BMW X4 Oil Warning & Knocking: Fix or Engine Swap Ahead?

Hey there! Had the exact same issue with my 2011 BMW X3 last year. The oil pressure warning and engine knock turned out to be a failing oil pump. The pump wasn't delivering proper pressure to lubricate the engine components, which caused that knocking sound you're describing. This is definitely a serious issue that needs immediate attention. When it happened to my X3, I stopped driving it right away and had it towed to the garage. The mechanic found metal shavings in the oil, indicating some engine bearing damage had already started. The repair involved replacing the oil pump, cleaning out the oil passages, and checking for any additional damage to the bearings. My advice is to avoid driving the car until it's fixed, as continued operation can lead to catastrophic engine failure. When talking to mechanics, ask them to: Show you the oil pressure test readings, Check for metal particles in the oil, Inspect the oil pump drive chain, Look at the condition of the bearings Hope this helps with your decision-making.

Hey, thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's exactly what I was worried about with my X4. Really helpful to know about the oil pump being the culprit in your case. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Really appreciate the tips about what to ask the mechanic. Definitely gonna use those when I take it in.

Hey again! Glad to give you an update, I just got my X3 back from the shop last week after dealing with that oil pressure problem I mentioned earlier. Total bill came to 755 € for the oil pump replacement. Money well spent though, because the car's running like a dream now! That annoying warning light is gone and the engine's super quiet, no more of that scary knocking sound. You know what's funny? I was just as worried as you when this first happened, but once they fixed that faulty oil pump, everything went back to normal. Haven't had a single problem since. The engine's running smoother than it has in ages, honestly. Just remembered another thing, make sure they do a proper oil flush after fixing the pump. My mechanic did that and explained it helps clear out any leftover metal bits that might be floating around in there. Definitely worth asking about when you take yours in. Really hope this helps give you an idea of what you're looking at cost-wise. Keep us posted on how it goes with your X4!

Thanks for all that detailed info about your repair cost and the oil flush tip! I actually just got back from the mechanic yesterday, and what a relief! Turns out you were spot on, it was the oil pump causing all the trouble. Got it fixed right away since I didn't want to risk any engine damage. The mechanic I found was really thorough and showed me exactly what was wrong. He did everything you mentioned, checked the pressure readings, looked for metal bits in the oil, the whole deal. The repair hit my wallet pretty hard at about 800€, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The engine's running super smooth now, no more scary warning lights or weird noises. They did that oil flush you talked about too, which definitely seems to have helped. Just took it for a proper drive today and it feels like I've got a different car! Really glad I didn't wait any longer to get it fixed. Thanks again for all your help, definitely made me feel more confident about handling the whole situation!