Keep Sinking Money or New Engine?

[X5DC]

I have an 2005, 4.4 with about 105K miles on it. We purchased for around $10K knowing there would be some work to be done. The truck has great service records, mostly done at BMW. We purchased about a year ago and have done timing valve covers, oil pan gasket and timing chain.

The current problem is that there is a slow leaking that is hitting one of the spark plugs. I can't remember which seal it is, but the mechanic said it would probably cost $5-6K due to labor.

Would it make more sense to have the work completed in light of the repairs we have already made, or should I purchase a remanufactured 4.4 engine? I have seen a couple on EBay for $3.5-4K including shipping and come with all the needed gaskets, thermostat and water pump.

What would it cost to swap the engines? Would a new engine be too much power for an older transmission?

Thanks in advance!

[upallnight]

Valve cover gasket replacement for $5-$6 k?? Fine another mechanic and get another estimate, or better yet learn how to replace the valve cover gasket yourself.

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by X5DC

I have an 2005, 4.4 with about 105K miles on it. We purchased for around $10K knowing there would be some work to be done. The truck has great service records, mostly done at BMW. We purchased about a year ago and have done timing valve covers, oil pan gasket and timing chain.

The current problem is that there is a slow leaking that is hitting one of the spark plugs. I can't remember which seal it is, but the mechanic said it would probably cost $5-6K due to labor.

Would it make more sense to have the work completed in light of the repairs we have already made, or should I purchase a remanufactured 4.4 engine? I have seen a couple on EBay for $3.5-4K including shipping and come with all the needed gaskets, thermostat and water pump.

What would it cost to swap the engines? Would a new engine be too much power for an older transmission?

Thanks in advance!

if you can get a lower mile engine for 3-4k? with everything there maybe it maybe worth it..but expect the swap to cos another 1-2.5k.....IMO i would do it just to have a peace of mind...I like to transition to be nice and easy it may cost a little but less of a headache.....Valve cover gaskets should be around 1-2k cost to an INDY ...

as I have Changed mine almost everything except my engine...

[Motorsport1207]

Check again and see if the mechanic is not talking about the valve stem seals and not valve cover gaskets. Your X5 has the N62 engine known for valve st seals issues


06 4.8is Imola Red Euro Xenon, Eisenmann Sport
99 M3 Dinan CAI & Exhaust
03 330 XI, 89 325ic, 89 325ix
87 Benz SDL

[four.8is]

Originally Posted by pnoyako85

.Valve cover gaskets should be around 1-2k cost to an INDY ...

Between 10-20 hours of labor for VCG?
Lol.what kind of mechanics do you guys work with?
I mean , the first time I did them on my E39 took me 3 hrs and I took my time not wanting to break or lose anything..
1-2k is outrageous..but 4-5k?
I recently got quoted about 2800$ for valve stem seals but that's another story.

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by X5DC

I have an 2005, 4.4 with about 105K miles on it. We purchased for around $10K knowing there would be some work to be done. The truck has great service records, mostly done at BMW. We purchased about a year ago and have done timing valve covers, oil pan gasket and timing chain.

The current problem is that there is a slow leaking that is hitting one of the spark plugs. I can't remember which seal it is, but the mechanic said it would probably cost $5-6K due to labor.

Would it make more sense to have the work completed in light of the repairs we have already made, or should I purchase a remanufactured 4.4 engine? I have seen a couple on EBay for $3.5-4K including shipping and come with all the needed gaskets, thermostat and water pump.

What would it cost to swap the engines? Would a new engine be too much power for an older transmission?

Thanks in advance!

Tough decision you have to make, if you really, really, really want peace of mind you'd probably be better off buying something a lot newer and a lot more reliable. The X5 E53 has never been known for its reliability, especially as they get older, if you spend the money to get it fixed you can bet money something else will pop up soon, have you had other non-engine related problems? I know no one likes a car payment, but I would look at getting something newer and more reliable, good luck.

[four.8is]

Originally Posted by romeokc10

Tough decision you have to make, if you really, really, really want peace of mind you'd probably be better off buying something a lot newer and a lot more reliable. The X5 E53 has never been known for its reliability, especially as they get older, if you spend the money to get it fixed you can bet money something else will pop up soon, have you had other non-engine related problems? I know no one likes a car payment, but I would look at getting something newer and more reliable, good luck.

No offense but instead of giving stupid advice you might be better off moving to another forum with your ideas.
The OP bought the car not too long ago and he wants to fix it.
How is a newer more expensive car with payments a better idea?
Watch something go bad on a newer x5 or whatever, and you'll never talk again when you'll drop a ton of money on some sensor or electrical issue that no one knows how to fix.
Preventive maintenance is key with any car and e53 's make no exception!
If you can't afford your 4.6 don't make others think like you!
By the way did you fix your x5?

[Doru]

I just did the valve stem seals & coolant pipe and the job wasn't too bad. While at it, I can attest to the fact that every seal & gasket was shot at 145,000 Km (a little less below 100k miles). So if I were you (OP), I would go ahead and take my time and do job myself, and change every seal and gasket, from VCG, to upper timing gaskets, intake manifold gasket, all O-rings etc. If you do only the one VCG, you will leave many potentially leak points exposed to near future failure. Guaranteed. Again, this is from personal experience, and your vehicle might not exhibit the failure of all gaskets and seals. The cost of parts is not much. If you intend to do the valve stem seals, then you need to buy the AGA tool, which is not cheap (or rent it if anyone will do so).
First time I did the job, it was a bit overwhelming, but then I had to take off the VCG's, due to an error, and the 2nd time removing the VCG's and re-installing them,I found the job actually quite easy.
I believe it's much harder and more involving to replace the engine, which might have the same cr*ppy OE parts that will fail, only to be back to square 1 again, any time after 60k miles.

[upallnight]

[QUOTE=trader4;1007556]

Originally Posted by Motorsport1207

Check again and see if the mechanic is not talking about the valve stem seals and not valve cover gaskets. Your X5 has the N62 engine known for valve st seals issues

That was my thought too. He didn't say it was the valve cover gasket and could very well be talking about worn valve guides, especially since he said the VCG had been recently replaced.

IDK, all that work, including a *timing chain* at only 100K?

He didn't say the valve cover gasket was replaced, he said the timing valve cover was replaced. Since he mentioned timing chain was replaced I assume the timing cover gasket was also replaced. He mentioned oil in one of the spark plug so I assume he was talking about valve cover gasket. He didn't say that his car was burning oil.

[X5DC]

All,

Thanks for the replies. I will be going to the mechanic tomorrow so I will figure out exactly what work has been done so far, but reading the comments jogged my memory. It is in fact the Valve Stem Seal that needs replacing. The vehicle is currently using about a liter of oil every six weeks or so, and seems to be getting worse. We have just been swapping out the same spark plug that gets fouled, trying to put off the big job as long as possible. Mechanic said this won't work forever.

I made an appointment for a checked engine light (usually just the gas cap causing a false error) and asked about labor on the engine swap and was told $3K, that seems a bit steep? For what it's worth, every time I have checked my mechanic's quotes against other indy's or service centers he comes in 20-30% lower.

What is a fair hourly rate for a good wrench and how long do swaps take? Is there a directory for good indy's so I can find one in the DC region?

I either have to pay to swap it or pay to fix because I live in apartment, don't own tools and my car know-how includes changing oil.

For additional insight, we plan on keeping this car (if possible) for 4-5+ more years.