Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

BMW E46 head gasket. Dublin Recommendations?

  • 08-05-2012 8:55am
    #1
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭


    As above, looking for a good independent that's clean and tidy.


Comments

  • #2
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    What e46 is it?


  • #3
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    Only a 318ci thank god ;-) 1998cc 4 cylinder N42 engine.


  • #4
    ronaneire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭ronaneire


    Where in Dub?


  • #5
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    Anywhere inside the M50 ideally or a few miles outside if worth the journey.

    Want to get a good guy as I'll probably get a E93 next year so might as well find someone now ;)


  • #6
    ronaneire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭ronaneire


    cgarrad wrote: »
    Anywhere inside the M50 ideally or a few miles outside if worth the journey.

    Want to get a good guy as I'll probably get a E93 next year so might as well find someone now ;)

    So Kildare near Celbridge be too far out?


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    Make sure whoever you go to has all the correct engine specific tools required for the N42.


  • #8
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    ronaneire wrote: »
    So Kildare near Celbridge be too far out?

    Yeah, too far, thanks though ;-)


  • #9
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    Make sure whoever you go to has all the correct engine specific tools required for the N42.

    Exactly, don't want some who has never done one before giving it a try ;-)

    Are there special alignment tools or fasteners needed?


  • #10
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,216 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Chelmsford Motors ask for Gary, former lifelong BMW dealer mechanic owns chelmsford himself and knows everything about them. Hes looked over a few M3 s for me.


    Based in ranelagh, not sure if im allowed post contact numbers but google it and you will find.


  • #11
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    The N42 engine seems to be a nightmare to work on, first quote was €1200.


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,216 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    ouch, what work does that entail?

    prob better of replacing it.


  • #13
    George Dalton
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭George Dalton


    Send a PM to the Nissan Doctor, he should be able to help you out ;)


  • #14
    pred racer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,384 ✭✭✭pred racer


    ronaneire wrote: »
    So Kildare near Celbridge be too far out?

    +1 Mark Allen in Straffan is a bmw specialist.
    No problem reccomending him, pm if you want the number.


  • #15
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    listermint wrote: »
    ouch, what work does that entail?

    prob better of replacing it.

    Seemingly the timing gear has to be stripped as well, the N42 is a sh1te engine in more ways than one ;-)

    Its a shame as the engine is super smooth otherwise, it can be difficult to know if its on at idle!


  • #16
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    cgarrad wrote: »
    Exactly, don't want some who has never done one before giving it a try ;-)

    Are there special alignment tools or fasteners needed?



    There are timing alignment tools as well as tools for setting the valvetronic system on them.

    You should be able to get a HG repair done for less then €1200 IMO.


  • #17
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,216 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    cgarrad wrote: »
    Seemingly the timing gear has to be stripped as well, the N42 is a sh1te engine in more ways than one ;-)

    Its a shame as the engine is super smooth otherwise, it can be difficult to know if its on at idle!

    i would imagine the timing gear needs to be checked / replaced/ tightened if necessary for obvious reasons.


  • #18
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    pred racer wrote: »
    +1 Mark Allen in Straffan is a bmw specialist.
    No problem reccomending him, pm if you want the number.


    Thanks, got it here ;-)

    Good old boards.


  • #19
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    listermint wrote: »
    i would imagine the timing gear needs to be checked / replaced/ tightened if necessary for obvious reasons.



    When doing any major work on these I'd always change the chain tensioner for the upgraded part. It's not worth the risk and the upgraded part from BMW is very cheap.


  • #20
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    When doing any major work on these I'd always change the chain tensioner for the upgraded part. It's not worth the risk and the upgraded part from BMW is very cheap.

    Good tip thanks ;-)


  • #21
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    You should be able to get a HG repair done for less then €1200 IMO.

    BIG TIME :rolleyes:


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    cgarrad wrote: »
    BIG TIME :rolleyes:


    Well the last full N series cylinder head rebuild we did was €1400 with all new valves etc so you should be expecting around the €900-€1000 mark to have the head gasket done correctly.


  • #23
    cgarrad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭cgarrad


    €900 seems cheap after €1200 somehow ;-)

    I don't mind paying as long as its done right, I did a 1.5 Mitsubishi Colt myself a couple of years ago and it is a fiddly job that is easy to cut corners on.

    All the extra BMW valve gear along with the higher value of the car is telling me to get it done professionally.


  • #24
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    cgarrad wrote: »
    €900 seems cheap after €1200 somehow ;-)

    I don't mind paying as long as its done right, I did a 1.5 Mitsubishi Colt myself a couple of years ago and it is a fiddly job that is easy to cut corners on.

    All the extra BMW valve gear along with the higher value of the car is telling me to get it done professionally.


    The parts prices are higher for the BMW and also the likes of the inlet manifold and the head its self and much more labour intensive then many cars.

    Its also important that the cause of the HG failure is diagnosed.


Advertisement