'91 325 stalled Help!

[JeffD]

Thanks for all of the help...my real job is getting in the way of my fixing the BMW. I re-installed the starter and laid under the car while my son tried to start it. I could hear the starter click the pinion out and I did observe the fly wheel spinning.

Also, pulled the oil filler cap had my son turn the engine over using a wrench on the on the front of the engine. He could turn wrench fairly easily and I saw no movement of the valves.

Sounds like it is going to be a major repair.

jeff

 

[mjbst111]

that's not good. sorry to hear that news.....

 

[bichmgnt]

Are you handy? Got a decent set of metric wrenches and sockets? When I had this happen I did the whole repair in my garage. I bought the Bentley manual and just followed the head removal and replacement procedures. Once I had the head off I took it to a local shop that did all the work on the head and gave it back a week later. To the utter amazement of my roommates, I had it all apart and back together again in about ten days. Didn't have the internet back then and never felt the need to consult outside the manual. Cost about $600 (in '92) including the towing and the manual. Taking it to a shop can cost as much as $2000+. It's pretty straightforward and there isn't very much you can screw up. After I was done I thought BMW had done good job of engineering the engine for easy maintenance.

Props to Paul for making the call.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

Steve

 

[JeffD]

Steve,

I am a trained aircraft mechanic...so I think I can handle the basic parts, did you have the enitre car towed to the repair shop? Did they replace pistons and valves and replace the head? Just curious.

Also, what about an entire engine replacement?

Thanks Pauld!


jeff

 

[bichmgnt]

I had the car towed to my house. I did the repair in my garage. I pulled the head and took it to a garage I trusted and had them take it where they normally take their heads and they reconditione it for me. They replaced four valves, reground the seats and knurled the valve guides.

Although not trained I'm a fair mechanic and have rebuilt a couple engines and have done a lot of work on my own cars. You shouldn't have any problems following the Bentley manual and pulling the head and replacing it. All you'll have to farm out is the repair on the head itself. You should check to make sure none of the pistons are damaged and the piston walls are smooth after taking off the head. I've heard that there can be damage to the engine when the timing belt breaks but I had none.

I put another 120,000 miles on my car since doing the head repair myself and the engine still runs good. I've been replacing the timing belt every 50,000 miles, though, to avoid having to do this repair again. I'd say replacing the engine is way overkill.

Steve

 

[JeffD]

Thaks Steve,

Took the front of the engine apart, belt had lost about 8 teeth. Getting ready to remove the head.

Jeff

 

[pauld]

sorry to hear the news. as soon as I bought the car @163k I read here to change the belt, otherwise I'm sure I'd be in your situation if not for this site. good luck