the belt finding.
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10-04-2018, 08:46 AM	#3
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Dude; invest in a cheap code scanner. No need to wait for a shop to get you this easy to acquire info.
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10-04-2018, 03:12 PM	#5
LOL_E90 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E90 335i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Shop confirmed it's the rod bearings. I'm going the route of a replacement engine. Hopefully will be be here and done in the next 2 weeks.
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10-04-2018, 07:40 PM	#6
wardvette Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: C6 Corvette Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Mooresville NC iTrader: (0)	How was the belt pulled into the engine?
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10-06-2018, 08:24 PM	#8
JuniorB Major 185 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 07 e60 525 N54 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	It's common when owners don't take the time to keep there engines clean and up to date. You would think that after all the threads of belts being sucked in, they'd take the appropriate measures to prevent it in the first place.
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10-06-2018, 09:23 PM	#9
Chris@VargasTurboTech Lieutenant Colonel 1933 Rep 1,532 Posts Drives: All Things TurboCharged Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	If you love the car, owe money on it, have long term plans, etc. then yes, do a motor swap. It's not the end of the world. If you're mostly planning on staying stock, etc, I'm not sure it's really worth the hassle, although you're kinda screwed in that you'll get next to nothing for that car with a blown motor. Make sure you get a couple quotes on the work. It can vary WILDLY in $$$.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-08-2018, 09:30 AM	#11
JuniorB Major 185 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 07 e60 525 N54 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	Don't forget, that is mount was only specific to that model, it was later on it was found out it was a stronger mount, and were being used as a set, on all replacements. A quality set of oem mounts are perfect for a daily driver in the 4-450 range. There are mixed reviews on the 034 mounts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-03-2018, 08:12 PM	#12
JuniorB Major 185 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 07 e60 525 N54 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	It's unfortunate what happens in a situation like this. There are only two ways belts designate, old,,and wet. This should be a 30k interval, like the fuel filter.
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11-06-2018, 09:12 AM	#13
LOL_E90 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E90 335i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Update: Swap was successful. We found an engine with the same miles as the one I already had (60k). The car has been running better than before. I'm really glad I went this route as I love everything about this car. Thanks all for the tips and insight.
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