My $5,000 Motor Repair…

[jaypete1]

…due to plastic parts!!! 2000 4.4 135k. Horrible noise started Monday morning, “marbles in a can” thing. Indie takes front covers off, and the plastic guides around the chains are broken up and partially gone, so the sound was the chains slapping against the covers (you can see the scratches). While it’s apart I’m having him change the waterpump (original) and timing chain tensioners. So far the estimate for hours is 34, which I validated with my old indie as being pretty close.

As long as it’s apart, is there anything else I should change out? Timing chain? Vanos?

[jst2878]

vanos seals, valley pan gasket, oil seperator, check for vaccuum leaks

[dsm2925]

$5,000 !

That more then half of what the X is worth.

My goodness...

[faz]

Sorry to hear. $5k is a good chunk of money, but I am assuming once the engine gets fixed up, it will be ready for another 135k miles, no? looking at it that way, well, it makes feel less painful.

[dsm2925]

Originally Posted by faz

Sorry to hear. $5k is a good chunk of money, but I am assuming once the engine gets fixed up, it will be ready for another 135k miles, no? looking at it that way, well, it makes feel less painful.

i dont wanna sound negative but at 135k miles-

you got to worry about the transmission which are pricey too and all other crap that these thing love to break. -

p.s- at 135k anything can go wrong-


-----------

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by dsm2925

i dont wanna sound negative but at 135k miles-

you got to worry about the transmission which are pricey too and all other crap that these thing love to break. - p.s- at 135k anything can go wrong-
_----------

Dsm,
you make a valid point, but, 5,000 for a engine and $2500 for a rebuilt trans when he needs it, is cheaper than $60,000 for a new one. You are right about the little things that break you have to have a tolerence for that stuff breaking. I do it myself and consider it my therapy time away from the phone and hassles of life. This weekend I am replacing idler pulleys, water pump, thermostat, maybe the belts fun, fun, fun!!!

Did you know that psychiatrists charge 250/hr. BMW mechanics charge around $100... I don;t even know what my point is supposed to be.

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by jaypete1

…due to plastic parts!!! 2000 4.4 135k. Horrible noise started Monday morning, “marbles in a can” thing. Indie takes front covers off, and the plastic guides around the chains are broken up and partially gone, so the sound was the chains slapping against the covers (you can see the scratches). While it’s apart I’m having him change the waterpump (original) and timing chain tensioners. So far the estimate for hours is 34, which I validated with my old indie as being pretty close.

As long as it’s apart, is there anything else I should change out? Timing chain? Vanos?

How much is a rebuilt engine installed?

[motordavid]

I tend to agree with the reasonable repair bills & "fix it/keep it" approach...
Everyone will have a different econ situ., "needs", rationale and psychological
tipping point where one would throw in the towel and go shopping, vs. keeping
the sumbitch.

The arithmetic is complex and can be gone it from several different angles, all
of which are affected by any given owner's situ, which none of us can fully
know. I do know that a paid for car is extremely less costly out of pocket than
putting ___$ down and making $600+ monthly payments or, tossing $70Gs+
out of the savings account. And, even that new car is a rapidly depreciating
"asset". No lecture here, and I don't have a solid "best suggestion", but a runner
that costs a couple thou per year annualized, is still running, useful and a lot
less costly, out of pocket, than that shiny new ride for $80Gs, imo, if one wants
to keep car A, and not be drawn into new car B.
GL,mD

[mark scheurer]

5 grand seems like a lot for a motor that doesn't have to be torn apart completely. For that amount you might as well completely rebuild the thing.

I agree with motordavid, I have a car that's approaching 100k and I've put 6 grand into it for various things over the last two years. But that's less than I would have paid for a similarly equipped car new, by far.

I've toyed with the idea of selling and buying a Honda Accord which at 100k wouldn't be costing anything in repairs but it's hard to pull the trigger because the X5 is so much more car.

[realchef]

Originally Posted by Ghost-Flame

Dsm,
you make a valid point, but, 5,000 for a engine and $2500 for a rebuilt trans when he needs it, is cheaper than $60,000 for a new one. You are right about the little things that break you have to have a tolerence for that stuff breaking. I do it myself and consider it my therapy time away from the phone and hassles of life. This weekend I am replacing idler pulleys, water pump, thermostat, maybe the belts fun, fun, fun!!!

Did you know that psychiatrists charge 250/hr. BMW mechanics charge around $100... I don;t even know what my point is supposed to be.

what point?

I agree with MD et al. it's your call. Short term it can kill ya, but what will you have vs what will you get and at what price? Strictly a personal decision and you should not worry what others think.

I have spent the last 10 days in a Durango, Passat and an X3. Can't wait to pick up the X5 monday. (can't believe I sold my 2nd car the week before the accident) Even though she now has a new door, bottom sill and some new paint, she will be sticking around. Although the X3 was impressive. Just like an X5 but smaller.

FWIW

Applying the brakes in the Durango at 95 convinced me to never go 95 in a Durango again!!! Corners: no way.

Passat hit 120 and holds speed but loose. NEVER do 120 in a Passat!! Corners: hmm ok.? (we are in the middle of nowhere desert, ok.)

X3 smooth and tight. Corners: fine.