Removing inlet manifold ......

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:02 am

Hi guys .... Following my head bolt snapping I have the car back from the cowboys who were supposed to be looking at it. Have decided to do what I can myself - car came back minus head which I am now stripping for a trip to the machine shop. Exhaust side stripped nicely but struggling with the inlet side. Can it come off in one piece with the throttle body,injector rail attached etc attached ? I have removed all the mounting nuts but it won't budge ....feels like the gaskets are made from glue !!
Any hints or it is just brute force that is required ???

I will post another thread on my thoughts of the danish *rseholes who tell me the only thing is have a replacement engine and then dented the bonnet and deny doing it .

My blood is still boiling .......

Giles

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:03 am

Sorry .... m20 325i from 1986 .....absolutely original spec

See ..... so pissed off can't even remember things like that !!!

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:21 am

You mean some clown took of the head without removing the manifolds first??

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:27 am

Yep .... and putting it back together will be a nightmare without knowing what goes where !!!!

Head is sitting on a bench in the shed !!!

Any clues ??

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:33 am

I've never had the manifolds off an E30 (yet!!) But my experience with gaskets is that they are indeed a bitch.

You should have that head checked for cracks/surface tolerence too...

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:43 am

That is the goal .... machine shop just wants the head with the valves in so I am following the great guide on the site .... but need to get the last manifold off !! Head will be pressure tested and skimmed

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 4:20 pm

Have you tried tapping the inlet manifold with a rubber mallet ?

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:06 pm

they can be a bit stiff, not sure about the fuel rail but the throttel body can stay attached so long as you disconnect all cables and pipes going to it.

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:27 pm

Done ...... the rubber mallet does come in handy !!

Thx guys for the help ....

The idiots managed to return the car damaged and without the radiator, cooling fan and air filter box ........

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:51 pm

go pay them a visit with some mates, that might work

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:32 pm

Just a thought....Is there a support braket on the M20 engines going from the block to the inlet manifold, like the M50/M52 engines?

Andy

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:57 pm

yes there is joining it to the rocker coiver, however i would have thought he would have taken this off too.

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:44 pm

well I got the car back with the head in the boot ...... having f@cked up with the rad etc i expect when the time comes to put her back together there will be plenty of other things missing .........
still depressed with leaving my car with the "specialists in BMW"

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:50 pm

sorry to hear you got a bad deal dude.

you won't be the first and probably not the last.

hope you get it all sorted ok frokm now on.

good luck amte, and if you need anyhelp just post on here and i'm sure we'll all try and help where we can.

Post Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:58 pm

Cheers matey .... you guys on the zone are so helpful ...special thx to brianmooooore and also Richard and his father at Fritz Bitz in Wellington.

Giles