[Maestro]

Can anyone make a recommendation for a good independent BMW mechanic in the Philly area preferably close to Doylestown.

I have 07 335I with 210K miles and I am original owner I still love my car. I have done most all my own work on the car and used Thompson BMW for inspections and small items which I choose not to do myself.

About a month ago I noticed a coolant leak, Dash warning, topped it off and was good for a week or so and need to top it off again, it is now leaking so much I need to top off after 25 miles. Last summer I replaced the plastic hose connector that is right below the oil filter housing, when that blew I only got the yellow over temp warning before getting it home to replace it. I am pretty sure it did not over heat the car since it never shut off. About 5 yrs ago I had water pump go and that time it definitely got the red over temp and the car shut down.

Today I took everything apart, thinking the new replacement connector was leaking, but noticed the water pump and thermostat was all wet turn on the car and saw lots of water dripping, first thought it was the crack water pump, turns out the leak from higher up.

I have leaking head gasket, right at the front of the engine, the area round where the timing chain and cylinder one. As far as I can tell, it is not getting into the cylinder, not seeing any moisture in the exhaust, and no signs or water in the oil.

I do not have time to deal with this, and would like to get it fix. I am looking for a good independent Mechanic who would do a head gasket replacement. I know some mechanics but they do not like messing with engine work.

TIA

[TriumphTim]

Try Zymunt's right in Doylestown, 70 Green St near the library.

They have been in the BMW repair business for quite a few decades now...

[Maestro]

Thanks! however, they were the first place I went, they no longer are doing engine work other than general maintenance. A number of other place i knew of, said the same things, It seem like most shops really want to stay away from engine work.

I did find place called Joe Davis AutoSport just north of Doylestown, they specialize in Euro cars. Great place very professional, easy to work with, they send you a text with link to a website listing all the fixed cost to repair for those items needing fix. All you need to do is click approved or decline. They also have an after hours pickup with a lockbox with individual codes to get access to your keys. They made it very easy to drop it off an pickup.

Turned out it was not leaky head gasket, it was the front radiator hose into the head that was the problem. I replace it last summer with an aftermarket metal connector verse the Plastic on BMW uses, turns out when putting in i tour the two rubber seals. They said it a known issue with the one I got they seen it before.

[TriumphTim]

Yeah Joe Davis AutoSport is really good, just a few blocks away from me actually, see my location.

Surprised that other shops didn't even want to evaluate the issue, not really "engine work" like head disassembly and such.

I have been smearing all o-rings with dielectric grease help prevent tears and ease later removal.

[M-technik-3]

A fellow racer in Lemons Co-owns Southampton imported cars
NJ. https://southamptonimportedcars.jimdofree.com/service/

They have been a family owned shop since 1966