Expert: John Kingery - 3/2/2008

Question
hi..i have 1997 bmw 740il and is was getting hot, i change the water pump.thermostat,auxiliary fun and fun clutch,and we bleed it to, we did everything we suposed to do  the car,and the car was steal getting hot,one day i notice when i open that the coolant tank  smell like gas, you think it could be a bad head gasket ext.than you, !please help!

Answer
Sounds possible.

I recommend getting it tested by having the coolant checked for hydrocarbons (exhaust gas).  You should be able to get this done for <$50.

If it is the head gasket, you have few choices.  BMW here charges $4100 for a head gasket job.  Replacing the engine with a junk yard one will cost about $2000 plus labor.  No independent will touch it.

If it is the head gasket, contact me again with where you live and more about the car.