523i Overheating Problem

[David Y]

Radiator, which was changed abt 18 months ago, leaked. Mechanic claimed that the leak was due to pressure as result of a failed air-con fan. Replaced a new radiator and air-con fan, overheating still persisted and pressurized coolant system, replaced thermostat and housing. Overheating still persisted, changed upper and lower hoses - still overheating. Water pump working, viscous fan working.Mechanic deduced that it is an engine problem. Engine compression is leaking into the coolant system due to head gasket failure. [From another BMW Forum- The gasket can fail around a/the fire rings and a water way which pressurises the cooling system and also sends combustion gases into the cooling system, boiling the coolant and overheating the engine pretty rapidly.] He recommends changing the engine as top overhaul costs the same.Sifu and guru, have you encountered this problem before? What was your fix? Appreciate your advice.Regards and Gong Xi Fa CaiDY

 

[Herbert]

That's a serious problem and your mechanic is right about option to replace the whole engine. Go for an M54 525i engine and OM seewai has a unit for sale.

 

[alive88]

how much would u think the cost to replace the whole engine to m54b25?

 

[tweiboon]

how much would u think the cost to replace the whole engine to m54b25?

Wahhhh............this might cost atleast RM8k.

 

[alive88]

Wahhhh............this might cost atleast RM8k.

wah.. 8k? been playing with mitsu car.. 8k can only get u 4g93. GSR halfcut already 11k. MIVEC 9k.. so, for m54b25 even if it goes till 9k. i think it wont hurt u that much

 

[JFT63]

wah.. 8k? been playing with mitsu car.. 8k can only get u 4g93. GSR halfcut already 11k. MIVEC 9k.. so, for m54b25 even if it goes till 9k. i think it wont hurt u that much

Hm, that's why we play with Bimmer than Mitsu..hehe

 

[pussy]

Radiator, which was changed abt 18 months ago, leaked. Mechanic claimed that the leak was due to pressure as result of a failed air-con fan. Replaced a new radiator and air-con fan, overheating still persisted and pressurized coolant system, replaced thermostat and housing. Overheating still persisted, changed upper and lower hoses - still overheating. Water pump working, viscous fan working.

Mechanic deduced that it is an engine problem. Engine compression is leaking into the coolant system due to head gasket failure. [From another BMW Forum- The gasket can fail around a/the fire rings and a water way which pressurises the cooling system and also sends combustion gases into the cooling system, boiling the coolant and overheating the engine pretty rapidly.] He recommends changing the engine as top overhaul costs the same.

Sifu and guru, have you encountered this problem before? What was your fix? Appreciate your advice.

Regards and Gong Xi Fa Cai

DY

go and do a head job, check for cracks and a leak pressure test.

its either a head gasket or a crack head. very common for it. dun waste time converting, too much money and more headache.

 

[pussy]

oh, did he do pressure test on the whole cooling system ? maybe be a leak at the water jacket or rear pipe.

 

[seewai]

That's a serious problem and your mechanic is right about option to replace the whole engine. Go for an M54 525i engine and OM seewai has a unit for sale.

Bro herbert, mine was sold back to Optimum and already out of the workshop in one of Optimum's customers ride Thanks for the advert though!!

I understand you've one for sale as well right? Also already sold kah?

Another note, just re-read the thread and noticed it's a 523 so it's going to be M52, conversion to M54 might require much more than the engine-kosong alone.

Cheers.
seewai

 

[seewai]

For leakage, I'm currently going through some testing phase. I was told that engine coolant leakage might not be noticeable with pressure test if the leakage happens at the heater side. It'd slowly drain the coolant. I just replaced a sensor at the expansion tank, mechanic claims "it's about time" looking at the physical wear. I'm still monitoring the coolant level.

I'm very reluctant to bypass the heater as I need the heater function every now and then, especially during cooler days when stuck in a traffic jam, or a night out at the Cameron Highlands .

