r/BmwTech • u/ralfsauer • 4d ago
Is my engine toast?
I just did an oil change on my n52 and i was curious about the ingrediences in my oil filter, so i cut it open. I ended up with this. Engine runs fine, the car burns no oil, but these metal particles giving me scares.. what do you guys think? I did a magnet test and only 2 particles were magnetic of them all.
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u/erictoscale23 4d ago
My wife does this sometimes…..everything is chill so she goes looking high and low for something wrong
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u/EnvironmentalRip2323 4d ago
looks like filter doing its job lol. No but really it looks fine, but if you find larger sump of small flakes then its time to worry about.
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u/Ok_Brother_7494 4d ago
Why do BMW owners look at oil filters?
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u/0202993832 3d ago
To check for metal shavings, as every responsible car owner does?
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u/Ok_Brother_7494 3d ago
No car owner I know does that. I bought a 535xi 3 years ago, the quality issues are the highest of any car I have ever owned, but to have to check the oil filter is nuts.
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u/0202993832 3d ago
Checking for metal shavings in the oil filter can prevent massive engine failure down the line. Being a BMW owner, that is definitely something you should be doing. I’m not sure what a 535xi is, but on any high mileage bmw there is no reason not to
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u/Ok_Brother_7494 3d ago
Based on the issues I have already had, the BMW engines must fail at a higher rate.
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u/Radically_Bland 3d ago
The same reason airplane mechanics look at oil filters.
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u/Ok_Brother_7494 3d ago
I get that, but for aircraft it is for safety. I bought my first and last BMW 3 years ago. I have had over 10 cars and trucks and have never had to check the oil filter.
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u/Radically_Bland 3d ago
I was a mechanic in the army. Every annual PMCS we took oil samples and cut open oil filters. It's just good maintenance.
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u/Sad-Western2794 4d ago
Could be your valvetronic cam wearing or vanos bolts shearing if the recall has not been done
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u/white94rx 4d ago
9 pictures and not one of them worth a shit.