Timing Chain Tensioner destroyed engine

[paul sklar]

Greetings: My Timing Chain Tensioner 'dropped out' of the engine which self destructed very quickly. Does anyone have any similar experience with Timing Chain Tensioners? Any thoughts about the following?

While driving along, a clicking noise from the enginge developed. The Oil Service light came on. I drove into gas station to check oil. No oil registered on the dip stick. I added Oil. But still nothing. Oil was pooled underneath the car. I flat bedded the car to the nearest mechanic I knew and trusted. An Authorized Bosch Dealer.

My first mechanic (the Bosch Dealer) to look at my problem found the Timing Chain Tensioner out of the engine lying in the engine cover (the gravel shield). The Bosch Dealer states it is a matter of torque. He says once it is inserted properly i.e. with correct torque, it will not come out by itself. He asked "who sabatoged this engine"? He was serious too!

After the Bosch Dealer (who could not replace the damaged engine) I flat bedded car to a local BMW Dealer who essentially confirmed the Bosch Dealer but gave some detail about the extent of the damage done to the internal parts of the engine involving "Broken crankshaft, compression test could not be performed, leaking oil, removed right side valve cover, found pieces of the Chain Tensioner Guide in timing cover. When you turn the crank the camshaft does not turn which means the crank is broken in two parts. Vehicle needs a complete engine".

Owch!

The whole thing is very odd. The car has 98,000 miles on it with no history of engine problems (all service records maintained on BMW computer system by Greenwich BMW) and it just came off the 6 year certification a few months earlier.

Everyone I discuss this with says it is a freak or sabatage or a negligent mechanic. While no engine work has been done on this car warranting any removal or adjustment of the Timing Chain Tensioner, one BMW dealer recently replaced the oil gaskets.

Any thoughts or experience with this sort of thing?

1998 - 740iL –
Paul R. Sklar
New York City