cylinder head problems?

[Ade]

Hi, Im looking at buying my first 325 and want to know if there are any tell tale signs for a knackered cylinder head?



Oil in the water is one that ive read about, but the coolant just looked murky, not really oily or like mayonaise.

If it does have a cracked head or a dodgy gasket, how long can the car be safely driven before ive got to strip the top end?

How much does a reconditioned head cost? (excluding labour)

cheers,
Ade

[HartgeH27]

Well here goes the first post of many no doubt.........

A cracked head or blown head gasket will be clearly apparent from one of the following symptoms:

1. Mayonnaise on oil filler cap
2. Water/steam from exhaust (white smoke like emission)
3. Oil in header tank
4. Mayonnaise on oil dip stick

Depending on severity of problem you may get one or more of the problems.

A recon head can vary in price but generally speaking nothing less than 200 -300 for one.

A new head from the stealers is around 750 - 800 pounds.

Aftermarket German heads new can be bought for around 300 but are not as good as quality as OEM or OEM reconditioned.

How far to drive with a cracked head or blown head gasket ??????

AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE AND PREFERABLY NOT AT ALL.........it depends on your circumstance. I have driven 20 odd miles with a blown head gasket but stopped every mile or so and topped up the water. I used ***t loads but it got me home. I do stress - dont drive unless you HAVE to. If it is simply a head gasket, you could do serious damage to the head if you continue to drive.

Dodgy head gasket only, then drive for as short as period as possible and get the gasket done soonest.

[E30Mark]

2. Water/steam from exhaust (white smoke like emission)

Hi Ian, long time no see

'Steam from exhaust' I think what you really mean is excessive steam from exhausts, all the BM's seem to steam more than other inferior marques

My old 323i used to throw up its own personal fog bank behind it, never used any water though. My iS is quite steamy too.

[Ade]

cheers for the help!


the contents of the header tank looked a bit mucky but I initially thought that was just due to old coolant...

Im going to try and get a local independant BMW specialist to have a look at the engine - Im not paying full price for a project car

Anyone know of any good specialists in the Southampton area?

Ade

[E30Mark]

Could try E-Tech Motorsport, located in Havant Portsmouth. Not exactly Soton, but close... Independent BMW specialists

Que Ian !!!! I know HartgeH27 knows them well...

Ring Justin on 02392 478300 / 07890 723271

[Ade]

who sells recon heads that are worth using?
also if i do a top end rebuild are there any other modifications i could do (apart from cam belt change) ?

- like a nice lumpy cam..?

(or is it not really worth it on a 325 touring?)

[Davenotouring]

(or is it not really worth it on a 325 touring?)

Of course it's worth it!! Why would it not be compared to a saloon!

You can have just as much fun! A tuned Touring would be great!

Hope you get the head sorted by the way!

[android]

Whether it's blown or not, murky water would indicate it's not been looked after. These cars have to have a coolant change every two years, no negotiation. If the coolant has not been changed, (an easy job), then what about brake fluid, gearbox oil and diff oil?

Make sure you are taken for a long ride and see if the temperature goes over the half way mark.

Dont forget that even if it's just the gasket that blows, you have to spend lots of money on gasket sets, seals and new head bolts, a test to see if the head is cracked, and probably a skim on the mating surface.

Getting the old head off, you might damage the hoses, or the distributor cap. A new water pump and a cambelt change is advisable too. I spent well over Ԛ£600 just reconditioning my head, and it wasn't even cracked.

If you suspect the head has gone, this car is effectively a scrapper for the owner, and you should pay no more than say Ԛ£300 for it. If it's a 325, it's up to the guy to prove to you it's not gone.

Rant, rant, rant..........

[HartgeH27]

cheers for the help!



Anyone know of any good specialists in the Southampton area?

Ade

Call me on 07810 650 395 and I can put you in touch with Etechmotorsport ...........thoroughly recommend them (yes totally biased here and have a minor interest).

[HartgeH27]

2. Water/steam from exhaust (white smoke like emission)

Hi Ian, long time no see

'Steam from exhaust' I think what you really mean is excessive steam from exhausts, all the BM's seem to steam more than other inferior marques

.

Hi Mark ...........Yes you right I should ahve said excessive !!! Had a personal taste of that on the A27 recently.......Catch up with you guys soon at BPBMW meet ......

[Guest]

Make sure the head bolts are torx headed. The hex headed bolts have a habit of shearing off, at best the bolt head may lodge in the head at worst it (or they) can punch a hole in the casting rendering it scrap.

They are easily visible through the oil filler hole, if they are hex negotiate a discount for changing them.

I speak from (expensive) experience.

[Gromit]

Murky looking coolant could also be radiator seal added to hide a head leak. Just a thought, seen it happen.