Blown Head Gasket in 528i

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#1
Hi Everybody,
I just found out that my head gasket is blown in my 1997 528i. Is this a common problem for this engine? I know that the older engines had head problems, but I thought that BMW, with all of their superior engineering expertise, would have corrected the problem by now. needless to say, im quite irritated by this and this is a big blow in my eyes to BMW's dependability. This is unnaccceptable for a car this expensive with only 95,000 miles... Im going to have to pay $2100 to get it fixed... ok, I had to rant a little bit... anyone have similar experience?
 

epj3

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#2
Head gaskets going bad at 95k miles is EXTREMELY common. Has nothing to do with the car and a lot of the time is caused by the driver driving too hard or poorly when the engine is still cold (or improper maintainence).

My old 325is had 182k miles on the original head gasket, and my E34 has 133k on the original. Before paying $2100 (which, by the way $1300+ more than it SHOULD cost...) It's a fairly simple but time consuming repair. Take it to an independent mechanic - I still hold that independent mechanics will ABSOLUTELY do a better job than a bmw dealer.

Saying that BMW should have engineered this problem away is saying that they should have engineered the car to never need its brakes replaced, new tires, or oil changes. Before blaming bmw, you should try learning a bit to keep yourself from looking arrogant and blaming BMW for something that is wear and tear.
 
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Concord, NH
#3
My 328i has the same motor and is running perfectly at 159000 miles. I don't think I've heard of anyone who's had problems with this motor and I know some people are pretty hard on them.
 
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#4
yeah, im not totally down on BMW, i still love their cars, just irritated right now... and I still think that a repair like this should not be necessary yet... that quote is at an independent shop btw :(
 

epj3

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#5
535iracer said:
yeah, im not totally down on BMW, i still love their cars, just irritated right now... and I still think that a repair like this should not be necessary yet... that quote is at an independent shop btw :(
Why do you think it should not be necessary yet? Are you a material engineer? an engine builder? Parts designer? It would seem the MAJORITY of cars on the roads that reach 100k have a head gasket replaced by then, or soon.

How do you drive the car when the engine is cold (ie before the temperature gauge goes to pointed fully up?) I'm not trying to blame you, but this is a very uncommon problem at that mileage for that motor. I would suspect mistreatment or bad maintainence history.
 
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#6
My car has 140k on the original HGs. Then again, on the SHO they don't blow often. To be honest, you CAN do the job yourself if you have the time. I've torn down a few engines in my few years and I have to say, that while the dissassembly of the top end of an engine is time consuming you can learn a LOT about the engine.

HGs can blow for a number of reasons... but first: How do you KNOW your HG is blown? Did a "mechanic" tell you that? Did they do a compression test? How about a leakdown compression test?
 

RANDY P

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#7
epj3 said:
(which, by the way $1300+ more than it SHOULD cost...) It's a fairly simple but time consuming repair. Take it to an independent mechanic - I still hold that independent mechanics will ABSOLUTELY do a better job than a bmw dealer.

.
$800 to replace a head gasket? How do you figure? Your math is wrong. That's barely 10 hours of labor at average ($80 / HR) not counting parts, oil, anti freeze, or straightening the head if it's warped (probably the cause of the failure) That ain't free.

You're smoking crackrock if you think a licensed, pro mechanic will do it @ $800, unless you're talking about some backyard homie hookup monkeyrig mechanic deal.

That price he was quoted was the norm.

Now, to add something useful, go here and order a new head. wwwaluminumheads.com - Call Wayne he will set you straight.

rjp
(who just got done with this very issue)
 

epj3

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#8
RANDY P said:
$800 to replace a head gasket? How do you figure? Your math is wrong. That's barely 10 hours of labor at average ($80 / HR) not counting parts, oil, anti freeze, or straightening the head if it's warped (probably the cause of the failure) That ain't free.

You're smoking crackrock if you think a licensed, pro mechanic will do it @ $800, unless you're talking about some backyard homie hookup monkeyrig mechanic deal.

That price he was quoted was the norm.

Now, to add something useful, go here and order a new head. wwwaluminumheads.com - Call Wayne he will set you straight.

rjp
(who just got done with this very issue)
Sorry, I was just guessing. I do 100% of my repairs myself. I don't like being ripped off, and working on cars is very easy.
 


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