WTF.... How bad is this ?

[drcrougeux]

Help.

While driving my 1991 318IC, there was a sudden, total loss of power.
Only sound I heard was a "whooosshh"....from the engine compartment.
Safely coasted to a stop. Checked the engine bay. No water, oil or
metal/rubber parts missing or laying around. Turned key. It cranked
over, but no start.. Had towed to friendly neighbor (retired mech-but
is not too familiar with ECU era stuff. He took a compression test
and reported there was 'no compression in any of the 4 cylinders'...
None !!!

What happened to my bimmer ? Any clues ? :shock:

many tks in advance...

[bichmgnt]

If it was a 325 I'd say it was the rubber timing belt but yours should be made of chain. Do the valves move? I find it hard to believe there is zero pressure even with a blown head gasket.

Steve

[drcrougeux]

THE SAGA CONTINUES....WTF

UPDATE.

The crankshaft is turning.
But there is no connection between the crankshaft & the engine/belting
system.

Again, no compression in any of the 4 cylinders. !!

Many mech/tech are astonished by this. So am I.

But the problem remains.... :evil:

Will someone, please jump in here, and provide some first aid...

This can not be such a rare occurrence

[mcgrath]

are your cams turning? if they aren't then you have a broken timing chain.

[drcrougeux]

UP-DATE.

ALLO.

The cams are turning.
t/chain is tight and seems to be all there. no metal parts laying
around.
How to loosen the t/chain ? what is the techquie to remove the t/chain ?
The Bentley book doesn't seem to cover my model. 91 318ic.

Still searching for clues for the problem. Then, i'll need some answers !!!

many, many tks so far.....

[nando]

buy a manual for an E36 318i.. basically the same motor, just different body. that should help you :)

[DaN]

Re: THE SAGA CONTINUES....WTF

UPDATE.

The crankshaft is turning.
But there is no connection between the crankshaft & the engine/belting
system.

Broken Crank?

[e30Matt]

Pull the plugs, shine a flashlight in there and make sure the pistons are moving. If not, maybe a broken crank? Seems extremely rare though.

[drcrougeux]

UP-DATE !

ALLO.

I don't know what happened, but here's the results...

ruined c/shaft sprocket
ruined t/chain
ruined chain guides (2)

Plus other parts/supplies as needed to restore/replace to driveable
condition. Maybe $500/700 .

Seems as if it could have been much worse....

For now, I have a diagnosis. next, the surgery, then recovery..

Many tks for the info...

[pig4bill]

How is it possible it didn't eat some valves? How can the cams be turning, as you said?

[drcrougeux]

SAGA CONTINUES....

ALLO, AGAIN.

YES. It did eat some valves.... 16 of 'em.
BTW. 8 of the valves cost 'round $ 48. each ...

This major detour is a expensive turn of events.

The better news is, that when finished, this blue beauty ought to
purr & humm. For way, many miles .

many 10-q's.

Later.

[hamann318is]

buy a manual for an E36 318i.. basically the same motor, just different body. that should help you :)

Close, but not quite. There is a lot different between the two M42s. However, I would still recommend the E36 Bentley book.