BMW 3 series - head gasket

Bob_dole

Hi folks

Hoping someone might be able to help me out here.

Basically my 2004 BMW 3 series was over heating recently and when I took it to my local mechanic he said it was the head gasket is gone, and will cost 1500 - 2000 eur to fix... Seems expensive :eek:

For now they replaced some tank which has now stopped the engine management light from appearing on the dash as well as the temp gauge is no longer appearing to be heating.

The car appears to be running perfectly after the tank was replaced but Mechanic still warned me that this was only a part fix and the car will only drive for 20 miles before the pressure will cause the engine to go if driven more than 20 miles unless the head gasket is fixed.

I haven't really driven the car since in fear, except for popping to the shop once.

Does that sound correct to you and that the head gasket defo needs to be fixed?

If so is there anyone in the Cork area that can do it for less than the 1500 eur I have already been quoted by our local mechanic?


Thanks in advance!

bmstuff

Bob_dole wrote: »

Hi folks

Hoping someone might be able to help me out here.

Basically my 2004 BMW 3 series was over heating recently and when I took it to my local mechanic he said it was the head gasket is gone, and will cost 1500 - 2000 eur to fix... Seems expensive :eek:

For now they replaced some tank which has now stopped the engine management light from appearing on the dash as well as the temp gauge is no longer appearing to be heating.

The car appears to be running perfectly after the tank was replaced but Mechanic still warned me that this was only a part fix and the car will only drive for 20 miles before the pressure will cause the engine to go if driven more than 20 miles unless the head gasket is fixed.

I haven't really driven the car since in fear, except for popping to the shop once.

Does that sound correct to you and that the head gasket defo needs to be fixed?

If so is there anyone in the Cork area that can do it for less than the 1500 eur I have already been quoted by our local mechanic?


Thanks in advance!

This mechanic is a thief and his trying to do you big time.
New OEM head gasket from the dealer: 50 euros.
Head skimming: 50 euros

Taking the head out: 1.5-3 hours
Putting everything together: 1.5-3 hours
Putting coolant back/bleeding/etc: 1 hour

Even if you mechanic takes 100 euros per hour, which would be a lot for a non dealer, more like 50-60 euros usually, we are talking 5 to 7 hours work, 500 to 700 euros + parts = 800 euros top.

But realistically, it is going to be more like 500-600 euros from a honest mechanic.

Bob_dole

Thanks very much bmstuff.. You don't by any chance know if any decent mechanic in the cork area?

Bigus

Go for a longer drive first to see if the problem is still there.

Don't over do and roast it altogether though.

Bring a large container of water in case and if it over heats stop for 20 mins to let it cool and top up with water, don't scald yourself.

You might get away with the current fix , if its not overheating after 40 mins driving it'll go forever.

Bob_dole

Thanks bigus, actually took it for a drive there this morning to see if the prob was there, I drove for around 45 mins and no probs, in fact car feels like she's running better than she has in a long time! I just have my doubts that the head gasket does need to be replaced.

Bigus

Bob_dole wrote: »

Thanks bigus, actually took it for a drive there this morning to see if the prob was there, I drove for around 45 mins and no probs, in fact car feels like she's running better than she has in a long time! I just have my doubts that the head gasket does need to be replaced.

Looking good so , just keep an eye on coolant levels and oil level, too much oil being a sign that coolant is getting in to it.

No need for HG yet so.

enumbers

Sorry but I see no mention of what engine is in the car if its the 1.8 petrol a complete headset is E200 minimum , 6-7 hours to remove a head including disassembly, re build and refit , I'd happily farm my work out to someone who would do it correctly in that time. Also more than likely it will need the chain guides replaced as they are either already broken or so brittle that they not last long. Also vanos units are extremely troublesome if it is the 1.8

Bob_dole

Yep enumbers it us a 1.8 petrol I'm afraid

enumbers

Keep a eye on the coolant level if its still dropping the coolant system needs to be pressure tested. There is a plastic cover on the back of the head which can leak and is hard to spot. cover is cheap from bmw but is a bit awkward to fit.

the culture of deference

Have you checked any of the coolant pipes for leaks. There is a plastic front thermostat housing on these under the radiator that can fail, and lose your coolant over a long period of time.

