BMW 4.4 L Turbo Smoking & Oil Consumption FIXED (Not Valve Stem Seals)

This customer brought his E70 BMW X5 to us for a second opinion, after a local BMW dealership informed him he would need a replacement engine ($25,000 part) in order to fix his smoking and oil consumption issues. Thanks to our experience with these engines we were able to diagnose and fix this vehicle for a literal fraction of the cost!
Foreign | Domestic | Performance
To book an appointment or find out more information, hit up our website or email/call:
🖥 - www.fluidmotorunion.com
📲 - [phone]
📩 - [e-mail]
🎦 - Facebook.com/FMU
2108 W. Ferry road. unit 102, Naperville IL 60563

[@peterthornton2396]

Mechanic of 25 years. It’s extremely satisfying finding an actual fault and fixing it for a fraction of the quoted price.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Agreed! Definitely a win in our book!

[@r.weaver3769]

It is extremely hard to find qualified techs that care about maintaining repeat business through integrity. I still haven't found that where I am, and driving to Chicago is not an option, I find it very difficult just driving 400 miles round trip to my oncologist. What I've seen, I only wish for a tech to work on my car like yourself.

[@tjts1]

It's extremely hard to find dealer techs that aren't paid by the flat rate system

[@hunterjones9822]

Imagine spending 25K and THEN finding out it was a cracked PCV hose....

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Wouldn’t be the first time we have heard of it 😭

[@the_first_resort940]

Engine would get replaced then they would notice when dressing the new block and it would get replaced too. Could be a good thing about recommending the most expensive part first in this case lol

[@2001chevycamaross]

PERFECT example of a technician that diags vs a dealership that just changes parts. great video

[@raho4036]

Problem in dealerships is not that they aren't knowledgeable but they are always hungry because of flat rate. It can be rewarding to those that don't give a $#!t about lying to stack up hours but it heavily rides on the shoulders of those that try to be honest. Most honest inputs usually leads to less pay. Thus dealerships and other flatrate places usually get a bad reputation. Hourly with commission is the best bet for a balanced life in shops imho.

[@gerson112970]

I have a similar issue with my 2020 Nissan Pathfinder I was told the same new engine took it to two other technicians and they want to start ordering parts without testing the vehicle…. I wish I had a technician like you nearby….

[@Czechbound]

Great video : Concise. To the point. Packed with useful information. Shows the logic behind the approach taken, that can be used not just for this make and model. To me, this reminds me why it's important to know the basics of how things work, so that you are less likely to be taken for a ride at the dealership. And this channel can help you do that ! Perfect !

[@Beezwax4052]

when the money is coming out of your pockets the dealer will say it needs a new engine but when it’s a warranty they will do what ever they can to avoid it

[@FluidMotorUnion]

^^^ This guy knows what's up

[@zk9964]

Always enjoy seeing real techs that know how to actually diag. Cheers ya'll!

[@markhoppe4391]

I am a technician for a life science company and your troubleshooting is similar to mine. Do not accept all things at face value, and sadly trust but verify. Nice video!

[@estanisladcorrea]

Great Diagnostic!

[@totallybonkers]

Well done OJ and team at Fluid Motor Union. Saved that person some serious $$ and I'm sure received a loyal customer.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thanks we always try

[@windycityben4850]

You guys do Great work 🙌🙌🙌

[@bigboycombo6342]

I have the same X5, even the same color. I did the pcv hoses and dual oil catch cans and had the same results.

[@nickanderson537]

Really appreciate the informative and honest videos, OJ! It was awesome checking out the shop during the Iron Gate open house a couple months back. Looked like a great operation.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sofuknossum1]

OJ is the man. What a detailed video

[@FluidMotorUnion]

This was just an ordinary day at the shop shop, until we realized last second its potential as a captivating story worth sharing! After completing the repair and conducting consumption tests, we then post-haste filmed a video. Moving forward, we plan to provide step-by-step visuals as we work through, but we are still figuring out everything as an independent shop filming for KZbin too. Appreciate your feedback!

[@Tom_2025_]

great content, thank you for sharing.

[@Popincourt-or4cf]

Brilliant. Real mechanics! Keep it up.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thanks for noticing! Over at our FMU repair shop we actually fix cars and don't just replace parts.

[@texx1017]

great video! I had a 1st gen E53 back in 2000 with the NA V-8. Back when BMW bought Land Rover. I don't think my early one had VANOS. But I did have the valve seals done twice in 135k mi of driving, Went though 2 sets of control arms, and timing chain guides.

