BMW N55 3.0L Turbo 335i 535i Bad Engine Teardown! What Went Wrong, And Why Was Mike Right?

*I mistakenly called the vacuum pump the high pressure fuel pump, still learning!”
If this is the first teardown you are finding, there are over 20 others I've done! Lots of LS's, A viper engine, rx8 rotary, and a couple SRT8 Hemi's to name a few. Check them out here • Blown Up Engine Tear D...
My name is Eric and I own and run a full service auto salvage business called Importapart located in the Saint Louis MO area. Part of our model is dismantling and selling parts from rare and niche market engines. If you're interested in buying parts from this engine or others I've torn down, email us at [e-mail].
In this video I tear down a BMW 3.0L N55B30 from a 2011 335i. This is a single turbo, direct injected inline 6 which has just a couple notorious issues as I mentioned in this video. This engine is found in 135i, 335i, 535i and X5. This engine fought me a little as far as getting the injectors out and breaking a few bolts. I think a little more care and patience on the next one may yield better results. This is the FIRST N55 I've torn down and many of the tips and tricks I showed you in this video were courtesy of my friend Mike B in Utah, a BMW Tech.
I hope you enjoyed the teardown, and appreciate all comments and feedback.
Thanks for watching, Catch you on the next one!
-Eric

[@vapeurdepisse]

10 years later my N55 is still going strong, beast of an engine

[@09corvettezr1]

Not mentioned in the video but the purpose of BMW’s Valvetronic is to allow the engine to meter the flow of incoming air with the intake valves via varying the valve lift rather then the opening and closing the throttle body, which is redundant on these engines. This allows for a small improvement in fuel economy because the density of the air in the intake is kept higher then it would otherwise be if a throttle valve were closed or partially closed, this reducing the parasitic drag created by the suction on the piston during the intake stroke.

[@kret63]

Nice info, thanks for sharing!

[@k-peezy2723]

Sure beats having to do a shim job on my previous S38B36.

[@Weq5ter]

Less time on fancy valve jobs, more time on improving the qualulity of components... oh wait, na, M3 owners use there cars like iphones, its not a long time, but is a good time :)!

[@CaptainSpadaro]

Yup.

[@ranga2050]

I bet that 'sand' is walnut. Given the clean first cylinder, I'm guessing whoever was doing the blasting had an 'oh shiiii' moment after realising they hadn't cranked the valves closed.

[@arc00ta]

I bet this too as soon as I saw the stuff on the piston. Someone tried to DIY that shit.

[@youtbe999]

They could still vacuumed that walnut shells by removing the spark plug.

[@ThePlatypusReturns]

and there is a technique where you use a drill and zipties to remove the crud, it sounds stupid but it works lol

[@cliffe5]

Same thoughts here

[@thooke222]

Can you imagine... quite a downer

[@matte8441]

I once had a 335i with that engine and it was the most fun car I’ve ever had. I’ve driven it across the USA many times. I work as a mechanic and i always say it was the car that helped me develop my skills due its complexity but it wasn’t that unreliable. They’re reliable if maintained and actually driven, not used as a garage queen.

[@Rammsteiner92]

my 335i from 2012 has 140.000km on it, until now only the valvetronic and rear wheel bearings needed to be replaced. I think thats pretty reliable, especially if you remind that it runs with 380PS/610Nm and gets floored often :D

[@matte8441]

@@Rammsteiner92 Mine had 136,000 miles on it. It was an Illinois car that I imported to Canada and daily driven. I drive it to Arizona in the summer. I only had to do the oil filter housing gasket, water pump and the blower motor. Even the VCG was original and was just starting to seep. Sadly I needed a more practical car. Mine was a coupe. I traded it in for a VW Golf.

