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2001 BMW 330 car doesnt start

Tiny
ELVISSTOFFLET
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BMW 330
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 11,200 MILES
I bought a BMW 330ci and 1 year later when I was driving the engine just suddenly stopped. I tried and tried to start it back up but no success. Everything in the car works and I hear clicks when I try to start it. So I had one of my friends come over and see if he can find something wrong with it. He plugged in his OBD 2 and what came up was radiator fluid. I towed it to a shop later that day and the techs told me it was a blown head gasket which they demanded about 3k just to fix it which is money I dont have. I took it home and noticed the battery was dead so I bought a new one. Still did the same thing. Then another tech came in and told me it might be my starter relay. Im at a confused state where I'm hearing more than one answer and solution and as little funds I have I dont want to waste it on unnecessary fixes. Please help me find out whats really wrong with so I can get it up and running. I appreciate your time in reading this. Any suggestions will help. Thank you
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Sunday, November 7th, 2010 AT 11:45 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
The answer I could give might be easier for both of us if you could tell me exactly what happened when it stopped. OBDII readers telling you radiator fluid is not helpful. $3k for a head gasket is based on what?
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
ELVISSTOFFLET
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well thank you for replying to my question. All I can say is the last thing I was doing was flipping through the radio to find some music and as I was doing that I noticed I started losing power, so I stepped on the gas alittle and nothing, I floored it and still nothing. I shut the radio off and noticed I no longer heard the engine. And thus what I was saying earlier on my reply. As for the 3k head gasket I'm not sure whats it based on since my knowledge on automotive is small but I went to several mechanics and their prices was either close or around that number for the repair. I know that with a cracked head gasket, white smoke starts erupting out of the exhaust mixture of engine oil and coolant I believe causes the white smoke. But how would I know since I cant get the car started in the first place? I hope this helps alittle on answering your questions.
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Thanks, the possibility is the head itself might be cracked. Be prepared for this, the 3k might go up if it needs a new cylinder head casting.
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 8:01 AM
Tiny
ELVISSTOFFLET
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well I was ready for that response but was hoping the answer would steer away to another direction. Um know I know the problem is there anything else I might know? For example: does the starter play a big part of why it's not starting?
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
If the cylinder is full of coolant it will. Pull all the spark plugs and try cranking it over, if coolant shoots out, you will know.
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Thursday, November 11th, 2010 AT 6:20 AM

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