Get the Best Priced BMW M3 Head Gasket

A blown head gasket is something you certainly would rather do without. Your reliable BMW M3 can quickly become a barrage of problems. If a head gasket starts to leak, there are often multiple symptoms that affect different systems. Some people try to seal these leaks. The only effective solution is to replace the head gasket, which is notoriously one of the most expensive repairs you can do on a car. If nothing is done, the entire engine can be destroyed. Owners of an M3 several years old may be faced with this dilemma.

Common BMW E46 Head Gasket Symptoms

In the E46, which the M3 is part of, a head gasket problem can affect every aspect of the engine. The gasket is a seal, keeping coolant, oil, and air and fuel in their respective places. Just diagnosing a blown head gasket requires taking apart the engine. There is really no BMW head gasket replacement DIY solution that wouldn't take days and days. Signs the gasket is failing include coolant leaks from near the exhaust manifold. You might also see white smoke coming from the exhaust, white milky oil that's mixed with coolant, or low coolant levels but no visible leak. You could also look for bubbles in the radiator or overflow tank. That would mean exhaust gases have mixed with coolant, which is a very bad thing. It's a real possibility that the engine can overheat due to a failed head gasket.

What Is a Head Gasket?

A head gasket is basically a large seal. An essential part of the combustion chamber, the head gasket in a car is usually multiple layers of steel. There are three layers in all. The faces that contact the engine block and cylinder head have a rubber-like adhesive. Sitting flat on a surface, the gasket looks like a cross section of the parts it's designed to seal.

What Is a Cylinder Head Gasket Made Of?

Usually steel in modern engines, but head gaskets have been made with solid copper. These require a special production process companies use to retrofit gaskets into engines without removing the engine block. Older head gaskets have composite materials such as graphite and asbestos. They're more prone to blowing out and asbestos is rarely used anymore. Elastomeric gaskets, with a steel core plate and silicone rubber beads, were unsuccessful due to unstable joint interfaces.

Cost of BMW 325i Head Gasket Replacement

Once you experience BMW E46 head gasket symptoms, it is time to prepare yourself for the shock. In a 2004 BMW M3, the estimate ranges from $3,493 to $4,468. By contrast, you'll get away with $1,895 to $2,576 for a head gasket in a 1996 model. If you're unlucky enough to need a head gasket in a 2012 BMW M3, expect to shell out as much as $5,752. That's over $5,000 in labor! Head gaskets are generally not super expensive, although they can range up to several hundred depending on the engine. PartsGeek.com can let you save significantly on the E36 M3 head gasket replacement cost. Our auto parts are sold exclusively via a secure online portal. The reduced overhead lets us pass the savings on to customers, and we are committed to helping you keep your car going for as long as possible.