Backstory: Bought my 1990 325i in mid October from a guy in Albany. Said he bought it for his family but it wasn't big enough (then later saw his wife driving an M class Mbz suv). Test drove it, looked for smoke/steam coming out of the tail pipe, checked the fluids and their levels, asked if it used any oil or coolant (he said no). Checked computer for codes, needed a lot of cosmetic work but seemed like a great runner. Obviously needed shocks. Expired tags, they expiered in 2012. Looked liked it had been sitting a while...asked why..he didn't know. Asked again whynhe was selling it...not big enough for him. Ok, seems enough like a decent car. Bought it. Passed DEQ with flying colors. Fixed the front shocks and front lower control arms. Been driving it a month now, no major problems....except one.
Realized the coolant temperature starts to creep up if it sits and idles a long time. Ok, I figure, needs cooling system work soon.
Then I see this guy listing other older BMWs for sale on craigslist (as an owner, not a dealer...realizing this might be a guy that flips cars under the radar) then...........I get the worst news.
Found an old reciept of the previous-previous owner under the seat. I adder her on Facebook so I could chat her up on the history of the car, which i knew little about. Then found out that the car has a likely leaking head gasket. It over heated on her on the st Johns bridge, then she parked it for a year. They tried to get it to stop over heating by installing a new thermostat. It didn't help. They sold it to the Albany guy for 300 bucks for parts. I feel taken, but its my own fault, I know. Used cars have risks, and older BMWs have their own set of risks. Still, this ass in Albany was less than honest with me. And I have his address and number...so if you go to check out a car in Albany, check with me and make sure its not the same seller...because he's dishonest and a crook.
Now... what to do. The car currently has been a great daily. No problems.on my 9 mile each way commute, or driving anywhere else for that matter. Temp gauge hangs right around the middle, except when idleing or driving very slowly for a long time.(and even then sometimesn itndoesnt happen) Once driving normally, temperature come right back down to normal. Also, oddly, it seems like the car is slow to warm up (on the gauge only...heater heat is available pretty quick). My M3 came up to normal temp much soomer than this car. I'm pretty sure the over heating will become much more of an issue during the warmer months. So.........first. I have to find out if its really the head gasket. Do these symptoms to you guys sound like head gasket issues or more mundane cooling system problems? Debating selling the car, or diagnosing , fixing, and keeping it. I love the car, just feel really stupid. If anyone has the know how and wants to tackle a head gasket (or at least test it), and can quote me a.price I can afford and still be worth it to the repairer, I'm all ears to your estimates.
I repeat...yes I know I am an idiot. Flame if you want to, but it will be redundant. I'm raking myself over the coals for this. I think I deserve it.
Realized the coolant temperature starts to creep up if it sits and idles a long time. Ok, I figure, needs cooling system work soon.
Then I see this guy listing other older BMWs for sale on craigslist (as an owner, not a dealer...realizing this might be a guy that flips cars under the radar) then...........I get the worst news.
Found an old reciept of the previous-previous owner under the seat. I adder her on Facebook so I could chat her up on the history of the car, which i knew little about. Then found out that the car has a likely leaking head gasket. It over heated on her on the st Johns bridge, then she parked it for a year. They tried to get it to stop over heating by installing a new thermostat. It didn't help. They sold it to the Albany guy for 300 bucks for parts. I feel taken, but its my own fault, I know. Used cars have risks, and older BMWs have their own set of risks. Still, this ass in Albany was less than honest with me. And I have his address and number...so if you go to check out a car in Albany, check with me and make sure its not the same seller...because he's dishonest and a crook.
Now... what to do. The car currently has been a great daily. No problems.on my 9 mile each way commute, or driving anywhere else for that matter. Temp gauge hangs right around the middle, except when idleing or driving very slowly for a long time.(and even then sometimesn itndoesnt happen) Once driving normally, temperature come right back down to normal. Also, oddly, it seems like the car is slow to warm up (on the gauge only...heater heat is available pretty quick). My M3 came up to normal temp much soomer than this car. I'm pretty sure the over heating will become much more of an issue during the warmer months. So.........first. I have to find out if its really the head gasket. Do these symptoms to you guys sound like head gasket issues or more mundane cooling system problems? Debating selling the car, or diagnosing , fixing, and keeping it. I love the car, just feel really stupid. If anyone has the know how and wants to tackle a head gasket (or at least test it), and can quote me a.price I can afford and still be worth it to the repairer, I'm all ears to your estimates.
I repeat...yes I know I am an idiot. Flame if you want to, but it will be redundant. I'm raking myself over the coals for this. I think I deserve it.
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