Timing belt 88 325iC?

Question

My timing belt just went in my 1988 325iC. I was quoated a price of about $1800 to repair, that is if its the valves and the heads, pistons. The car has about 270,000 miles on her. Is this worth fixing and is this a good price. This is American dollars and the repair shop has lots of exp. with BMW and Porches

I was at a red light when it went. I tried to start a few times but of course it never started again. The body is in fair condition but has some rust forming in both right and left fenders (easy fix I know).

Answer 1

Timing belt and tensioners are about $350 at the dealership. I am willing to bet you will not get out of the BMW porsche speciality shop for less than $2,500. AND if the car was traveling at a hight rate of speed when the valves pistons hit, Ouch! 6 Kobenshmit pistons boring the engine block 6 new intake valves 6 new exhaust valves new cyl head and possably the big one a valve damaged the engine block? No a 20 year old car is not worth the money your about to spend. But for a hand me down car for the KID to learn on it might pay off.

Answer 2

At what speed the belt snapped.
Idling-it would have damaged the valves,cam and rocker.and at times cylinder head.
If above 50-it could have damaged,complete cylinder head,pistons and at times block ,dont forget the crankshaft damage.sometimes luck plays a part too.

just to be on safe side,please ask them to dismantle the cylinder head,upon opening u can know the actual condition.Then u ask the workshop for the quote n then u decide.
you may get it done below USD1000/-if only the head is gone.
U can buy a good second hand head(complete) and top overhaull gasket.and pay the workmanship
This car can take u another 80k miles if pistons/rings and block is good.
If u feel your car body is good ,u can always replace a complete second hand engine,if u have time and money.
If more other repairs expected,just sell it as is basis.
wish u all the best.

Answer 3

it matters not what speed the engine was turning when the belt snapped what you will need for repairs will be :
1. valve grind set of gaskets
2. intake valves [most times only 5 as 1 is closed and not in harms way]
3. valve guides for all 12 valves [at 270k their due]
complete valve job [exhausts and intake seats
4. close inspection of cam followers and cam lobes
[at these mileages the face of the followers generally are worn out,also
the camshaft may not have been properly hardened when new
[see bmw tech bulletins] and excessively worn by now.
5. timing belt
6. timing belt tensioner
7. crankshaft front seal
8. water pump [because you are right there]
9 miscellaneous hoses [ water and crankcase vent]
10 pistons will not be needed for this repair.[if the oil services were kept up and it was not smoking before it wont smoke after the repair] typical bore wear on these at high milage [300k] is only [004-008 total] at top ridge and factory honing marks are still visable

Answer 4

At 270K it isn't worth fixing. M20 cylinder head, even getting it used, would run you few hundred bucks. But you don't want to install this directly, you want to get valve job first. Provided that you are able to seal all the valve leaks, installing fresh cylinder head on top of the worn short block would cause blow-by - massive internal oil leak. So regardless of condition of your short block, you would need to take the piston out and install new rings. So bare minimal, yo uare looking at minimal engine rebuild. Combined that with machin work, it would run around $3000. If this is not done, then you would end up with incomplete fix (fix with burning oil)

I think you are better off getting a used engine, and installing it with new water pump and timing belt. Should be able to get it done under $3000.

Answer 5

I'm sorry about your timing belt. If you decide not to go ahead with the repair, please let me know. I may be interested in buying some parts for my 1988 325IC. (Hard top, seats, etc.)

Answer 6

i would just sell it with that many miles or get a new engine