E39 330I Aegean Edition - Head gasket failure
Discussion
Hey all, just purchased a 2003 E39 and drove it down from Sheffield.
Due to a faulty digital read out I wasn’t aware of the check coolant warning ( car had a lot of warnings due to battery disconnected). Prior to driving I had plugged in my diagnostics reader and there were no problems minus some to be expected electrical issues.
Unfortunately the car overheated on the M1 - Expansion chamber failed and now have a suspected HGF… the car was sold extremely honestly and kept in very good condition by the owner. They paid for my recovery & the initial diagnostic costs.
They’ve generously agreed to help with the cost of further repairs.
My question… can someone suggest a good garage in London that isn’t going to quote me 3/4k engine jobs that’s has a good rep for the job to be carried out in the new year. I aim to get the car fixed up and store it for the remainder of winter and continue to fix the final few faults…
Cheers!
Due to a faulty digital read out I wasn’t aware of the check coolant warning ( car had a lot of warnings due to battery disconnected). Prior to driving I had plugged in my diagnostics reader and there were no problems minus some to be expected electrical issues.
Unfortunately the car overheated on the M1 - Expansion chamber failed and now have a suspected HGF… the car was sold extremely honestly and kept in very good condition by the owner. They paid for my recovery & the initial diagnostic costs.
They’ve generously agreed to help with the cost of further repairs.
My question… can someone suggest a good garage in London that isn’t going to quote me 3/4k engine jobs that’s has a good rep for the job to be carried out in the new year. I aim to get the car fixed up and store it for the remainder of winter and continue to fix the final few faults…
Cheers!
Meke said:
Hey all, just purchased a 2003 E39 and drove it down from Sheffield.
Due to a faulty digital read out I wasn’t aware of the check coolant warning ( car had a lot of warnings due to battery disconnected). Prior to driving I had plugged in my diagnostics reader and there were no problems minus some to be expected electrical issues.
Unfortunately the car overheated on the M1 - Expansion chamber failed and now have a suspected HGF… the car was sold extremely honestly and kept in very good condition by the owner. They paid for my recovery & the initial diagnostic costs.
They’ve generously agreed to help with the cost of further repairs.
My question… can someone suggest a good garage in London that isn’t going to quote me 3/4k engine jobs that’s has a good rep for the job to be carried out in the new year. I aim to get the car fixed up and store it for the remainder of winter and continue to fix the final few faults…
Cheers!
As above; sniffer test first and then go from thereDue to a faulty digital read out I wasn’t aware of the check coolant warning ( car had a lot of warnings due to battery disconnected). Prior to driving I had plugged in my diagnostics reader and there were no problems minus some to be expected electrical issues.
Unfortunately the car overheated on the M1 - Expansion chamber failed and now have a suspected HGF… the car was sold extremely honestly and kept in very good condition by the owner. They paid for my recovery & the initial diagnostic costs.
They’ve generously agreed to help with the cost of further repairs.
My question… can someone suggest a good garage in London that isn’t going to quote me 3/4k engine jobs that’s has a good rep for the job to be carried out in the new year. I aim to get the car fixed up and store it for the remainder of winter and continue to fix the final few faults…
Cheers!
M54s rarely fail with HGF, but as you said, it's also down to how long you ran it hot etc...
Fingers crossed it's not HGF at all and it just needs a new header tank, coolant flush & refill/bleed etc...
As above really.
If the expansion tank goes in a big way you can loose a lot of coolant very quickly and without a temperature gauge it's entirely possible to well and truly cook the engine, causing more than just head gasket failure.
Replacing the head gasket is not impossible but until you've removed the head you don't know what further damage may have been done and there is the risk of stripped threads as mentioned. You could be OK with getting the head gasket done, or not OK?
The "cheap" way out of this is probably going to be a second hand engine, but finding a known good engine is also a risk as all the ones I have had suffered with oil consumption issues at higher mileages.
If the expansion tank goes in a big way you can loose a lot of coolant very quickly and without a temperature gauge it's entirely possible to well and truly cook the engine, causing more than just head gasket failure.
Replacing the head gasket is not impossible but until you've removed the head you don't know what further damage may have been done and there is the risk of stripped threads as mentioned. You could be OK with getting the head gasket done, or not OK?
The "cheap" way out of this is probably going to be a second hand engine, but finding a known good engine is also a risk as all the ones I have had suffered with oil consumption issues at higher mileages.
Indeed.
By all means try a cooling system fix and see if it's buggered or not. If it continues to overheat and mess about then the engine is done. Don't even try a head gasket swap.
E39 engines are old now but the bare E60 530i engine is identical. even the sump is the same. Swap over the engine wiring loom and it'll go in.
By all means try a cooling system fix and see if it's buggered or not. If it continues to overheat and mess about then the engine is done. Don't even try a head gasket swap.
E39 engines are old now but the bare E60 530i engine is identical. even the sump is the same. Swap over the engine wiring loom and it'll go in.
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