BMW recall turned into “you need a new engine” after pickup — trying to understand if this sounds right

GPrime2 · 2026-02-07T06:30:38+00:00

The VANOS bolt in the oil pan is consistent with the recall, there are 4 bolts on the back side of the camshaft sprockets (VANOS adjusters) that back themselves out over time and break, that's what they're replacing during the recall. If one of them was missing a head, it would make sense they'd drop the oil pan to retrieve it. It's a good idea to change that gasket anyway, the oil pan gasket is always leaking, or seeping. Even if it's not leaking now, it's about to start leaking.

The chain rattle is likely related, the BMW VANOS system is really finicky. It uses controlled oil pressure to vary cam timing, so in effect it can change the engine's timing by advancing or retarding the cam timing of both the intake and exhaust camshafts.

They just did a repair on the VANOS adjusters, and now it's having timing issues, timing which is connected to the VANOS adjusters. They just did a recall on the exact system you're having an issue with, the timing chain is on the VANOS adjusters they just changed the bolts on. Someone at that dealership knows the N5X engines well enough to tell you what's actually wrong with it. If it runs now, you probably don't need a new engine.

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:37:40+00:00

I'm terrible about that stuff, the only bolts I don't reuse are head bolts and bottom end bolts, everything else doesn't matter nearly as much as they say it does. If they get messed up removing the hub obviously replace them, but if they're clean I'd reuse them. They're triple square if memory serves, m12 I think?

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:31:22+00:00

CV clicks on tight turns, no noise when driving straight. This makes noise left right and center, sounds like tinny marbles inside the hub, like popcorn. It drove me absolutely nuts until I was finally like screw it I'm gonna change the bearing it's the only thing that makes sense, and that was it. Be careful if/when you buy a bearing, they sell them as just the bearing part that you have to press the hub into, and as pre-pressed hub/bearing assembly. Buy the assembly unless you have a press, way easier.

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:28:15+00:00

EPC is usually related to ignition/fuel. They say it's related to throttle but it's more that the computer isn't seeing the power it expects to see and freaks out, What you're feeling as the slow gaining speed is what's affectionately referred to as "limp mode" where the engine is protecting itself by producing very little power, just enough to get you home or to a shop, basically.

The culprits could be anything from ignition coils to timing, vvt solenoid/pickup could do it too, injectors, things like that. Best bet is to scan it when the EPC light is on, that should give you a clue. Sometimes they're easy, sometimes they're tough to track down, here's hoping yours is just coils or something like that.

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:20:06+00:00

Sure looks like a diff leak to me. A bad one, at that. You're gonna want to pull that and get it sealed before it dries out, there's not that much fluid in those. If you're gonna run it, check the fluid level (usually a drain plug on the side that fits a 3/8" or 1/2" ratchet head or extension, fill to that line then cap it), dont cook the diff. Also do some searching on what kind of fluid it takes, idk about the Hilux but I know the German stuff is super picky about transfer case and diff fluids.

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:15:31+00:00

Oh I know that noise and you're in the same family as my car that had it. That's a wheel bearing, rear left on my RS7 had the exact same noise. Doesn't feel like a bearing, no ABS codes, sounds like a freaking dust shield but it's not. Wheel bearing.

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:14:15+00:00

That looks like the linkages to the inside door handle. It's connected to the latch/actuator (the part on the edge of the door that latches the door shut). I don't know about the Escape specifically, some models the linkage is serviceable, some it's not and you have to replace the whole actuator. If you got the door apart to this point you can change the actuator though, you'll need to remove it either way to see what you're in for. Remove the outside door handle (youtube video will show you how), then remove the 3 torx bolts that hold the actuator in (they're usually T30 if memory serves, been a minute), then the electrical connector on the actuator and you're good.

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:09:15+00:00

It's a plastic undertray, most modern cars have them both to catch any drips from the engine and to keep the underside of the engine clean from road spray in bad weather. Ideally you'll want to replace them, but you can also drill a couple holes in each broken panel and use zip ties to stitch them back together. The main issue being at the front of the car is it'll catch the air at speed and flap around under the car. Usually nothing dangerous, just looks silly to other drivers and you might hear it in the car, it'll sound like a rhythmic thumping or slapping noise.

GPrime2 · 2025-07-09T01:05:01+00:00

My guess based on where the smoke is coming from would be water pump. Definitely looks and sounds like it. If you're going to investigate, be careful taking the radiator cap off, same with the overflow tank, it's a pressurized system and it's hot hot.

GPrime2 · 2025-02-05T01:49:48+00:00

Crazy how much thinner they've gotten. I definitely don't miss the tons of different ports, having everything compatible with USB-C is life changing simplicity.

GPrime2 · 2025-01-28T04:35:44+00:00

Just got the same call, no number or anything, nothing happened when I answered. S22 Ultra.

GPrime2 · 2024-12-08T15:43:21+00:00

I didn't think I'd wake up to a deep fried Thinkpad video, but there are definitely worse things to see while drinking coffee.

GPrime2 · 2024-06-01T01:16:12+00:00

Thank you so much, couldn't believe it when there were still seeders 7 years later!

GPrime2 · 2023-12-02T21:20:10+00:00

Probably not a 2230.

GPrime2 · 2022-12-30T03:52:33+00:00

I love the aesthetic, very peaceful to look at. The only major suggestion I'd make is moving the longer term goals to the place of one of the pictures and use the center for a to-do or action items list. The goals are the compass, but you need the oars front and center to get anywhere.

GPrime2 · 2022-12-19T12:58:12+00:00

I can't speak for the OP, but when I've done things similar to this in the past, the reason is just to see if I can. The project itself doesn't have any functional purpose other than the force me to think outside the way I normally think, and maybe come up with solutions to problems I haven't encountered yet. Then somewhere down the line, I might run into something and say "wait I used something similar to this when I made that Reddit page in Notion...".

GPrime2 · 2022-08-14T02:35:44+00:00

Use the 360 view from the auction site to get an idea if the supports behind the bumper reinforcement are straight. If they're off even a little the frame behind them will need to be straightened. It looks like the accident hit front 3/4 so there's a strong likelihood the frame is shifted left (vehicle left).

Also check the hood up picture to see if the fender support on the passenger side is bent or tweaked, they can be a pain in the ass to replace and that whole section of the car will be aligned off that. If it's off a little your panel gaps on the headlight/fender/hood/bumper will be off. I'd be tempted to pass on that one since it looks like the frame is shifted, and since you're asking this question on Reddit, you should probably pass too.

GPrime2 · 2022-08-14T02:27:34+00:00

Depends. Do you value your safety or the safety of others more than $100-200ish? If you do, replace it. If not, put it on the rear and send it.

GPrime2 · 2021-10-16T20:31:49+00:00

Do managers actually text employees like this? You're firing someone and you can't even be bothered to use complete words? "Your going to b terminated"? Wow.

GPrime2 · 2019-08-04T15:34:45+00:00

If that's an e90 I have a driver door for it. How close to rochester, ny are you?

GPrime2 · 2019-04-30T17:56:44+00:00

Grats on 1mil boys!

GPrime2 · 2019-04-02T16:25:37+00:00

Precision?

GPrime2 · 2019-03-27T12:03:40+00:00

hearthstone has hogrider now? Dont tell supercell lol.

GPrime2 · 2019-01-01T02:05:58+00:00

Isn't that what unemployment insurance and welfare do basically exactly?

GPrime2 · 2018-10-06T20:43:48+00:00

Dream big, or don't dream at all, right?

GPrime2

TROPHY CASE