[@Rammsteiner92]

@@matte8441 thats sad, selling N55 for a Golf 😅🤣

[@matte8441]

@@Rammsteiner92 Yeah I miss the driving experience. On the plus side I’m spending way less on fuel and have four doors now 😂

[@hau5muzeek]

i have a BM3 stage 2 F30 335i (N55) with full bolt ons, been tuned for 30k, and its been as solid as a freaking tank. also a tech, so done very strict service intervals and a ton of preventative maintenance, but it literally has zero leaks and has never thrown a single dash light. its a freaking beast. also, it sounds absolutely amazing

[@naldosopr]

One of my favorite things about your videos is that you don’t edit them to make it look like you’re perfect and you know everything. You show us that you also at times learn as you go and I love that. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@exaltedb]

This is actually the first time I’ve watched one of your tear downs, simply because this is the exact engine that’s in my daily 335i. I love how you describe in detail how this thing ticks and the problems it has (thanks for alerting me of that serpentine belt risk factor). Very informative all the way through

[@codyway7424]

Reminds me of when I was a kid and would take my grandmother's appliances apart. Most never worked again, lol.

[@rollydoucet8909]

When I was quite young, my parents went grocery shopping on Saturday mornings, leaving me alone in the house. Mom had a new Singer Sewing machine and cabinet. In one of the drawers was a tool kit. Every Saturday morning, I'd take the sewing machine apart, piece by piece, going further into it as the weeks went by, and always putting back together before the folks got home. To this day, I'm still amazed the sewing machine still functioned.

[@thooke222]

Lol I'm sure she appreciated that

[@Dark_Helmet15]

The bearings usually are not a problem anymore with the N54/N55 engines compared to the S54, S62 and S65. Now the main problem now is the miles between oil changes that BMW recommends which leads to failure. Kids will be at 12K miles on a oil change (BMW recommends, sigh, 15k per change), while pushing stage 2 mods/tune, and then be surprised that the lower end is oil staved because they didn't let the engine warm up to thin up the sludge. The oil filter gasket housing averages about 80k and is a pain because one of the bolts is hidden under the intake manifold.

[@atlantajunglepythons1744]

3000 to 5000mile engine oil change interval FTW. The electronic ONLY (no dipstick) oil level check is crazy-wrong! Dipsticks don’t lie; they give a level cold or warm. And they’re always ready to use.

[@rdaw33]

This video is giving me flashbacks.....Now retired from working on BMWs........miss the people, but not the cars!!!!!

[@TEAMHYBRID007]

I'm two minutes in and I'm already loving it I work at an oil change place we work on BMWs and Mercedes all the time I never even thought about that and he'll even knowing about that catastrophic failure it's nice to keep in the back of your mind thank you for all you do

[@nathanmyers1207]

Had a Cobb tuned 09 335 m sport manual sedan with the N54…60K miles. It was a blast. After replacing injectors, rattling waste gates, failed high pressure fuel pumps, did the walnut blasting, and had the dreaded serpentine spaghetti sucked into the main seal.. and ultimately the oil pan, I had to let her go. Current owner has had it for 3 years…not a single problem. Haha. Thanks for these videos! You and mustie are my favorite channels right now .

[@dougshaw7128]

Ingenious how BMW used old hay rake tangs for valve springs.

[@scottfritz4988]

They are not valve springs

[@dougshaw7128]

@@scottfritz4988 Hay rake tangs

[@juhomaki-petaja]

Those are not valve springs. BTW in 1950’s Formula 1 engines had those kind of valve springs

[@clydewatson7889]

Doug, I thought the same thing, lol

[@FishFind3000]

I’ve seen old junk motors at my mechanic that have the same springs. They have been using them for a long time.

[@brianpatten]

I gotta say, it's great to see how conscientious you are with disassembly. Like working from the outside in so as not to put undue stress on the crankshaft. Doesn't matter how rusty or shagged up an engine is, you treat it with respect and save the things that need saving. Keep up the great work, Eric!

[@senior_ranger]

Wow, Friday AND Saturday night dates. I think we're going steady!

[@I_Do_Cars]

I’m tryin’

[@robbwatson2088]

I've become addicted to your teardowns. Lol. Cheers

[@johnburgess4941]

Yes, I enjoy this more then anything else on youtube.. so well done!!

[@Andrew-fj9no]

Always a good day when this guy uploads , we need more longer videos man !

[@johnwithcats]

you're totally getting more comfortable in front of the camera and being yourself more, Eric. its great!!

[@jossrickard3352]

This channel is the greatest "Don't buy Euro or GM" warning one could ever have.

