Mechanic Destroyed My Car

[SureShot434]

Well the BMW is a total loss...Beyond pissed.

The guy who installed my clutch last year did it wrong. He installed it wrong, and over torqued the bolts on the bell housing and installed them crooked causing them to cross thread. Would need a new block or new complete engine, and possibly a transmission. All in all dealership said around 8 grand to get it fixed.

The shop that did the work last year is out of business, and I just found out the shop wasn't even legally incorporated until half way through replacing my clutch.

I don't know what to do. I have one payment left on the car.

[alexandre]

Ouch. If you wanna keep the car I'd get a used 325 engine and a used tranny, and make sure a reputable shop installs the kit... Engines in decent condition seem to be ~$1000-1500 at IN yards, 5MT's $400-600... Check car-part.com.

Otherwise if the car isn't worth it part it out or sell it as is (~$2k maybe ?) and move on.

[LivesNearCostco]

Ouch that is a tough one. How did the dealership find out about it, were they pulling the transmission to replace the clutch again? I have never removed my transmission, but I removed 2 of the bolts once to change the starter. Perhaps it is possible to time-sert or Helicoil the mounting holes on the block? That solution normally works well but not sure the block has enough material around each bolt hole to take an insert.

My other thought is that if the dealership said $8,000 to fix it, a decent indie shop can do it for $4,000, perhaps $2500 for a used engine $1500 to swap it. Still that's a lot of money. Thread inserts could be done for $1000 to $1500 by an indie shop I think, if there is enough space around the cross threaded holes in the block. THat would be $800-$1000 to remove and reinstall transmission, and $200 to $500 to drill out and fix each of the stripped holes. But I could be wrong if the engine has to be removed to install the thread inserts. This assumes the transmission is reusable.

From a financial resource standpoint, you could try to see if the repair shop had business insurance at the time they did the work. And if you paid for it with a credit card, you might be able to dispute the charge or get the work warrantied in some way, depending on your credit card's consumer protection benefits.

[danewilson77]

Gawd this sucks Will.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[BimmerWill]

Really hate to hear that. I'm sure you can find a solution though.

[ELCID86]

So sorry to hear that. Good ideas above. I'm sure more will come.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[SureShot434]

Someone on facebook mentioned B30 swap for $1500. Anyone have any incite on this?

Said shop that did the work is no longer in business.

[WOLFN8TR]

This was hard to read. [emoji51] Sorry to hear the shitty news Will. I hope you find a cheap solution to the problem.

[alexandre]

Someone on facebook mentioned B30 swap for $1500. Anyone have any incite on this?

Said shop that did the work is no longer in business.

Someone on here did it. You're looking at much more expense as many of the bolt on components are different; electronics are different as well. Not sure I'd go down this road.

[wsmeyer]

Really sorry to hear that. Not being a legitimate business might be a blessing in disguise as I believe you can now just sue the owner in small claims court. My guess is he didn't have the right tool to install a BMW Self Adjusting Clutch, removed the lock on the flywheel, then used the bolts to force it together. At this point I think what you need is an indy who works with / knows a metal fabricator who can weld in the holes and drill and tap them. Or depending on miles just go with a rebuilt engine.

[SureShot434]

Some of the bolts

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/22/4ac59141b3e6291886edba3d42385936.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/22/cd582a53afe268bdde6fb9ffcc9b71ae.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/22/5ba766824939d248365b736e9cc46111.jpg

When my baby was towed to the shop :( http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/22/b2ae07de308a4068ead57462f81657b9.jpg

[SureShot434]

Really sorry to hear that. Not being a legitimate business might be a blessing in disguise as I believe you can now just sue the owner in small claims court. My guess is he didn't have the right tool to install a BMW Self Adjusting Clutch, removed the lock on the flywheel, then used the bolts to force it together. At this point I think what you need is an indy who works with / knows a metal fabricator who can weld in the holes and drill and tap them. Or depending on miles just go with a rebuilt engine.

