N42 Camshaft broken

[yohannes]

Hi guys, First, I replaced my tyres the week before CNY. 2 days before the weekend break, I sent my car for a major servicing at Raymond Auto Works where my brake discs and pads were replaced, engine was flushed, new engine oil, filter, replaced some hoses here and there etc. The car was all set and ready for my CNY balik kampung trip... Total spent about 3.5k for the week...However, on Friday, after a brief stop at a petrol station near One Utama, the car started with a weird sound and went dead. Further efforts to start the car were futile. Called up Raymond and he sent one of his technicians to check out my car... What we initially thought would be faulty sensors did not seem to be the reason. Had the car towed back to Raymond Auto Works in Sunway Damansara and upon further inspection, it was discovered that the exhaust camshaft was broken, much to my horror. As such, Raymond recommended that a top overhaul should be performed as there was a little bit of sludge in the engine as well. After lying in the workshop for 10 days, finally work is going to commence today. Sigh, has anyone ever heard of a broken camshaft and how it can break? Really sad that I'm unable to drive my car for 2 weeks + , due to the long break as well as the time needed to fix it. Any cost estimates?

 

[eujinee]

hi bro...sorry abit out of topic..are u tht seller which sells pioneer HU???

anyway....back to ur issue...i never head of camshalf is broken ...worst is valve spring or cam sensor....well anything could have happen...so wat is the issue

 

[fgin]

Very sorry to hear of our issue. I've never heard of a 'broken' cam shaft. Any more information you can share. I have the same engine so would be nice to know.

 

[V-Man]

It sounds like your timing chain may have slipped its tooth..dodgy chain tensioner assembly possible

 

[fgin]

^I've heard of that happening often, anyone know how to check for a dodgy chain tensioner assembly on the N42?

 

[yohannes]

hi bro...sorry abit out of topic..are u tht seller which sells pioneer HU???

anyway....back to ur issue...i never head of camshalf is broken ...worst is valve spring or cam sensor....well anything could have happen...so wat is the issue

Hi Eujinee, yes I am. Do let me know if you would like to get anything.. haha.

Anyway, was at the shop at Monday. Further damage done was that the head was badly damaged as well. Currently, replacing the complete engine head with a halfcut item. Both cams are therefore going to be replaced together. At the same time, gonna do a complete top overhaul. I have not come to understand how this has happened though. It seems that the timing chain is still in good condition.

Kinda dissapointed with the car actually. Before purchase, it seemed to be in a very good condition with just some minor leaks here. However, from the first day of getting the car, it seems like problems have been coming up endlessly. In fact, I did have the car inspected at a BMW specialist before the purchase. Would have spent somewhere in the region of 12-13k to fix it within 2 months of owning it... Hopefully, this round would solve everything. haha

 

[solo]

Yohannes,

It is strange that the mechanic did not detect or tell you of any sludge when he was flushing your engine and changing the engine oil. Can your mechanic be trusted?

Salut

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Yohannes,

It is strange that the mechanic did not detect or tell you of any sludge when he was flushing your engine and changing the engine oil. Can your mechanic be trusted?

Salut

yehh had the same tought too here ..or worse still the engine was rammed without the flushing liquid for sometime before they poured in the engine oil ..hence would had caused an overheating to the valve and soon broked and hit onto the cam shaft ....so far never heard of any camshaft broken, only worn out lobes for the camshaft matter ....

any pictures to share ....

 

[fgin]

Thanks for the update. Can you please get more info on exactly what had happened ? If they know why it happened ? It will help us a lot to know and if possible prevent it from happening in future. This I am sure will help you too
Thanks in advance for the trouble.

 

[eujinee]

Hi Eujinee, yes I am. Do let me know if you would like to get anything.. haha.

Anyway, was at the shop at Monday. Further damage done was that the head was badly damaged as well. Currently, replacing the complete engine head with a halfcut item. Both cams are therefore going to be replaced together. At the same time, gonna do a complete top overhaul. I have not come to understand how this has happened though. It seems that the timing chain is still in good condition.

