poss cracked head gonna have it sorted./ how much for head

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e30geezer
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:55 pm

hi, zoners i made a deal with another zner called roc, who reqested a wanted post for a black 325ise, so contacted roc last week we arranged a deal for the sale of my car, just had her valeted yesterday, ready for her collection, travelling on a127 on sat next thing car started to lose power, heater stopped working and went cold!! thought oh shit, smoke from engine temp went red pulled over let her cool down, pulled off oil cap and water cap, it was mayonaise like, so called aa for recovery, had to call roc yesterday to give him the bad news, he was very good about it as he really wanted the car, just waiting for a freind in the trade to look at it and give a price what should i pay, please advise cheers rob.
Last edited by e30geezer on Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:38 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Dan318-is
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:57 pm

If roc does not want the car i would break it unless you can change the head yourself of can get a mate to do it, garage will kill you for it!

is this the one with all the goodies on it?

heated seats please :o :lol: but on a serious not youl be amazed how much you can break it for. How much was it for sale for? considering the kit alone is worth at least 400, then theres wheels, AC, interior...
e30geezer
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:59 pm

318-is wrote:If roc does not want the car i would break it unless you can change the head yourself of can get a mate to do it, garage will kill you for it!

is this the one with all the goodies on it?

heated seats please :o :lol: but on a serious not youl be amazed how much you can break it for. How much was it for sale for? considering the kit alone is worth at least 400, then theres wheels, AC, interior...
yep everything on it, im totally gutted.
Dan318-is
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:04 pm

id probably break it then uless you or someone you know can do the fix for cheap?

you dont no what damage has been done either really? but if u can change it i would keep it looks a minter

if not then youl make more from breaking for sure
e30geezer
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:10 pm

318-is wrote:id probably break it then uless you or someone you know can do the fix for cheap?

you dont no what damage has been done either really? but if u can change it i would keep it looks a minter

if not then youl make more from breaking for sure
hi, again i started her this morning she still runs sweet no noise, really gutted , as it never gave me any probs, what should it cost roughly to fix how much for the complete gasket set, really dont want to break unless i have solid intrest. but also seems a shame as its a genuine car, roc they guy who was going to buy, from the zone said get an estimate, if it can be done quick he will still be intrested, just need to know how much it will cost to fix really.
Dan318-is
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:16 pm

the gasket inat the problem its the labour dude! specially on an m20 all that belt wrongness lol

im not to sure probbaly the best part of 300 quid i wuld have thought? maybe more?
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:20 pm

Same thing happend to me,called out a local "mobile" mechanic as i couldn't be bothered to do it my self, Cost me Ԛ£700 (the first time) one thing i would recommend is getting the head skimmed AND pressure tested, as mine had a small crack in and cost me another Ԛ£500, plus new head etc...Bought one from E-bay but it was the wrong year so had to go back and luckly he swapped it for the right year... What a nightmare..!!
Also, you can't flush the system enough, believe me.!! need to get ALL the gunk out.!!

Well worth it though, runs like a dream now.!!

Hope this helps..
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e30geezer
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:26 pm

Stealth wrote:Same thing happend to me,called out a local "mobile" mechanic as i couldn't be bothered to do it my self, Cost me Ԛ£700 (the first time) one thing i would recommend is getting the head skimmed AND pressure tested, as mine had a small crack in and cost me another Ԛ£500, plus new head etc...Bought one from E-bay but it was the wrong year so had to go back and luckly he swapped it for the right year... What a nightmare..!!
Also, you can't flush the system enough, believe me.!! need to get ALL the gunk out.!!

Well worth it though, runs like a dream now.!!

Hope this helps..
cheers mate , thanks for the info and advice, im sure it's worth it, now your cars fine, will get some quotes.
e30geezer
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:27 pm

318-is wrote:the gasket inat the problem its the labour dude! specially on an m20 all that belt wrongness lol

im not to sure probbaly the best part of 300 quid i wuld have thought? maybe more?
that wouldnt be too sad, i could suffer that, think its worth it.
Dan318-is
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:29 pm

Stealth wrote:Same thing happend to me,called out a local "mobile" mechanic as i couldn't be bothered to do it my self, Cost me Ԛ£700 (the first time) one thing i would recommend is getting the head skimmed AND pressure tested, as mine had a small crack in and cost me another Ԛ£500, plus new head etc...Bought one from E-bay but it was the wrong year so had to go back and luckly he swapped it for the right year... What a nightmare..!!
Also, you can't flush the system enough, believe me.!! need to get ALL the gunk out.!!

Well worth it though, runs like a dream now.!!

Hope this helps..
thats the risk with a blonw HG. they dont really blow forno reason. always get the head tested an jus give it a really good visual inspection. and inspect the block and bored as HG failures can massacre these too!
e30geezer
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:31 pm

318-is wrote:
Stealth wrote:Same thing happend to me,called out a local "mobile" mechanic as i couldn't be bothered to do it my self, Cost me Ԛ£700 (the first time) one thing i would recommend is getting the head skimmed AND pressure tested, as mine had a small crack in and cost me another Ԛ£500, plus new head etc...Bought one from E-bay but it was the wrong year so had to go back and luckly he swapped it for the right year... What a nightmare..!!
Also, you can't flush the system enough, believe me.!! need to get ALL the gunk out.!!

Well worth it though, runs like a dream now.!!

Hope this helps..
thats the risk with a blonw HG. they dont really blow forno reason. always get the head tested an jus give it a really good visual inspection. and inspect the block and bored as HG failures can massacre these too!
will do mate, lets hope the block is undamaged, i can get a head if its needed, but as u say need to be inspected thoroughly cheers dude.
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:35 pm

I've just about finished swapping heads on my 325, parts were about Ԛ£90 from GSF including belt, tensioner etc...

