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Zaftig
Joined: 10 Dec 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Bridgewater, NJ
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Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:20 pm Post subject: White Smoke from Exhaust - what does this mean $$? |
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Help! My 528i is sick. I have white smoke coming from my exhaust. She' sdrinking coolant and it's not leaking out on the ground. I've had the oil changed, oil separator changed, hoses, 6 spark plugs, along with the radiator top hose and main serpentine belt. I think my mechanic said that I've blown a gasket or cracked a cyclinder head(?), with which either one is very expense to fix. So here are the facts:
1997 528i
257,000 miles
So here are my questions:
1. Do you think it is the blown gasket or cyclinder head or something else?
2. If you think it's one of the above how much should it cost to repair?
3. Is it worth paying that cost to repair for a car with this many miles?
Thank you ![Sad](images/smiles/icon_sad.gif) _________________ Thanks Zaftig! |
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walshja
![](images/avatars/8505547374401e953cc5b6.jpg)
Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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Zaftig, sorry to hear of your problem, and yes, does sound like a head gasket.
blown head gasket is better is better than a cracked head.
BUT, and 1997 with so many mile, I think you are wise to question if it is worth the effort. I'm going to guess the cost to fix the problem is as much as buying another used car of the same year.
is the car over heating? can you continue to drive the car as is? ensuring you keep the coolant level filled? I would drive it til it dies, and in the meantime start looking for a replacement.
I wonder why your mechanic did all that work you listed, knowing the head gasket was blown? _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
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Zaftig
Joined: 10 Dec 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Bridgewater, NJ
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Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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Thank Joe - at this point I'm beginning to wonder too. Thanks for the info. Yes I can drive her and I'm checking the coolant level every day. Oh how one gets so attached to their cars!
With her being in this shape and evenually dying. When I replace her should I go to a salvage dealer? IF she's still rolling should I expect anything for trade-in? _________________ Thanks Zaftig! |
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walshja
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Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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if you are going to buy a car from a dealer, I would do it sooner than later. If you can drive the car to the dealer, you will get more for it. often they don't even test drive the trade in, and they will give you the low end of the wholesale price. don't feel bad trading in a car with a blown head gasket, they don't feel bad offering you crap money as trade-in _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
![](http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/325iCx-0707.JPG) |
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edjack
Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Posts: 3887 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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Try a Bar's Leaks treatment. With that many miles, you have nothing to lose.
walshja,
He had a boat payment coming up! _________________
Ed BMW CCA member since 1987 (Nr. 62319).
'97 540i 6 speed Aspensilber over Aubergine interior. |
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walshja
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Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1139 Location: guilford, ct, usa
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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Ed, having purchased my first boat this past spring, that makes perfect sense !! _________________ joe
1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out
![](http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/325iCx-0707.JPG) |
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