Engine problems, diagnose please

[v_nitro]

My 325 has some issues it seems,
its hard to start sometimes, have to pump the accelerator and takes ages, not an instant thing by any means.
Sometimes the car cuts out randomly, alot of the time its when im accelerationg around 3000rpm mark. The car would die and a second later kicks out again all on its own.
And the latest, was driving home yerstooday and the car told me to check oil; Pulled over, got the dipstick out there was barely any oil there! Got home filled it with about 700ml of castrol gtx, few minutes later tried the dipstick and the oil level was nearly on the top notch, so the oil came back again?!
The car also seems to make alot of smoke from the backpipe, havent really been checking it out, just looking back at the lights see clowds rising. Not sure if its all connected or just a barage of problems, missing the knowledge!
Thanks in advance guys

[Alyman]

My 325 has some issues it seems,
its hard to start sometimes, have to pump the accelerator and takes ages, not an instant thing by any means.
Sometimes the car cuts out randomly, alot of the time its when im accelerationg around 3000rpm mark. The car would die and a second later kicks out again all on its own.
And the latest, was driving home yerstooday and the car told me to check oil; Pulled over, got the dipstick out there was barely any oil there! Got home filled it with about 700ml of castrol gtx, few minutes later tried the dipstick and the oil level was nearly on the top notch, so the oil came back again?!
The car also seems to make alot of smoke from the backpipe, havent really been checking it out, just looking back at the lights see clowds rising. Not sure if its all connected or just a barage of problems, missing the knowledge!
Thanks in advance guys

I'm not sure about the cutting out 3K

... as for the oil "coming back", when you say that you pulled over and checked the dipstick, did you give the oil time to run back down into the sump? If you just got out and checked straight away, all the oil would still have been up in the engine, doing its job. You have to give it 5 minutes or so with the engine off before you check it.

What colour is the smoke coming from the exhaust? Your engine might be burning oil (which would explain why the light came on).

[v_nitro]

Thanks alyman, didnt realise the oil gets sucke into to the engine while its working, thought it was cycling through it and back into the sump for cooling.

The exaust starts out clear, after about a minute it goes quite thick white/blue. There is what looks like condensation on the inside of the pipe after a while too. Im kinda scared thinking its a broken gasket letting water into the oil and getting evaporated out the back

[Alyman]

I'm afraid it's not sounding very good for your engine. White smoke usually means water/coolant in the exhaust and the blue smoke means oil is being burnt too.

Unless anyone else can think of another diagnosis, I'd say your head gasket is most likely the culprit here. Does your car ever overheat? Any "mayo" under the oil filler cap? Does it use a lot of coolant?

[v_nitro]

Car has not overheated yet, i drove it for about 140miles back home from buying it, no problems other then the occasional cut out as above.
Cant see any mayo under the cap and nothing baked on inside:

The coolant looks rusty?! The previous owner has not used the car for about 6 months, is that the cause?

[Alyman]

Hmmm. Rusty coolant is usually down to air somehow getting into the cooling system. It could be caused by a simple leak somewhere, but also by a head gasket failure/cracked head.

If I was you I'd get on the phone to a few local garages and see if any of them have one of those kits for testing your coolant for exhaust gases. It only takes a minute, and it would be a good start for making a proper diagnosis.

There's always the possibility that the white smoke is just due to the car having sat for 6 months building up condensation in the back box, but I wouldn't be getting my hopes until you've ruled out your head/head gasket...

[Brianmoooore]

This car sounds like it needs a good service! Especially the ignition components and a good check for cracked air hoses.
Rusty marks around the coolant bottle suggests to me that there isn't any antifreeze in the coolant! Engine will have a short life without it, and that looks like an original pressure cap to me, that should have been replaced under recall 11 years ago!
Water in the exhaust is perfectly normal - it's produced by burning petrol.

[v_nitro]

I think il do a fluid flush asap, that should give me a clean start to see if there is some contamination going on in between the two.
Excuse the n00b question but which one is the pressure cap, is it a case of phoning up bmw for a replacement?
thank you guys

[Alyman]

The pressure cap is the one for the coolant. Call up your local dealer or drop in and ask for a new one - I don't think they cost much.

