Blown head gasket?

[Electricalbox]

Sorry to post, but I have been searching and have not found anything.

I have a 91 535 and the thing over heats in a matter of 5 minutes driving. It is seems to be spilling out tons of coolant from the reservoir, because I see smoke by the back of the motor. IIRC this should be attributed to a blown head gasket, but I just want to check before I start to prep for it. Also I will be doing a leak down tomorrow. Thanks and again sorry for posting.

[russiankid]

Could be just the cap. What color is the coolant and oil?

[DIL]

Reservoir and hoses intact/not leaking?

[Electricalbox]

Sorry if I display a lot of ignorance with this (only had the car a couple of days). The coolant seems to be for the most part normal color not too milky, but it is hard to judge because this car has been sitting for so long.
The reservoir appears to leak from the cap as well as from a line coming out from the passengers side of the reservoir, it looks like a breather line because it goes to nothing. Does anyone have a drawing of all the hose locations?

[russiankid]

There are only 3 hoses on the reservoir. The overflow as you mentioned, then a small hose running from the top along the drivers side of the engine bay, and one on the bottom. Can you get pictures of the coolant? It should not be any color other than blue,green or any other color coolant. Best bet right now is to get a new cap, drain the coolant, pour in fresh coolant; bleed the system for air, and see if the problems is resolved.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

Don't feel bad about asking questions, that's how you learn. I don't know much about cars either but I still have 1,200 posts in nine months :dunno. Just don't start a thread about angel eyes and learn to use the search button before asking and you'll be fine.

[Electricalbox]

There are only 3 hoses on the reservoir. The overflow as you mentioned, then a small hose running from the top along the drivers side of the engine bay, and one on the bottom. Can you get pictures of the coolant? It should not be any color other than blue,green or any other color coolant. Best bet right now is to get a new cap, drain the coolant, pour in fresh coolant; bleed the system for air, and see if the problems is resolved.
All the hoses are connected and I tried to bleed it periodically during warm up. Also my aux fan is not turning on even after 3/4s does anyone know how I can diagnose that? My brother took my multimeter with him to San Diego and I am in LA area.I will be searching more right now but if anyone has any suggestions please feel free. As for a new cap the local parts store has it but they just closed.

Checked the oil and it looks creamy, the previous owner was an idiot and she said she would drive the car till it got hot and turn it off and wait. Oh well, I found a gasket set for 103 with free shipping. Does anyone know the amount of time this will take? I also plan on doing timing chain/water pump as well.

[russiankid]

Creamy is a blown headgasket.

[Electricalbox]

Creamy is a blown headgasket.
Exactly...damn, so does anyone have any other suggestions on what I should change / replace. I think the block should be fine. I am thinking of just going with

ARP Studs
Head gasket set
Water Pump
Timing Chain

[russiankid]

Thermostat and cooling hoses. You do not want to do all of this work and have a hose rupture.

[Racerhoze]

Timing chain tensioner and guide rail.

[strayts]

bummer bro, if i lived nearby i'd help out.

[Electricalbox]

Ordered:
15 Cylinder head bolts
Cylinder Head Gasket Set
Oil Filter
Thermostat
Timing Chain
Timing Chain Guide (non platic I believe)
Timing Chain Tensioner
Timing Chain Tensioner Spring
Water pump

[onespeed]

add a coolant reservoir to you list, I owned my car for less than 2 hrs before it failed in the driveway at idle and if your car has been running hot the plastic will tend to degrade
I carry 3 things in my spares kit:
belt
reservoir
2 gallons of 50/50 mix
and I p.m. my thermostat and coolant every year on all of my rigs
good luck......
R

[zubbie]

You will also want to check the head for warp with a straight edge. It may need planing at a machine shop.

One of the reasons M30s overheat is through the use of improper coolant which causes internal oxidization in the head, thus partially blocking coolant flow. Ensure you have this checked also as the head will overheat again if not properly cleaned out.

If the head is both warped and oxidized then it may be cheaper to simply buy a known good used head or a properly rebuilt one from a good source

GL

[Electricalbox]

Thanks for all the help guys....


If the head is both warped and oxidized then it may be cheaper to simply buy a known good used head or a properly rebuilt one from a good source

GL My dad is a service advisor at a local automotive shop and normally has good hook ups on cylinder head specialist, so I will probably have the head sent out to be cleaned and resurfaced professionally seeing that I have no deadline. As for getting a new reservior there is a junkyard nearby normally has e34s so I think I may just get one there seeing it will be dramatically cheaper. Thanks everyone.

