Burn fuel, not coolant!

[Christoffer]

The car has been using a bit of coolant ever since I got it 4 years ago...however, in this current spring, it decided it wanted ATTENTION. (probably mad at me for having a Honda, too) It's just a 1989 Wagon, you bastard BMW.
Anyway, I am going to document the entire car rebuild in this thread. Going to start with the engine, then on to the suspension, then the reseal of the transmission and new clutch, next the differential change....finally going to remove the 4.27 and install the limited slip diff. Other stuff will more than likely happen in the middle, but I will be ending the thread with a paint job.

Let's begin.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw1-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw1-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw3-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw3-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw6.jpg

Well........there's your problem...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw8.jpg

Sweet factory hone marks in every cylinder.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw9.jpg

[DrJomamachubby]

Mmmmm, engine bay porn! I wish the intake for the M60 was that pretty, not plastic and hiding underneath more plastic. It looks like some hindu god, giving each rev a good hug before the crank comes back around.

[somerandomdude]

Nice. I did mine last summer. So much better and haven't lost a drop of coolant since then. I put about 10,000 miles on it already since then. Your going to love it when it's done!

[Christoffer]

It's the love that has kept me from dropping it in the river. I am just waiting on my timing tensioner components, new water pump and head bolts to arrive from Bav Auto and it will be back on the road, ready for the rest of it's under skin makeover.

[Meeve]

Cool thread! I wonder why you tie wraped the wheel on the timing chain?

[Psykick5]

That's hot!

[somerandomdude]

It's the love that has kept me from dropping it in the river. I am just waiting on my timing tensioner components, new water pump and head bolts to arrive from Bav Auto and it will be back on the road, ready for the rest of it's under skin makeover.

That's how I felt. When I found out it was eating coolant, I was very angry about it. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

Meeve, he did that so the timing on the gear doesn't get disturbed and so the chain doesn't fall down the into the block.

[Christoffer]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw13.jpg

I am doing every single seal in the engine. Just started at the top as that's where the injury is.

[JMI]

Christoffer,

I'm looking forward as this thread progresses. More pictures the better. Commentary too. Thanks for providing this learning opportunity.

The red valve cover, is that paint or powder-coat?

Thanks

Jim

[Christoffer]

I am doing what I can for commentary, pictures do do it best, though. The valve cover is paint. VHT (I think that's the name, the paint is at work) wrinkle paint. Takes 2 days to dry and I already got impatient with it. The intake manifold will also be this paint. It is hanging at work....without me to ruin it. Haha.

So far I only have 2 vacuum lines from the intake to replace, as they were very dried out and impossible to remove without slitting down the side.

What does everyone here use to clean the aluminum contact surface of their heads? I so far have only used foaming throttle plate cleaner....good for the carbon and varnish, not good for gasket residue/port residue.

By the way, my car is a Japanese import with 121,000 kilometers. A car that sits is sure to need attention. I am just glad all the metal is in great condition.

[Christoffer]

Hopefully the head is clean enough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw14.jpg

Some paint job.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw16.jpg

[87shark]

Wow. Seems like a fun project. I would like to go through mine one day and just rebuild it from scratch.

[warhammer23]

Very nice. Love the Ferrari-red-ish :)

[JMI]

Did you use emery cloth/sand paper to remove the paint from the raised lettering? Looks great.

Jim

[Christoffer]

Razor and then sandpaper. Thanks!

[lepre003]

Thinking of taking my heads off too.. how long did it take you? I have am M50 think it would easier or more difficult then yours?

[Christoffer]

Today, water pump removed, new one waiting to go on, oil pan dropped and AC compressor garbaged. Frustrated that I cannot get the 36mm crank nut off....as I really want to remove the timing cover to replace the guide, tensioner, piston and spring...not to mention the seals.

Anyway, off topic pic of the 2 cars I am working on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw17-2.jpg

[Christoffer]

Finally got the bastard 36mm crank nut off....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw19.jpg

Rad out. Also removing the air conditioning. Permanently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/bmw21.jpg

[LaytonDavis]

I like the paint on the valve cover and intake......Got a parachute almost the same color!!!!

[dohcdoh]

perm removal of the a/c? must stay cold in saskatoon eh? Anything over 73 is hot to me though...

[somerandomdude]

Very nice.

[Christoffer]

4 windows.

[Christoffer]

The Civic towing the 535 into my shop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/freshmike/badass2.jpg

The 535 is running now...with a vacuum leak somewhere. INCREDIBLE improvement in performance and smooth as silk, compared to how he was.

More documenting pics to come, when I have more energy. However, if you want to know HOW MUCH coolant the car was using, there was literally clean coolant dripping from the exhaust. Crazy.