[@josephalaindaigle3194]

I have seen these problems so many times!Squirrels go into the air filter intake,start building a nest while snacking on the air filter.Start the engine and BOOM! So easy to prevent by installing a half inch grill on the air intake.

[@blakehintz3207]

Brahhh, what a good Saturday night!

[@JamesBrown-gf6sc]

Absolutely!

[@fitfogey]

Good to see you here again!

[@McHighler]

I really love it when you post these videos man. Im learning from you and I really appreciate that

[@rayshutsa6690]

Thank you for another great video. Glad to see there are some good parts in this engine. This is the first time seeing the inside a BMW it is unlike any other engine.

[@Admrilacbar300]

Wow two videos a week!! Man this a great day!! Literally dropped everything to watch this!

[@flantc]

I think the bottom half of the block uses aluminum bolts because it is made of a magnesium alloy and steel bolts would cause issues (galvanic or galling or something)

[@Enthusiastlist]

It’s an AlSi block not magnesium.

[@flantc]

@@Enthusiastlist I think it’s a composite block. I know the N52 is a lower magnesium alloy lower and a AlSi upper. I am less sure about the N55 but aluminum bolts would make sense. Also the bolts switched from aluminum to steel when parting the block. The steel were anchored in the AlSi block. I could be wrong about all of this but it would be explain that aluminum bolts and they are generally not used for weight savings.

[@sfbfriend]

Similar metals gall.

[@riccocool]

Aluminum bolts sounds like such a bad idea.

[@doctorrobert60]

I have a 2006 Z4M Coupe since new. When talking about tendency to spin bearings BMW's solution was requirement of Castrol 10W-60 oil to mitigate. I am not mechanically inclined but find these engine autopsies fascinating to watch. Thank you for posting these videos!

[@jorgesalinas6697]

Great video, keep up the good work!! Cant wait for the next one. THANKS for explaining every bit and going over failure modes.

[@kwakas4ever]

Yet another excellent job, Eric - it's always good when we can learn, and you can make a dollar as well.

[@simonomisimonomis]

I love these videos, no stupid intro, humor and just everything

[@ike2010]

One of the smoothest, most responsive, and most fun engines I’ve ever owned. Loved that 335i xDrive.

[@bigrockets]

I really like your channel I am learning things about engines I don't usually deal with. keep on going with your program!

[@fitfogey]

I think we all kinda have a morbid hope of the engine being bad. We just like to see stuff torn up. 👍

[@fensterlips]

It's also nice to discover a jewel waiting for redemption. Doesn't happen often.

[@kingssuck06]

You gotta love the complexity here. 3 minutes into the hemi video the heads were off. 3 minutes in this video and you’re still looking into the intake hahaha

[@stephandiehl3893]

i gotta admit being more of a viewer car guy i have learned sooo much watching the vids when you de construct engines! keep up the awesome work I cant stop watching these. And yes you musta shot this over a couple days the guy in the first half had a different shirt on

[@stephenflowerday4038]

Another great Vid mate. Well presented, informative and entertaining in a way I can't really explain?! Maybe its because I trained as a mechanic in the late 90's and really miss that job.

[@MikeL-FL]

I love these. So German. So overengineered. I'm on my 6th BMW and have never had an engine problem. Just a valve cover leak, on my M62 540i.

[@sstrasse7931]

As long as your car doesn't develop the start-up rattle (timing chain), probably good for 200k till new guides are needed. Also a good idea to install the updated timing chain tensioner if not done already - very simple to do, part is only $52.

[@MikeL-FL]

@@sstrasse7931 The M62 was a long time ago. I have an N63TU3 now.

[@rollydoucet8909]

I'm on my third BMW, and they're a great car to drive. Many of my clients are also BMW owners, and they won't switch brands. Doesn't matter what you drive, there are issues, and if you're willing to maintain a car, it will give you good service. One thing I tell people who are considering buying a used BMW, stay away from the four cylinder engines. There has been a terrible history of timing chain and guides failures on those engines, and BMW has extended the warranties to avoid lawsuits.

[@MikeL-FL]

@@rollydoucet8909 Yep, and stay away from the early N63s.

