Head gasket R+R gonna kill the engine?

[TuonoTom]

I have had 2 responses on the head gasket on my unfortunate purchase of a 200k 325is with a leaky (external) head gasket:

1] I'll replace the headgasket, just gimme the money
2] "I won't do it, that's stupid - you'll blow the rings out when you raise the compression."
(That's my old bandmate/friend/grizzled old metric wrench)

So, should I just bite the bullet and dump/trade in and take the loss, OR.......
What are the odds of the otherwise apparently healthy engine making it through a head gasket service without the doom and gloom prediction?

-T_T

[thedude60126]

I would do some searching as your engine will be fine doing a HG. There are so many DIY's on this its insane. These people you talked have no idea what they are talking about. I did one my self on a very similar vehicle (93 325i) and yes it takes a long time to get done but car ran for another 30K before I sold it

[DeanR]

The HG replacement should not affect your lower end. When you remove the head you should take it to a machine shop to check for cracks and flatness. They will probably resurface it. I think they remove .010 in. which will slightly raise your compression. If it has been resurfaced before then there is only so much material they can remove but the concern is more with the compression affecting your new HG at that point.

I think there may be a thicker HG available but don't know who makes one for BMW.

By all means I favor #1 over #2.

[IanPaul]

stop leak playa

[slocar]

BMW themselves make a thicker headgasket for this very purpose.

The 1.75mm gasket for a VANOS M50 (which I'm guessing is what you have in a 1993 car) is p/n: 11 12 1 726 617

There is also a 2.05mm gasket (.3mm thicker), p/n: 11 12 1 726 620 ... just have that much taken off the head and you'll keep everything same as it was when it was new with regards to compression.

[paniolo]

3] Find a cheap running M50 motor from a part out or junk yard and swap in whole motor. Obviously depends on prices, but in many areas this can be a cheaper and quicker alternative to a head gasket.

[TuonoTom]

Thanks for the PN's and advice -
I'd much rather do the repair then swap cars again. What a hassle!

And yeah, the grizzled old wrench I mentioned likely needs to retire.

-T_T

[keeslinger31]

I wouldnt mind higher compression, more power ftw

[ChuckDizzle]

at this point with the price of new parts and used engines, it will be faster and more affordable to swap in another motor that is good running condition.

You don't just swap the gasket, you have to have the head sent to a machine shop and have it pressure checked. Afterwards they decide if they need to do any modification to the head so that it seats flat against the block/gasket. They'll shave off some metal to do so.

Used m50's are under $600. That alone is probably the same price as the head gasket kit, studs and part of the labor from the machine shop.

[TuonoTom]

I'm looking at Bellevue right now, from across the street in Redmond...

So... it's a gamble either way - but a swap is of course a consideration.

**Where is a local source, Mr. Chuck?

And of course the 'low miles, perfectly maintained' verification and smoke'n dream is the quest.

Odds???

T_T



at this point with the price of new parts and used engines, it will be faster and more affordable to swap in another motor that is good running condition.

You don't just swap the gasket, you have to have the head sent to a machine shop and have it pressure checked. Afterwards they decide if they need to do any modification to the head so that it seats flat against the block/gasket. They'll shave off some metal to do so.

Used m50's are under $600. That alone is probably the same price as the head gasket kit, studs and part of the labor from the machine shop.

[ChuckDizzle]

local Craigslist and the Pacific Northwest sub-section here on BF.C. Make an entrance there and let people know...we're a nice bunch :redspot There's two e36s for part-out currently.

[pinkerton]

Having done one recently, I agree with all of the above - especially the stop leak suggestion. I've heard that stuff can actually work and you've got nothing to lose.