NEW TO E30 (blown head gasket)

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steve1066
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Sat Dec 15, 2007 7:35 pm

Hi well I am new to BMW just brought a 325i SE on ebay going to pix up next week it got a blown head gasket. Can you tell me is it a hard job I have dun 4 pots before but no 6 pots and they have all bin transverse, all so are the front wheel bearing pressed as it need a new one
Well I am looking fallowed getting the car and reading what you got to say
Here is a link to the car on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=014

Thanks Steve
agreen
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Sat Dec 15, 2007 7:55 pm

i would say the car could do with an engine due to smoke
those are hbis words from the advert and he says he is in the car trade 8O
Templ8e30
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Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:03 pm

The front wheel bearings come as a complete assembly with the hub etc, undo the hub nut and pull the old one off. occasionally the inner race remains attached to the car, a small set of bearing pullers gets them off.

Beware that the most common problem on 325i models isn't a blown gasket but a cracked head, inspect carefully underneath the cam bearings between cylinder 4 and 5. They crack lengthways under the cam bearings in this area. Good idea to have the head pressure tested while it's off to make sure. A good second hand head can be bought from this site for about £100.

The M20 6 cylinder is a nice engine to work on, simple to remove the head, just be wary of sheared exhaust manifold studs. Give the studs a good soaking with plus gas (local engineers merchants will have it) or similar (wd40 isn't really much cop), a little engineers secret is to slightly tighten the nuts before undoing them to 'crack' them loose.

The smoking is probably down to valve stem oil seals, these can be changed when the head is off.

With any luck it'll be white steam rather than blue smoke, the m20 6 pot is naturally a very steamy engine in cold weather winkeye

Car looks tidy enough, especially for £210

Cheers,

Iain T
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agreen
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Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:23 pm

if not break it you can get your money back on a £200 car anyday
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steve1066
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Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:19 pm

Cheers lads I may have got a new engine so I might just change them over
When I talked to man selling the car he now thinks that the head gasket not been change he took it in PX so he is not shore Well I can not wait to pick it up next week and I dear say I will be on hear a lot looking for help
Steve
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cathclaire
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Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:49 pm

try get yourself a good second hand engine, preferably from this site.Helpfull guys with knowledge,Keep your old one for spares,Give spadge a shout ,he,s a good man ,he may have or know of one??Good luck
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