[Brianmoooore]

drop in and ask for a new one - I don't think they cost much.

If it hasn't been changed yet ( Only 11 years late!!), then it won't cost you anything!

[insertnamehere]

I think a good service is called for (that rusty excuse for "coolant" looks like the prev. owner didn't think much of BMW's recommended schedule!) but first do that "sniff" test, where the garage puts the exhaust gas probe into the header tank (but not into the coolant) to check for Co2, which would suggest head gasket failure if present.

If all checks out well in that department then go ahead with a full service of fluids, pressure cap, belts (inc. timing belt & tensioner), water pump, ignition system etc. to bring the engine back up to what you'd expect from your 325.

Happy motoring & much jealousy as I'm still waiting for my 325...

[v_nitro]

Cheers for the responce guys!
Went to a garage, got the sniff test and yep my gasket is gone
Can i replace it myself if i get another one without having a garage full of equipment (or a garage at all for that matter)?

[insertnamehere]

Cheers for the responce guys!
Went to a garage, got the sniff test and yep my gasket is gone
Can i replace it myself if i get another one without having a garage full of equipment (or a garage at all for that matter)?

To be honest, If you aren't 100% confident in your skills/experience then leave it to a decent specialist (or someone on here willing to help) as there's a whole lot of damage you can cause by even just doing up bolts in the wrong order with a job like this. I also dread to think what nasties could get into the engine doing the job outside.

I think the head may also need to be pressure tested/skimmed before re-fitting to make sure all's well there too. Hopefully someone on here has the skills/experience & may be able to help for less than a specialist would charge but it's definitely not a job to be taken lightly or skimped on.


(Don't know where you're based but if you're near Sandbach, Cheshire I can recommend Hind Heath for the job. They're a local specialist who have always been brilliant with my 7's & my mate's X5 also.)

[DaveD]

can recommend a garage or 2 if you need one

[v_nitro]

wooh scary!
thanks for your help guys, glad i bought a bmw with such a community
Yes please do Dave

[insertnamehere]

wooh scary!
thanks for your help guys, glad i bought a bmw with such a community
Yes please do Dave

Sorry, see my edited post for my recommendation. They've always been fantastic, very helpful & NICE courtesy cars too!!!

[v_nitro]

Thanks insertnamehere, will keep them in mind. Any idea how much garages charge to replace a head gasket or maybe even rebuild the 325?

[insertnamehere]

Thanks insertnamehere, will keep them in mind. Any idea how much garages charge to replace a head gasket or maybe even rebuild the 325?

Sorry, only just seen your location!!!

[v_nitro]

Thanks insertnamehere, will keep them in mind. Any idea how much garages charge to replace a head gasket or maybe even rebuild the 325?

Sorry, only just seen your location!!!

Dont worry, i do it all the time

[Brianmoooore]

Going by the apparent state of the coolant, it's likely that the gasket problem is caused by corrosion of the water ways in the head eating back under the fire rings. If so, the head will need, at least, a considerable amount of skimming (use a thicker gasket), or, at worst, is scrap!

[DaveD]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325-i-rec ... dZViewItem

looks like a good buy!...if you are quick

[hartgefan]

maybe check the thermostat is still there,if not expect the worst

[v_nitro]

Ooooh its all going pear shaped here, just had my car clamped by the dvla and had to run around getting it sorted lol
Im going to buy that head i think, is there anyone who can fit it tho? I asked Quarry people and they told me £500 to replace the gasket! Iv just spent all my money on the car and now over-drafting to dvla cant really afford the rediculous prices of the garages. I pm'ed beardymat but i guess his busy with other peoples cars Id be willing to travel somewhere close in south yorkshire to get the head replaced and pay for the work if its not ridiculous prices.

[v_nitro]

maybe check the thermostat is still there,if not expect the worst

Can you please tell me how to check this, still waiting on my bentley manual so dont know what is what under the hood.

[v_nitro]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325-i-rec ... dZViewItem

looks like a good buy!...if you are quick

Nice one Dave, unfortunately i have lost the bidding war at the last moment