2001 330ci Major Car Issue - Help!

[TSilver330CI]

So I'm out driving today and I see my Coolant light pop up...... this has happend to me before but it usually meant it just had to be topped off...... so anyway on my way back from where I was going I noticed my temperature gage move all the way to the right and turn red.... it then stuck all the way to the right indicating the engine was at maximum temperature.

Now I was about 15 miles from home on the highway when this happend so I figured I might be able to make it home. Right when I got on my block I noticed the car's power decrease and the car then just died on me..... I smelled the smoke.... I turned it back on right away and pulled into my driveway and shut it down.

Tomorrow I'm going to obviously put coolant in it.... but at the rate that it all just disappeared I suspect I have a leak. From previous threads I've written on here I've heard that the Coolant Expansion Tank tends to break.

Is this most likely what it is? How much damage did I do to my car riding it about 15 miles with the engine temperature at max level hot?

How much am I looking for in repairs here?

just an fyi, I have over 120K mileage on the car.



I've been pouring a lot of money into this car lately..... I'm beginning to be question BMW's quality.....

 

[Tom]

Well if your engine doesn't sputter then you are probably ok, if it does then you may have overheated the motor.

My guess would probably be a bad water pump if there are no leakage. Top it off tomorrow and see if it leaks, if it does then yes it could be your Coolant Expansion Tank.

The BMW coolant system is pressurized, so if there is a leak you can see it happening immediately.

 

[Big Daddy]

I am afraid you most likely blew a head gasket. I would have the coolant system pressure checked, check you dip stick for water/coolant in the oil, and check the oil filer cap for a chocolate looking frothy substance.

 

[TSilver330CI]

Thanks all.


Tom I actually just had my water pump replaced last week so I'm guessing its probably not that. I'll top it off tomorrow and see what happens. Any idea how much it would cost to fix the coolant tank if it is actively leaking?

Big Daddy, if I do notice this chocolate looking substance under the oil cap... what should I do? How much would a head gasket cost to replace?

 

[Big Daddy]

I am hoping you don't, I have never paid to have one replaced but did a few myself many years ago. Today's price, I would guess around a grand (anyone know for sure)?

 

[TSilver330CI]

Well I poured the anti freeze in today and it just went right through to the ground..... I'm having it towed to a mechanic nearby. Based on the parts I looked up on pelican for the coolant expansion tank, this is probably going to cost me an arm and a leg

I think I should start looking at Audis.....

 

[Tom]

Did the engine sputter? Did you check the oil as well? If you see a milky chocolate substance it means you blew the head gasket and that coolant as gone into your engine oil. If that is the case do not start the motor.

I would probably suggest ordering the part and then having a mechanic replace the tank. Shouldnt take more than an hour.

 

[TSilver330CI]

Thanks Tom and Big Daddy. It turns out both of you were right. The coolant tank needs to be fixed and the head gasket did blow. He said he saw oil in the coolant tank. He said he can fix the coolant tank and I can still drive it... but he'll quote for me for the head gasket. He said its a big job though... so I imagine Big daddy's guess about a grand

My question is... what danger is there in driving the car with the broken head gasket? How long can I do this for?

I think it may be time to let go and look for a new car. I"ll need new brakes, a clutch, front shocks, alignment plus anything else that decides to crap out after 122K I have on it......

 

[Big Daddy]

I would not drive the car until the head gasket was repaired.

 

[Tom]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but replacing the head gasket is not a simple task. It can easily take a couple days of work. So I'm guessing anywhere between $1500-$2500 depending what they charge per hour.

You may also have them check for any warping or cracks at the same time.

Driving with a blown head gasket will be risking hydrolock which in turn will require a new engine.

Also as a former Audi owner and I know at this point you are probably disappointed with BMW. But in my opinion BMWs are much better than Audis in terms of quality. My 2003 A4 had a leaking CV boot only at 30,000 miles. I also had wind noise that came from the moonroof and driver door that the dealer could never seem to fix properly.

Goodluck on the repairs and keep us in the loop.

 

[TSilver330CI]

ouch........ I guess I'm really going to have to make a decision here. The only reason I'm considering Audis is because I live in a state where we can get some bad winters and I understand they are 4 wheel drive. I am so bummed out right now...

After 100K on a BMW how much $$ of work do you feel is average the car will cost? I've already spent over 2 grand and with the head gasket and the other things I mentioned coming up I think it may be too costly to keep.

 

[Kirby]

Driving with a blown head gasket is very risky. If the coolant is getting into the oil, the water will flow to and be ABSORBED by the oil filter, causing the paper to swell, and reduce the oil pressure.

 

[TSilver330CI]

Driving with a blown head gasket is very risky. If the coolant is getting into the oil, the water will flow to and be ABSORBED by the oil filter, causing the paper to swell, and reduce the oil pressure.

My mechanic said that if this happens the engine is shot. I have no choice but to drive the car back and forth locally as need be. I spoke to another mechanic who said they have to get into the engine to fix this which makes the engine second hand so its probably not worth it. The first guy I brought it too quoted me at 1600 but said it could be 2K if they have to flush the coolant....

I guess I'll need to get myself a new vehicle.

Anyone want to buy my car?