Honest opinions - should I save it?

[Syndr]

Here's the short version:
My 530i for all appearances has a blown head gasket. In your opinion, is it doable/worth it to swap in an M60B40, given very limited funds and the fact that this is my only car?



And since I seem to talk way too much, here's the (really) long version if you care to read it: :help

I had my car in the shop due to some (unrelated) fuel issues, and in the process of diagnosing that they discovered something else - the head gasket seems to be blown. I believe that they connected a sniffer to the exhaust to confirm this, and it has had a coolant leak for quite some time now as well, so I'm inclined to believe them. Also, there is quite a bit of white smoke/steam coming from the exhaust, even in 50 degree weather with the engine warm. So I don't think I can blame the valley pan for my coolant leak any more... :(

The oil looks fine though, for whatever that's worth.

In any case, assuming this is correct, I don't know how much longer I can realistically expect to be able to drive it as it is.

Thus, the question is what to do with it. My understanding is that, if I choose to keep the car, I am much better off swapping out the entire engine with a B40 than trying to replace the gasket.

So...
Benefits of keeping this car and doing the swap:
Chassis itself is relatively straight (no major dents, etc.)
Most of the front end suspension is in good shape or has been replaced
Interior is in decent shape
Most other problems have already been dealt with
I've had it for a while, so hopefully no other hidden issues, unlike buying another car
Potentially cheaper (?)
M60B40

But:
Doesn't look the best (clear coat is peeling, rust on the doors, etc.)
Front struts could use replacing at some point
Needs a few things like a window regulator
Mileage is unknown
Lots of work
I'm fairly confidant I could figure it out and do the work, but I'm by no means an expert mechanic
I am a broke college student


So please, what do you guys think? Good idea/bad idea/absolutely stupid?

[ross1]

The 530 and especially an automatic trans version is the red headed stepchild of E34dom so it's value even in working order isn't a lot.
If you are so inclined your best fix is to exchange the engine for another or perhaps do the head gaskets on your existing motor.
Anything beyond the cost of a DIY gasket job or a well bought and self installed engine will have you upside down regarding resale value.
The 4 liter engine would be a big improvement but they cost more.
I'll soon be swapping a 3.0 for a 4.0 in a friends car. His 3.0 runs fine, he just wants the extra cubes. The 3.0 will be available, probably cheap but not right away.
How long you can stretch your current engine depends on how much coolant you are using. If coolant isn't mixing with oil that's good. Sounds like the failure is only at the fire ring(s) of the gasket allowing coolant into the cylinders and burned. This will progress until the coolant is draining into the effected cylinders upon shutdown and heatsoak. You can ease this by removing the pressure cap and running it unpressurized, if you aren't overheating too.
If you remove the spark plugs you'll likely notice one or more that are VERY clean compared to the others, that is your bad cylinder(s).
AH, I see yours is a manual trans. It is a desireable parts car then for those wanting a gearbox and not wanting to cough up for a six speed.
A running, driving manual 530 has got to worth at least a grand to somebody.

[pennpen]

yes?

[nitrouso]

Do you love the car? That is what would determine it for me.

[BoldUlysses]

Very limited funds would imply you need to do the work yourself. The fact that it's your only car (assuming it's your DD) would mean you would need to do the work over a long weekend.

So the question is, can you do an engine swap yourself over a long weekend?

If the answer's yes, I'd keep it.

-Matt

[89 bimmer]

If you decide to sell it, I think with a blown head gasket, you mnight make more selling the shell and then parting out the rest. But if the car you own now is in tippy top shape except the engine, then just do an engine swap.

Edit: It sucks being broke and in college. I lost both my e34s to various problems, and I have 0 cars. I know whats its like man, and I would lend a helping hand if I was closer. Good luck, and if you do decide to do the engine swap, always ask if you are unsure. IT's easier to look like a fool than to replace something expensive you broke, Best of luck man!

