About three months and 4500 miles ago I took my 1997 BMW 528I to a BMW dealer to be looked at for alternator problems. I also mentioned that the car was running hot, and they in turn also agreed and said that it was because the thermostat wasn't opening. They replaced the thermostat, housing, fan shroud, bleeder screw and replaced with "renewed coolant" for $450. I don't know if it makes a difference but, the car's 4500 miles during the interim have been freeway miles, and no city driving was done. The other day, I was using the car in the city with a lot of stop and go traffic when I noticed the car's temperature rising, I pulled over, waited for 20 minutes, and drove it straight home (approximately 1.3 miles). I towed it to a BMW mechanic and had the radiator replaced since it wasn't holding and pressure. After doing so, the mechanic discovered white smoke out the exhaust. I already knew what that meant. Should I be upset with the dealer having only looked at it 3 months ago?
2007-03-26 15:55:07 · 5 answers · asked by jack 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ BMW
I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1997 BMW 528I AS WELL.
For me, piston number 5 blew and had a hole in it. This happened in December of 2004. But in November, I had the car serviced, because of overheating problems (when i went on the freeway it was fine, but in trafic, the needle went to red) Everyone though it was the thermostat.I payed 1500 to replace,thermostat, housing, water pump, checked all the things on it but it wasn't the BMW dealer. It fixed up the problem temporarely. And one day in december, i just heard BOOM, while i let the car to heat up
I ended up doing nothing. just bought a used engine and cost me 5000 in total. I was really fustrated. Whats unbelievable is that even with the new engine, one day i was sitting at the light and the needle went toward red. I was speechless. Then I decided to take it to a BMW dealer, where I explained all the history and the mechanics took like 4 hours to finally figure out it was some stupid valve that was stuck into the closed position. Unbelievable. it cost me another 400 dollars.
But you know what's interesting? We're not the only ones who had this exact problem. This has been an engineering fault from bmw (in my opinion) on the e39. Bucause I heard about other people that they had the same problem. Just last week I had a chat with a mechanic from a foreign car shop, and he told me the same thing, he also had a 528i with a hole in the piston. you should Definetly complain, and I think we should complain to BMW of North America. the cooling system wasn't engineered good.
Now I have another thing, A pulley broke while i was on the freeway and the belts broke as well, and the engine ran a little hot until i got to the exit. It was in the middle of nowhere in a small village in Wisconsin. I had to wait like 3 days for the parts. The guys from the shop there never worked on a BMW. Anyway, the car overheated once I got it out, and they said its the termostat, but they dind't order it. I think they put a hole in it and I was able to get back to Chicago but the engine stayed cold, and heating didn't work. I still have to change that thermostat, didn't get a chance to. Good thing it doesn't overheat.
Anyway, I told my story on a a lot of BMW forum boards and I found its a common problem. Unfortunately we can't do nothing about it.
My suggestion is complain to the dealer. I don't think they're gonna do anything, if you're over they're warranty. But buy a m52 engine online ( i got mine from a wrecked one with 30000 miles on it) Try this site www.bmrparts.com . Also try ebay motors, you might find it. The cost is about 2000 dollars and another 2000 for the labor.
Good luck, and hope this help.
2007-03-26 16:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by Kristian55 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
My 1997 528I BMW head gasket blew three months after I took it to a dealer to get checked! Should I complain?
About three months and 4500 miles ago I took my 1997 BMW 528I to a BMW dealer to be looked at for alternator problems. I also mentioned that the car was running hot, and they in turn also agreed and said that it was because the thermostat wasn't opening. They replaced the thermostat, housing,...
2015-08-19 09:33:28 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bmw 528i 1997
2016-10-21 00:37:10 · answer #3 · answered by mcvey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dealer had nothing to do with your current problem! The radiator failure along with some continued use is what caused the head gasket failure. The past overheating also likely contributed to it, but if it has gone 3 months and 4,500 miles since the last repair with no problems then I would say the dealer fixed the problem at that time and they can't be held responsible for the new problem.
2007-03-26 16:02:59 · answer #4 · answered by know da stuff 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why would you complain? Are you upset because the dealer doesn't have a damn crystal ball and warn you that you were going to blow a gasket? The fact that your car ran hot due to the malfunctioning thermostat is the reason the gasket went bad -- NOT because the dealer actually worked on it.
Grow up, baby.
2007-03-26 16:06:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
538i Bmw
2016-12-26 16:22:30 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The funniest thing happened I went to the doctor for a cold three months ago now my hand hurts should I sue him.
Comon man your driving a ten year old car things are going to wear out and cause problems
2007-03-26 16:22:32 · answer #7 · answered by unaturalyaspirated 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