Author Topic: Looking at a car...need help (Read 3501 times)

golfdmb18 · « **on:** April 27, 2006, 09:15:10 PM »

Well this is my first post here...ive had 5 bmws but im looking at my first '91 318is. They seller told me that the car needs a new headgasket because there is a weird color/mixture in the oil. Im no expert but this sounds like it could be the profile gasket..i think maybe coolant is leaking in the oil? Can somebdy correct me if im wrong. Also how hard is it to replace the profile gasket? Thanks
anthony

sheepdog · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2006, 11:45:34 PM »

An actual headgasket could also be the cause. Keep in mind pretty much anything still running has had that gasket changed, it really is not even worth mentioning anymore. Most were dead by around 35,000 miles.

Honestly though if you are serious, have a BMW repairman give it a once over. These things get costly on repairs, as I am sure you already know.

golfdmb18 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2006, 07:39:44 AM »

the car is about an hour and a half away...i dont have a truck/trailer available right now to bring the car home. I know i shouldn't drive the car home but i may have to. Should I be worried about severly damaging the engine?

sheepdog · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2006, 12:27:38 PM »

Depends on how fast it overheats.

Ask the owner how fast or bad it overheats, he should know if it will make the trip. If you can, have him guarantee it will make it. Use any info to talk him down further on price if he will not guarantee or does not expect it to make it.

Change the oil before you leave!

I would also bring along some extra water and some sort of contingency plan. Either a buddy with some chains, somone with a trailer, or at the very least see if your insurance offers roadside assistance/towing. This way if it does break down/overheat you will have a way to get it home.

kramerica5000 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2006, 07:55:57 AM »

I think that a profile gasket failure usually leaks coolant outside of the engine, and if you engine has over 100k its very unlikely that it hasn't already failed and been replaced. Either way you are looking at pulling the head and installing a new head gasket because you have to pull the head to repair the profile gasket.

Here's an article about what's involved:

http://www.mesaperformance.com/faqs/318tcpg.html

My advice is to not spend much on this car, and like other's commented, have a contingency plan for getting the thing home.

Quote from: golfdmb18

Well this is my first post here...ive had 5 bmws but im looking at my first '91 318is. They seller told me that the car needs a new headgasket because there is a weird color/mixture in the oil. Im no expert but this sounds like it could be the profile gasket..i think maybe coolant is leaking in the oil? Can somebdy correct me if im wrong. Also how hard is it to replace the profile gasket? Thanks
anthony

e9nine · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2006, 07:59:37 AM »

I wouldn't drive the car home or attempt to do so unless you have a replacement engine awaiting you in your garage.

M42boy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2006, 11:38:11 AM »

Quote from: sheepdog

An actual headgasket could also be the cause. Keep in mind pretty much anything still running has had that gasket changed, it really is not even worth mentioning anymore. Most were dead by around 35,000 miles.

Honestly though if you are serious, have a BMW repairman give it a once over. These things get costly on repairs, as I am sure you already know.

I think this is misinformation. I have had my motor all apart and theres no evidence that my profile gasket has ever been replaced. Another friend of mine has over 180K miles on his car, and it's never been replaced (he's the original owner).

Maybe some of us got strong gaskets by mistake? :rolleyes:

sheepdog · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2006, 04:58:35 PM »

Quote from: M42boy

I think this is misinformation. I have had my motor all apart and theres no evidence that my profile gasket has ever been replaced. Another friend of mine has over 180K miles on his car, and it's never been replaced (he's the original owner).

Maybe some of us got strong gaskets by mistake? :rolleyes:

No idea, maybe some engines came of the line with them correct, hard to say. The general consensus though is that any bad ones would have died by now.