My brother in law asked me to have a look at his M reg BMW 320 as its a 'bit rattly'

It tool 4.5 litres of oil to fill it back to the full line, I suspect that it had less than 2 litres in it !

What do you think the outcome will be, tappets seem to be pretty noisy and its flat as a fart.

And he didnt pay me for the oil, git.

 

Did the service lights say it needed an oil service. It isn't just a case of putting oil in.

Tell him to take it down to a specialist.

 

Er, no, didnt notice the service lights, the sound of rattling tappets alerted me instead, I think a specialist would have said the same if the dipstick was completely dry.\

The "Ultimate Driving Machine" (ahem) will do exactly the same as an old Talbot Horizon if it has no oil. I was after an experienced view of whether he has got away with it or whether the motor will get worse. Its done 94k (95 M reg) and sounds like an old Granada about to take to the banger track.

 

If the service lights had come on at all, they'd still be on now, regardless of how much oil you had put in.

RE the tappet noise, they do have a habit of wearing the cams out, this would affect performance too. Take the oil filler cap off and look at the cam lobe, it should be smooth accross the top... no wear ridges.

Failing that, run an oil flush through it and change the oil and filter.

If all that fails, it's fooked

 

maybe the 'git' as you mentioned knew the car needed oil and he left it to you, in order avoid paying for the oil.
Nice One!! shame i can't do it to my girlfriend(she doesn't know sh*t about cars).

 

The older non-VANOS BMW sixes can get to sound cammy or tappety anyway when they get a few miles on them. If it's been running that low on oil for longer than a few days it's most likely buggered the top end: could be worn cam bearings, worn followers or even worn through the hardening on the cam face.

It sounds like it needs a cash injection ...

 

Still no money or a phone call to say thanks !

Hope it costs him a wad !