» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 06-01-2024 03:04 PM 7 Replies, 415,955 Views | | My 318ti build 05-21-2024 04:48 PM 05-28-2024 06:42 PM 1 Replies, 7,309 Views | | | | | 08-09-2006, 01:49 AM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 25 | 318 ti 1996 fitting recon head My 1996 318ti blew a bottom radiator hose last week. The BMW agents here have had a look, confirmed blown head gasket and badly cracked head, as well as a leaky water pump. Their price for repairing all this, $5000, is about half the cost of the car 12 months ago. I can probably get a reconditioned head for about $1200.00. I believe replacing the head can be difficult but I have done that before on a Nissan with success,and am looking to do the same on the BMW. Can anyone advise me on this? I have reasonable mechanical knowledge, with the internet to back me up, and a standard set of tools. Any help appreciated. | | | 08-09-2006, 04:05 AM | #2 | Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: MA Posts: 30 | Sorry I don't have first hand experience with a M44 head, but if you don't mind, how many miles on the car and how often was coolant changed? __________________ '95 318ti 285K | | | 08-09-2006, 12:57 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 669 | I'll be working on this soon. I have a cracked head although it has stopped leaking currently, I'll be replacing it in 3 weeks. You need a few special tools, someone posted drawings on how to make them, but if you have no access to a machine shop you could buy them on ebay. If you want I know a guy who could sell you a new head for less than $1200. I bought mine for $250 with 0 miles on it, but no cams... | | | 08-09-2006, 06:17 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MN Posts: 155 | IMO you would be better off getting a whole new engine. I just picked up a 94 M42 for $750. you have a m44 which will be even easier to find. __________________ live with boost | | | 08-09-2006, 08:07 PM | #5 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 25 | The agents here in NZ tell me my motor is an M42 and that a new head would cost $2400 while they could get a recon engine for $2100.The trouble is there is a lot more work in fitting a new engine than replacing the head. I've managed to track down a recon guaranteed head for $1500. These are NZ dollars, halve them for the rough US eqivalent. I have managed to locate a repair manual and am looking to do the work this weekend if I can get everything together | | | 08-09-2006, 08:20 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MN Posts: 155 | post some pics of the head install when you get around to it. sounds like a fun job I am going to try and snap a couple of my swap. __________________ live with boost | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |
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