The only INDY shop I can find around here has really bad reviews. They guy already has several judgments against him in small claims court, so I doubt I will ever see my money again.

[Oli77]

Sorry to hear Will!

How did you find out about the bad job? Was the clutch acting up again?

[SureShot434]

Ya clutch started slipping and then the next day was gone. BMW was going to replace the clutch and found all this wrong with it.

[Smilez]

See if you can find a parts car. I dismantled buddies 325 years ago. I I sold engine and tranny for 1500 together.

[brettbimmer]

Wil, is your car in Indiana? If so I can reach out to a few car guys I know there who may have a good shop recommendation.

Sent from my pineapple under the sea.

[wertyu78]

Someone on here did it. You're looking at much more expense as many of the bolt on components are different; electronics are different as well. Not sure I'd go down this road.

I mentioned it. We have B30 longblocks with accessories regularly available here in the Upstate available for $1,500 +/-. if OP is Ms43, a simple DME flash via winkfp to a respectable file for b30 motor will be sufficient.


Sent from my iPhone

[alexandre]

I mentioned it. We have B30 longblocks with accessories regularly available here in the Upstate available for $1,500 +/-. if OP is Ms43, a simple DME flash via winkfp to a respectable file for b30 motor will be sufficient.


Sent from my iPhone

Definitely something to consider then. I thought all 330 cars were MS45. Does this entail a diff swap as well or only engine + accessories and tranny ?

[wertyu78]

Definitely something to consider then. I thought all 330 cars were MS45. Does this entail a diff swap as well or only engine + accessories and tranny ?

Nope. MS43 and MS45.1 for 330's dependent on the year/month f production.

The transmission bolts are through-bolt, threading into the engine block. No need to replace the transmission (assuming there is no unrelated unmentioned issue with it).

The OP is likely best of replacing the Longblock with a B30 + B30 intake manifold. I'd also recommend re-sealing the motor (all new gaskets). Then a simple DME flash to the appropriate file for B30. It's wise to overhaul vanos, CCV, starter, alternator, disa, etc. Might as well do it while you're in there.

OP, this is also a great time for some performance goodies. Headers + lightweight single mass flywheel would help on the butt dyno.


Might as well swap the diff with a short final drive too..


Oh, OP could also go S54... But that's a bit more of a parts list..


Sent from my iPhone

[johnrando]

Ugh, horrible. Gl w the fix. Smh

[mLuMaN83]

That seriously sucks bro. I can't even imagine. I hope you get put back into form soon. I try to think that the universe will unfold as it should.

[webster]

So sorry to read this. Best vibes man.

[NorCalZman]

I am amazed that an engine can be ruined by doing a clutch job incorrectly. wow. Sorry to hear about the incompetence of someone you trusted with your car.

[slater]

bummer, all around.

path of least resistance - pay the car off and part it out. find new car. an engine and trans swap is probably not financially viable for your car, unless you want to keep it forever.

onward and upward! don't kill yourself with the stress.

peter

[kakashi169]

Damn, sorry to hear OP.

For me, I usually scout private bmw shop reviews on the well known forums before giving it a go. Let this be a positive experience for you and don't let it ruin your dreams of owning an awesome bmw.

[SureShot434]

Thank you for all the support guys. It means a lot. I think I'm gonna park the car until January and buy a new engine for it with less miles. Once o put a new engine in it, it will essentially be a new car except for the frame. I think I'm going to go this route and get some more years out of it, and not have a car payment. I really don't want a payment.

[cakM3]

Just caught up on your thread Will... sorry to hear about this! If anything, perhaps putting in an S54 could be an option??? Man would this make for an awesome ride ;)

[Oli77]

You have a good idea Will, enjoy no car payment for as long as you can, I am with you on that.

Did you call your Indy with a credit card? Have you, looked into that?

