View Full Version : Hope It's Not Too Bad......


havnfun328
06-14-2005, 01:31 PM
Had a major breakdown with the Bimmer Sunday. :(

My wife was taking her boys up to bball camp in Lawrence, and half way between Topeka and Lawrence she said she heard a "pop", like a belt gave out. It started making a whining/squeeling noise and lost power. By the time she got to the shoulder, it was smelling and smoking.

I got up there a few hours later and looked it over. Still had all the coolant, and oil level was fine (although it was down a little from where it had been. Could be that it was on an incline). I could detect a"burnt" smell still. It looked ok to try and start, but it would barely crank.

Had it towed to Sunflower BMW in Topeka and came on home to Wichita. Called them Monday, and they they are so booked up that the said they could look at it "maybe by the end of the week". :mad

I found a guy who could bring it down here for $165, and it will be here this afternoon. Maurice at Bavarian Auto said he could look at it right away.

I really don't know what could have happened, although I'm preparing for the worst. If I'm lucky, some component like the alternator or AC seized and somehow didn't throw the belt (they looked ok). If not, it sounds to me like a major engine issue ($$$$$$$$$). It's really surprising, because this car has been absolutely bulletproof. Doesn't burn any oil, no problems at all. Guess I was due.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted.

tschmale
06-14-2005, 04:32 PM
smell like??? burnt rubber, brakes, etc

Manual or automatic transmission?

havnfun328
06-15-2005, 09:27 AM
Good news. :redspot

Got the car back to town yesterday, and Maurice looked at it right away. The A/C compressor (and clutch) had locked up. He cut the belt and it started right up. Wish I had known that Sunday, and I could have cut it and driven home.

I'll still be out a chunk of change to fix the A/C, but at least it's not a major engine fix. I'll be back in action soon!