[Syndr]

I have to admit that I'm quite tempted by the idea of putting a B40 in it. The car is a 5-speed and I believe has an LSD as well, so it could be pretty fun with that engine.
My understanding is that the gasket job would likely be about as much work as swapping the engine. Does that seem correct? Of course, the engine swap would probably be quite a bit more expensive..
I would be doing all of this myself, of course.

I'll have to pull the plugs out and look at them. If I could can find the bad cylinder and only had to do the gasket on one side that would definitely make that option more attractive. It isn't overheating, which is good. Ross, you're talking about running it with the cap off the coolant reservoir, right?

It seems to use something like a half gallon of coolant every month or so, and is driven 3 or 4 times a week. So not an huge amount I suppose.

I really do like the car. And honestly, I'm not sure I would save any money by trying to just find a new one either.

[89 bimmer]

I say do the work. You will learn so much about your car, and feel even more comfortable driving it and working on it when you know what you have under the hood.

[me78569]

If you feel that you can do the swap over the weekend, go for it. I just sold a m60b40 for $150 because I just wanted it gone. Keep your eyes out, I wouldn't pay more than 500 for a mid mileage m60b40.

[KyleCleveland]

Unless this shop is very knowledgeable of this car/motor I would assume you did not blow the head gasket. They don't seem to fail very often and it is a common occurance for a LOT of steam/smoke to come out of this exhaust system. I've experienced it for over 30 minutes on a cool day.

Does your car ever run hot? Any noticeable loss of power? I would pull up the spark plugs and see if the plugs can tell you anything as ross1 suggested.

[Chemical Ali]

If you have the funds and time then go for it

[89 bimmer]

Unless this shop is very knowledgeable of this car/motor I would assume you did not blow the head gasket. They don't seem to fail very often and it is a common occurance for a LOT of steam/smoke to come out of this exhaust system. I've experienced it for over 30 minutes on a cool day.

Does your car ever run hot? Any noticeable loss of power? I would pull up the spark plugs and see if the plugs can tell you anything as ross1 suggested.

WHAT??? You are calling indy mechanics frauds and theives??? Well I never!!:eek: I'm glad someone said, I didn't wanna be the one to point that out. :shifty

[Syndr]

Doing the work is looking like a pretty good option. I'd really like to actually do something like this too, as I know I'd learn a lot. Knowing I've successfully done something like that would be a really good feeling too.
I'd describe my skill level right now as decent, but still relatively inexperienced and such. I can figure most things out, anyway. I think I could get something like this done over the weekend, especially if I can get a friend with more experience to help me out a bit. Which should be doable.

If I could get the engine for less than $500 that would help a lot with the financial aspect.


Unless this shop is very knowledgeable of this car/motor I would assume you did not blow the head gasket. They don't seem to fail very often and it is a common occurance for a LOT of steam/smoke to come out of this exhaust system. I've experienced it for over 30 minutes on a cool day.

Does your car ever run hot? Any noticeable loss of power? I would pull up the spark plugs and see if the plugs can tell you anything as ross1 suggested.

You have a good point here. The car doesn't ever run hot, and there is usually no noticeable loss of power. The shop seems pretty trustworthy, but I'm not convinced they know what they're talking about here either. And there certainly is the frauds and thieves option. :shifty I'll have to watch it some and check the plugs and whatnot. Hopefully it's just lots of steam...

It has been running really rich for quite a while, so I suppose that could have caused some problems too. And it has developed a massive misfire on a few occasions too. I suppose that could be related to the fuel or the gasket. The fuel issue should be fixed now so I suppose I'll just have to watch it for a bit. The coolant is still going somewhere though.

[bigwig023]

If you feel that you can do the swap over the weekend, go for it. I just sold a m60b40 for $150 because I just wanted it gone. Keep your eyes out, I wouldn't pay more than 500 for a mid mileage m60b40.

for $150? that's a steal.

But on the other hand if you're paying $500 for a M60B40 its likely to be a Nikasil. I'm sure I'm beating a dead horse here but if you do make the decision to do the swap ask the seller to confirm whether its a Nikasil or an Alusil motor so you know what you're buying.

