E39 540i Vanos with overheated "blown" engine - calling all enthusiasts & mechanics

[abandoned]

Hi guys,

I've recently purchased my first BMW, an E39 540i with an M62 Vanos engine. Only problem is, the engine aint workin' no more! The owner says it overheated due to "no water", there are visible water/steam marks all over the engine.

I want to get it back on the road on a tight budget. What are some of the issues I'll face? What could be the problem at best and at worst. A refurbished engine will cost me about 35K ... what are the alternatives?

Who should I be speaking to? I wouldn't mind some "enthusiasts" come take a look at it, I'll compensate for all travel costs and pocket money for advice etc.

I want a few opinions before I commit myself to any major work and funds on the vehicle ...

Who should I be asking for advice etc.

Thanks in advance ...

PS: I live in Midrand

 

[freerider]

eina, bmw engines do not like to be cooked.

 

[clutchplate]

no dude, before you pay ANYONE to do anything..
I would suggest, take your heads off, or take the car to HeadZone or someone top end. and have them check your engine for cracks and any damage..
they will be able to fix it. and if there is nothing wrong with it, just service it while its open.

then replace all cooling components, radiator, pipes, waterpump. and smack her back together.

DO NOT get a backyard mechanic to come look at it, their just gonna waste your time and money..

 

[abandoned]

Thanks clutchplate, that's a good place to start ....
Only problem is ... HeadZone is in Cape Town ... I'm in Midrand, JHB ...
Know any company in my area with the same reputation?

 

[clutchplate]

no man there is a headzone in centurion ..

no worries bro .. would love to see some pics of your car

HEADZONE (Gauteng)

Unit 7
Diamond Park
92 Jakaranda street
Hennopspark X16
CENTURION

Tel: 0861 headzone
Fax: (012) 653 1326

 

[wynandd]

If the engine is too ISM (in sy moer) to repair, look for a used complete motor, do not even attempt a rebuild on a tight budget! A friend got a quote recently for an Audi 2,8l engine rebuild, also cooked motor. Quote was R35K from non franchised garage. He managed to get a complete motor for R15K!:shocked:

 

[SirSparky]

why dont you just get one of those import motors form japan engines for half the price?
like free rider said before,bmw engines dont like to be overheated.no matter which way you look at it your going to have to spend quite some money.other option is have a look on smd webside for a wrecked 540 whos engine still in tact,35k for a 540 motor is not bad.Jandre paid close to 30k to have his 316 redone.iam sitting with a varked engine myself on my opel ts which is getting rebuilt for about R10K

 

[abandoned]

Thanks for the advice so far guys ... I've spoken to Lappies from HEADZONE in Centurion so far, he works in conjunction with BB Motor Corp. HeadZone does the engineering, and BB does the stripping etc.

I didn't understand everything they said, but I think the first task is to strip the engine and find out what's actually broken. Because at this point, it could be a number of things and it's all just speculation. So BB Motor Corp will be taking the engine apart next week.

@ SirSparky

I've considered a "new" engine, I phoned around and I can get a refurbished M62 Vanos engine for R35K. What I'm told is that I have to replace it with exactly the same engine, not even the "non-vanos" 540i engine is the same, I'm told that by changing the engine, I'll have to change/replace a lot more .... like the electronics etc.

 

[Nic_s]

I think if you only replace the basic motor, your current electronics should still work fine. Some of the other 540i experts might no more though.

 

[Uber Soldat]

I would have been very hesitant to buy that car.There has been a case of a car with the same thing happen, the person bought it thinking they could just replace the engine, only to find out that the gearbox was fried too as the coolant cools the gearbox oil. :bawling:

 

[clutchplate]

Hmm, Uber is right. But hey, lets hope for the best ... the guys at headzone are really good, so rest assured they will sort you out..
if your gearbox is fried ... I still have the auto box that came out of my e39 540. I put a manual 6speed in mine (it turned out to be an expensive idea)

BUT, step one ! get a professional damage report.. so wait for those guys to check it out nextweek.. and then you can figure out how to go about fixing it. It might not even be bad ..

 

[abandoned]

Thanks guys, I'm praying for a cost effective repair ... I'll do "upgrades" to the car later when I get more money .....

@clutch

My 540i is an Auto anyways, so if the gearbox is damaged/fried, I'll know where to look for a replacement!

 

[clutchplate]

sure thing man, let us know what happens..

 

[gazza]

hey guys

dont know what this place is like, but at the back of the current speed and sound mag.

company:
engine imports cc
011 740 7790/1/2

they out in brakpan

they got 5ser engines starting at R4000.00

dont know what they like, but maybe worth a try.

good luck

 

[zaleonardz]

There is a still assembled E39 540 with front end damage at autofever.

Took a hit to the front, you should be able to start it up and check vital components. I would do that and buy the complete motor with the gearbox. Should cost you bout 12 to 15k if Lionel is feeling generous.

Thing with autofever is, they are expensive, their service sucks, and the place pisses me off, but Lionel does offer a decent no questions warentee. So that may be an option.

As for the cooked motor, its really a big risk. If you can take it out yourself, and strip it down so that you can send the bits in for quotes, that should be a good indication.

 

[WerriesM5]

Hi I will not recomend to rebuild that engine, heads are very sensitive to heat, they are very expensive to rebuild the right way (Have done 3), and the timing on the vanos engine is a pain to get 100% even with all the special tools.

Just get a import motor it must be a m62tu b44 to keep the electronics happy
Important to look for an a import engine is where the starter sits, (RHD starter on left and LHD starter on right, you can open the block to make the starter work, i won't do that.... again)

 

[Raybimmer]

12-15K for 540i motor and box .... nice for a E36:clap:
Were all E39 4.4litre M62 tu ( technical update ) ?
Was there a M62 b44 motor ( non vanos and mechanical throttle ) used in local 540i ?
I know the tu motor was single vanos and electronic throttle .( better lower end torque ? )
What about fitting b44 inlet manifold to b44 tu ? ( m5o manifold swop on m52 ) ?
Are X5 motors the same , maybe a 4.6 will do , With the number of political friends riding them the service history of these motors may be suspect :nono:
Good luck

 

[WerriesM5]

Not all of the e39 540i had vanos and electronic throtle, all of them are 4.4. The intakes can be swoped but breather systems differ (like m50 and m52). electronics might work on x5 4.6 but x5 starter is on the wrong side, on x5 the diff sits where the starter is on e39

 

[BimmerMan]

If you are not able to pull the heads yourself, expect a R16 000 bill for this+fixing from a reputable garage
Ask me how I know :banghead: