The Problem
The customer reported their BMW was overheating frequently and losing coolant with no visible leaks. The engine had started misfiring under load and producing white exhaust smoke.
- Temperature gauge climbing to red zone within 10 minutes of driving
- White smoke from exhaust, especially on cold starts
- Engine misfiring and loss of power on hills
- Coolant level dropping despite no visible external leak
- Sweet smell from engine bay
Diagnosis
Our technicians performed a comprehensive diagnostic using OEM BMW scanning equipment. A compression test revealed significant pressure loss in cylinders 2 and 3, confirming a blown head gasket.
- OBD-II scan showed cylinder 2 and 3 misfire codes (P0302, P0303)
- Compression test: Cylinders 2 & 3 at 85 PSI (spec: 170 PSI)
- Combustion gas leak test positive — exhaust gases in coolant
- Visual inspection: warped cylinder head from overheating
- Oil analysis showed coolant contamination
The Repair
The engine was removed, stripped, and the cylinder head was sent for skimming. New head gasket set, timing components, and water pump were fitted. The engine was reassembled with fresh fluids and tested.
- Engine removal and complete strip-down
- Cylinder head sent for pressure testing and skimming
- New head gasket set (genuine BMW parts)
- Replacement of timing chain, tensioner, and guides
- New water pump and thermostat fitted
- Engine reassembly with torque-to-yield head bolts
- Fresh oil, coolant, and fluids — full system bleed
- 2-hour run test and road test to confirm fix
The Result
The BMW was returned to the customer running perfectly. All cylinders showed even compression, no overheating, and full power restored. The repair came with a 6-month warranty.
- Compression restored to 168–172 PSI across all cylinders
- No overheating — temperature stable at operating range
- Full power restored, smooth idle and acceleration
- No coolant loss after 500 km of testing
- 6-month / 10,000 km warranty on all work performed
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