Hi e30zone. ^^
I've been having this issue for a while now, but have noticed a few patterns with it. When the engine is cold and first started plumes of white smoke comes from the exhaust until the Oil Temp Needle just jumps over the blue mark where it stops, and I'm all out of ideas as to why this happens. >.<
I'm loosing half a header tank of coolent for every 8 miles, and am not sure why.
I've put a new head gasket on, a new water pump, new radiator and various seals and gaskets around the cooling systems, and I'm just stumped as to what's causing the issue.
Please help,
-Chris
[HELP] 1990 320i Touring Cooling issues
Moderator: martauto
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
The problem is that you're throwing parts at it rather than determining what the problem is.
You need to pressurise the cooling system with the engine off and see where the water appears.
Take the spark plugs out before you turn the engine over to ensure you don't bend a con rod because of water in a cylinder.
You need to pressurise the cooling system with the engine off and see where the water appears.
Take the spark plugs out before you turn the engine over to ensure you don't bend a con rod because of water in a cylinder.
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countyfan1
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:00 pm
The radiator, water pump and seals etc were put on before i claimed the car, the new head gasket was done because i was loosing power (it disintergrated when i pulled it off the head, which shouldn't happen). I've yet to try a pressure test, but if i doesn't turn back any results, i'll be back here. Thanks for the advice anyway. ^^
-Chris
-Chris
Just a theory here:
We don't know where the OP is from... maybe it's just cold weather condensation on start up.
And maybe the coolant he talks about being lost in 8 miles is the amount that most m20s seem to spit out before settling at a steady 50% of the header tank.
He doesn't say that it over heats or that the hoses are over pressurised or that there is mayo in the system...... maybe there's nothing wrong with it ???
We don't know where the OP is from... maybe it's just cold weather condensation on start up.
And maybe the coolant he talks about being lost in 8 miles is the amount that most m20s seem to spit out before settling at a steady 50% of the header tank.
He doesn't say that it over heats or that the hoses are over pressurised or that there is mayo in the system...... maybe there's nothing wrong with it ???
These are sensations as hard to forget as they are to ignore.....
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Clipper has a point here! What level are you topping the coolant up to?clipper wrote: And maybe the coolant he talks about being lost in 8 miles is the amount that most m20s seem to spit out before settling at a steady 50% of the header tank.
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countyfan1
- E30 Zone Newbie
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- Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:00 pm
The half way inner line.
Chris would know more about it, i've just helped him with his car and he asked me to check on this topic. ^^
-Zion
Chris would know more about it, i've just helped him with his car and he asked me to check on this topic. ^^
-Zion
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countyfan1
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:00 pm
Hi,
Iv pressure tested the system and its not loosing any pressure left it for a couple of hours and it held, the coolant is flowing well through the header tank so i dont think its got an air lock anywhere also the radiator is getting warm. The vehicle isn't over heating even in traffic, there is no sign of exhaust gas passing through the header tank and i have also checked the oil both on the dip stick and under the filler cap, there appears to be no sign of contamination. I checked the head and the block when i was cleaning them during the head gasket job, both were fine, also the bores and pistons did not look "shiney" like they can when they've been burning coolant.
The history of the vehicle is that it had a water pump failure and was driven until the head bent, the vehicle was taken into a garage where it had the head replaced, the water pump replaced, the radiator replaced and also the various seals and gaskets that accompany these parts including the head gasket. the owner couldnt afford the work and never came back to the car at which point it was stored indoors at the garage for 8 years without moving or being run once, long story short i acquired the car as a restoration project. I replaced the head gasket myself as it was a long period of time from the original job and i was experiencing some running problems which were cured with the gasket. I worked for BMW as a technician for around 4 years so im confident of my work.
The smoke could be condensation as it is pure white with no grey at all but there appears to be a large amount of it nearly enough to cover the car behind me when i set off even at low revs and this continues until the engine is warm when it ceases completely. Im not sure if its the amount normal for an M20 because iv never worked on a BMW of this age or come to it an E30 of any age before and iv not worked with anyone who has, mainly because i was working at a main dealer and most of our work was warranty stuff.
I really want to get this car running well and back to its former glory but i dont want to proceed with re-trimming or spraying until i can cure this fault. I appreciate any help you guys can give me and apologise for having my partner posting for me but iv been unable to access a computer, however ill be keeping an eye on things now.
Thanks for your advice,
Chris
Iv pressure tested the system and its not loosing any pressure left it for a couple of hours and it held, the coolant is flowing well through the header tank so i dont think its got an air lock anywhere also the radiator is getting warm. The vehicle isn't over heating even in traffic, there is no sign of exhaust gas passing through the header tank and i have also checked the oil both on the dip stick and under the filler cap, there appears to be no sign of contamination. I checked the head and the block when i was cleaning them during the head gasket job, both were fine, also the bores and pistons did not look "shiney" like they can when they've been burning coolant.
The history of the vehicle is that it had a water pump failure and was driven until the head bent, the vehicle was taken into a garage where it had the head replaced, the water pump replaced, the radiator replaced and also the various seals and gaskets that accompany these parts including the head gasket. the owner couldnt afford the work and never came back to the car at which point it was stored indoors at the garage for 8 years without moving or being run once, long story short i acquired the car as a restoration project. I replaced the head gasket myself as it was a long period of time from the original job and i was experiencing some running problems which were cured with the gasket. I worked for BMW as a technician for around 4 years so im confident of my work.
The smoke could be condensation as it is pure white with no grey at all but there appears to be a large amount of it nearly enough to cover the car behind me when i set off even at low revs and this continues until the engine is warm when it ceases completely. Im not sure if its the amount normal for an M20 because iv never worked on a BMW of this age or come to it an E30 of any age before and iv not worked with anyone who has, mainly because i was working at a main dealer and most of our work was warranty stuff.
I really want to get this car running well and back to its former glory but i dont want to proceed with re-trimming or spraying until i can cure this fault. I appreciate any help you guys can give me and apologise for having my partner posting for me but iv been unable to access a computer, however ill be keeping an eye on things now.
Thanks for your advice,
Chris
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
a M20 should produce no more 'white smoke' when cold than any other car, new or old. Water is produced as a by product of combustion, and until the exhaust is hot enough to keep it vaporised all the way to the tail pipe, 'white smoke' will be produced.
You say it's losing about a half a litre of water in eight miles, but not when pressure tested?
Have you tried tying a plastic bag onto the coolant tank overflow pipe? Could it be something so simple as a faulty pressure cap?
You say it's losing about a half a litre of water in eight miles, but not when pressure tested?
Have you tried tying a plastic bag onto the coolant tank overflow pipe? Could it be something so simple as a faulty pressure cap?