Poorly 1988 E20 325i Touring

[junkworkshop]

My lovely touring overheaded, so I pulled over and let her cool down, and checked the oil and coolant, oil in the coolant, not a good sign!
Got the head off and it looks like the cam belt had gone recently (havent owned the car for long) and some valves have been replaced, which could have caused damage to the head when the cam belt went.
Guess the head is cracked but could the crank also be cracked?
Just dont know what to do with her now?

[daimlerman]

Unlikely to be crank damage,bottom ends on these engines are pretty much unbreakable.

IF,IF,the shell is sound,well worth the effort in locating a good s/h head and rebuilding.

If your are a competent DIYer,fitting an M50/M52 engine from the later E34/E36 makes a very good car that is great fun to drive....

[pacerpete]

When these get really cooked they crack through the cam journals. If you remove the cam and clean everything up , it should be obvious, assuming it is cracked. Obviously, before stripping the head, have a good look at the gasket and the head for obvious issues or evidence of problems that may have been caused by dodgy workmanship.

The blocks very seldom have any issues but , these are now knocking on 25 years old Tightening head bolts without cleaning the thread recess can crack the block....

If no obvious fault is found, be sure to get the head pressure tested as it is an unpleasant job to do twice.

Another option is to buy an excellent used engine with a warranty, just like the one I have for sale

[junkworkshop]

sorry by crank I meant crank case
the shell is sound and shes a beauty, to good to scrap
M engine sounds very fun and economical!
wheres the best place to hit up a head? Ideal rebuilt rather than just second hand?
Thanks

[junkworkshop]

Thanks @pacerpete
So how much does an excellent used engine with warranty go for!?

[pacerpete]

Thanks @pacerpete
So how much does an excellent used engine with warranty go for!?

I want £325 with the loom attached ready to fit. The engine I have at the moment has done 105000 miles with total history and it had a head overhaul 15000 miles ago.

The engine is still in the car and can be seen running. I give a one month warranty with my engines.

A recon head will cost you more and you will still need a headset etc.

If you shop around, you may well find a cheaper engine, with no / fictitious history removed by a neanderthal with an axe. It depends whether you want a cheap engine or a good one ?

[Morat]

For reference, I had a head rebuilt professionally and it cost me £700.
That may be because they saw me coming, but the company in question has a good reputation.

[jimbom30cab]

That's a good deal. Is everything included for that ? Does it have power steering pump and would you have a ps rack, pipes and bottle to go with it? Ta

[B7]

Where you based?

[littlearmy87]

Its possible its been done on the cheap and not been skimed and pressure tested, that would be my first port of call it could also be possible that the head wasnt torqued down correctly a garage will charge between £700-1200 dependent on damage and parts required. Laters alex

[Jim320i]

Buy Pete's engine, sell anything left over from yours... Win win.

[junkworkshop]

So I guess the choice is to

buy another engine (probably petes, thanks) or scrap her

B7 the car is in dorset
Pete, would you deliver?

[junkworkshop]

bump!

anyone want her?

[Morat]

IF you're selling, put up a proper ad. No-one is going to buy your car if all they know about it is the fact that the engine is dead!