528i head gasket? Head rebuild?

[MCExpy10]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the community. Looking to pick up a 99 528i. I'm told that it runs terribly and probably has a head gasket. I won't know until I actually purchase it (here's hoping everything goes well). From what I understand, this is a fairly common failure point on these cars. It sounds like it's really not economical at all to have the original head rebuilt. I called my local mechanic and he didn't really even want to touch it.

My next thought was to get one from a salvage yard. I'm told they warranty their heads against warping and cracks, not valves though. I did an automated inventory search and found something curious. The heads they had available were from a 328i (which I kind of assumed would work), but they also listed a few 325i heads as compatible.

From my brief research, it seems like yes and no. I couldn't find a definitive answer.

TLDR: Is the head the same between the 325i and the 328i?

What have other people experienced with these cars? Should I just forget it and run the other way?

[edjack]

Back up, hoss! How did you diagnose the head gasket? There could be a dozen reasons that it runs terribly and probably has a head gasket.

BTW, ALL engines have a head gasket.

If you're really interested in the car, get a mechanical inspection by a BMW specialist.

Common reason for a bad gasket, and worse, is a significant engine overheat.

[MCExpy10]

Thank you for your reply. I actually haven't even seen the car yet or heard it run. I'm going to look at it tonight. It's in REALLY good condition based on pictures. I'm hoping it's not a head gasket (obviously) and maybe just some bad vacuum lines or needs a tune-up. The previous owner said it runs bad and most likely bad head gasket.

Sorry for the extremely limited information. Just trying to prepare for the worst. If I can get a really good deal on the car, I think it'll be worth it. Not that I have a ton of information, but it sounds like these cars are known for needing some pretty significant maintence on their cooling systems. My guess is this one was neglected, overheated pretty badly, and the head cracked. Both the mechanic and the salvage guy I talked to said it's uncommon to find a X28i head that hasn't been cracked for these years.

I made a typo on my first post LOL! I know all cars have a head gasket(s). Meant to say "needs a head gasket". I had a Subaru Legacy 2.5GT, I'm very familiar with head gaskets... *facepalm*. Thanks again for the help!

[ColtonBH]

If the head gasket is bad, it most likely overheated and he head is warped. Check the engine bay for white residue from dried coolant spray

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[ross1]

Casual reference to "maybe" needing head gasket means be careful.
This motor is aluminum block and head secured with steel bolts, if it gets overheated badly enough the bolts, which won't expand as quickly as the aluminum castings will rip the threads clean out of the block. THAT becomes a pretty involved and expensive repair.

[ColtonBH]

Casual reference to "maybe" needing head gasket means be careful.
This motor is aluminum block and head secured with steel bolts, if it gets overheated badly enough the bolts, which won't expand as quickly as the aluminum castings will rip the threads clean out of the block. THAT becomes a pretty involved and expensive repair.

That's why you switch to aluminum head studs XD

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[MCExpy10]

Well I bit the bullet and bought it. It's definitely a bad head gasket. For sure! It idles rough, oil is milkshake. I'm going to start tear down today. I'm looking through some of the DIY posts. I feel like I'm most assuredly going to be greeted with a cracked head. So I think I'll pick the one up from the salvage yard.

In terms of "while I'm in there" maintenance, it sounds like Vanos should be done, thermostat (and housing?), water pump, anything else? What are people using in terms of head gasket kits? I had a Civic that needed a new HG, and everyone said to use OEM. It seems like that's not the case really for my BMW.

What about the special tools. I guess I don't really know if I have a single or dual Vanos setup. Does somewhere like Autozone or O'Riellys rent the tools I might need to do the timing on this thing?

Thank you!

[ColtonBH]

Well I bit the bullet and bought it. It's definitely a bad head gasket. For sure! It idles rough, oil is milkshake. I'm going to start tear down today. I'm looking through some of the DIY posts. I feel like I'm most assuredly going to be greeted with a cracked head. So I think I'll pick the one up from the salvage yard.

In terms of "while I'm in there" maintenance, it sounds like Vanos should be done, thermostat (and housing?), water pump, anything else? What are people using in terms of head gasket kits? I had a Civic that needed a new HG, and everyone said to use OEM. It seems like that's not the case really for my BMW.

What about the special tools. I guess I don't really know if I have a single or dual Vanos setup. Does somewhere like Autozone or O'Riellys rent the tools I might need to do the timing on this thing?

