E46 Engine change ! will a new model engine fit ?

[rwhite]

HI Guys
I am new to this , so please bear with me . I have a 2005 E46 320d , with 270000 km on the clock. I still goes well, but i want to find a low km replacement to transplant .
My question , if i find a , lets say 2008 e90 model engine , will it be a straight engine change , meaning will all electronics and pipes etc fit?
I do not want to modify , just straight change. Oh yes , i do have a auto box.

I am a automotive engineer by trade , so i do understand the technical jargon if needs be.

Any answers will be appreciated, from where i can get a engine and who can do the transplant.

Thank you

 

[moranor@axis]

from what i understand its the turbos that go on the car the engine is strong... why not look at updating the turbo and other bits from a newer model... if this cant be done then look at an engine swap...

 

[rwhite]

from what i understand its the turbos that go on the car the engine is strong... why not look at updating the turbo and other bits from a newer model... if this cant be done then look at an engine swap...

Hey Moranor
Thanks for the reply. I have replaced the turbo already. The reason why i want to try find a newer engine with low milaege is , i drive long distances and i dont want to sell my BM as i will get nothing for it. And for me ill rather spend R20000 , put a new motor in and drive another 200000km (2 years) . Driving a new car is a waste of money , i drive to far to justify it.

 

[moranor@axis]

the motor should easily make it to 400k or way more so i would not worry about it yet... if i were you i would just rebuild it in 100k or so and when i did that i would look at updating it and getting the whole engine balanced while im at it... but i could also be completely wrong about it i dont know diesels because i dont have one im sure someone else will pop in and shed more light on this

 

[netercol]

if you get the same generation engine, it should be a straight swop, no issues.

from 2007 on i beleive is the 4th generation engine, to swop in an engine like this would be a major hassle as you would have to swap ecu, ews, keys, engine harness plus any hardware that does not match up..

basically what im trying to say is that if you swap in an exact same generation engine as the one currently in your car, no problem. but any other engine will need more than just engine, and is just not worth it imo..

as a side note, these engines (read block/pistons/head/rods/ect) can go unbeleivable distances (ive heard of 900k!) so if its still running fine i would not bother.. obviously this does not apply to turbo's ect. but preventative maintenance should see the engine go very far..

 

[zaleonardz]

I am with netercol on this one.

Take the $$$ you were going to spend on the new motor, service the existing turbo, have the injectors profesionally cleaned, remove the swirl flaps,refurb the cooling system and bobs your aunty...

By the way auto or manual ?

280km is not high km's for a BMW engine, particulalry the diesels. Judging from the age of the car versus km's done, I deduce that this has all been long distance km's, which is not that bad at all.

 

[P1000]

Remember, the single most important factor determining engine wear is RPM (since wear grows at a rate proportional to rpm^2). That is the reason why diesel engines last so long. I would also suggest you push this one to 600kkm. If it aint broken, don't fix it. These diesels let you know the minute something is wrong. If the rings or sleeves are worn, they have the same symptoms as faulty injectors - rough idle. Plus, if you are doing 100kkm year, I guess you are doing long distance/ highway driving? In that case you will easily see 600kkm. Rather take that 20k, put it in a fund and wait for the engine to break(I don't think that will happen.)

BTW, where are you going to find a late model engine for 20k?

And yes, the electronics,mechanics and settings change a lot between generations(diesel tech generation) and are not compatible.

 

[rwhite]

HI Guys
Thanks for the responses. And now that bastard MURPHY has stuck his head out.
Well the Turbo, which is 6 months old has blown. THis is due to the following reasons given by Stallion Turbo.
1) Oil Pressure is 1.1 bar
2) Crankase pressure which causes a lack of oil to the Turbo.

Basically guys, the engine is toast. So here is my question (s) .

Where can i buy a new engine ? And how much do i need to steal to pay for it?
is it worth getting it reconditioned ????

I am leaning towards buying a new or very low mileage engine and just replacing it.

Any comments or answers are welcome .

Thanks

 

[P1000]

With oil pressure that low a warning light should have some on. If they are measuring oil pressure at the turbo, they are idiots, but I'm guessing not.

Are you sure the engine is actually damaged? I would not trust a turbo coming from stallion...

Crankcase pressure is most likely caused by blocked breather. Do a google to find it. Another possibility is the breather pipe is blocked, but its less likely.

 

[Philip Foglar]

What is causing the crankcase pressure to be low? I have heard that often a cause for insufficient turbo lubrication is because the oil line feeding the turbo is in many cases quite thin and due to heat tends to make the oil become thick or like sludge partially or completely blocking the flow - leading to turbo failure. I don't know the BMW diesels so not sure if this is relevant.

Can the engine itself not then be reconditioned if it is the main cause of the turbo failures? I think still going to be more cost effective than swapping the engine out with a "question mark" used unit, albeit with low mileage.

But let's see what other suggestions come - plenty of knowledgeable people here...

Philip

 

[rwhite]

With oil pressure that low a warning light should have some on. If they are measuring oil pressure at the turbo, they are idiots, but I'm guessing not.

Are you sure the engine is actually damaged? I would not trust a turbo coming from stallion...

Crankcase pressure is most likely caused by blocked breather. Do a google to find it. Another possibility is the breather pipe is blocked, but its less likely.

There has never been a light come on. on the contrary the engine does not use a drop of oil ever in 280000 km.
the engine runs perfectly, i never had a problem with it , just the damn turbo, i replaced the engine breather 6 months ago, so its not the engine breather. You say you wont trust a turbo from Stallion Turbo (please elaborate).

thanks

 

[netercol]

so i suppose stallion replaced the turbo six months ago??? sounds like they are thinking up all kinds of excuses why the turbo failed.

why dont we trust stallion.? well i suppose for me personally the instant when i knew they were a bunch of clowns came long ago when i stopped by them looking for a bearing kit for a turbo i was servicing, and the monkey in the workshop tells me " ag, dont worry, if we dont have a kit in stock, ill quickly turn you one on the lathe.."

:screwy:

 

[msm]

What about a 330d engine from an E46 (or E39, X5, etc that were all of the same type). I don't know the technical differences between the two, but surely that would be an "easier fit" than any newer E90 engine, as I assume most of the engine electronics, wiring harness, etc may be the same as the E46 330d :dunno: Just speculating ...

 

[P1000]

What about a 330d engine from an E46 (or E39, X5, etc that were all of the same type). I don't know the technical differences between the two, but surely that would be an "easier fit" than any newer E90 engine, as I assume most of the engine electronics, wiring harness, etc may be the same as the E46 330d :dunno: Just speculating ...

The electronics would be the hurdle here. Drivetrain should be compatible, but you will have inadequate brakes and you will find you need a lot more parts than you bargained for. It is never economically feasible to do an engine swap...