Ran m20 with no oil, now sounds terrible😳

[ELVA164]

So recently I bought my first e30- 1987 325e with stock original motor (180k miles). My car has seemed to have been burning oil, I have had to put more in it about once every month. I could really only smell burnt oil when I really punch it for a good second, and there's no oil leaks. Anyways, so I got in my car today and drove it down the street and it was lacking power and was reallllyyyy loud. It sounds terrible and anything over 2.5k rpm it is screaming and it has never done that before. Not only that, but it was slow as hell with almost no power. I checked the oil and it only has one dot of oil on the dipstick, so it was basically dry. I immediately put 3 quarts of Castrol Edge 10w-30 and let it idle and then drove it a while and it is still doing the same exact thing, it's no better. Anyone know what's wrong or what I can do to fix it? I don't have the money for a new engine or rebuild, and am really hoping that's not the case..

Would I be able to rebuild it? I was thinking of swapping on i top end but idk if the bottom end is ruined?

There's nothing I can do? I mean it drives, just not very powerful and takes a while to get into high rpms, and it's loud.

Okay guys, I have an update about the car. Refilled it with oil and drove it around the block a little and after about 30 miles it seems to run much better!! It has basically all of its power back and doesn't sounds like a diesel truck lol. Still is a little louder than normal at around 3.5k rpm, and some odd sounds that kinda sounds like grinding at about 1.5k rpm and then it stops the noise at 2k, but it doesn't always do that. Seems to be all good!;D

Lol, I'm gonna take it to my local beemer mechanic and see why they say. I mean when I checked the oil there was little in there so it's not like it was bone dry. The very end of the dipstick had a dot of oil. :roll:

I'm changing the oil tomorrow and if I see a lot of metal in the oil, then I'll get a new engine, if not, I'll drive it till it breaks, or rebuild the top end ;D

It sounds like my valves

Is the oil pressure light the guage in the right corner? I always thought it was my engine temp guage. Anyways, what would that tell me?

Nothing against you OP, but we've been burned before. Like oil in an almost dry engine, you could say.

[Kershaw]

[hallockg806]

Yes - it's the one that looks like the first image, just below the temperature gauge (2nd image). It should come on when you turn the ignition to the fully on position, and go out right after the car is started.

It will come on when the oil pressure is low.






Thanks!! When I get back from NY, I'll let you all know what it reads!

For reference:

[hallockg806]

Op don't try to swap your motor yourself. I'm not trying to troll or be mean. From experience, it's a lot harder than you think. And more than likely you won't have all the necessary tools nor the knowledge on how to use them. Start looking for a new long block and have it rebuilt by someone who is qualified.

Good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! I'll take that helpful advice!😊

[hallockg806]

Nothing against you OP, but we've been burned before. Like oil in an almost dry engine, you could say.

Many of you think I'm not serious or I'm a troll. No assholes, this is my first fucking car how the fuck am I supposed to know about it right away?! I don't have years or decades of experience like many of you, I have a fucking months experience! I'm not trying to waste anyone's time or seem like a troll, I'm trying to get help and many of you have helped me, but most of you are assholes making fun of me because I'm a newbie. It's my first fucking car. :hitler:

[dnguyen1963]

Many of you think I'm not serious or I'm a troll. No assholes, this is my first fucking car how the fuck am I supposed to know about it right away?! I don't have years or decades of experience like many of you, I have a fucking months experience! I'm not trying to waste anyone's time or seem like a troll, I'm trying to get help and many of you have helped me, but most of you are assholes making fun of me because I'm a newbie. It's my first fucking car. :hitler:

It's the way you posted your responses. It's okay to say I don't know. There is nothing wrong in saying..."I don't know what this light is. Can someone explain it to me?" This forum has no mercy. You are not the first newbie on the forum. Trust me, if you stick around long enough, you'll be yelling at some other newbies about the same thing five years from now.

[Reub_e30]

Well the questions have been answered can we close this

[ELVA164]

Many of you think I'm not serious or I'm a troll. No assholes, this is my first fucking car how the fuck am I supposed to know about it right away?! I don't have years or decades of experience like many of you, I have a fucking months experience! I'm not trying to waste anyone's time or seem like a troll, I'm trying to get help and many of you have helped me, but most of you are assholes making fun of me because I'm a newbie. It's my first fucking car. :hitler:

Feel free to search for the thread I started about double clutching. It happens to all of us at some point. I meant it when I said no offense.

[george graves]

OP - Why no video?

[george graves]

BTW - sweet bike bro.

[Reub_e30]

Feel free to search for the thread I started about double clutching. It happens to all of us at some point. I meant it when I said no offense.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=266520

Man u took alot of heat for that one

[ELVA164]

Haha, what can I say?

[estoguy]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=266520

Man u took alot of heat for that one

That was a good thread... before my time. That stupid F&F quote bugged me the first time I saw the movie. LOL

[hallockg806]

BTW - sweet bike bro.

Lol, how'd you find that hahahahaha

[hallockg806]

OP - Why no video?

And I'm in NY currently on vacation. I will post a video when I get back Wednesday!