[bmw slangen]

Ordered:
15 Cylinder head bolts
Cylinder Head Gasket Set
Oil Filter
Thermostat
Timing Chain
Timing Chain Guide (non platic I believe)
Timing Chain Tensioner
Timing Chain Tensioner Spring
Water pump

Looking good. 15 head bolts? One in reserve if Murphy walks into the garage? :) Little off-topic but take a look at this banana (http://www.exx.se/objects/autopower/DSCF0799.JPG) to head bolt I got from BMW when I was about to assemble my engine.

BTW - there are one timing chain guide (only guiding) and one timing chain slider (the one that tension the chain and controlled by the tensioner piston) - I replaced both just to be sure - did you ordered both or just one of them?

And yes - a cylinder head inspection is a very good idea too. It is not impossible you should consider replacing at least the camshaft and rocker arms at least (on my 215000 miles well-maintained M30B35 engine it was really needed - they were really worn).

Inspect/replace that oil sprayer bar as well and mount it with new bolts (or lock them down with thread locking).

And a good opportunity to just inspect all vacuum/air hoses for cracks and also inspect the small fuel hoses around the fuel rail for cracks/leaks. And also quick look at cables/connectors and make sure they are not corroded, cracked or similar.

[Electricalbox]

Looking good. 15 head bolts? One in reserve if Murphy walks into the garage? :) Little off-topic but take a look at this banana (http://www.exx.se/objects/autopower/DSCF0799.JPG) to head bolt I got from BMW when I was about to assemble my engine.

BTW - there are one timing chain guide (only guiding) and one timing chain slider (the one that tension the chain and controlled by the tensioner piston) - I replaced both just to be sure - did you ordered both or just one of them?

And yes - a cylinder head inspection is a very good idea too. It is not impossible you should consider replacing at least the camshaft and rocker arms at least (on my 215000 miles well-maintained M30B35 engine it was really needed - they were really worn).

Inspect/replace that oil sprayer bar as well and mount it with new bolts (or lock them down with thread locking).

And a good opportunity to just inspect all vacuum/air hoses for cracks and also inspect the small fuel hoses around the fuel rail for cracks/leaks. And also quick look at cables/connectors and make sure they are not corroded, cracked or similar. LOL @ the bolt. Yah I figured I would go with 15 just in case I misplace/damage/trash one. I will definitely be taking pictures of everything to see if I have more problems than I noticed at the time. I should be starting tomorrow with disassembly / cleaning, then powdercoating certain parts...hopefully the parts are here by friday so on the weekend I can do the install.:redspot

[E34freak]

I have a 1992 535 from a parts car that already had the head gasket done at 95k It has only 112k on it now and is for sale for 300 plus the shipping. That might be a lot cheaper then paying for a head gasket to be done. Depends on if your diy or paying someone. I will also throw in the aux fan and clutch fan to make sure your system does not overheat again.

[Electricalbox]

I have a 1992 535 from a parts car that already had the head gasket done at 95k It has only 112k on it now and is for sale for 300 plus the shipping. That might be a lot cheaper then paying for a head gasket to be done. Depends on if your diy or paying someone. I will also throw in the aux fan and clutch fan to make sure your system does not overheat again. Thats ok, thank you though. Shipping would be expensive, and also this way I get to know the motor more...also this gives me an excuse to pull everything. Clean it all up and then powder coat stuff. :)

[Electricalbox]

Bought a replacement corner light and some projector glass fog lights...also does anyone know another e34 DIY site where the links work. Almost all of the links on this site are 404 http://www.bimmerdiy.com/dir/e34

[zubbie]

Bought a replacement corner light and some projector glass fog lights...also does anyone know another e34 DIY site where the links work. Almost all of the links on this site are 404 http://www.bimmerdiy.com/dir/e34

http://www.bmwe34.net/Wiki/tiki-index.php
http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_2.htm
http://www.e38.org/e34/
http://www.exx.se/

[Electricalbox]

http://www.bmwe34.net/Wiki/tiki-index.php
http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_2.htm
http://www.e38.org/e34/
http://www.exx.se/

You sir, are sexy...thank you! :D

Should be powdercoating my valve cover tonight!!!

[zubbie]

You sir, are sexy...thank you! :D

Should be powdercoating my valve cover tonight!!!

not sure how to take that...:confused..but then again at my age any compliment works ;)

[Electricalbox]

not sure how to take that...:confused..but then again at my age any compliment works ;)
LOL you can't be that old, I remember ren and stimpy and I am only 20 :buttrock:stickoutt

Got a new coolant level sensor just in case, along with a new reservoir cap. Also got to powder coat a valve cover today, not mine...(mine is too big for my oven). I am really getting into BMWs they are pretty fun to work on.
Appears black in the low lighting, but in the sun/lighting its rainbow.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u265/89efdusty/IMG_1462.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u265/89efdusty/IMG_1457.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u265/89efdusty/IMG_1470.jpg