A seized engine in a BMW X5 – how to fix it?

BMW driver question

Please let me know about the possibility of repairing the N63B44A engine (engine in the vehicle). The engine is most likely seized at the crankshaft. The injectors are also presumably to be replaced, as they are the most common cause of seizure.

The question was for a 2011 BMW X5 with the 5.0 engine, but it may also occur in other models.

BM Cars service response

The repair costs are completely unaffordable in relation to the value of the vehicle. In addition, the final costs are difficult to determine without disassembling the engine.

In this engine, cylinder liners were most often wiped out and compression was lost due to faulty injectors. Sometimes also to engine seizure. Technologically, this engine is very difficult to repair because:

• There are no cylinder liners in the block – it is a sputtered block. If damaged, the entire block is replaceable.
• If the crankshaft is damaged, the BMW headquarters does not provide repair dimensions.
• If the shaft is worn out, it is for replacement along with the pan.
• Injectors, also to be replaced.
• Pistons – very common damage caused by leaking injectors, which, after verification, may also be for replacement.

Due to the very high cost of original parts, the lack of proprietary replacements, the cost of a correct repair far exceeds the cost of buying a new engine.

The most cost-effective version of the repair is to replace the engine with another used one. In such cases, we suggest starting with a full diagnostics.

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