[@GodKing804]

Wait til u get an f chassis

[@danielbargas3377]

That (dust/sand) is actually walnut shell in the cylinders from whoever cleaned the intake of #6

[@thelol1759]

That’s what I was thinking

[@V1kash1984]

Wasn't the "sand" in cyl 5?

[@WarrenMillerIII]

@@V1kash1984 Easy to cross-contaminate intake runners if you don't tape up everything properly ahead of blasting. Also, I'm not sure this earlier-version N55 has it, but later versions included a revised PCV system that incorporates passages in the intake runners that lead back to the PCV system built into the valve cover. I've seen some media make it to other cylinders by way of these passages during blasting.

[@PeteLenz]

Eric, you’re very talented, and without a doubt a very “nice” guy!

[@stevemiller6766]

I really like you don’t play music and don’t have a canned lead in to your material. I’m glad you didn’t get burned on that engine. It is certainly enlightening to see that the extended oil change interval manufacturers are recommended are simply a way to sell engines. I know I’m changing how often I change my oil. Have you torn down any cheap Mazda 2.5 liter engines? I wouldn’t suppose there is a big market for used parts from those. Love the channel man and keep tearing those engines down, we can’t get enough!

[@paulw068]

Like your channel a lot, learning new stuff every time i wath you tearing down those motors, greetings from Belgium, Europe

[@licksorestockpile1190]

these engine teardown videos got me curious about automatic transmissions. watched a teardown on one of those and somehow even more confused. glad to see an engine teardown again, these make sense to me lol

[@danielbonnett1907]

Great stuff man You’re the reason I still participate in the stuff Big 528 fan here but I like them all

[@FonicsSuck]

Love your videos man, keep up the good work.

[@chop2093]

Have a 2014 335i with this engine. Never had an issue with it. The smoothest engine I’ve even driven

[@bron2078]

Your video's are so good mate. Please keep it up!

[@tonygovender3805]

Nice video, I like to see you reassemble with proper procedures.

[@a.h.9663]

The air impact never gets old 👍🏾

[@EnvoyExpress]

at 21:11 I like the fact that you did not act like you knew how that crank pulley came off. I like honesty

[@illiniarmory3142]

Love your videos. Very entertaining. Especially when you talk to the engine.

[@sidneydavis3054]

They're great engines just put a catch can and do your fluid changes earlier than bmw says. I have 1 around 120k and have had very few issues. Less issues than my chevy

[@onefastboi14]

What kind of BMW? I’ve been looking into buying one.

[@sidneydavis3054]

Pretty much any 6 cylinder from bmw is fairly reliable with decent hp. I would say an n55 or newer due to the n54 not having much room to play with in the engine bay. They made them easier to work on to me the newer they are.

[@sidneydavis3054]

@@onefastboi14 do not get a v8. The n63 tends to not make it to 50k miles due to the hot vee configuration

[@universalg_]

@@onefastboi14 new inline 6 B58 is more reliable than the N55. It is the updated version of the n55 and is easy to work on. Follow the same instructions as above, change oil early, change fluids early, and this engine will keep you happy for 200k+ miles

[@extraglutenplz3758]

@@onefastboi14 get a 340 or 440, x40i anything with the 40 designation- that's the B58 engine which replaced the N55 and is touted to be a great unit all around

[@blakeparmeter7686]

Head bolts always feel sketchy coming out. They actually stretch a bit you seat / torque them down. The throat is essentially made of spring steel which allows for this stretching. That's why the impact doesn't work well when taking it off because you're essentially impacting a spring.

[@andrewwiertalla5118]

I love your videos man. Keep it up!

[@03svterminator64]

Really love your content. I’ve learned a lot as a tech from you.

[@nickma71]

You have a great channel. Including production of the video, the other comments every week are correct.

[@Shotgun_Messenger]

Nuts and sand hmmm.... Must be those Neutral Drop guys again. Shoutout to Stuntman!!

[@bobbbobb4663]

Get ova here!

[@bigdogpete43]

This engine is a legend. It is a legend when it works and when it doesn't.

[@phuketmusicscene9008]

It would be nice to see the parts after the come out of the Parts Washer… 🤔

[@Anthony-xn7mh]

Enjoy your videos...best engine info on the net about what lasts and what doesn't.

[@tomwomack3167]

It is good to see the valvetronic system. I am anxiously awaiting a 4.4 liter twin-turbo in an M5 CS.