Cerco

Op, is the coolant level still dropping since you had the expansion tank replaced?

This is very easy to check. (make sure the engine is cold before doing so. I'm sure you know this already).

If it is loosing coolant then it of course there is a leak but not necessarily caused by the head gasket. I would advise you to get a second opinion including a compression test.

the culture of deference

Cerco wrote: »

Op, is the coolant level still dropping since you had the expansion tank replaced?

This is very easy to check. (make sure the engine is cold before doing so. I'm sure you know this already).

If it is loosing coolant then it of course there is a leak but not necessarily caused by the head gasket. I would advise you to get a second opinion including a compression test.

You would know if it was the head, the car would be stuttering, and the power delivery would be like you were on 2-3 cylinders.

Avns1s

the culture of deference wrote: »

You would know if it was the head, the car would be stuttering, and the power delivery would be like you were on 2-3 cylinders.

That is not necesssarily the case. All depends on where the head gasket is gone and how badly it's gone.

Bob_dole

Thanks guys for the useful advice.

The stick in the coolant hasn't really dropped yet which is a good sign I guess.. But that could be down to a little trick I was shown... Basically open the coolant lid then simultaneously squeeze the thick pipe in the bonnet so the stick will rise (bit like a balloon).. Was told this will allow the car to drive for 20 miles before going... No probs thus far thankfully.

Has anyone come across this trick before?

To be honest I'm looking to see the car anyway but want to be sure it is 100% ok before selling it to anyone, and get it repaired I'd needs be.

GTDolanator

Bob_dole wrote: »

Thanks guys for the useful advice.

The stick in the coolant hasn't really dropped yet which is a good sign I guess.. But that could be down to a little trick I was shown... Basically open the coolant lid then simultaneously squeeze the thick pipe in the bonnet so the stick will rise (bit like a balloon).. Was told this will allow the car to drive for 20 miles before going... No probs thus far thankfully.

Has anyone come across this trick before?

To be honest I'm looking to see the car anyway but want to be sure it is 100% ok before selling it to anyone, and get it repaired I'd needs be.

sorry,what?

Bob_dole

I never heard of this being done either until shown there recently.

ValerieR

Bob_dole wrote: »

But that could be down to a little trick I was shown... Basically open the coolant lid then simultaneously squeeze the thick pipe in the bonnet so the stick will rise (bit like a balloon).. Was told this will allow the car to drive for 20 miles before going... No probs thus far thankfully.

Has anyone come across this trick before?

ROFL ... I'd change mechanic if I were you !!!

delly

Mother of God, can someone point out a good mechanic in Cork for the op? The sooner it gets an honesty evaluation, the better.

BorneTobyWilde

Change water pump
Does it have water pump with plastic fins,
If so likely the water pump,
Cheap easy repair, Stop driving, Fit water pump first,
Take it from there

L-M

bmstuff wrote: »

This mechanic is a thief and his trying to do you big time.
New OEM head gasket from the dealer: 50 euros.
Head skimming: 50 euros

Taking the head out: 1.5-3 hours
Putting everything together: 1.5-3 hours
Putting coolant back/bleeding/etc: 1 hour

Even if you mechanic takes 100 euros per hour, which would be a lot for a non dealer, more like 50-60 euros usually, we are talking 5 to 7 hours work, 500 to 700 euros + parts = 800 euros top.

But realistically, it is going to be more like 500-600 euros from a honest mechanic.

If you can get someone to do a headgasket and fix the associated problems on a 1.8 E46 for €800 I say fair play to you.

Leonard Hofstadter

delly wrote: »

Mother of God, can someone point out a good mechanic in Cork for the op? The sooner it gets an honesty evaluation, the better.

Try Ardfallen motorcare OP, they're in Ballycurreen Industrial Estate.

432 2999 is the number. It's either the boss or someone else high up in there that is a former BMW mechanic, I can't remember at this stage.

