Head Gasket

[LOWMILES]

Whats It Going To Cost To Replace Head Gasket 90 535i

[Craig]

Do it yourself, $500 or so if you get the head work done at the same time.

If a shop does it, $1500 or so.

[Hector]

it can cost you up to $2K for a complete rebuild including machining, valvetrain work, new parts and gasket set. Doing it this way you run the risk of dealing with a mediocre mechanic who could provide you mediocre work. If I were you I'd do it myself and make sure that the rebuild is done right.

[525SEI BRIT]

Just make sure your very careful when replacing the chain needs to be bang on, and have it pressure tested for cracks better safe than sorry mine (525 88) only cost £500 all in inc skimming, new water pump, etc @ a qualified specialist (coz I didn’t have the time + car was quite new to me them) pays to shop around! Plus that’s not much more than an inspection 2 service @ a dealer! That said I do all my own work now!


Whats It Going To Cost To Replace Head Gasket 90 535i

[callen]

Have done two (diff. cars) in last two years...both had head gasket fail on back of block.....simply cleaned everything up..bought new gasket set, new head bolts and put it back together...both engines run strong as ever. Hard to get good machine work done, especially if its not a 350 chevy so afraid machine shop would do more harm than good....probably cost me about $300.00 in parts and misc.
Callen 91 535i 89 735il...94 530i

[Alan_525i]

Heh, just got off the phone with my mechanic giving him the go ahead to do my head gasket.

He figures 2K including sales tax. This would include valve seals, water pump, timing belt all associated seals, gaskets, chemicals. If they yank the head and find that it could use a valve job their in-house machine shop will do the work for abotu another 150. If we are looking at a new cam and rocker arms (please no...) it will be much more.

[Hector]

if you plan to keep your ride for quite a while, and if this is the 1st time the head is been serviced I would replace rocker arms and rocker arm shafts and perhaps the rocker arm excentrics. I don't think you need worry about the cam but should have it checked anyway for play.


Heh, just got off the phone with my mechanic giving him the go ahead to do my head gasket.

He figures 2K including sales tax. This would include valve seals, water pump, timing belt all associated seals, gaskets, chemicals. If they yank the head and find that it could use a valve job their in-house machine shop will do the work for abotu another 150. If we are looking at a new cam and rocker arms (please no...) it will be much more.

[Alan_525i]

Even with only 108K on the motor those things should be done? I know people who have gone much longer before any head work so I am wondering how much of the "hard" parts I really need to replace. My mechanic said that those probably won't be necessary.

[Hector]

that your mechanic serviced the head without replacing these components I mentioned, they may need replacing at a later date, perhaps much sooner before the head goes bad again assuming you get another 100K out of the serviced head. Why not start with a clean slate? Anyway, it's your call but if you begin hearing valve chatter increasing in intensity (I hope it doesn't come down to this,) and doesn't correct itself after valve adjustments, then the rocker arms/shafts are probably on its last legs. If you got the time, then search the archives because I know this has been discussed before. If it's a money issue, then understandably discussion is mute...


Even with only 108K on the motor those things should be done? I know people who have gone much longer before any head work so I am wondering how much of the "hard" parts I really need to replace. My mechanic said that those probably won't be necessary.

[callen]

Have almost 250,000 miles on my 535 and Nothing has been changed...with exception of the head gasket and she runs soooo good. My 735il has 150,000 and again nothings been changed. Purchased the 735 from guy at work that got it really hot before shutting it down then let it sit for almost a year with the sludge in block....running good with simple gasket swap.