Big engine problem r53?

[piggly]

Hi I bought a used r53 7 months ago after owning a new r56 for a couple of years. It's done 100 000 km or 60 000 miles and is stock other than an alta cai.

Today after running fine for 20 minutes I felt a jolt as I was driving and the eml light and engine light came on plus I lost all power, however the engine kept running in what I assume some kind of limp mode. ( I had enough power to drive at about 10kmph). As I was pulling over a burning smell entered the cabin and the engine sounded very rough.

The water temp was fine, and there was oil on the dipstick and the serpentine belt was ok. There is no sign of any obvious problems under the hood. I haven't restarted it yet as I don't want cause further damage.

My question is does this sound mechanical or electrical. The jolt concerns me and the burning smell. What could it be? Big $$$$

[tnoy66]

Are all the spark plugs still fastened in tight?
Its not unknown for 1 to come out and the thread need repairing

[piggly]

The spark plugs all seem ok. There was a wiff of smoke when I lifted the hood from down the back of the engine block?

[The Nun]

Power steering still working?

[piggly]

Yep power steer ok.

[tnoy66]

Quote: Originally Posted by piggly (original)

There was a wiff of smoke when I lifted the hood from down the back of the engine block?

Left or right as you look at the engine?

Trying to think of quick things to check....
Have you taken oil filler cap off to see if oil and water has mixed at all?
Any oil/fluids dripping underneath?

[Acallahan]

Check your crank pulley, bet it fell apart. very common problem and your symptoms point to it.

[piggly]

Ok thanks I'll check it out

[deadinamerica]

eml light is your throttle

[piggly]

No fluids etc leaking. taking it to a mechanic tomorrow.

[The Nun]

If you notice it was smoking and it was definitely a burning type of smoke as opposed to a fluid/water drying off I would expect maybe a sensor wire has bared through rubbing on something and shorted it out, hence now its not sensing and the cars got into emergency mode?

[mab01uk]

Power steering pump is down the back of engine and not unheard of to start smoking burning, cable/power connector shorting, smell would be more electrical like melting plastic, etc.......can send the electrics into meltdown and affect many other things intermittently. If so don't ignore as a fire can result if battery is left connected while unattended!

[piggly]

It was the harmonic balancer. The rubber part had completely sheared and was in bits and as result also ruined the tensioner assembly. Not happy - would point to crappy part quality. Apparently it's quite common and BMW keep the parts in stock so there was no delay. Plenty of $$$ later and it's all fine!

[The Nun]

Harmony restored, good.