Also there is supposed to be some BMW specialist on the Monahan Road (near the CAB garage), but I don't know anything about him.

johnayo

captainspeed wrote: »

Try Ardfallen motorcare OP, they're in Ballycurreen Industrial Estate.

432 2999 is the number. It's either the boss or someone else high up in there that is a former BMW mechanic, I can't remember at this stage.

Also there is supposed to be some BMW specialist on the Monahan Road (near the CAB garage), but I don't know anything about him.

Steve Murphy is the guy on the Monahan rd. I thought I saw a post on here recommending him earlier in the thread.

bmstuff

Limerick man wrote: »

If you can get someone to do a headgasket and fix the associated problems on a 1.8 E46 for €800 I say fair play to you.

What's wrong with my figures?

enumbers

As I said if you get a headgasket done correctly on this engine in 6-7 hours ill happily pass on my work to you, This is a 12-13 hr job to do correctly. your price of 50 euro for a headgasket for a start a complete headset in a quality brand is 200

Tommyboy40

MMW 021 4322 122
Or
Des Golden 021 4867 888

BMW 4 pots are notorious for overheating issues. If your hg is gone you would expect to find a creamy goo on your filler cap. these engines are even difficult to bleed if they are airlocked. I ended up replacinf stat, pump, rad, fan clutch and a stupid little plastic connector at the rear of the head. I was quoted €1500 to €2000 for a hg job, it's a pain

bmstuff

enumbers wrote: »

As I said if you get a headgasket done correctly on this engine in 6-7 hours ill happily pass on my work to you, This is a 12-13 hr job to do correctly. your price of 50 euro for a headgasket for a start a complete headset in a quality brand is 200

If it takes you 13 hours to do a job like that, then there is something wrong.
I just mentioned one part as an example, I am not providing a full quotation, yeah a head gasket would cost 50 quids more or less, yeah a complete headset would be double from Victor Reinz for instance. Again if you are a professional and are paying 200 quids for for a complete set for a 4 pots, there is something wrong.

bmstuff

Tommyboy40 wrote: »

MMW 021 4322 122
Or
Des Golden 021 4867 888

BMW 4 pots are notorious for overheating issues. If your hg is gone you would expect to find a creamy goo on your filler cap. these engines are even difficult to bleed if they are airlocked. I ended up replacinf stat, pump, rad, fan clutch and a stupid little plastic connector at the rear of the head. I was quoted €1500 to €2000 for a hg job, it's a pain

Nothing to do with being a BMW 4 pots. Many BMW and other brand's cooling systems do fail eventually. BMW engines are producing lots of heat and cooling parts are only good for a few years.

DAZP93

Bob_dole wrote: »

Hi folks

Hoping someone might be able to help me out here.

Basically my 2004 BMW 3 series was over heating recently and when I took it to my local mechanic he said it was the head gasket is gone, and will cost 1500 - 2000 eur to fix... Seems expensive :eek:

For now they replaced some tank which has now stopped the engine management light from appearing on the dash as well as the temp gauge is no longer appearing to be heating.

The car appears to be running perfectly after the tank was replaced but Mechanic still warned me that this was only a part fix and the car will only drive for 20 miles before the pressure will cause the engine to go if driven more than 20 miles unless the head gasket is fixed.

I haven't really driven the car since in fear, except for popping to the shop once.

Does that sound correct to you and that the head gasket defo needs to be fixed?

If so is there anyone in the Cork area that can do it for less than the 1500 eur I have already been quoted by our local mechanic?


Thanks in advance!

Open your expansion bottle (coolant) if there's foam in it your head gasket is leaking..if not continue driving your car as normal..you may also see some blue smoke from the exhaust but sounds like your doing okay to me..:-)

Nissan doctor

bmstuff wrote: »

What's wrong with my figures?

You've priced only a head gasket, not a complete headset. You also haven't priced for replacement head bolts.

You also quoted for a head skim but not a pressure test.

The book time for remove and refit of the cylinder head is just under 8 hours and required engine specific timing tools.

All the ones I have done in the past have come in at close to the grand mark which normally includes replacing the chain tensioner with the upgraded BMW part.