What I did when shopping for an Alusil motor; got the VIN# from the seller and used one of my contacts at a BMW dealership to run the VIN. She would check the warranty information on the vehicle so we could tell if the motor was replaced under warranty and when. This way I could do the math and calculate the exact mileage on the Alusil motor.

I just bought a Alusil with 73k on the clock for $1600 shipped to replace the motor in my M-Sport with blown head gasket + cracked block.

[me78569]

Something is only worth as much as the stealer is willing to take, for me that was $150 because it was just eating up space in my garage. As for nik vs alu engine I wouldn't worry much. I have had 3 nik blocks and all of them have ran fine.

[Syndr]

If I could get a Nik block for a good price I'd certainly be interested in it. Alusil ideally, of course, but I'm not too worried about the Nik issue overall. And knowing exactly what you're buying is definitely important.

If I could find one for $150 somehow that would be amazing. Who knows though. The closest I'd really have any chance of finding something would be Denver, probably.

Money is a really big issue for me right now too. So whatever is cheaper is really attractive.
Bleh. Broke college student syndrome...

[KyleCleveland]

WHAT??? You are calling indy mechanics frauds and theives??? Well I never!!:eek: I'm glad someone said, I didn't wanna be the one to point that out. :shifty

I don't want to say that indy mechanics are frauds, only that it is possible they are misinformed. The m60 motor is very quirky and easy to misdiagnose. How many people have been told to replace o2 sensors for what eventually is a vacuum leak?

That being said, losing half a gallon of coolant a month is significant, and it is going somewhere. Check those plugs when you have time and maybe loosen your belts and check the water pump for wobble at the pulley and check for leaks around the gasket and thermostat housing. My car was losing water there for a few months before my water pump went south.

[89 bimmer]

I don't want to say that indy mechanics are frauds, only that it is possible they are misinformed. The m60 motor is very quirky and easy to misdiagnose. How many people have been told to replace o2 sensors for what eventually is a vacuum leak?

That being said, losing half a gallon of coolant a month is significant, and it is going somewhere. Check those plugs when you have time and maybe loosen your belts and check the water pump for wobble at the pulley and check for leaks around the gasket and thermostat housing. My car was losing water there for a few months before my water pump went south.


It's probably because most of the indy techs now have gone to school for close to 3 months, got a little certificate that says they can change the oil and align a car, and they work off that, and learn through error. MAybe it's not like that where you are, but it's awful here.

Edit: Sorry for the hijack, carry on.

[Syndr]

I'll have to check the water pump and definitely look at the plugs. Wherever the leak is, the water doesn't seem to be reaching the ground, at least when the car is parked. I'd originally thought that it was the valley pan, but according to the shop it doesn't seem to be leaking "much" there. Which supports the idea that it is, but I'd think it would be obvious if this much coolant was escaping there. So who knows.

And I definitely know what you mean about indy techs being misinformed at the very least. This shop seems to be pretty experienced in general, but the fact that there are very few BMW's here isn't much in their favor either...
Now if only I knew more about actually diagnosing the issues myself.

And no problem

[imhighlander]

Find member ClarkWGriswold. He lurks the E34 forum sometimes and you can get him by PM. He has a few (2-3) M60s laying around. Not sure if they're b30s, b40s, or a mix.

I have to speak with him about some taillights so I'll ask him about his engine inventory. He's in Norman, OK, but if the price is right the shipping may work out. If you could wait until June, I could even bring one to Colorado. I'll PM what I find from him.

[Syndr]

I'd definitely be interested to hear what he has. Especially if they're b40s. And Colorado might be doable.

Thanks so much for looking into this. I really appreciate it. :)


EDIT:

I drove it around some until it warmed up today, and no white smoke. Which is weird. It's slightly warmer outside, but I'd think the smoke would be pretty constant if it's burning a lot of coolant. I really need to find some way to verify this one way or the other..

[rotaryboots]

You do however have the advantage of it being a V8 car. Which means the m62 swap wouldn't be out of the question. Its a manual...thats a major plus. Yeah keep it, and keep you eye out for 540 and 740 engines.