Kinda dissapointed with the car actually. Before purchase, it seemed to be in a very good condition with just some minor leaks here. However, from the first day of getting the car, it seems like problems have been coming up endlessly. In fact, I did have the car inspected at a BMW specialist before the purchase. Would have spent somewhere in the region of 12-13k to fix it within 2 months of owning it... Hopefully, this round would solve everything. haha

i bot a pioneer 8350sd from u...which u send to ipoh....thanks mate...very good seller and very efficient..HU is superb..

back to ur topic...m42 is rather fragile engine compare with m54...just b more observant and frequent checks needed like engine oil..leakage...engine temp...gearbox oil....etc..etc...im sure tht will be ur last fix for ur engine after transplant and overhaul...

 

[solo]

i bot a pioneer 8350sd from u...which u send to ipoh....thanks mate...very good seller and very efficient..HU is superb..

back to ur topic...m42 is rather fragile engine compare with m54...just b more observant and frequent checks needed like engine oil..leakage...engine temp...gearbox oil....etc..etc...im sure tht will be ur last fix for ur engine after transplant and overhaul...

I think he was talking about the N42 engine, the manja one.

Salut

 

[yohannes]

Hey , sorry for the late reply guys. Frankly speaking, Im also new to Raymond and he was actually recommended by a friend. I think he used to be from M1 Kayu Ara, but has started out on his own now. If there is anyone who is familiar, perhaps can give some feedback as well?

Anyway, was happy and waiting to pick my car up today as earlier informed. However, was informed that the cause has suddenly been discovered. Immediately went over to Raymond's. I was shown the old oil pump on my car. Was told that there was a 'broken off part' from the oil pump, which constricted the flow and supply of oil up into the engine head.

As a result, the cam overheated and gave way. There was pretty bad damage to my head as well. The estimated bill has balooned from what I initially thought to be a couple of hundreds to something in the region of 6k now.. Sigh...

 

[yohannes]

Hi everyone...

Finally got the car back yesterday after a long wait. Overall, the car seems better now. Engine is quieter and the loud diesel rattle when I start up the car is no longer there... For now, everything seems to still be normal. Will have to test the car out a little more to be sure.

However, coming to the price, I was quite shocked when the final bill came out to 8k+. From Day 1, I have been asking for a quotation before the works begin but no effort was made to give me an actual idea of the cost. First, I was told it would be 4k+, then 5k+, then 6k+. Naturally, I was quite shocked to get a bill of 8k+. To make things worse, I was charged for MISC stuff, charged for petrol although the car had a full tank as I just came out of a petrol station, and worst of all, they even tried to charge me a towing fee although the car was towed by my insurance.

Anyway, managed to get the towing fees removed. However, the petrol charge had to remain as I was told that he had to test my car...weird thing is the petrol tank still wasn't full anyway.

Cost Break Down :

Cylinder head with camshaft ( USED ) RM3500
Gasket set RM985
Oil Sump Gasket RM138
DIP STICK ORING 8
SEALANT RM76
Engine Oil Pump (USED) RM1,300
Engine Mounting RM390
Crankshaft Sensor RM220
Labour RM1000
Service Tax RM60
2 Litres Motor oil RM150
Supply MISC RM50
Supply Petrol RM50

Total RM8012

Frankly speaking, a few things were actually newly replaced just a month ago or so at M-Performance such as oil sump gasket, dip stick oring, etc.

Conclusion is that I spent a total of 10k since stepping into Raymond Auto Works including the 2k+ for normal servicing 1 day before my car brokedown right after visiting this workshop. A bad coincidence I suppose...

 

[teighlour]

Thanks for sharing Bro but I find that the price is a bit cut throat and also dare to bill you on the towing (luckily removed) and petrol? At least you got your car back to normal condition.

 

[fgin]

Glad to hear you got it back working. I think you should inform the manager in writing and if possible verbally what you have said in the above post. No honest person would try to do that. Keep us posted on the progress. Again thank you for taking the time to share.
Here is wishing you many years of trouble free and safe driving in your e46.

 

[ezzo369]

glad your ride is in pristine condition again. any pics on the items changed? the price is a bit "suspicious" especially the 2 liters motor oil = RM150 since you can get the shell ultra 4 LITERS = RM190++. your workshop using lorry's motor oil ke?

