Valley pan? Is it serious ?

[CarlosT95]

So I recently posted a thread about my repair list nightmare and I've done the suspension part of things but now the engine is left. Took it to another repair shop to get a second opinion they said same thing:
Valley pan leaking
Valve cover gasket leaking
Power steering leaking

They are not sure if the water pump and thermostat are leaking but if I tell them to do the valley pan and water pump and thermostat do have to be replaced the bill will be bigger. All together they quoted me 5900 for those things including water pump and thermostat.

my question is if I replace water pump, thermostat and power steering myself is the valley pan leaking coolant a major issue? My bmw is 2001 X5 4.4i V8 with 238,000 kilometres on the clock!

[Joshdub]

6k? What exactly is leaking in the power steering system? That price seems outrageous.

If you are confident enough to do everything else, I'd tackle the VPG as well. While it does look time consuming, it also seems pretty straight forward. You don't want a perpetual coolant leak.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

6k? What exactly is leaking in the power steering system? That price seems outrageous.

If you are confident enough to do everything else, I'd tackle the VPG as well. While it does look time consuming, it also seems pretty straight forward. You don't want a perpetual coolant leak.

That's 6K Canadian dollars or 4763.42 U.S. dollars at today rate 03/06/2015.

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by upallnight

That's 6K Canadian dollars or 4763.42 U.S. dollars at today rate 03/06/2015.

Thanks Capitan Irrelevant.

25 hours is nuts. But if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself you are stuck. Unless you find a local BMW enthusiast with some experience that you can pay to come help you, or for you to help him.

[StephenVA]

Way too expensive repair costs for the work contemplated. As it has been posted multiple times, owning a high end vehicle out of warranty requires one of two key truths.

1> Owner has the necessary resources to select a competent repair shop (BMW Indy) and pay the bill as required.
2> Owner has strong DIY skills, tools and location to do the necessary repairs and has access to a second vehicle when things take longer/more complicated/wrong parts, etc. Also has access to the X5Forum or buys beer for those who do!

When one of these elements is missing, pain is an ongoing result.

Other options: Gain skills and get going, Rob a bank to pay for your ride, or the purchase an alternative vehicle within the cost/benefit of your current budget level.

Bottom Line: Whoever said owning a BMW (Insert other high-end luxury brands here) was cheap? Much less an older one out of warranty? Cheap to buy, Expensive to own.

Option: - Get to know a local BMW Indy and become a weekend helper/slave in exchange for lift privileges. Somebody has to clean up the work areas...

[Doru]

Not a hard DIY job for all 3 of them. Start in the morning, done in the afternoon. While at it, you can actually take a look at quite some other areas and fix whatever looks funny. You also end up with fresh coolant and new ATF in the PS system, which isn't a bad thing. What you can check are the accessory belt, pulleys, coolant system, sparkplugs (read them).

P.S: what shop did you use?

[StephenVA]

To the OP.
Get a second opinion, today. (Call around) Then choose a path: Pay or DIY. It really is a simple decision point in vehicle ownership, fix or bail. Many people on this forum have completed the DIY path and been successful. You're not the first one with this issue.

Time to invest in your skills or.....

[CarlosT95]

Yep I'm real stuck I might just have to learn and do it with one of my mechanically inclined friends yeah these cars are really expensive to own unless you got deep pockets!

[BMWX5CHI]

Bottom Line: Whoever said owning a BMW (Insert other high-end luxury brands here) was cheap? Much less an older one out of warranty? Cheap to buy, Expensive to own.

Agree!

[Pierce330]

Did you take your X to a dealership or indy?