E39 540i Head Gasket?

[SonGoKu619]

Hi

The car is drinking about a cup of coolant a month so I took it into bosch and one of the mechanics noticed that the car was 'missing' slightly while idling...Checked it out and there was a very small amount of water on the pistons

They did a pressure test and the bluish liquid turned to a yellowish-white...The techy said that he thinks the head gasket is going...At the moment the car is running perfectly (nothing strange to me) besides a little clicking sound when it's running hot/after a long journey or if I play around a lil (kick-down)..

The Bosch guys here in our farm (Welkom) don't have the tools and Booking with BMW takes 3 weeks and what cost am I looking at?

Any Ideas..?
Thanks

 

[rick540]

How does the car start after standing?

 

[SonGoKu619]

has absolutely no problems...starts normal...although on the odd occasion when i start it makes a weird noise. I think thats only the starter though..

 

[Roundal]

I think what Rick was after is if there is a miss fire on start up, this would indicate water in the combustion chambers and a leaking head gasket.

 

[Solo Man]

Let the car cool down overnight and before starting in the morning take the plugs out. Have someone hold two pieces of cardboard over the plugholes and then start the car. If the headgasket is blowing or the head is cracked there will be water coming out of one or more of the plugholes. The funny noise is most probably water on one or more of the pistons and the starter is having a hard time turning the engine due to the higher compression. Had a similar problem with my old E39 528 when the head had developed two cracks. You won't believe the amount of water that came out of piston nr 3 (i had driven 900km from Upington to Hermanus with the temp gauge at normal the whole time, even during lunchtime traffic in Stellenbosch with no problem, that same morning) Had the head stitched welded and it is still going strong 50 000 km later

 

[SonGoKu619]

I know it's a bit laaate but just had the head gasket replaced..tiny bit of water in but couldn't find a crack as such. However the engine was open so we just decided to do it xD...now to fix that stupid clicking ticking truck sound...I've heard Vanos, Timing chain etc..any ideas?

 

[Budleigh]

I know it's a bit laaate but just had the head gasket replaced..tiny bit of water in but couldn't find a crack as such. However the engine was open so we just decided to do it xD...now to fix that stupid clicking ticking truck sound...I've heard Vanos, Timing chain etc..any ideas?

What did that cost?

 

[SonGoKu619]

The insurance Paid out R7000 and I had to fork out an extra R1000
So R8000 in total..Though not many people wanted to play with my e39 V8's insides ..all is well though..no more stinking yellow check engine light problems (Think the gasket issue triggered my camshaft sensors/o2 sensors etc. coz I replaced them and they kept repitching but after the gasket change they haven't returned - 2 weeks now!! xD)

 

[Fordkoppie]

What type of insurance do you have that pays for mechanical repairs??

 

[SonGoKu619]

Took out a 2 year warranty when I bought the car...to fix whatever needed fixing xD ..so far it's paid for itself and moaR...going to replace the starter as my next claim keeps making a funny sound at odd times which can be verrry embarrassing at times..