Dear Doctor: I have a 1997 BMW 528i in Orlando, Fla., with the 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine. I’ve been told it needs the head. I wish to keep the car. Can you inform me of any place I can contact that rebuilds, remanufacturers or has the head to replace? Jose
Dear Jose: This is a common problem with this engine. The cylinder head replacement is not an inexpensive repair. the best advice I can give you is that if you are doing the job yourself, then start your search online, contacting all of the salvage yards in your area. If you are having a shop do the cylinder head replacement, then let the shop get the head and do the job. They will have to warranty the job parts and labor. If, however, you get the parts, then the shop is off the hook for the warranty. I have had some customers actually buy a complete used engine. Price out your options. There are some machine shops that can actually repair the cylinder head.