Nissan doctor

DAZP93 wrote: »

Open your expansion bottle (coolant) if there's foam in it your head gasket is leaking..if not continue driving your car as normal..you may also see some blue smoke from the exhaust but sounds like your doing okay to me..:-)

There won't always be foam/sludge etc in the coolant if the head gasket is gone and there will never be blue smoke.

Tommyboy40

bmstuff wrote: »

Nothing to do with being a BMW 4 pots. Many BMW and other brand's cooling systems do fail eventually. BMW engines are producing lots of heat and cooling parts are only good for a few years.

The cooling issues of the M43 and derivative engines are well known, giving lie to the notion of BMW reliability. All engines produce a lot of heat and don't break down. Op would be better to take the car to a decent mechanic. Des golden does both mine and i would recommend him. Get it sorted asap as whether it's cooling or hg you'd rather know. Generally when it overheats once your problems are compounded by airlocks making it more difficult for the not mechanically minded.

Leonard Hofstadter

Tommyboy40 wrote: »

The cooling issues of the M43 and derivative engines are well known, giving lie to the notion of BMW reliability.

To be fair, anyone who knows anything about cars knows that the key to keeping the majority of BMWs reliable is preventative maintenance.

The vast majority of BMWs suffer from overheating problems because BMW uses plastic impellers in the water pump, premium engineering my behind. But if you overhaul the cooling system before 100k miles you won't have a problem. Similarly the turbos are usually OK if they're serviced on time and things like the PCV are changed on time.

I suppose the problem really is that sometimes BMW do totally c0ck up with their designs, like the timing chain on the N47 (and N57), the swirl flaps, the Nikasil problem in the mid 90s etc etc. No amount of maintenance can prevent these problems from happening apart from the swirl flaps one.

Bob_dole

I called Steve Murphy on Monahan road today and to be fair he seems fairly confident when it comes to BMWs. He said by the sounds of it that it is very unlikely the HG has gone, esp with a 04 3 series. So for peace of mind I have the car booked in with him to get a second opinion, 60 eur and he'l run the pressure tests etc.
Thanks guys for all the useful advice and recommendations.

Bob_dole

Just to let you all know Steve Murphy in Cork had a look at her and said it wasnt the HG at all, just a small plate somewhere that needed replacing... Plate cost eur 13.00!!
He ran all re pressure tests etc which is when he noticed the leak and replaced this plate.
He said he hasn't seen a HG go in one if those cars in a long long time, so hopefully she's sorted now.. A lot better than paying 1500 to 2000!
Thanks again all for your help!

BorneTobyWilde

Bob_dole wrote: »

Just to let you all know Steve Murphy in Cork had a look at her and said it wasnt the HG at all, just a small plate somewhere that needed replacing... Plate cost eur 13.00!!
He ran all re pressure tests etc which is when he noticed the leak and replaced this plate.
He said he hasn't seen a HG go in one if those cars in a long long time, so hopefully she's sorted now.. A lot better than paying 1500 to 2000!
Thanks again all for your help!

Did you not mention water pump,
I'd fit a new one either way,
Could be failing soon, As they do
So get one fitted,//

unkel

Bob_dole wrote: »

Just to let you all know Steve Murphy in Cork had a look at her and said it wasnt the HG at all, just a small plate somewhere that needed replacing... Plate cost eur 13.00!!

Good stuff, glad you got sorted! Disgusts me when people are incorrectly informed by so called qualified mechanics that there's HGF :mad:

My Rover 75 overheated once (out of the blue). Had a mechanic in a (former) main Rover dealer look at my oil, sniff my coolant and deduced it was HGF (quoted €1,500)

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Car didn't overheat again. Did some research myself found some owners had reported issues with the coolant temperature sensor reading incorrectly. Bought a new sensor (about £12 iirc), fitted it myself and drove the car for several more years without issue...

enumbers

enumbers wrote: »

Keep a eye on the coolant level if its still dropping the coolant system needs to be pressure tested. There is a plastic cover on the back of the head which can leak and is hard to spot. cover is cheap from bmw but is a bit awkward to fit.

Have seen this a good few times on this engine at this stage