XSeries-forum

Unhealthy noise from E53 184hp, 180,000 miles. Definetly from front of engine. Found a slither of metal on dipstick.
Have a video but looks like we can't post a video. 

[quote="kennyfin73"]
Unhealthy noise from E53 184hp, 180,000 miles. Definetly from front of engine. Found a slither of metal on dipstick.
Have a video but looks like we can't post a video.
[/quote]
Sorry to hear of your woes, metal particles in the oil wherever they are from sounds to be an uneconomical repair considering the mileage and age of the car.
The 3.0d straight six engine is a strong hardy motor, but failures do happen.

You can post a link to it if you put the video on line.

Really sorry to read this and unfortunately and as above, metal particles in the oil is serious and needs urgent investigation but given the mileage may not be economical.

It could be top or bottom bearing shells, oil pump, timing chain/gear, sprocket wear, a bore problem, cracked piston, camshaft problem, the list goes on.  Get the oil out and the filter apart and see just how much metal there is.  Worth checking it for magnetism too (as in the bits are steel/iron).

The failing part may be cheap but it is the identifying it and getting to it that costs.

My feelings too, it has seen its day I guess. My mechanic saying similar things, have to investigate first and before you know it you have spent a few hundred just to get there. Will sell up for repair or spares I think. Am based in Spain and its uncanny how much these old X5's go for.

180k...
She has done well.

It is not hard to find a reasonable complete engine, swap EVERY electrical part that is coded to the engine...
this may be just the injectors... but some one here will know which bits to leave or swap.

I'd imagine you could get a reasonable complete engine for £500 or so/ on ebay, but only viable if you do the job yourself.

Sold it last week to a bloke for €1500 who has now re-advertised it for €6500  !!!
He reckons he has changed the chain, as of course I had to ask him!