Word of Caution to 545i Owners
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Long Island, NY
My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
It happened to me in a 528ia. The car stalled and had to be towed to the dealer. The air filter was wet and was replaced under warranty. However, if more water got into the air filter and passed into the combustion chambers, the dealer said they have had blow engines because of that. Water turns into steam when heated.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: México
mmm im no mechanic, but i had the same problem with an e36, tryed crossing a road where the water was not too deep and suddenly the car stalled, next i tried to start it and that was it... i blew the engine.
i was told by the mechanic that if the car stops you never have to try to turn it on because when you start it is when it sucks the most air and even a little water that gets past the air filter will blow an engine. Then i saw another e36 and an e39 come in for the same problem the same day (i swear!!) and i was shocked, we started asking the mechanic if that was normal, and he said that bmws generally have the air intake lower than other cars. He recommended that if you had to cross a reasonable amount of water you never had to do it slowly (4 mph slow) but a little faster so the water would be thrown out of the way of the air intake.
anyways i was lucky the insurance covered changing the engine, i had to pay like $5,000 i guess it was like half the cost but hey.. i got a new engine. Now i dont drive this e60 thru ANY water, its like a trauma now
i was told by the mechanic that if the car stops you never have to try to turn it on because when you start it is when it sucks the most air and even a little water that gets past the air filter will blow an engine. Then i saw another e36 and an e39 come in for the same problem the same day (i swear!!) and i was shocked, we started asking the mechanic if that was normal, and he said that bmws generally have the air intake lower than other cars. He recommended that if you had to cross a reasonable amount of water you never had to do it slowly (4 mph slow) but a little faster so the water would be thrown out of the way of the air intake.
anyways i was lucky the insurance covered changing the engine, i had to pay like $5,000 i guess it was like half the cost but hey.. i got a new engine. Now i dont drive this e60 thru ANY water, its like a trauma now
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From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by BMWFan' date='Sep 18 2004, 02:00 PM
In the end I've learned a lesson the hard-way...avoid standing water at all costs. But I am concerned about standing water of a couple of inches at high-way speeds. I havent had issues yet but not sure what I would do if I'm traveling on a highway and see standing water, many times there isnt enough time or space to move over, especially on the major highways in my area. And will this water when hit at 50-70mph be sucked into the engine?? Simply concerned at this time.
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From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by JDN' date='Sep 27 2004, 09:07 PM
Evidently no hydroplaning either. That was my experience in heavy rains, too? - with SP, anyway.
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