Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott ZHP
Welcome!
I'd suggest some more diagnostic work before concluding you have a head gasket failure. The trans-cooler can fail and allow engine coolant to mix with trans oil. I'd be checking that first. Smell your exhaust, is it "sweet" smelling? Maybe borrow or rent a leak-down tool if you have a compressor.
Head bolts wont strip coming out, but they will strip when you attempt to torque new ones into the (annealed from overheating) block.
Timeserts are not particularly difficult to install, just be patient and don't rush it. Ensure the drill is SQUARE to the block.
As mentioned, I like to be really heavy on the diagnosis before buying any parts to be certain what I'm dealing with.
Just saw a low mileage M54 complete longblock from an X5 from en eBay seller I trust. I think the buy-it-now was $1200, the X had 96k miles on it.
(edit: 102k miles, $1250... I was close, lol)
BMW Engine Motor M54 Z4 Z3 3 0i E46 330i 330CI XI E39 E60 530i E53 x5 3 0i | eBay |
Thanks for the thorough response, I appreciate it!
I will have to fill the X back up with oil and coolant to check it all out again. I will do that and report back.
As far as the trans fluid in the coolant, I'd assume that would go both ways. So I should be checking the trans fluid as well for coolant?
How can I tell if the oil in my coolant is burned/brown ATF or engine oil?