1997 318ti m

[robbg]

I am considering buying a 1997 318ti m.
It has 100,000 miles, excellent condition inside and out, beautiful car.

Asking price is $2200 because of overheating issue, said he would take $1900. Says he thinks it is a radiator leak. Says it was not driven once it started overheating and has no engine or transmission leaks. No other mechanical problems.

Would love some general thoughts, opinions about buying a 318ti m, in general and this one in particular. What should I look for, what questions ahould I ask?

Overheating issues seem fairly simple to me to figure out and fix, does this happen to be an issue with this year?

Thanks everyone in advance for your help.

[cooljess76]

Overheating can be big $$$ with these engines. The fact that he calls it an issue would lead me to believe it happened more than once. Our headgaskets tend to fail fairly easily when the engine overheats. A headgasket replacement can easily exceed $1500 if you take it to a shop. First thing that comes to mind is that our cooling systems tend to trap air in the system whenever there is a leak or coolant loss. This causes airlock and prevents coolant from circulating through the engine. Second thing that comes to mind is the cooling system has a couple plastic coolant fittings that are known to fail and dump all of the coolant. A radiator leak will result in coolant loss. Air will fill the void and coolant will not circulate. This will destroy temp sensors and fatigue the plastic coolant fittings and headgasket.

My advice, get to higher ground, THERE'S A TSUNAMI COMING YOUR WAY!

[zoner]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

My advice, get to higher ground, THERE'S A TSUNAMI COMING YOUR WAY!

x5677899.4

I"m watching video right now of the coast of Japan getting f'in WORKED! My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and my advice to the people of Hawaii is the same as Jess's

[R100RS]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

My advice, get to higher ground, THERE'S A TSUNAMI COMING YOUR WAY!

Sounds like good advice in the face on an overheating E36, regardless of the weather...

-Kurt

[robbg]

Thanks for the advice, any way to definitively assess the head gasket?

I slept soundly, I live in the hills. My heart goes out to Japan though.

Thanks!

[zoner]

Originally Posted by robbg

Thanks for the advice, any way to definitively assess the head gasket?

I slept soundly, I live in the hills. My heart goes out to Japan though.

Thanks!

Sorry for the earlier thread hijack re: earthquake...

Other than checking for oil in the water, water in the oil, or blowing steam out of the exhaust, I'm not sure if there is a definitive way to tell, other than removing the head and inspecting the gasket. I'd be a little curious as to whether the car got a little hot, or a LOT hot, how long it stayed operating while it was overheating, and whether or not this cycle happened more than once. Like Jess said, it could just be an airlock or you could be looking at a major head repair/resurface.

[spidertri]

Do a compression and leakdown before you buy it, or just have a general pre purchase inspection done. There could be other problems besides the overheating that you'll have to take care of.

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by robbg

Thanks for the advice, any way to definitively assess the head gasket?

I slept soundly, I live in the hills. My heart goes out to Japan though.

Thanks!

Symptoms would be oil in the coolant, coolant in the oil, white/sweet smelling smoke coming from exhaust, chocholate milk looking goop under the oil cap and/or a rusty dipstick, rough idle. The best way to check would be to do a cylinder leakdown test followed by a compression test. Glad you're alright!

[carlosR]

Definitely get a PPI, save yourself headaches and cash.

[jca]

That price is a great deal if the head gasket is OK, and the leak down and compression tests come back OK.