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Old 02-10-2012, 01:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allstarsrd12 View Post
Thats what I've been told by three different mechanics that have taken a look at my X. Its a 2001, 3.0i, (canadian), 119,000 K, silver.
So after two weeks of agony of the darn thing, I have been told now by the third place that the engine is toast, and I just need a new one. No explaination, no part to say that was the cause, no concrete reason as to why I just drove my X straight from NYC to Miami, upon which it performed like a dream, to now where I'm being told that it needs a new engine.
Long story short, during the drive crossing into hotter climate nearly instantly it felt like, noticed a small coolant leak, which to mean flagged thermostat. In miami, car taken to a shop, told rad has crack in a different spot then where I told them the original coolant was seen dried up, which they never found even. r/r rad, told it overheated after a test drive, no smokes when it runs, yellow mustard good on cap, car is done, needs new engine. Super.

Had old radiator put back in, obviously didn't need it if the cars done-for, then drove it home upon which it drove fine. Thought about thermostat, 2nd opinion said same thing, new engine. Got car back again, r/r thermo after seeing it drive around town with no overheating if the t-stat was unplugged. All set after that, gas up, took for a test drive. 30-45 after running like a beast again, albeit starting problems, it just died on the highway, and would start. Sounded like water pump had been almost about to fail as it happened too, so I pulled over immediately to avoid it. Nothing happened, just wouldn't start back up. told coolant on plugs, as its in combustion chamber.
Below is the DME report the day or two before it all went south. Seems almost as though there might have been an underlying electrical issue?

I could be way wrong on this one, so if thats the case, its up for sale. Thanks all.
Well, I have a couple questions. At any time during all those cooling system failures did you overheat even for just 15 to 30 seconds? I've been told by my Indie mechanic, after I busted my coolant resvoir, that you have about a 30 second window after your radiator gauge gets over to the exreme right. to shut the car off. these engines have alluminum heads and are intolerant of extreme heat. I was lucky my resvoir blew and drained for a few miles before I noticed the steam I was 3 blocks from the indie shop. I rolled into the parking lot and shut it off just as the gauge was getting into the red hot area.

A rebuilt head is about $2500, I'm guessing the labor has got to be 1200 to 1500. So you could have $4000 to get the head replaced. another $2000 and you have a rebuilt engine installed. How's the rest of the car? do you like the X?
Personally I would talk to a shop that not only swaps engines but, can replace components. A new head and new rings while it's apart.

or one of these $3500. get a friend to help install it.

plus at least 20 hrs at $90 per hour labor if the indie does it.

rebuilt engines 2002 BMW X5 Engine Sales > Buy High Quality Used Engines/Motors at Great Discount (Huge Selection)!
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