Black Zed, Rio has a new heart

[Jack Ratt]

It's been well documented on here about my misfortune with my 2.8 auto, basically the head gasket went when I was driving through Belgium last year. The RAC bought it back home to Cornwall on a car transporter and I set about carrying out a repair.
Fitted a new head gasket, got it through it's MOT but was experiencing very high oil consumption so decided it needed further attention.
I found a replacement M52B28 single vanos engine at a BMW specialist in Bristol and agreed a deal for them to fit it into my car.
I drove up to Bristol last Friday to MPower Motorworks Ltd, and the guys told me they'd do the transplant over the weekend. I had a text on Saturday night to say that the old engine was out and the replacement was in. The job was completed on Sunday. The car was road tested today and I was notified that it's ready for collection. Unfortunately I couldn't get there to pick it up today because good old South West Trains are on strike today so I'm picking her up on Saturday when one of my sons can give me a lift up there.
The replacement engine came out of a 1997 E36 that belonged to one of the guys who fitted it to my car. It's covered 85k miles so it's 20k less than the one that's come out.
I'm looking forward to giving it a good blast back home.

 

[Stevo7682]

Great news.
Hopefully this will be the start of a new trouble free chapter in your zeds life

 

[andyglym]

Sterling news. Enjoy the drive home

 

[Jack Ratt]

Old lump out

Replacement lump in situ. It needs a bit of Gizer on it get the oxidation off the aluminium block but I'll do that once it's home

Replacement in, bodywork back in situ and ready for new oil

Ready to come home

 

[t-tony]

Fantastic news mate, the one you need for the next Euro cruise. Can't beat an Auto Also probably your first Zed outing in the New Year?, what could be better.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Yes mate, I prefer the auto but I've bonded with Willy too, my 2.8 manual, R312WLE

 

[Jack Ratt]

MPower Motor Works have a facebook page, but I don't do facebook so haven't seen it myself. They specialise in M3's and mainly export to Europe, one of the partners Jozef, is Hungarian. Really nice guys

 

[t-tony]

Always good to get a personal recommendation on a job like this.

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I'm really pleased with the speed of the job. Dropped the car off on Friday and it's ready to collect on Monday. They could be pit crew

 

[Mint]

Great news Garry, I'm sure you'll have a good blast home on Saturday

 

[Grumps]

It seems to have taken an age mate. Pleased it's sorted at last. Hope shes a peach and gives you plenty of trouble free miles

 

[mrscalex]

Yes mate, I prefer the auto but I've bonded with Willy too, my 2.8 manual, R312WLE

Ooh. I got a Willy too BP02WLL

In fact it’s my loom replacement 2.2 which will be hitting the road soon once I’ve finished the rear end overhaul

 

[hard top]

I'm looking forward to giving it a good blast back home.

Good stuff Ratty old chap

 

[Antm72]

Great news glad its finally sorted and your up and running again

 

[mwpe]

Glad to hear its finally fixed good luck with the trip home.

 

[Mario]

I'd be good to see if they would be willing to tackle other engine swaps rather than like for like

 

[Synclare]

Getting excited?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Getting excited?

Just a little bit, and something else for me to think about, as I was leaving work last night my work buddy asked me if I'd consider selling my silver zed once I'd got the black one home. I just said I'd think about it

 

[Synclare]

Back yet?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Got back a couple of hours ago. The 170 mile journey home went well, replacement engine is very strong. There is something though that I need to have a look at in the morning. There is a bit of vibration when I put the car into drive, that I suspect is probably an engine mount or gearbox mount that needs nipping up a bit. It's not apparent when the car is moving, in fact it drives very smoothly.