I think my friend ran his 318i out of oil. What would that sound like?

[Wishno87]

It periodically has the worst squeaking/chirping sound. Not all of the time but most of the time. Its coming from the 4th cyl area. It was about 2 quarts low.

[Exodus_2pt0]

2 quarts low shouldn't cause any damage.

Squeaking can be anything from belt to cam bearings. However unless he ran it so low that the oil pressure light came on, I doubt he hurt it.

[Wishno87]

I don't think the car has a working oil pressure light. Is it possible the oil pump failed? When I run it for a couple seconds a strange burning smell comes out of the oil filler hole.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Dude that is a huge no-no!

It is entirely possible that the pump failed, and with no oil light to send a red flag things could be toasted by now. I would not run that thing for another second until you hook up an oil pressure gauge and find out what is going on.

When you do hook up the gauge, make sure to disable the fuel and ignition system. Then crank it for 20-30 seconds and see if you build pressure.

Also just turn the key on with the engine off, if the light does not come on, then it doesn't work.

[Wishno87]

I think he already drove it home like that lol. I was already assuming its done. I will pull the valve cover when I get a chance to tow it home. So you think one of the bearings or rings was run dry?

[Holland]

Eh it's an M10, it will just limp it off.

[Hey_You]

m10, no performance to be hurt, it'll buff out.

[Wishno87]

Ya im hoping to just find a cheap/free long block and swap it over.

[Ryann]

Requesting picks of bearing destruction!:D

[Jaxx_]

2 quarts low shouldn't cause any damage.

Squeaking can be anything from belt to cam bearings. However unless he ran it so low that the oil pressure light came on, I doubt he hurt it.

isn't 2 quarts about 1/2 the oil capacity? lol

[Wishno87]

isn't 2 quarts about 1/2 the oil capacity? lol

Thats what i was thinking lol. The M10 has a little pan. The M50 takes 6-7 quarts but even the M20 is only around 4.5.

[xwill112x]

m50 time :)

[Wishno87]

m50 time :)

Lol he would kill himself. Really though if he can't keep oil in an M10 I don't see it making sense to put a much more expensive motor in. We are getting his eta automatic all ready for him though :giggle:

[Holland]

Thats what i was thinking lol. The M10 has a little pan. The M50 takes 6-7 quarts but even the M20 is only around 4.5.

M10 is 4.5 to 5, about.

[irish44j]

...and you're sure it's not your blower fan squeaking, right? Because that is only a few inches from the 4th cylinder area of the valve cover. And mine was making quite a racket recently due to bad bearings.

Probably not, but might as well throw out the simple solution just in case ;)