[@harrylumsdon6773]

Great video

[@markpuzas]

well done video. great content and as someone who has went through similar situations with different vehicles I think this info is invaluable to someone going through it. Thanks!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KINGVAMP_954]

This video is a Godsend

[@wordsboldpublishing]

Really like and appreciate the information that you deliver. Bold

[@FluidMotorUnion]

I appreciate that!

[@Dilberto88]

My air oil separators inside the valve covers were shot. We did the parts, along with the valve cover gaskets, plugs and Index 12 OEM injectors and no longer gets the extended warm starts. It fires up instantly and idles like a rock now. 2010 S63 with 164,000 miles. Great content!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thanks

[@jeffreywebber4500]

iI HAVE TO SAY BROTHER I COULD WATCH YOU TALK ABOUT CARS ALL DAY! GREAT VID! NEW SUB HERE LOVE IT!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

I appreciate that! Welcome.

[@stevenpike7530]

Impressive vlog…

[@JackThelRipper]

So glad you guys are making videos! I fully get what you said on being a tech and certain models keeping the money coming in. Im a speed queen warranty tech along with working on almost every appliance manufacturer out there, I’ve talked to the warranty guys for Samsung and LG appliances and they are always busy and love it. But I’m one of those that if you pay $3k for a fridge and it’s gonna cost you $1k to fix a blown out compressor on a 2 year old fridge is ridiculous. Keep the videos coming!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Things are getting wild with the problems and maintenance on new car models. Sure, we love making money, but when those cars start putting customers in crazy financial positions with their vehicles, that's not the kind of news we enjoy sharing. And let's not forget about inflation. Unfortunately going to a mechanic is like going to the dentist - you know you have to do it, but you're in for some serious pain when you finally do.

[@phil3999]

Good video

[@warpspeedracer]

Thanks for the video. A must for N63 owners. I have replaced those crankcase ventilation hoses three times over the life my my 2009 750i. About five years ago, I added a custom dual oil catch can system with AN fittings and hoses. Prevents oil from getting to the intake and the hoses do not crack. A pain to route though. Replaced just about every coolant hose with silicone ones and all the plastic tees with metal ones. Still running well, knock on wood.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Probably a smart move. Depending on where the break happens can have weird effects on the crankcase pressure. I've seen good things from the cars we installed well-designed catch can systems on, but had some crazy weird diag on one where the baffles on the inside of the can did not allow adequate ventilation of the pressure. Smoke at weird times, blowing out seals... that one was fun!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Adding a catch can is definitely a smart move on these engines!

[@michaelluisslotkin1648]

The right way to fix this is to remove the engine disassemble it, and clean everything including rings, pistons, block and valves/valve seats. Would also be worth installing new pistons rings. If you’re good enough at finding parts this rebuild can be done for a fraction of the cost of a new engine.

[@Riverguide33]

👍

[@josephandrews1545]

How much did you charge and how long did you have the vehicle

[@BAMAZ3D89]

Video on 4.2L Audi timing chains?

[@kfrdubber]

What about a BG Oil Engine flush?

[@GoFastGator]

It’s a shame that I can only like this video one time. I wish OJs attitude was widespread in the automotive service world. Doesn’t BMW have a program going where you can buy an N63 long-block for somewhere around $4k? It’s u fortunate that the first version of the N63 gave so much trouble because it really has gotten better with each tech update since. The current N63TU3 is a pretty amazing engine. I’d love to see a video of that de-carbonization. And maybe an M550 custom exhaust…. 😊

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thanks for watching and for your video ideas. Stayed tuned...

[@GerardoVw1]

Rec oil changes every 5k to keep the piston rings from clogging up

[@FluidMotorUnion]

We think any good true synthetic (think group IV basestock) should be good up to 6500 miles, or 1 year. While a change at 5000 mile keeps slightly more contaminates out, we just think its money not fully utilized.

[@IGY6MJ]

Is this lack of maintenance or bad fuel? Or is it common from DI?

[@FluidMotorUnion]

a combination of emission standards that require less carbon emissions has made the recycling of oily crankcase vapors via the intake tract a more problematic affair. On top of that, there is no injector to wash the valve, meaning the vapors and oil that stick require servicing valves at intervals of 30-60k miles for buildup. This is unfortunately now very commonplace in modern gasoline engines.

