I have a 2002 R53 that I think has a blown head gasket. It has been a great car with very few issues. It now has 186,000 miles on it and according to our mechanic needs a new head gasket. She priced the repair at around $3600 which I don't want to spend on it. I don't need the car to drive daily, so I thought this would be a fun project. Does anyone have some advice before I dive in? Would a new engine be warranted?, a new head (with gaskets?), or just new gaskets and seals (with some valve cleaning)?
First post. Welcome to MA. When you pull the head off have a meachine shop check that it is still flat. This in the perfect time for MODs
$3600 to replace a blown head gasket sounds steep. For that, you should be able to put in a ported and polished head with a cam and have some change left over, providing the old head is good for the core charge.
That's very high.... Dealer? maybe it is assuming the head is warped and the valves are bad.... But still.... Many have said the gen1 mini head is not very difficult.....so should not be so $$ if it is JUST a head gasket IMO....
Run away from that place. Or ask for a packet of whatever they're smoking; it must be some pretty good stuff.
If you're going to do it yourself, take the head to a good machine shop to 'check it and deck it'. the parts will be cheap, but you might want to get yourself the 'cam tool' to set the engine at MDC. The other 'special tool' needed is the engine bracket, but you can make one of those with some square stock and a drill. You'll see what I'm talking about. Go for it!
Heck you could buy a new RMW Big Valve Head $2,250.00 and have change for the gaskets and install for that. MINI Cooper RMW Jesus Head Cylinder
What is the exact proof the car needs a head gasket? These cars rarely have HG issues. I would as for a compression check and leak down test to start with. I have seen a couple of cars that the head cracks around the first head bolt at the rear of the engine on the passenger side, which then progresses down the side of the head into the timing housing. Pic for reference:
Cristo is basically correct I recently had an RMW head made (thanx Jan) and had it installed, with Injectors, new gasket kit (complete kit) and new spark plugs and the total was less than 4k$