Engine fix or replace?

[Moose1]

Hi, I have a bit of a dilemma.
For the past few months i've been noticing a bit of smoke coming from the exhaust of my e30 316i (not sure if M10/M40 - "H"reg if anyone knows?) Plus i've had trouble with the water pump which i stupidly haven't got round to fixing, andsome other minor "niggles".

I'm wondering whether to fix all the problems i have (not sure what's causing the smoke but i fear it's something sinister) or whether to just go and get a new engine for it. If I go for a new engine i'll want to upgrade to a 320 or maybe a 325 as a 1.6 just doesn't have enough poke. Thing is I know im gonna have to replace more than just the engine if i do that.

I guess what im asking is whether anyone has any suggestions? Should I stick with the 316 and sort out the problems (which could be costly) or upgrade to a bigger lump - which will be costly?!!?

[mr_dink]

Hi Moose,

your car will have an m40 engine.

Without further details on the smoke, like what colour (white/black/grey) or when it's happening (cold/warm/under load/all the time) it's hard to diagnose the problem, but it doesn't sound good for your engine.

Water pump alone is a pig of a job. Replacement is the best plan.

Really the 2 engines to choose from are either the 318is or the 325. You should be able to find either from £250 upwards. You need to get the ecu, engine loom, and mounts to go with the new engine, but the swap is pretty much plug and play.

4 pot engines will use the same propshaft and diff, 6 pot engines will require matching prop and diff (shorter prop and lower diff ratio)

Think that's about it really.

I put an is engine in mine when my 1.6 died and was surprised how easy it was, I was doing it in a garage with ramps and air tools though!

[Moose1]

Cheers for the info mr_dink.

It really only smokes (kind of a whiteyblue colour - i guess you could call it grey! lol!) under load, i.e. when im caning it, which makes me think it's either the head gasket, piston ring, or worse a cracked head. i have a bit of mayo on the oil filler cap, but not a huge amount - but then i only did an oil change the summer just gone. And im not having to fill up lots, i check it before long journeys (which aren't that often) to make sure i wont run dry and at most i'll only need to top up.

Only thing is i am by no means a skilled mechanic... i can get by with the basics but anything near an engine replacement is way beyond me and i'll have to get the pro's to take care of it - which is why im wondering if the fix would be better financially. It's due in for an mot next month anyway so they may need to sort some of the more minor things out then, and possibly spot something more serious if there is anything. Do you know what's the best way of trying to diagnose the problem myself if it's not too tricky?

[town325i]

does the smoke go when the engine is up to temp

[miniblob]

I would wait and see if it fails the mot of anything you haven't spotted, before doing engine work!!!

[wildeian]

You need to upgrade the suspension and brakes if you are putting a bigger lump in!!

[Moose1]

does the smoke go when the engine is up to temp

To be honest im not too sure - i usually only do short journeys, not always enough for it to get warmed up completely. What would it mean if it did/didn't?

[town325i]

well if it did stop smking as much you my find its just condesation becuase of the cold weather and nothing wrong with the engine

[Moose1]

I was hoping that but it started during the summer. I think it's just a case of a heavy foot asking too much of a tired old engine.

[SPADGE]

m40 engines are ten a penny so if its fecked put another one in.