Ooch....., I blew my head gasket

[Kiwisue]

Ooch............., my 1994 325i blew a head gasket last week so now I have a car with approx. 82,000 miles on the clock and my auto shop specialist says it is not worth it to me to get it fixed??? This car has served me faithfully, only major repair was getting a new water pump and now I need advice on what would be the best place to try and sell it. Any one interested in this faithful, arctic metallic grey, fold down rear seat, grey leather upholstery, automatic, 6 disc CD player, cruise control, 2.5 mile impact color keyed bumpers, air conditioning, alloyed wheels, sun roof, etc, etc. that has lived in a garage its whole life. I'm interested in knowing what it is worth or where this beauty should be sold. I will respond pronto to any emails. Right now it is in Los Altos, California. Email address <Sue@SueDykes.com>

Thanks,
Kiwisue

 

[Big Daddy]

Why is it "not worth it" to repair it? Is there other damage, did it overheat? If it just needs a head gasket that is not too bad, if you overheated it and warpped the head, cracked the block, etc, try looking for an engine in a wrecking yard.

Best of luck and welcome to the board!

 

[epj3]

Yea unless its got a warped head, its like a 3 hour job with $50 max in parts.

 

[Kirby]

I agree with the others, if all it needs is a head gasket, it is most definitely worth fixing it. ESPECIALLY if it's in the condition you describe. It shouldn't be more than $500 - $700 for a shop to do it.

It's ALWAYS recommended to have the head checked and trued by a machine shop when you replace the head gasket. This should cost between $75 and $150 depending on the shop.

 

[Kiwisue]

Why is it "not worth it" to repair it? Is there other damage, did it overheat? If it just needs a head gasket that is not too bad, if you overheated it and warpped the head, cracked the block, etc, try looking for an engine in a wrecking yard.

Best of luck and welcome to the board!

thanks for you quick reply. Apparently to replace the gasket is labor intensive so to just pull the engine apart is $3,000 minimum. Then who knows if it sucked in anti freeze from the radiator. Yes, the red over heat light came on and I was low on radiator fluid. Being of the fairer sex, and not really being mechanically inclined, I would need to pay for this job.

Kiwisue

 

[Kiwisue]

Yea unless its got a warped head, its like a 3 hour job with $50 max in parts.

Hmm, sounds like I am being told a story though another shop qoted similar numbers. Thanks for your repy.

kiwisue

 

[mclarensmps]

costing 3k to pull the engine apart is too much, you should shop around i think, im sure you will get a MUCH MUCH more reasonable quote than that. Dont give up hope just yet, look around and see what other people can do for you, as i assume youve done a bit already.

 

[Kiwisue]

Yea unless its got a warped head, its like a 3 hour job with $50 max in parts.

thanks for your quick reply. Seems that I may have been told a story though another shop quoted similar prices and since the engine red over heat light came on and it sucked in some radiator fluid, there is concern that could have caused damage. Any suggestion fo a sale price I should be looking for?
Kiwisue

 

[Kiwisue]

I agree with the others, if all it needs is a head gasket, it is most definitely worth fixing it. ESPECIALLY if it's in the condition you describe. It shouldn't be more than $500 - $700 for a shop to do it.

It's ALWAYS recommended to have the head checked and trued by a machine shop when you replace the head gasket. This should cost between $75 and $150 depending on the shop.

thanks for your quick response. Yes, the red engine over heat button came on and it sucked in some radiator fluid. I have been told that to just take the engine apart is going to run me at least $3,000 and then if there is further damage...... I am some what ignorant about cars, is a joke to think I could do it myself , hence any suggestions of where I should sell it for parts?
Thanks again, am most grateful.
Kiwisue

 

[Big Daddy]

You do not need to quote us in your replies and no need to thank each of us, this is what we do for our BMW community. Who is this mechanic that is telling you three grand to tear it apart, that is way over priced. Is this a german speciality garage, if not go to one. Are you a BMW CCA member? If so ask your local club members for recommendations. If the engine hydrolocked you may need a complete rebuild, but that would be a worst case scenario. Find a good quality shop and get a written estimate.

 

[epj3]

I still doubt the engine is in horrible shape. Plus your engine can be found ANYWHERE for under $500 in good shape. Fortunately (for people like you...), these parents are buying their kids mid-90's 3 series bmw's, and they wreck it but the motors are still good, and sell for cheap.

Thats what I would personally do. Find an independent who specializes in european cars - who can source an engine for you within the bmw community. My friend just got the same engine your car has, for $300 with 80k miles in great shape.