No Oil in Cylinders! No Compression! Help!

Heatheross

Heatheross

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Jan 14, 2021
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Hello Everyone! I am a brand new member, and I need some help diagnosing an issue with my motor; I do not want to have the same problem again, so your input is greatly appreciated! I have a '99, Z3, 2.5L, Auto. The other morning, my motor would not start; when I had turned the key, it had only made a 'whining' sound; NO clicking, so it had not been the starter, and it is not the battery The spark plugs have about 6K miles on them. My mechanic had determined that everything under the hood is working properly. But, when he had pulled out the spark plugs and coils, he had found that EACH CYLINDER had been COMPLETELY DRAINED OF OIL! And, there had been ABSOLUTELY NO COMPRESSION! So, he had poured oil into each cylinder, let the car sit overnight, and it had started the next morning.

So, my questions are:
1. Why had all of the oil leaked out of the cylinders?
2. Why had there been no compression?
3. What can I do to ensure this does not happen again???
4. Do I need new rings? I beg of you, PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME THAT I NEED NEW RINGS, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, I WILL SHOOT MYSELF BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A REPAIR! Okay, Okay..., back to my other reality; if I DO need new rings, please tell me so I KNOW HOW TO BEST PROCEED. But, if you do tell me this, I swear I am going to shoot myself. Even though I am not.

Okay, thank you very, very much for all of your help!!! ~Heather
 
Heatheross said:
Hello Everyone! I am a brand new member, and I need some help diagnosing an issue with my motor; I do not want to have the same problem again, so your input is greatly appreciated! I have a '99, Z3, 2.5L, Auto. The other morning, my motor would not start; when I had turned the key, it had only made a 'whining' sound; NO clicking, so it had not been the starter, and it is not the battery The spark plugs have about 6K miles on them. My mechanic had determined that everything under the hood is working properly. But, when he had pulled out the spark plugs and coils, he had found that EACH CYLINDER had been COMPLETELY DRAINED OF OIL! And, there had been ABSOLUTELY NO COMPRESSION! So, he had poured oil into each cylinder, let the car sit overnight, and it had started the next morning.

So, my questions are:
1. Why had all of the oil leaked out of the cylinders?
2. Why had there been no compression?
3. What can I do to ensure this does not happen again???
4. Do I need new rings? I beg of you, PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME THAT I NEED NEW RINGS, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, I WILL SHOOT MYSELF BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A REPAIR! Okay, Okay..., back to my other reality; if I DO need new rings, please tell me so I KNOW HOW TO BEST PROCEED. But, if you do tell me this, I swear I am going to shoot myself. Even though I am not.

Okay, thank you very, very much for all of your help!!! ~Heather
Click to expand...
OK I think you have the sequence of events a bit mixed up.
I'm guessing, and this is a guess, your mechanic following a compression test (which showed low compression) has decided there is a ring issue, by pouring a dissolving liquid into the cylinders he was hoping to un-gum the oil and compression rings and it sounds as if he somewhat succeeded. In the UK the 2.2 6 cylinder Z3 can have issues with excessive oil consumption due to gummed up rings usually triggered by lack of use and short journeys, a really long journey can improve them, maybe the 2.5 is the same. I would recommend a good long journey, and driving the car a bit harder than normal. But first get some good advice from a BMW trained mechanic.

Of course you could need new rings! (dont shoot yourself!! get advice from a really good BMW independent garage)
 
If he got it started after soaking the cylinders with oil to loosen up any sticking piston rings it may have had affecting the comprssion I would put some upper cylinder cleaning addative in the fuel tank and give it a good run to let that clean up the cylinders and rings of any gummy deposits that may have built up over time. Loads of products out there, example here https://www.amazon.co.uk/treatment-cylinder-Lubricant-Injector-Cleaner/dp/B00PBAAZJA
I would also double check the starter motor, make sure all connections on it are clean and tight, these often fail without much warning, just had that on my Z4, no warning it was going to fail, went out to start it and absolutely nothing when key turned, it did spring back to life after a few taps with a hammer but finally gave up for good after a few test starts. Replaced with a recon unit which restored starting to first turn of the key.
 
My Z4 starter failed in exactly the same way as Colin‘s did, no hint of impending failure, it simply stopped working. Has your car a good history of oil and filter changes and is the oil up to level?

1. The cylinders do not actually have oil in them, they have a light covering of oil on their surface.
2. The compression was reduced likely due to the piston rings being ”stuck” in the grooves and therefore not sealing properly.
3. As suggested get some upper cylinder lubricant and use as described on the container and hope it works to “free” the piston rings.
4. No answer here until you try no.3.

I would also check the coolant level and fan operation to ensure the motor hasn’t been running excessively hot too.

Tony.

ps. Where are you located please?
 
Hi Heather :welcome: from North Yorkshire. Hope you get things sorted without too many problems or expense!

Sue & Ian. :rally:
 
Had same sort of problem with my e39 v8...........started up and moved to do some repairs......didn't start after repairs done(next day) car turned over but no compression...........ex BMW guy who works for RAC came out.......started in five mins.........engine floods due to short running, breaks down oil around piston rings, causing no compression............put car battery on booster and cranked engine with foot on throttle peddle until it started.
Just an idea!
 
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