2004 3.0 Cylinder Head

[kbruzzone]

Just thought that I would share some stories... The X5 is back at BMW dealer again. The phone call today was almost unbelieveable, and yet humerous.

For those who have not read my previous posts..

Summer 2008? Car dies in Palm Springs, CA and is towed to BMW Palm Springs Dealer (who by the way provided EXCELLENT service). Turns out the head is cracked. Car is a few months out of warranty, but under the mileage warranty (48k miles on car).

BWM NA replaces head and covers under warranty. Replacement Head #1 and valve cover gasket #1

During test drive before car is released to me... head leaks oil... car is kept another few weeks and new head is install. Head #2

Oct 09, valve cover gasket is replaced - replacement gasket #2 (59k miles) covered under warranty

Jan 2010, take car in for valve cover gasket issue... head is leaking... BWM NA going to replace the head again... claims casting defect....

Car is still in the shop today and wont be done for about 1 week.

So if you count the original head and valve cover gasket that was sold on the car.... I'm on head #4 and valve gasket #4.

[bimmertc20]

i own a indy bmw shop, and i can tell u the problem is in the block, the block is alum and when the first head overheated it pulled on the head bolts which pulled on the threads in the alum block, they might be able to get the head bolts retorque to specs, but after awhile they will loosen up because the threads in the block are stressed out and can't hold the pressure, that's y it will leak after awhile, they need to install time-serts(helicoils) in the block, or replace the block, most dealers replace the engine for this reason, each time they retorque the block it gets weaker

[kbruzzone]

Thanks for the information. THis is even worse then I thought. This last time, the number 2 spark plug area is filling up. Would that still be a sign of a bad block.

I specifically asked about the block the first time the head was replaced for fear of this issue. BMW Palm Springs assured me that the block was looked at was deemed no damage.

Should I ask BMW to replace the Engine or install helicoils.

[bimmertc20]

from my experience i always try to go for an engine (unless i'm doing a total rebuild, decking block, heli-coil etc), my opinion in your case, insist on a new engine, even if they now try to heli-coil the block, who's to say the deck of the block is not warped from the repeated torqueing, overheating etc,