Has taken me about 10hrs in the cold and snow to get to just about finished, just tappets and turbo to mount during the week.

It's not that bad of a job to do, but having seen/learned and participated in it, I'm very glad I had a pro to guide me through it :D

Will def do the next one tho......

Send ANT a PM mate, he's local and you'll get the ultimate e30 guru to sort it out for you :D

HTH, Mark.
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:39 pm

fozzymonster wrote:I've just about finished swapping heads on my 325, parts were about Ԛ£90 from GSF including belt, tensioner etc...

Has taken me about 10hrs in the cold and snow to get to just about finished, just tappets and turbo to mount during the week.

It's not that bad of a job to do, but having seen/learned and participated in it, I'm very glad I had a pro to guide me through it :D

Will def do the next one tho......

Send ANT a PM mate, he's local and you'll get the ultimate e30 guru to sort it out for you :D

HTH, Mark.
cheers mate, mine just had new belts , water pump, tensioner, viscous, thanks will contact ant cheers dude
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:48 pm

Hi

Depends where you are in country as could rec some people in some parts of country..especailly south and Midlands. You got good advice, to have crack tested and skimmed...but better off with genuine gasket and cam belt, tensioner etc and even worth a new water pump etc...can get expensive but worth doing properly the once as doing it twice is more than double the hassle.

Other option for you is to replace the engine, cheaper, quicker and easier as long as know the replacement is good. I have got a very good 2.5 Auto I am breaking with lots of history and it will only be Ԛ£300 for the engine....

Or friend in Midlands could even build you a 2.7 for approx Ԛ£700...

It gives you some other options...depends what you value the car at before, now and after it is repaired...and what it is worth in bits

Good luck
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:49 pm

I could do a head swap in a couple of hours now but the first time took absolutely ages to get all the old nuts and bolts off without breaking them and figuring it all out etc.
Fingers crossed its just the gasket! :wink:
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:54 pm

cabrio wrote:Hi

Depends where you are in country as could rec some people in some parts of country..especailly south and Midlands. You got good advice, to have crack tested and skimmed...but better off with genuine gasket and cam belt, tensioner etc and even worth a new water pump etc...can get expensive but worth doing properly the once as doing it twice is more than double the hassle.

Other option for you is to replace the engine, cheaper, quicker and easier as long as know the replacement is good. I have got a very good 2.5 Auto I am breaking with lots of history and it will only be Ԛ£300 for the engine....

Or friend in Midlands could even build you a 2.7 for approx Ԛ£700...

It gives you some other options...depends what you value the car at before, now and after it is repaired...and what it is worth in bits

Good luck
hi what mileage is engine, sorry to ask this but is it all legit, what sort of history bmw / or specialist, is it all complete with ancilleries, also what year engine, and is it it pukka order . im based in east london cheers rob,
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:06 pm

Adammcf wrote:I could do a head swap in a couple of hours now but the first time took absolutely ages to get all the old nuts and bolts off without breaking them and figuring it all out etc.
Fingers crossed its just the gasket! :wink:
lets hope so adam, a couple of hours, thats pretty good seeing as its quite a bit of work involved, hope you get yours sorted soon mate.
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:00 pm

e30geezer

i bet you a mars bar this it isnt just the gasket. sorry to be the barer of bad news, but 99% of the time once the fluids are contaminated your looking at another head. :(

i say remove the kit, interior, a.c, steering wheel, and then drive it onto the beavertail.
e30geezer
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:23 pm

jonb wrote:e30geezer

i bet you a mars bar this it isnt just the gasket. sorry to be the barer of bad news, but 99% of the time once the fluids are contaminated your looking at another head. :(

i say remove the kit, interior, a.c, steering wheel, and then drive it onto the beavertail.
oh no, how much for a head jon, i know im gonna have to buy a full head gasket set, to be honest was expecting this, as ive been doing a little research on this matter, thanks for your advice son, let you know how it goes cheers . ps where do i send the mars bar too.
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:26 pm

e30 geezer

ived pm"d you my address RE:mars bar.

cylinder heads still go for good money from a good source. about Ԛ£200.

forget ebay heads claiming to have been tested.
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Post Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:32 pm

jonb wrote:e30 geezer

ived pm"d you my address RE:mars bar.

cylinder heads still go for good money from a good source. about Ԛ£200.

forget ebay heads claiming to have been tested.
cheers jon thanks for the helpfull advice ebay is full of the shitter heads dont wanna go down this route, want it done properly if a jobs worth doing...... but seriously mate your knowledge is respected will let you know how i get on ps mars bar on the way thanks rob,
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Post Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:26 am

Ive got a complete engine in Stevenage you can have for Ԛ£200 done 123k apparently and got service book to go with it!
'90 M5 3.6 "Driven Hard......Put Away Wet!! "
Cabrio
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Post Mon Dec 19, 2005 11:48 pm

Hi

To answer your question done about 110k..BMW history..with all ancillaries excl alternator, pwr steering pump and air con pump

Dont want to get into a bidding war..as will keep it myself as a spare as we do lots of work on E30s...mainly 325 Cabs just thought it gave you an option

Cheers
e30geezer
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Post Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:40 pm

demonbiker wrote:Ive got a complete engine in Stevenage you can have for Ԛ£200 done 123k apparently and got service book to go with it!
hi, mate do you have any pics on engine also what year was it taken from cheers rob,