The disappearing oil filter

sebringsc · 07-24-2015, 10:09 AM

Bought a used 2011 335i xdrive about 4 weeks ago and took it into my local BMW shop for the VANOS bolt recall. The next day after getting it fixed, the car wasn't right, engine shaking like crazy and reduced power warnings. Took it back to BMW and they kept it for 2 days and you can see below what they found. It came out like that, broken in two.

Apparently the previous owner neglected to change his filter, the car still said ~1500 miles left before it needed a change. I had everything sitting in the garage to do it tomorrow.

Big shout out to Knauz BMW for helping me out and taking care of the problem.

Meeni · 07-25-2015, 07:47 AM

If you ever experience vanos codes, think about the vanos reflux valve. When the oil filter or the bypass valve fail, and unfiltered oil gets into the engine, it can get clogged.

Efthreeoh · 07-26-2015, 05:42 AM

OP, do you know if the oil filter was BMW original equipment?

sebringsc · 07-26-2015, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

OP, do you know if the oil filter was BMW original equipment?

Good question, we looked but couldn't find any markings to indicate what brand filter it was. I did change my oil yesterday and I didn't think synthetic oil got this black and dirty, it looked like conventional motor oil.

Phil325i · 07-26-2015, 03:11 PM

No way the pleats on an OE quality filter would bend like that - apart from not braking in two! OP, your car's previous owner skimped big time. Give it some love (and proper parts and fully synthetic oil!).

sebringsc · 07-26-2015, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

No way the pleats on an OE quality filter would bend like that - apart from not braking in two! OP, your car's previous owner skimped big time. Give it some love (and proper parts and fully synthetic oil!).

Yeah not sure what the previous owner did or was thinking...I changed the oil yesterday, she runs just fine (went with Mobil1 0w40 European car formula). No more violent cold starts (at least yet). I'm going to let that oil run for ~1500 miles or so and then change it again just for good measure. I'm just glad it doesn't appear to have caused any permanent damage (finger crossed).

Phil325i · 07-27-2015, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebringsc

Yeah not sure what the previous owner did or was thinking...I changed the oil yesterday, she runs just fine (went with Mobil1 0w40 European car formula). No more violent cold starts (at least yet). I'm going to let that oil run for ~1500 miles or so and then change it again just for good measure. I'm just glad it doesn't appear to have caused any permanent damage (finger crossed).

Well done - and good luck.

07-24-2015, 10:09 AM	#1
sebringsc Private 7 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: lake villa, IL iTrader: (0)	The disappearing oil filter Bought a used 2011 335i xdrive about 4 weeks ago and took it into my local BMW shop for the VANOS bolt recall. The next day after getting it fixed, the car wasn't right, engine shaking like crazy and reduced power warnings. Took it back to BMW and they kept it for 2 days and you can see below what they found. It came out like that, broken in two. Apparently the previous owner neglected to change his filter, the car still said ~1500 miles left before it needed a change. I had everything sitting in the garage to do it tomorrow. Big shout out to Knauz BMW for helping me out and taking care of the problem. Attached Images
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07-25-2015, 07:47 AM	#2
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	If you ever experience vanos codes, think about the vanos reflux valve. When the oil filter or the bypass valve fail, and unfiltered oil gets into the engine, it can get clogged.
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07-26-2015, 05:42 AM	#3
Efthreeoh General 17370 Rep 18,769 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	OP, do you know if the oil filter was BMW original equipment? __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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07-26-2015, 03:11 PM	#5
Phil325i Brigadier General 623 Rep 3,198 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	No way the pleats on an OE quality filter would bend like that - apart from not braking in two! OP, your car's previous owner skimped big time. Give it some love (and proper parts and fully synthetic oil!). __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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