Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 As it says. I have an automotive problem, or rather my son has. His car has suddenly developed camshaft wear and the mechanic in the French garage where he took it whilst on holiday in France to investigate an increasing rattle dipped his fingers in the oil in the cam chamber and uttered "Theese oil, it is sheet, n'est pas?". Now I know that oil testing involves more than a grubby finger to be dipped in it, but although the workshop that did his last oil service is certain that the correct oil was used, is there a chance that it was a cheap fake passed off to unsuspecting garages by an unscrupulous supplier. Quote
peterg Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 Most dealer workshops are supplied their oil in bulk from a large tanker which pumps it into a storage tank 'out the back', the tanker would be delivering to several workshops in the same area so this could potentially affect dozens of cars across many garages... I suppose it's possible that the tanker was filled with the wrong kind of oil at the depot but as I said this would probably affect more than one workshop. Depending on how busy the workshop I would think all the suspect oil could have been used by now so it'd be difficult to trace it and get it tested to ensure the spec was correct at the time your son's car was serviced. If the servicing garage are sure the right oil was used then I guess it's down to other possibilities like the car was run for long periods in high heat conditions and the oil has broken down or maybe the cams/followers have just started to fail and the Frenchman is being, well French Quote
GreigM Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 and the Frenchman is being, well French This would be my guess.....had some very bad experiences with garages in France, in my experience you need to be very wary - in our case they were found to be causing the issues (punctures) they were coming to our rescue for Quote
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted August 11, 2011 Author Posted August 11, 2011 The oil is Castrol Edge 10/60 and is only c.5000 miles old. It is bought in 4l containers because the garage in question (no names so they won't think I'm blaming them - they are highly recommended for the marque) is small and a bulk lot of the stuff costs a big wad of dosh at a time. The engine (an S54 'M-Power' 3.2 litre) is <50,000 old. All a bit of a mystery really. We'll take an oil sample when he gets it back here - he's not getting it sorted in France, there's not enough money in the world for that! It has been suggested that it can be driven home gently with an ear cocked for deterioration in noise. I had assumed it was a Vanos bolt loosening issue - quite common before 2007 apparently, but M. Mechanique says "non!" I do agree that the Frenchman was being very French though He even did the hissing indrawn breath through the teeth! Quote
Arm Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 I doubt an oil chemist could tell if the oil was any good by looking at it and rubbing between his fingers. Quote
jeff oakley Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 It would be very strange if it was conterfited oil but in this day and age anything of high value is open for criminality. If it was a typical French mechanic they tend to be older who are used to nice thick 20/50 which a modern oil like egde is not. I have never known oil cause failure in normal road cars, it more likely filtration, pressure problem etc, Quote
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted August 11, 2011 Author Posted August 11, 2011 It would be very strange if it was conterfited oil but in this day and age anything of high value is open for criminality.If it was a typical French mechanic they tend to be older who are used to nice thick 20/50 which a modern oil like egde is not. I have never known oil cause failure in normal road cars, it more likely filtration, pressure problem etc, Since starting this thread I have spoken to Opie Oils who always seem to be happy to help we petrol heads with advice. Their chap said that there is counterfeit oil out there, although he hasn't personally come across it. He also agreed that it would be a major brand and a premium grade to make the exercise worth while. I shall draw a sample when I get a chance and see if it can be tested. Opie's man said that nobody would be willing to say for sure what oil it is but a lab will be able to say what oil it isn't. The French workshop was in an accredited BMW dealership and when asked if they were an 'M-Power' workshop the reply was "Bien sûr" The local BMW independent that did the Inspection 2 service was baffled when I 'phoned him about it, and his only thought was some form of oil starvation to the lubrication spray system to the cam lobes. However, having trawled the owners' forum it seems that tappety noises that occur suddenly and that baffle BMW mechanics are not unknown of S54 engines. We'll see when the car gets back here... Quote
pete g Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 Castrol never liked the stuff and would put it in my car if it was free Quote
blankczechbook Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 sounds really thick stuff.. ie for african driving or race temps... is it really suited for std temp driving? am asking this cos i don't know beemers and their quirks. Quote
peterg Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 from BMW Service Information Bulletin 11 06 01, October 2001BMW has changed their engine-oil recommendation for all M cars equipped with the new S54 engine (E46 M3 coupe and convertible, 2001-on M coupe and M roadster) from the previous BMW High Performance Synthetic 5W-30 engine oil (made by Castrol), pn 07 51 0 017 866 (1 quart), to Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil (previously known as Castrol Formula RS 10W-60. . . the oil is the same, only the name has changed) pn 07 51 0 009 420 (1 liter). Presently, BMW recommends Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W-60 for all S54-equipped M-cars as well as all S62-equipped M5s and Z8s produced after 3/00, the factory recommends BMW High Performance Synthetic 5W-30 engine oil. The oil change interval of approximately 15,000 miles or once a year remains unchanged. Quote
blankczechbook Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 that is one hell of a jump in spec change !! Quote
jeff oakley Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 We deal with Castrol and their technical centre is in the Reading area. I will make a call or two and see if they have come across any counterfiting and see what they know of the spec change. That is a big change in spec if it is true. Quote
oldman Posted August 11, 2011 Posted August 11, 2011 Once drunk a pint of Castrol 4x.....It wos sheet Quote
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted August 12, 2011 Author Posted August 12, 2011 We deal with Castrol and their technical centre is in the Reading area. I will make a call or two and see if they have come across any counterfiting and see what they know of the spec change. That is a big change in spec if it is true. Jeff, That would be very useful, thanks. I am hoping to take a sample from the car when I get it here and perhaps send it to be analysed to eliminate the possibility of a quality rather than quantity issue. Quote
Doug Dastardly Posted August 29, 2011 Posted August 29, 2011 Hi M.O.T.C.O. Any update on this? I have a vested interest as a M3 owner. Doug Quote
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