[SureShot434]

No I paid cash. I have to look for the invoice when I'm off work Thursday. Definitely have to look for the right engine. Saw one with 81k miles that has been refurbished for 1,900 shipping included from Atlanta Georgia.

[OtterEffect]

Wow, I can't even image how much this must suck... Think you made a good call by not giving up on your car though! Car payments suck, and as many have already pointed out, this could be the beginning of an epic new adventure!

[oldzilla]

Terrible news, we have a pretty big local BMW group I will ask and see if anyone is parting out

[Sockethead]

Why not repair with Helicoil or Time-Sert inserts? No need to replace motor...

[SureShot434]

Why not repair with Helicoil or Time-Sert inserts? No need to replace motor...

Because the mechanic at the dealership is unsure how much it will weaken the aluminum and he is going to ruin his drill bits drilling out the hardened steel bolts. They can't get to the two top bolts to cut off the heads without pulling the engine, and it just makes more sense to replace the engine and not have to wonder if my block is going to crack.

[330i ZHP]

your block would likely NOT crack. This is not a difficult issue and you are letting the dealer tech get into your head

it is a hassle, yes, lots of BS effort, yes...but ruined engine, NO and trans looks to be fine

[330i ZHP]

disconnect the engine mounts, lower the front subframe - allow engine to drop two inches and you have direct easy access to the upper bolts - no need to pull engine

then, once you cut the heads off the bolts, the trans will be able to pull out...then you can grab the remaining bolt material with removal tools and twist out. Then drill out the destroyed threads and insert heli-coils. The torque is reasonable between the trans housing and the engine - more to just hold the two together - and heli-coils will support that torque.

The two bolts for the starter thread into the trans housing and those need to be torque'd appropiately

[tkundhi]

disconnect the engine mounts, lower the front subframe - allow engine to drop two inches and you have direct easy access to the upper bolts - no need to pull engine

then, once you cut the heads off the bolts, the trans will be able to pull out...then you can grab the remaining bolt material with removal tools and twist out. Then drill out the destroyed threads and insert heli-coils. The torque is reasonable between the trans housing and the engine - more to just hold the two together - and heli-coils will support that torque.

The two bolts for the starter thread into the trans housing and those need to be torque'd appropiately


your block would likely NOT crack. This is not a difficult issue and you are letting the dealer tech get into your head

it is a hassle, yes, lots of BS effort, yes...but ruined engine, NO and trans looks to be fine

Agreed. This is a reasonable approach. Discuss it with the dealership. If they aren't interested then find a competent independent shop. This is not the kind of stuff that dealer techs see regularly. Unfortunately many BMW master techs can't do much beyond what they are trained to do. That said there are some really excellent master techs out there.

OP, where exactly are you located? There are excellent BMW speciality all over the country.

t.

[SureShot434]

Agreed. This is a reasonable approach. Discuss it with the dealership. If they aren't interested then find a competent independent shop. This is not the kind of stuff that dealer techs see regularly. Unfortunately many BMW master techs can't do much beyond what they are trained to do. That said there are some really excellent master techs out there.

OP, where exactly are you located? There are excellent BMW speciality all over the country.

t.

I'm in Fort Wayne, Indiana

[ELCID86]

A couple of places to ask:

http://www.thebenztech.com/Home_Page.php

http://www.vordermanmotorwerks.com/import-car-repair-services.html

[Avetiso]

Sorry to hear, Will.

[CarbonZHP]

S54 Swap :shift

[SureShot434]

S54 Swap :shift

This guy ^

[pilotnick1203]

This guy ^

Second this guy ^


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[az3579]

Second this guy ^


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I third this guy ^

[CarbonZHP]

I love you people
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/153/7/e/i_love_you_patrick_by_pictonianproductions-d67k65g.gif

[SureShot434]

So I've finally started to make progress with the car. I have decided to rebuild the engine with a used block. I have a different thread going which I will be posting in during the rebuilding process.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?15053-Engine-Replacement

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