[@registrationaccount1034]

If it was more than PCV system and irrepairable piston liners, BMW literally sells remanufactured N63 rotating assemblies with 2 year warranty for around $4K making any engine work below the valve covers essentially not worth the cost for the cheap price of a brand new rotating assembly.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

A very conservative dealership rate at the book hours still puts the labor at over 10k. And while you get the short block you don’t get any of the other known problematic replacements, like upper timing components, valve stem seals, turbo seals… it’s 20k no matter how you dice it to have something that isn’t a gamble when it’s back together…

[@registrationaccount1034]

@@FluidMotorUnion No, the rotating assembly BMW sells for ~$4K is called a short engine. It's a fully assembled rotating assembly with valve train, with oil pan and valve covers fitted. It's timed and ready to go. You only have to move over the external components, turbos etc. whether BMW installs it or another shop it still comes with a 2 year unlimited miles warranty. Not only are the N63s this inexpensive but the N63TU short engine assemblies are down towards only $4K as well. Of course both require core exchange. It's an astonishing offer from BMW. They were forced to do this as good will because of all the class action settlements they lost. Bang vs BMW, and Isley vs BMW. Valve stem seals jobs for free or full prorated engine replacements under these settlements if under 10 years old and less than 120K miles and they fail the oil consumption test. Otherwise these short engines are available to the consumer at these prices.

[@agapepz4111]

My x5 4.4 2013 on 91000mls starts with blue smoke once I start the engine and than no smoke at all. What might that be ?

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Could be a number of things, including the issue in this video, valve stem seals, etc. Are you local to us? We would be happy to do a diagnostic.

[@agapepz4111]

@@FluidMotorUnion San Diego

[@sethgt1234]

I have seen this way too many times, people getting told that they need valve stem seals, and it being PVC issues. 🤦 On mercedes and BMW's. Edit: And I have seen customers told they have ring wear issues to.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Our biggest issue… quoting an engine without also further quoting diagnostics to confirm. It could have been piston rings, and it’s fair to tell the customer that it could be worst case… but you have to also tell then it could be much less serious, and offer further exploratory diagnostics. They then charged diagnostics to essentially look at nothing (as evidence of the cracked hose and horrendous spark plugs) just to quote them tens of thousands of dollars..!

[@williamwade7059]

BMW'S keep his pockets happy, 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. Looking forward to taking him my sons 2007 335i THAT'S BEEN LEAKING OIL IN MY GARAGE FOR 3 YEARS, only to find out he decided to get married in Japan and doesn't want the car anymore.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

💀🤣

[@AJv-kb2pc]

Put a camera in the cylinder and see if the cylinder walls are scored. Those engines have some super thin stupid cylinder liners that are plasma sprayed and don't last long compared to iron sleeves

[@sethgt1234]

I bet it's PVC issues. I just started watching the video. Edit: I knew it!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Ridiculous miss by the dealer. Shameful, and it bothers me to no end when this stuff comes in.

[@the_first_resort940]

You lift bro?

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Kinda 😏

[@user-sv5td2ks6o]

It is sad that the repairs made as a result of the recall on these engines did nothing to fix the problems. Another class action lawsuit is merited. Does anyone agree with me?

[@aclausenyt]

Shitty situation. Always tell people (especially german car people) dealership generally best option as they know the product. But i guess theres a bad doctor in every clinic... Keep it up, OJ!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

I'd hate to disagree with you, but coming from a dealer tech that actually wanted to fix cars, a book hour dealership situation is the worst place to get a straightforward estimate. The pressure from management to quote but yet fix problems the first time means that you would never take a chance, let alone with a piston ring cleaning, you'd quote the engine... it's one of the biggest reasons I left and so many dealerships techs have done the same. Not saying you can't find great techs there, but i will say that the structure rewards those who quote the jobs they can get done the fastest. And even with all the fancy dealer tech training in the world, that system won't leave thorough and well versed techs wanting to stick around too long.

[@aclausenyt]

@@FluidMotorUnion 15 years flat rate in a dealership. Not a disagreement at all, more like a consensus

[@talltexan4710]

Bmws always leak from some where. They are known for it

[@FluidMotorUnion]

100%

[@CH-qt4hr]

dealers SUCK

[@stevearreola8217]

Been 30 years. BMW junk no customers Doo regular maintenance they think is a 55 Chevy. Service station use to check not no more. $$$$$$$