Head Gasket

[karavini]

My timing belt snapped en route on a 12 hour journey. I had it towed to a mechanic and he replaced belt. He said it stripped a bolt and as he went to turn on the car after repair, head gasket cracked. he quoted me $2400 all up. Does this sound right? Someone please help me

[BMW_tech]

Timing Belt?? Huh?? :dunno:

[karavini]

timing chain?? not too sure

[BMW_tech]

My timing belt snapped en route on a 12 hour journey. I had it towed to a mechanic and he replaced belt. He said it stripped a bolt and as he went to turn on the car after repair, head gasket cracked. he quoted me $2400 all up. Does this sound right? Someone please help me

Stripped a bolt,I doubt it.Had the timing off or left something loose perhaps.Its his fault,why would you worry about it?

[karavini]

he's quoted me $2400 all up. I personally think that i shouldn't have to pay that much since he cracked it right?

[BMW_tech]

he's quoted me $2400 all up. I personally think that i shouldn't have to pay that much since he cracked it right?

You shouldn't have to pay a cent period.He probably had no idea how to work on your vehicle or knew how and got careless.

[karavini]

thanks. do you think i cud change the head gasket myself? ive watched a few video's online on how to do it.

[BMW_tech]

thanks. do you think i cud change the head gasket myself? ive watched a few video's online on how to do it.

If you have the proper tools,why not? Cam timing is critical,1 tooth off it will run but more will bend valves.Lock the flywheel and the cams on TDC.You shouldn't have to do this if the mechanic messed it up though. :dunno:

[karavini]

Your right. If they cracked my head gasket, they should fix it not me. I didn't crack it. how much is a head gasket set worth for my model car roughly?

[BMW_tech]

Your right. If they cracked my head gasket, they should fix it not me. I didn't crack it. how much is a head gasket set worth for my model car roughly?

Thats the least of your worries,you should take it apart and look for damages like bent valves or the cylinder head itself is cracked.

[karavini]

he said something about a stripped bolt. what exactly is that do u know?

[BMW_tech]

he said something about a stripped bolt. what exactly is that do u know?


Perhaps the headbolts won't tighten down thus "stripped"? That would mean you need a new motor.If the bolts that holds the sprocket to the camshafts,it means you need new cams.

[karavini]

so either way im screwed?

[BMW_tech]

:thumbup:

:violent:

[karavini]

is it major work to get and install a new camshaft?

[clouddancer79]

is it major work to get and install a new camshaft?

Yes it is... the cams are fragile, especially so with the valve springs. It is a very difficult and complicated procedure to get the cam in and out without damaging it.

[Sakukurata]

Hi,
If I were you I' d rather let the experienced mechanic to do it. It is not like Toyota corolla or Nisan Sentra or small engine american car. It is delicate stuff. Unless you want a new adventures. good luck! Do you know Pelicanparts.com? take a look his advice!