Potential engine failure?

ASTEF91

MEMBER
2001 BMW 530I
3.0L
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

It would be amazing if anyone could suggest any solutions.

My partner had the warning message "check coolant temperature" several times in the last days I've had a look and top up with coolant. However today the same message was displayed again, before the car started smoking and stopped working. There was smoke coming out of the oil tank. The coolant was gone, so potentially a leak. I topped it up with coolant and oil and let the car cool off. It won't start, I tried several times. Any ideas? Potential engine failure?

Thanks

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5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,588 POSTS

Yep, it could have seized the engine up, I would use a breaker bar on the front of the engine to see if it rotates by hand. Here is a video to help you see what I am talking about, also you should remove the spark plugs so if a cylinder is filled with coolant when you turn the engine it will be forced out of the cylinder confirming the blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head.

https://youtu.be/oN42gZN6gOE?si=FW1o_GOPoYDOJAOY

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Monday, September 2nd, 2024 AT 11:04 AM

ASTEF91

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3 POSTS

That's great thank you! Do I need access under the vehicle, or can I do it to the front? One of my mechanics suggested the sparks might have gotten wet from oil. Oil was overheated and splashed all over. Potentially the battery might have been affected, I was trying to see if I can jump started it! Not a good idea?

Thanks so much for the help.

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Monday, September 2nd, 2024 AT 4:28 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,588 POSTS

Sure, you can give a jump a try to see if anything changes, this can help us see if the engine is locked up or not. Please go over this guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 AT 8:18 AM

ASTEF91

MEMBER
3 POSTS

So, I've let the car to dry out from all that oil spill and then tried to start jump it. The engine cranked which is good news, but it won't start.

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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 AT 8:14 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,588 POSTS

How does it sound when cranking over? Can you please upload a short video of the engine cranking over so I can tell if it is hurt or not? A compression test will help us with that as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise? That way I can tell for sure what's going on.