 

[yohannes]

ighlour
Thanks for sharing Bro but I find that the price is a bit cut throat and also dare to bill you on the towing (luckily removed) and petrol? At least you got your car back to normal condition.

Yea bro. Frankly speaking, I am pretty unhappy about how he charges and the fact that he didn't bother to tell me how much everything would cost even though I gave him a call about an hour before going to collect the car.

fgin
Glad to hear you got it back working. I think you should inform the manager in writing and if possible verbally what you have said in the above post. No honest person would try to do that. Keep us posted on the progress. Again thank you for taking the time to share.
Here is wishing you many years of trouble free and safe driving in your e46.

Hey bro, in fact, I raised all this up with the owner on the spot, as he is the person in charge of everything. On the spot he pulled out a petrol receipt from his pocket for RM104. What else could I say? But then again, 104 would have filled my car up to the brim.... Anyhow, it's a lesson learnt for me. Hopefully, the E46 will stop giving me problems..Thanks for the well wishes.

ezzo369
glad your ride is in pristine condition again. any pics on the items changed? the price is a bit "suspicious" especially the 2 liters motor oil = RM150 since you can get the shell ultra 4 LITERS = RM190++. your workshop using lorry's motor oil ke?

I didn't take any pics unfortunately. Yea, I would definitely like to hear more about the price... As for the motoro oil, it's Ravenol 5W-30 fully Syn. IMHO, i think it's freaking expensive as well. In fact, I had just sent the car in for a service 1 day before the breakdown and already been charged 75x5 litres...

 

[tropos_net]

how much would an used N42 full block cost then?

 

[tweiboon]

Hi everyone...

Finally got the car back yesterday after a long wait. Overall, the car seems better now. Engine is quieter and the loud diesel rattle when I start up the car is no longer there... For now, everything seems to still be normal. Will have to test the car out a little more to be sure.

However, coming to the price, I was quite shocked when the final bill came out to 8k+. From Day 1, I have been asking for a quotation before the works begin but no effort was made to give me an actual idea of the cost. First, I was told it would be 4k+, then 5k+, then 6k+. Naturally, I was quite shocked to get a bill of 8k+. To make things worse, I was charged for MISC stuff, charged for petrol although the car had a full tank as I just came out of a petrol station, and worst of all, they even tried to charge me a towing fee although the car was towed by my insurance.

Anyway, managed to get the towing fees removed. However, the petrol charge had to remain as I was told that he had to test my car...weird thing is the petrol tank still wasn't full anyway.

Cost Break Down :

Cylinder head with camshaft ( USED ) RM3500
Gasket set RM985
Oil Sump Gasket RM138
DIP STICK ORING 8
SEALANT RM76
Engine Oil Pump (USED) RM1,300
Engine Mounting RM390
Crankshaft Sensor RM220
Labour RM1000
Service Tax RM60
2 Litres Motor oil RM150
Supply MISC RM50
Supply Petrol RM50

Total RM8012

Frankly speaking, a few things were actually newly replaced just a month ago or so at M-Performance such as oil sump gasket, dip stick oring, etc.

Conclusion is that I spent a total of 10k since stepping into Raymond Auto Works including the 2k+ for normal servicing 1 day before my car brokedown right after visiting this workshop. A bad coincidence I suppose...

With RM8012 i think u can change to M54 engine already , am i right ?
Labour RM1000 i think is very expensive.
I used to change engine in BM World at Desa Tun Razak which i will not recommend u guys go there. They only charged RM500 for labour of changing the e36 engine.

 

[yohannes]

Exactly, which is why I am quite surprised. The worst thing for me is that the estimates which were earlier at 4k went up to 5k and then 6k. After the work was completed, I asked for the price a few times but was told that he hadn't calculated the total yet. On the final day when I went to collect the car, I called up to ask before going over and wanted to ask the total bill and again, he told me dont know yet.

1 hour later, I get a shock when he gives me a bill of 8k with ridiculous items like towing charge and supply of petrol? Anyway, lesson learnt. Although the works so far seem to be acceptable, the cutthroat way of doing things are definitely not what I am looking for when sending my car to a workshop...

I still remember my first experience with M-Performance, before proceeding with any works, they always call to tell me what needs to be replaced, the options I have, etc. and only proceed after I confirm that the price is acceptable.