Oil Sludge

[3 Series]

I bought a brand new 3 Series in sep 2005. It came with a 3 year service package. As I am a low mileage user, my car was only due for service ONCE since I bought the car. I have asked PML several times whether I need to service my car and each time the answer was "not due yet" now that the warranty is over, I found that my car has sludge problem and the repair cost is estimated at $7,500.

I am wondering whether anyone else faced a similar problem.

 

[niteblu]

Re: Oil Sludge

I bought a brand new 3 Series in sep 2005. It came with a 3 year service package. As I am a low mileage user, my car was only due for service ONCE since I bought the car. I have asked PML several times whether I need to service my car and each time the answer was "not due yet" now that the warranty is over, I found that my car has sludge problem and the repair cost is estimated at $7,500.

I am wondering whether anyone else faced a similar problem.

sorry to hear man.
that sounds like typical PML dicking their customers over.

What will they be changing/repairing for $7.5k?
That's a pretty massive estimation.

Are you paying for the CEO's new Murcielago?
You can almost do an engine swap for that price.

Take it down to R2D, in Unity Centre, Bukit Batok - let Rod give it a once over.
He might be able to give you a sensible 2nd opinion.


my 0.02c

 

[jinooi]

Re: Oil Sludge

+1

never believe what the PML boffins tell you - 'sealed for life' / service at 24k / etc...

PML stands for 'Pay Money Lah'... :angry:

$7.5k is a lot of money. to do what? to de-sludge the engine? ask them to give you an itemised list of what they intend to replace.

then go to rodney from R2D and ask his opinion.

sorry to hear man.
that sounds like typical PML dicking their customers over.

What will they be changing/repairing for $7.5k?
That's a pretty massive estimation.

Are you paying for the CEO's new Murcielago?
You can almost do an engine swap for that price.

Take it down to R2D, in Unity Centre, Bukit Batok - let Rod give it a once over.
He might be able to give you a sensible 2nd opinion.


my 0.02c

 

[3 Series]

Re: Oil Sludge

The lastes update on my problem.
PML says manufacturer agreed to pay for parts and 50% of labour cost. I still have to fork out $1,800..estimated. Still being plucked by them. But then again...do I have a choice?

 

[jinooi]

Re: Oil Sludge

haha...

rod is a specialist in e46 - he drives one...

go get a 2nd opinion from him. no harm since your car is no longer under warranty.

 

[3 Series]

Re: Oil Sludge

How do I contact Rod? Where is he located?

 

[jinooi]

Re: Oil Sludge

you've got PM.

 

[davidtch]

Re: Oil Sludge

In order to remove oil sludge, it could be as simple as replace ur current engine oil wif engine oil for diesel vehicle. Use it for 1 wk. Replace engine oil for diesel vehicle wif engine oilf for petrol vehicle.

Why engine oil for diesel vehicle? Because it got more cleaning agent.

That was done on a E36 325.

 

[niteblu]

Re: Oil Sludge

If it helps any.

My engine w/ about 110,000 km on it.
Was sludged up the wazoo - thanks probably to PML's servicing schedules.

It was so caked up that Rod (R2D) literally had to dig deep
To remove the layer after layer chocolate sludge cake.

He flushed it how he knows best. (trade secret - best go ask him )
And things have been running smooth since.

Felt like a detox session.
and my rumbling black beauty is happier for it.


.

 

[jinooi]

Re: Oil Sludge

haha, was trying to coax this testimonial out of you...

finally...

and did it cost you more than S$1k?

 

[3 Series]

Re: Oil Sludge

I also think the PML's service schedule is real screwed up. Then again it is the fault of the manufacturer to recommend this type of schedule and we have to pay for it.

 

[niteblu]

Re: Oil Sludge

haha, was trying to coax this testimonial out of you...
finally...

and did it cost you more than S$1k?

haha... hardly $1k
much less $7k...

which makes me wonder what PML wants to do
with the other $6-7k they've decided to bill him.


3 Series,

Please don't -
be taken in by their "we're magnanimous - giving you a HUGE discount" ploy.
It's standard stealership behaviour.
overprice by 10x - give >50% off, customer feels like they're king.

trust me, went through this several times over the 10 years
of owning an E46, serviced by PML.

Please do -
get a good 2nd opinion.
There're a few workshops listed in the sponsors section.
Sometimes good, sometimes bad. but usually better than PML on any given day.

I + Jin recc. R2D/Rodney cos he's got the knack for problem solving.
which sounds like it might come in useful for your case.



0.02c

 

[satinGHOST|r!der]

Re: Oil Sludge

I think if i remember correctly PML has altered the servicing schedule to 15,000KM now instead of 25,000km. I know it a big cock up on PMLs end cause many cars has been affected. My uncles 5 had the exact same problem and they had to remove the engine to clear our the sludge. I know PML has to remove the engine to do the oil sludge removal which is probably why it is so expensive. But then again, its stupid to go through all that just because the servicing schedule is not optimal, esp in our country where it is hot and the oil tends to cake up.

 

[jinooi]

Re: Oil Sludge

and another thing...

don't believe them when they tell you differential and gearbox is 'sealed for life'.

nothing lasts forever, especially when it's subjected to high temperatures and involves moving parts.

'sealed for life' means 'you-better-not-open-and-change-oil-until-we-tell-you-we-will-charge-you-an-arm-and-your-right-testicle-because-there's-something-wrong'.

oil change is much much cheaper than going to PML. much faster too. 2 weeks just for diagnosis? jeez!!!

 

[jinooi]

Re: Oil Sludge

for anyone who's curious about how your engine oil becomes sludge and why, here's an article for your reading, and also preventive measures...

Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible

have fun!

 

[phil]

Re: Oil Sludge

dont put deisel oil in it, no no no

U can get engine flush, Wynns make it, probably many others too.

 

[davidtch]

Re: Oil Sludge

dont put deisel oil in it, no no no

U can get engine flush, Wynns make it, probably many others too.

Phil, why noleh?

Wif diesel oil & lite drive 1 wk should help to clear it. Rite?

 

[jinooi]

Re: Oil Sludge

hehe... many many reasons why it's not suitable...

go read up in carbibles.com

 

[Deadkookaburra]

Re: Oil Sludge

may I ask what are the symptoms of your engine having oil sludge?

 

[davidtch]

Re: Oil Sludge

hehe... many many reasons why it's not suitable...

go read up in carbibles.com

I read b4 in this website. Chris says ok for old engine with an underline. So, i am not sure what he defines as old.

may I ask what are the symptoms of your engine having oil sludge?

Not my enginelah. It was used on a E36 325.