New head gasket

[Jeff G 78]

That's awesome (as usual) Blue. Koalia, yours will be similar, but slightly different with carbs rather than FI like Blue's Z. The intake and exhaust don't have to come off to pull the head. If you are JUST doing the gasket and do not plan to have a machine shop measure the head, then you can leave the carbs and exhaust on the head as it saves a lot of time. If you know you are going to take it to a shop, go ahead and pull everything as Blue described.

[240260280z]

Comments in blue:

Plugs looked brown reddish.

This is usually from fuel additives or cleaning activity such as adding fuel injector cleaner to a tank of gas.

There was some oil or something black on the 3rd and 4rd plug, i removed the substance and put the plugs back.

This could be indicator of a problem. The oil passage through the head is between 3 & 4.

Drove about 200 miles after that and plugs are clean. Sheehs, i better found out some who has done this before to help me.. Too many variables to remember.

[Reverend]

I did a compression test few weeks ago and all the cylinders hit 150. Good?

[240260280z]

yes that is good

[Reverend]

In other forum one dude suggested that i remove every screw one at the time, clean and oil them and then retorque. Any comments on that?

[240260280z]

You are loosing coolant at a significant rate according to the above. (Indicating leak in coolant system caused by bad hose, faulty coolant component, leak in head gasket, or crack in head)

You observe external coolant at back of motor. (Indicating leak in coolant system caused by bad hose, faulty coolant component, or leak in head gasket)

You have white substance in oil (Indicating leak in coolant system caused by leak in head gasket or crack in head or your PCV system is not working and it is just contamination from acidic erosion and condenstaion internal to motor)

Cylinders 3 & 4 may be getting oil according to the plugs. (indicating bad rings or leak from oil passage due to bad head gasket)

A compression test shows ~ 150 psi across all cylinders. (Indicating no apparent head gasket leak to cylinders).

It is possible that a re-torque will not hurt and may help but the prudent action would be to double check where the coolant is leaking and then take action.

Here are some things to double check

0. Have mechanic observe exhaust gas colour and smell when engine is warm... white exhaust puffs after engine is at temperature on a non-humid day indicate coolant burning.

1. Clean off dirt and discoloration on the head-block interface as well as all coolant hoses in the areas. Dry. Then idle the car to see more accurately exactly where the leak is. It may be from one of the hoses or fittings near cylinder 6.

2. Go to a radiator shop, have them pull plugs and pressurize coolant system and see if any leaks can be observed.

3. Have experienced mechanic look at oil to see if white substance in oil is coolant. There are two typical causes for white stuff in oil system:

Here is coolant in oil from blown head gasket:

Here is condensation/blow-by gunk in oil system caused by bad PCV, driving distances, engine temp, oil type: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=19417099

4. If no luck above: remove all plugs and then have someone crank engine. Observe spark plug holes and see if small drops of water spatter out of hole while cranking.

You can experiment with re-torquing as it will not hurt but after doing more tests above, you should have a better idea of what is going on.

Edited May 27, 2011 by Blue

[Reverend]

Thanks Blue, awesome tips as always! Will do those tests right away. Luckily oil is "clean" as is coolant. Engine is buffing white when NOT at operating temperature but after that no smoke so that is good also.

About that crancking, i need to disconnect the fuel pump right?

Edited May 28, 2011 by Reverend

[Reverend]

Crap. My socket was wrong, it was too short so i cant take out all the bolts. Got to wait till monday so i can get a new one.

[Reverend]

Well dayum.. I retighten all the bolts and when removed bolt number 11 (wich is the one over starter) it started to drip water trough seal. Well at least its confirmed where it leaks..

[240260280z]

Well it is good that it leaks externally, not internally.

Fear not. We will help you through this.

[Reverend]

Gaskets are on the mail, hope HG change solves the smelly garage problem. There is this discusting smell every time i drive warmed up Z in to garage, i bet it's the leaking coolant. For some reason, also the exhaust fumes are back.. they were gone for good while but now..

[SteveJ]

Keep in mind that coolant in the exhaust will give a sweet smell.