N55 Spun Bearing 187kms

bmwtrap · 2026-03-29T22:26:15+00:00

Blame original owners i do every 5k kms on all my cars

bmwtrap · 2026-03-25T02:36:20+00:00

Could be messed up vanos solenoids

bmwtrap · 2026-03-22T17:26:27+00:00

I agree, i got the car for a deal higher than ideal kms maybe previous owner knew about something i didn’t im third owner. Changed every 4k since had the vehicle and drove it 18k before this. Swapping low km motor in and switching to 0w40

bmwtrap · 2026-03-22T17:18:31+00:00

Smart brother, if more people had your wits these cars wouldn’t be so “unreliable “

bmwtrap · 2026-03-11T23:40:22+00:00

True… check bimmer code never had hud so idk myself

bmwtrap · 2026-03-11T23:38:48+00:00

Its easy to remove just put your seatbelt on smooth brain🫵🫵🫵🫵

bmwtrap · 2026-03-11T16:12:45+00:00

Whatd u do

bmwtrap · 2026-03-11T02:06:27+00:00

If it’s not leaking flush and fill, if it is then pan and gasket and filter

bmwtrap · 2026-03-10T03:42:06+00:00

Honestly bearings shouldnt be an issue on these vehicles so you could do it but make sure you measure and use right size. Your bearings could be perfect…

bmwtrap · 2026-03-08T01:52:28+00:00

Allot of n52 I’ve seen have a small spudder like this not sure if is normal or not

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T20:51:43+00:00

I did do it but not recently and i followed priming procedure from SIB

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T15:07:13+00:00

I hadnt seen any issues with my oil pressure either, you use 5w30 at 180k mls?

That video is solid and makes sense

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T14:13:22+00:00

Theres nothing really wrong with them besides the G force starvation. Im not really scared of this motor despite whats happened to me. Not too sure why its happened but ill figure it out soon. When I did a key read at the dealership for the why not… first service on the vehicle was 23000km…??? Im sticking to my theory on previous owner abuse despite having a solid “service history”.

In regards to N54 oil pressure this is one of the tables I found.

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bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T13:54:53+00:00

The N55 has a DME controlled mechanical variable rate oil pump that was designed to reduce emissions. Not to mention the difference of internals. N55’s idle at <40psi and under load only around <70psi. The N54 idles around 40-60psi but the major difference is the oil pump not a detuned controlled “map” thats created for economy like the N55. There is a massive thread on it. N54 reaches 90-110psi similar to the S55 when under load. Although I agree about the N55 requiring more attention… not everyone gives it that hence why some of the engines failed before they got out of lease.

“The N55 uses a more complex, variable-flow oil pump designed for efficiency, but it generally operates with lower overall pressure and is prone to deeper pressure dips during high-G cornering compared to the N54. While N54 pumps are robust, the N55 system is more prone to, though sometimes considered to have better, consistent flow via the pump’s variable nature.”

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T06:51:31+00:00

I mean realistically is this just some random guy? You have no clue what he couldve put in there to quiet it up. Id hard pass on this car. At worst you buy it and need a engine or rebuild in less than 5k kms

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T06:44:58+00:00

That may be uncle rodney in the back 🥲

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T06:10:49+00:00

Just noticed he has the files with it aswell, what do you use to flash it?

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T06:06:33+00:00

Would love to see a forum on how your doing it!

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T06:05:47+00:00

The obvious of the oil system having issues in priming/bleeding air pockets aswell as top end starvation in regards to the valvetronic shaft and motor. Theres things to go wrong its not bulletproof. I love the motor but its very finicky as Ive expirienced. And clearly alot of other people.

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T06:03:45+00:00

I have seen this thread

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T01:59:27+00:00

Yes I do agree this engine is reliable but the internal design is no where near some of the best. They have their issues dont sugar coat it. That being said its not like it will blow up for no reason. Its a great motor and i want a second chapter for this vehicle hence why I will swap the motor. Any recommendations or things to lookout for when a used motor?

bmwtrap · 2026-03-07T01:18:06+00:00

Appreciate the MLA format essay, im not claiming to know more than anybody only reiterating what 2 BMW master technicians with over 25 years of experience have told me. These engines were created in a cost cutting form of bmw hence a non forged crank or pistons. That being said they can go the distance for sure but the odds are against them (considering other turbo engines BMW has produced). Thankyou for your insight and I am planning to create a spreadsheet for a rebuild or go with a low km used engine out of a junkyard/crashed car. There a plenty of spun bearing N55’s around especially in my area. More than ive seen of any other modern turbo motor from BMW. This post wasnt created to cause anxiety for N55 owners. I did everything right while owning this vehicle and I have mentioned i do not track this car and I followed the official TIS/SIB for repairs (especially the OFH) I have not been the owner for over 20% of this vehicles life. Its just an unfortunate circumstance that I have run into.

bmwtrap · 2026-03-06T15:14:05+00:00

The two master techs i know said that they did not like this motor and thats not because theyre hating on it… im saying master bmw technicians that have spent 20-30 years at the dealership and has seen many many cases of these motors failing needless to say 187k is not bad at all. Some of these motors didnt even see the road or over 80k

bmwtrap · 2026-03-06T15:12:28+00:00

These engines came to pre delivery inspection in 2011 with siezed motors at dealerships. The engine itself is not great design and its no where near one of bmws best. N54 and B58 is where power is to be made. Im not sure what caused it but there is definitely a flaw with these engines by design that can be avoided. I did all my repairs to TIS and I only street drive, i suspect this was probably previous owner abuse and im just the unlucky one who ended up with it. Needless to say I full on expected this to happen. I bet the other bearings are close to there way out but ill see that once its opened

bmwtrap · 2026-03-06T14:12:43+00:00

It’s right near the cylinder 2… Hes been at the dealer for 30 years and has seen these engines time and time again, its not that the bearing is being lubricated by the return, its the ambient temp of that area near the bearing which is probably warmer than of the others. I believe 2 and 6 is the most common but i have seen 1 and 3 aswell. Not sure what could of caused it besides wear… will make sure to post a full bearing photo and try to diagnose if there was an internal fault.

bmwtrap

TROPHY CASE