I was way down a Youtube rabbit hole... and found this video.


Starting the engine without the oil pan in... isn't this an absolutely horrible idea? (even if the engine is already damaged) Or is this even appropriate to diagnose something like this.

I changed rod bearings on an e92 M3 and I would have never imagined starting the engine with the oil pan off.

 

Sure seems like a bad idea! Unless somehow they are feeding oil through the pickup tube to get some pressure, even then I have lots of doubts!

 

Even if they have an external pick up tube, the engine still relies on splash oiling.

 

That too, I watched it again and could see very clearly in the first 15 seconds of so that the oil pickup is just floating in the air, so no lubrication at all...he thought he had rod knock before...just wait.

 

I don't even have words for that.......

 

If that engine wasn't already toast, it is now.