[@patturnbow8761]

Another great video... thanks for sharing! Really enjoy these.

[@Troy_Built]

Thanks for doing this video. It was an overly complicated mess to deal with.

[@chrischiampo7647]

Awesome Teardown 😀😀😀😊👍🏼 Thanks Brother 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@09corvettezr1]

The pickup tray and windage tube are all one peace on this motor.

[@31dknight]

Another great teardown video.

[@deansapp4635]

Another great video as always

[@ThePlatypusReturns]

BMW just loves their torx fasteners, and always an assortment of sizes for a single component ... It is pretty cool though how the block of the n52 and its turbo relatives are made of a sandwich of magnesium and aluminum. they used hollow cams for weight savings too, and made extensive use of aluminum screws and fasteners early on, but that can be a big headache as well.

[@FishFind3000]

I was working on my glove box in a 2011 BMW X3 and the dash cross bar that spans the whole dash is made of magnesium alloy. I thought it was aluminum but it looked to grey and it decided to read the markings. I was shocked when it was magnesium. I guess you can’t always see what your paying for and these are the lengths they go to for 50/50 weight distribution.

[@JamesBrown-gf6sc]

Love the 8mm trick lol. Seriously coulda gone way wrong but ehh it's fun to watch!

[@carpassionllc1378]

What a great video!! Liked and subscribed today. Congrats!

[@CaptainSpadaro]

They're also somewhat notorious for shitting themselves after oil changes, apparently. We had a 535i xDrive (F10 chassis) show up at our shop for an oil change; came back on the wrecker a few days later, with the customer saying the engine just 'shut off'. It was eventually determined that one of the cylinders (number 6 IIRC) had shit itself. We're still not sure what happened, since I and a couple other people heard the thing running fine before it left.

[@benjamins9121]

3:30 one advantage of port injection Edit: just as I wrote that he said it lol

[@cliffe5]

New subscriber here. I love the teardown videos and am curious to see where the Porsche project goes. All that said, I'm curious if you have a favorite or preferred engine after everything you've seen? V6, I6, dohc, pushrod, carburetor, fuel injection, high pressure direct injection, ect. Many engines are great from the factory, but what is the best bet for a diy guy? Dohc requires 4 cams, push rod only 1. I never liked interference engines, but high compression engines seem to be the way of the future... I'm not sure if a video like that is in your wheelhouse but I figured I'd ask. I've always loved Nissan 300ZX's, but that dang vg30dett can be a nightmare to actually work on... Thanks for the making and sharing all this content! 👍

[@rogersiples3335]

My 535i was a fun car to own. It was definitely a driver's car. With a few mods it competed with the V-8's. It was very reliable if you can believe it.

[@rayaany.4069]

BMWs six cylinder engines are actually solid. Stay away from their v8s tho

[@jacobmeisner9255]

Keep up the great videos man. Still can't believe this is a sub 100k subscriber channel.

[@rl8838]

I never thought watching Adam Sandler ripping engines apart would be so entertaining!

[@MasterMalrubius]

These videos are strangely addicting.

[@michaelg492]

I clicked on your channel because you have my most favourite car as your profile picture, nice

[@J-Kersting]

That nut on top of the cylinder (if it's an 11mm) is one of the intake manifold fasteners.

[@Mig200z]

great content love your work

[@brunotulliani]

31:02 you can see that the counter weight on the crankshaft touching the main cap. that would explain the acetone/ATF liquid in the cylinders. The crank is probably warped.

[@daz9304]

All aluminium bolts are single use. You can buy a rebuild bolt kit. I spun no. 6 bearing, via oil surge on a track day. Pulled the engine out, bottom end apart, no power tools, no broken bolts, replaced n.6 conrod, had crank ground, new bearings main and rod bolts new also. Didn’t even have to pull the head off. Put it back in and it runs perfectly at about 400hp.

[@joshheinz5328]

*Watches the headaches of working on the engine.* *Looks at the pages of used BMWs for sale.* *Watches more headaches.* Eh, screw it. Surely, nothing bad will happen to ME!

