Hi,

Would welcome some wisdom as I'm a first time BMW owner.

I have a 1997P reg coupe which blew its radiator a couple of days ago. According to the garage mechanic, the pressure built up in the engine and caused the blowout, as with a new rad the temp gauge flew up to Red as soon as it was taken on the road, so something engine related, possibly the head gasket? Suggested repair would not be economical.

What are my options? Is it not worth repairing, and if so what would be the best route to get the most for salvage? I know he has genuine split wheels, but beyond that unsure where to get best advice.

Many thanks

If you're half capable with a socket set then fix her up and change the gasket... We don't kill 'em, we fix 'em ;)

Jack, I wouldn't know a socket set if one came up and bit me!!

If you're half capable with a socket set then fix her up and change the gasket... We don't kill 'em, we fix 'em ;)

Yeah, that's my mentality.

If it's your daily, then it's difficult but I blew ten shades out of my engine a few years back and Jack-Spanner assisted me to rebuild the top end of the engine. Took me over a month but, I learned alot.

It does indeed sound like the head gasket. The gasket is letting cylinder pressure directly into the coolant system causing the abnormal pressure in the rad. Your garage shouldof performed at compression test to confirm this.

If it is any help, we are all here to help you through it? If you get stuck and need pictures n what not, I have the exact same engine as you sitting next to me as I type...

Daz

... And when Daz says "assisted", it was not in person but here ! :)

Thanks Daz, I will have another conversation with the mechanic tomorrow but given my total lack of skill in this dept, I am reliant on one to actually fix it for me. My concern is that it may be uneconomical to go thru with the fix at all. It's MOT is due mid Oct which could also open up a new can of worms so to speak! Any thoughts on the value for repairs and parts and how best to pursue that option would be helpful too.

Its the labour charges that will hurt you most :(