New Engine

[princessdebbie]

I just recently found out that my 323I needs a new engine. I bought the car used last year from the dealership. It only had 39,000 miles on it. I had brought it in 8 times because the coolant light kept coming on then it would blow the head gasket. They replaced pretty much everything but the problem kept happening. Now they are replacing the engine?

Any advice? They couldn't figure out the problem and said there probably was a crack somewhere......

[KC Ron Carter]

Too late on the engine repair, but it is normal to get a second opinion on repairs to verify they are needed.

Later,

[princessdebbie]

I thought they were replacing it with a new engine. Now they tell me it's from BMW but refurbished? Any advice?

[bimmerman333]

see if it will come with a new warranty starting the day they drop it in.

[trident9440]

A refurbished one? If I were you, I won't buy it. Who knows what happened to it before?

[jeffreyb4me]

"pricessdebbie".........was all this previous work done at the Dealership ? ? ?..There may be a reason why they're replacing the engine now [a factory bulletin] I'll look into Friday to be sure which blocks in concerned, I'll be back.......jeff b.

[crash8168]

The aluminum engine has a problem with the head bolts pulling out after the engine has been overheated. Possibly before you bought the car. That explains your constant coolant loss and the subsequent replacement of the engine. There is really no way to repair it without replacing the engine block.

[jeffreyb4me]

This was the point I wanted to address but got tied up at work and didn't have time to pull the bulletin. My concern is it's date and whether the dealership had the info at the time. I'll check Monday.

[jeffreyb4me]

I found the bulletin dated 2/4/2004
SIB# B11 202 04

Model
All with M54 engine

Measure
[paraphrased]

Before removing the cylinder head, loosen and re-torque each bolt, IF THE BOLT STRIPS DURING THE RE-TORQUE, REPLACE THE ENGINE.............

Sounds to me like someone missed something here But you haven't answered whether the work you had done was at the dealership, even if it wasn't, a quality Independent shop keeps up with this sort of thing! ! ! ! !...best to you, stay in touch.

[boxsters]

Just my 2 pennies here. Any dealership if BMW licensed that provides a "probably" statement in the diagnosis is not doing a complete cylinder head failure investigation. It is pretty simple, provided the tools are at hand to diagnose a cracked head or failed head gasket. Has this car had any head work in the past??? If so, were new head bolts used in the repair, were the correct torque procedures followed??? I have seen BMW's loose coolant, trip the light merely because of a leak at a failing water pump. I would say if it's not too late, second opinion! Look for external leaks yourself, most dealers are crooks,if the opportunity presents itself, they will pounce, protect yourself!