Radiator, which was changed abt 18 months ago, leaked. Mechanic claimed that the leak was due to pressure as result of a failed air-con fan. Replaced a new radiator and air-con fan, overheating still persisted and pressurized coolant system, replaced thermostat and housing. Overheating still persisted, changed upper and lower hoses - still overheating. Water pump working, viscous fan working.

Mechanic deduced that it is an engine problem. Engine compression is leaking into the coolant system due to head gasket failure. [From another BMW Forum- The gasket can fail around a/the fire rings and a water way which pressurises the cooling system and also sends combustion gases into the cooling system, boiling the coolant and overheating the engine pretty rapidly.] He recommends changing the engine as top overhaul costs the same.

Sifu and guru, have you encountered this problem before? What was your fix? Appreciate your advice.

Regards and Gong Xi Fa Cai

DY

 

[Herbert]

I understand you've one for sale as well right? Also already sold kah?

Cheers.
seewai

Still undecided whether to get m54b30 or get another car with n62b44.

 

[seewai]

Still undecided whether to get m54b30 or get another car with n62b44.

It's OT here but n62b44 raises my eyebrow...I presume you meant M62B44, E39 540i?

 

[Herbert]

It's OT here but n62b44 raises my eyebrow...I presume you meant M62B44, E39 540i?

considering E63 N62B44

 

[seewai]

Why not the N52B30? N62B44 only ran for a couple of years (04-05 according to Wikipedia) but N52B30 until recently before it's replaced by F12/F13.

 

[David Y]

My ride is still in the workshop after two weeks. Mechanic called me yesterday that he had tried two "engine-kosong"; the first one was "noisy" and the second one was giving the same problem as my original engine. He said that he will look for another.

My concern is that these engine-kosong could be problematic engines in the first place (similar like mine). Has anyone done a top overhaul to change the top gasket or change the cylinder head? How much does it costs to do the job?

Again, my appreciation for your advice.

Regards

David Y

 

[gimli]

hi david,
That's the problem with buying a used engine. when i see how they keep the engine i decided to overhaul instead of changing. Since yours is a M52 engine (aluminium block), you need to ask your mechanic to ensure your engine block is not cracked/warped. The price for full overhaul should be around RM7k-RM8k,

 

[-fm-]

Hi David Y,
In your 1st post, you mention that the water pump is still working. Did your mechanic remove and inspect the waterpump? Is it the waterpump with the plastic
impeller?
Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but this type of waterpump is problematic.

 

[macgy]

This car, does it overheat all d time? or most of d time but at time it is normal?

 

[azlanmda]

Top overhaul

Had the same problems in Sept last year. First diagnosed as the termostat, replaced, then the fan clutch was replaced with oem sach, then the water coolant tank (original bmw) finally again the same happen.
Did top overhaul (m54b25) at kuchai lama cost abt RM 4k with replacement of the aluminium screws for the engine at RM 1.050k plus other charges. Now for the last 4 month happy to say no more overheat. BTW, the gasket for the engine block had to be replaced with an oversized ones due to skimming. I can forward the sifu (Mr. tew hp) if needed.

BTW, BMW really banyak makan wang (spent RM 20k already on repair & maintenance for 2 years use). But driving it makes you forget about the money. Had owned the current toyota camry for 3 years before but cannot compare the thrill of BMW E39. But the camry was cheap in comparison, only change minyak hitam>

 

[David Y]

Hi all,

Sorry for the late reply. Been too busy to check in.

Anyway, I have got my ride back and been using it for the past two weeks. The mechanic has finally found an engine that is working fine and I pray that it continues to be trouble free. The engine kosong plus new water hoses, thermostat, gaskets, oil change and such set me back by RM5k inclusive of labour. New power steering oil reservoir and hydraulic hoses cost me another RM380. I have been keeping an eye on the radiator, hoses and water level in the spare tank ever since.

FYI, all the replacements were done at M-Sports, Sunwaymas Commercial Centre, Pee Jay.

David

PS. I didn't replace the water pump which is working fine.