[@tyler951]

One of us! One of us! Just think of it as buying a hobby that you get to drive around. They are rewarding to work on in the sense that you know you are saving so much money but maybe not your sanity working on them.

[@QueensGTO_Viper]

I like that you film in 4k

[@powertools130]

Nice work

[@gslifebrian9357]

An improper walnut blasting of the intake valves while the valves were open was the root cause up top. The sand was walnut shell, the nut was dropped in when the intake was removed, and I bet the liquid was brake cleaner they tried when the walnut shell wasn't getting it clean. My 335i N55 made it 122k miles before it spun a rod bearing. When new it had 15500 oil change intervals, every time it was at the shop it got a software update that eventually dropped the oil interval to 11500. The water pump failed at 115k, and a new charge pipe every 25k miles since new. There is a class action lawsuit about the water pump going out causing engine failure, the oil filter housing gasket can leak antifreeze internally into the oil killing bearings. Also, when the crank gets polished, it will need oversized bearings not undersized. Thankfully King makes oversized bearings for doing a proper rebuild now. E90 for life! Last of the great true drivers car!

[@miceinoz1181]

I have a couple of M57 diesels in my X5's. Not much in the way of bottom end problems with them, just all the EGR grunge through the inlet system.

[@brunotulliani]

Great video! Really learned a lot. That sell could be 50-50 acetone and ATF.

[@12345.......]

That valvetrain is pretty wild

[@kkrieter3355]

i was just about to ask you to do a newer bmw turbo engine tear down, niceeeee

[@michaelathens953]

Good lord, well I USED to really want a car with one of these engines. What a freaking nightmare!

[@barryallen827]

Since you take teardown suggestions? How about a foxbody 5.0? Love your channel!

[@DiscoR53]

Yep I had a N55 go in my 2011 135i rod bearing go at 90k miles oil was changed at every 6k and was using Total synthetic The filter housing leaked, frayed the belt. Then the vanos on the exhaust side went then the spun bearing #4 all with in 1 year. After that I changed mechanics.

[@eggnogfrog]

Love the videos! It would be great to see you do a Toyota 2GR-FKS.

[@uncleTedLol]

watching you hammer smash that crank with a taper punch was neat

[@justin07195]

Hey, first off great video! Love your teardowns. If you do end up doing another n55. you don't have to pull the injectors to pull the valve cover.

[@I_Do_Cars]

I have another n55 to teardown, I’ll try pulling the cover first next time.

[@RIPPERTON]

On your next teardown, can you see how the piston ring end gaps are clocked. Want to see if the assembly technique of setting the gaps opposite each other works.

[@jhors7777]

I love your videos, thank you

[@twinturbo8304]

Keep up the great work, especially the Bmw stuff

[@GautamKumar-cr7tw]

The oil filter housing gasket is not that much labor but the one of those bolts are annoying to get out. I just did this on my N52

[@joeclarke9782]

I had a Ford which choked itself with the serpentine belt winding around the crank pulley and "maybe" knocking out cam/timing/valves. I never found out because dealer wanted $1500 just to diagnose the problem. I traded it in on a Toyota. Nice video. BMW will never be accused of under engineering.

[@nerd1000ify]

My parents' '98 Mitsubishi Magna had a failure like that. Mechanics installed the serpentine belt wrong, it snapped. Fragments went between the timing belt and pulleys. Bent all 24 valves IIRC. That engine got a rebuilt top end and went another 100,000km or so with dents in the tops of the pistons...

[@angrycatmeowmeow]

Seems like a very complicated way to make 300HP

[@yashasan83]

Just the way the timing chain is installed in that engine makes me glad i don't own a BMW

[@4R8YnTH3CH33F]

@KZbin needs a Snickers I just googled it, and that is a pretty cool engine. I didn't know that GM knew what a DOHC was outside of their economy 4 cylinders. Would have been neat to see what they could do with it nowadays if it wasn't discontinued.

[@thetechlibrarian]

@KZbin needs a Snickers right. Or the 2gr fe makes the same numbers from 3.5 liters, it’s a underrated engine in my opinion it’s strong and sounds good, reliable and there is a lot of them

[@domanikbutler2060]

@KZbin needs a Snickers ok

[@rudolfskrasovskis6790]

it can easily make 600-700hp stock