M5 E39. 2000. Cracked Head! Oh No!
Discussion
Just been told by CPC (Phil) that its looking more and more likley that it is a cracked head on my M5!
Symptons are:
1. Uses 2 liters of water every 30 mins (this is the reason why its in the garage).
2. Misfire on 3 and compression not matching with other cylnders.
3. Smell of burning/coolant when driven hard.
Since i have had the car (<1000 miles) i have only seen the coolant temperature rise to the red twice.
...doh!
Symptons are:
1. Uses 2 liters of water every 30 mins (this is the reason why its in the garage).
2. Misfire on 3 and compression not matching with other cylnders.
3. Smell of burning/coolant when driven hard.
Since i have had the car (<1000 miles) i have only seen the coolant temperature rise to the red twice.
...doh!
Neil.D said:
Wow thats not common.
Any idea how it happened? Did you lose any coolant at any point?
Is it a repairable crack?
Whats going to be the estimate?
Neil
Not sure how it happened, i have been loosing coolant since i had the car now which has been about 2 months. however it was not a sudden breakage. i took it to the garage because i was loosing coolant aboout 2liters every 30 mins.Any idea how it happened? Did you lose any coolant at any point?
Is it a repairable crack?
Whats going to be the estimate?
Neil
estimate...???? dont know but it has been suggested 5k!
From what you say, it sounds like this fault has been present since you bought the car.
If that's the case, then I would be going back to see the person you bought it from, unless of course they made you aware of the problem prior to purchase.
Even if it was a private sale, I would suggest that a car that loses two litres of coolant every 30 mins is not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act, and you could try to re negotiate the price to at least cover some of the repair costs.
This is a very unusual problem for an E39 M5, in fact I've never heard of it before.
If that's the case, then I would be going back to see the person you bought it from, unless of course they made you aware of the problem prior to purchase.
Even if it was a private sale, I would suggest that a car that loses two litres of coolant every 30 mins is not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act, and you could try to re negotiate the price to at least cover some of the repair costs.
This is a very unusual problem for an E39 M5, in fact I've never heard of it before.
M5Dave said:
From what you say, it sounds like this fault has been present since you bought the car.
If that's the case, then I would be going back to see the person you bought it from, unless of course they made you aware of the problem prior to purchase.
Even if it was a private sale, I would suggest that a car that loses two litres of coolant every 30 mins is not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act, and you could try to re negotiate the price to at least cover some of the repair costs.
This is a very unusual problem for an E39 M5, in fact I've never heard of it before.
Caveat Emptor my friend. Private sales are not covered by SOGA If that's the case, then I would be going back to see the person you bought it from, unless of course they made you aware of the problem prior to purchase.
Even if it was a private sale, I would suggest that a car that loses two litres of coolant every 30 mins is not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act, and you could try to re negotiate the price to at least cover some of the repair costs.
This is a very unusual problem for an E39 M5, in fact I've never heard of it before.
zmrjason said:
5K.....Outrageous.
I know someone who just bought a complete E39 M5 engine and gearbox for 2.5K ish...had only done about 30k miles as well.
Be warned, get some other opinions if I were you.
I'd take Phil's opinion over anyone else. I would also be suprised if he quoted 5K for this job.I know someone who just bought a complete E39 M5 engine and gearbox for 2.5K ish...had only done about 30k miles as well.
Be warned, get some other opinions if I were you.
I know several other M5s of the same age that have had cracked heads. Both were repaired under warranty at the time.. When I mean repaired I mean they both had new engines around the 125k mark (this was back when the warranty could be extended indefinately). Cost of a new fitted engine was around the 13k mark.
Big pockets, or scrap and sell as a non runner/parts might be an option?
Big pockets, or scrap and sell as a non runner/parts might be an option?
Well thats the strange thing Phil (CPC) that i did not understand. At the moment the roker head has been taken off and the head gasket has defo gone - ok so thats 2.5k.
However he wants to send the head off and have it pressure tested so that any hairline cracks are seen, but at this stage he seems to be suggessting another 2.5k which i dont get. surley if the head gasket has to be changed, changing the head - would mean a part replacement of the head. cant imagine there being that much work to change the head? could anyone let us know?
However i am patient man. we shall see, but a 5k repair bill is somthing i dont want in my life!
However he wants to send the head off and have it pressure tested so that any hairline cracks are seen, but at this stage he seems to be suggessting another 2.5k which i dont get. surley if the head gasket has to be changed, changing the head - would mean a part replacement of the head. cant imagine there being that much work to change the head? could anyone let us know?
However i am patient man. we shall see, but a 5k repair bill is somthing i dont want in my life!
Repeat my previous comment.
Seriously at least speak to a few other specialists before committing to payments or bills.....That way at least you can rule in or out the advice you've been given thus far, it may be correct, it may not! but you need to be sure.
As I said my mate has just bought an entire low mileage engine and box for half what you've been quoted for a cracked head/gasket problem.
Good luck
Jason
Seriously at least speak to a few other specialists before committing to payments or bills.....That way at least you can rule in or out the advice you've been given thus far, it may be correct, it may not! but you need to be sure.
As I said my mate has just bought an entire low mileage engine and box for half what you've been quoted for a cracked head/gasket problem.
Good luck
Jason
f
k me !!!!!!Update
this is painfull.
The warranty company have said they are not paying for it (wear and tear item - yeah sure)
Warranty Direct - bunch of hucking pankers.
mmm, well i cannt really pay 5k for a repair job on a car thats worth less than 10k. so there has to be a better option here...
the engine is stripped at the moment, so not sure how i can someone else to verify whats wrong with it..
5k? i think i would rather shoot myself in the head.
where can i get a good used M5 engine from anyone?
this is painfull.
The warranty company have said they are not paying for it (wear and tear item - yeah sure)
Warranty Direct - bunch of hucking pankers.
mmm, well i cannt really pay 5k for a repair job on a car thats worth less than 10k. so there has to be a better option here...
the engine is stripped at the moment, so not sure how i can someone else to verify whats wrong with it..
5k? i think i would rather shoot myself in the head.
where can i get a good used M5 engine from anyone?
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