Thank you!

Tools are very specialized. No auto store will rent them, some people on here rents them out, but it's usually not bad to just buy them

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[jp5Touring]

I used Timesert on my block been three years. Would be wise to do this.Good possibility the new head bolts won't hold.
http://www.timesert.com/html/bmw.html

Also German Auto Solutions rents timing tools.
http://www.germanautosolutions.com/b...ol_rentals.php

[MCExpy10]

I used Timesert on my block been three years. Would be wise to do this.Good possibility the new head bolts won't hold.
http://www.timesert.com/html/bmw.html

Also German Auto Solutions rents timing tools.
http://www.germanautosolutions.com/b...ol_rentals.php

Very interesting! So even if I don't strip out the bolts or snap the heads or something, still use them? There's a possibility the factory threads would give up?

[m735is]

Before you get too far into the tear down. I would check the head bolts to make sure the can be tightened (or at least a good chance of being tightened). I was in the same boat as you- bought the car before I did my home work. Three or four bolts could not be tightened- threads had pulled from block. I found a running motor for less than the Timesert kit, so I swapped.

I just loosened each bolt and tried to tighten it to a torque setting (possibly 60 ft/lbs??). Since some bolts wouldn't hold, I knew it would be more work.

I still have the motor, just waiting until I need it to try the Timeserts.

If you have the means, I would do the inserts as an insurance. There's also a Mercedes headbolt that some have used. One millimeter larger, so easier to drill and retap. I may try that first.

Dual vanos by the way.
Edit- I just looked up my post. I tried to tighten each bolt at 30 ft/lbs in the tightening order. 4 Bolts spun at that setting, so I figured they were stripped.

[jp5Touring]

I think new head bolts are required.You can check to see if old bolts will hold or are stripped. Head bolts IIRC are 22 lbs then 90° and another 90°.
Timesert kit is not cheap @ $450. You can buy the kit then replace the Timesert's you use and sell the kit on eBay. I have seen that done before.
I was lucky and my indy lent me his Timesert kit and I just replaced the Timesert's I used.

[MCExpy10]

Very cool. I'm finding that the tools needed for this car are pretty expensive. I guess I pretty much knew what I was getting into when I bought the car, I'm glad I didn't give the guy asking price. LOL!

[edjack]

Replace the engine with a lower-mileage example.

[MCExpy10]

Replace the engine with a lower-mileage example.

I'm considering it. This engine has 150,000 miles on it. If I replace the engine, what's to say that I won't get to this point again? How does one prevent the head gasket issue so prevalent on these cars?

[MCExpy10]

Man these engines seem hard to come by, and finding someone who is reputable is hard! I signed up for some service that has salvage yards contact me with what they have. Some of these guys (no offense) spoke limited English, and when asked about compression tests didn't really understand what I was talking about. Finally found a guy down in Florida that had like 9 of them with a good warranty and good tests. Total was $1150 shipped. Kind of high, but I think still worth it. 120,000 miles. Shipping to a terminal near me and then they'll help me pop it in my truck.
Seems hard to beat that price by the time you buy a head gasket, have the head machined (or buy a new head), and replace all the other components.

What should I do to the new engine when it gets here while it's out of the car for preventative stuff?

[MCExpy10]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I'm finding it hard to find an engine. I think I'm going to replace the head gasket and pick up a head instead. Long story short, I believe the guy I bought the engine from is a phony. It's been 3 weeks and he pretty much cut communication with me after he had my money. I've called and emailed multiple times. Should've been here late last week or early this week. No sign of anything, and he won't talk to me. Luckily I paid with my credit card so I just opened a dispute.

Anyone else having this much trouble with the auto industry? Why is it so shady like this? Really lame. Now I've wasted A LOT of time and money on an engine that isn't even coming (most likely, fingers crossed). Has anyone had any luck with any of the timing kits available on Amazon? I'm really enjoying working on this car, so it might be nice to pick up another. Yet, I'm still a backyard mechanic, so I don't want to shell out for the big ones yet.

[ColtonBH]

People have made the cheap kits work, but it's easier with a good timing kit, some people rent them as well. I find the best way to find good engine parts is to go to a pick your own part yard, and look for the most heavily crash damaged car that has the part you need, because that way you know it's not in the yard because of driveline issues

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