Heat Gasket Replacement

[BrilliantRot325]

Ok, so my mechanic confirmed my worst fears. My head gasket is shot. Symptoms include coolant loss, steaming out tailpipe and hydrolocking after sitting overnight. My mechanic who is also a friend works out of his house and has agreed to the do the job cheap but his last words to me were "get ALL the parts". So I got the head gasket set, new belts, new head bolts. I know there are a number of other things that can be replaced but I'm not looking to rebuild the whole top end. I have looked around and seen a few parts lists but I dont have a grand to spend. Is there anything else that should be replaced because replacing them later will be impossible?

[Eric93se]

If the engine truly hydrolocked from coolant entering the cylinder over night then you might have valve damage.

[UnderCoverGuy11]

You need to test your head before you reinstall it, you don't want to spend all that money and put a bad head back on.

[ECSTuning]

My standard list is head gasket, head studs, exhaust gaskets, exhaust nuts, and valve cover gaskets when pulling a head. As others have stated you'll also want to send the head out to be checked, just to insure the valves are not bent and the head is not warped. HERE (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-325is-M50_2.5L/Engine/Gaskets/?salesrep=JRiggsbee&utm_source=bimmerforums&utm_medium=forum&utm_content=JRiggsbee&utm_campaign=postreply) is a link to my engine gasket section for your 325is.

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/134045_x300.jpghttp://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/112809_x300.jpg (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-325is-M50_2.5L/Engine/Gaskets/?salesrep=JRiggsbee&utm_source=bimmerforums&utm_medium=forum&utm_content=JRiggsbee&utm_campaign=postreply)

[flyfishvt]

I thought the valve cover gasket was part of the headgasket set. OP there are very few items other than the bolts and headgasket set. the triangle shaped exhaust gaskets mentioned are about all you need.

The headgasket set should include new valve stem seals. When you have the head tested they should install those at the same time.

2 other things you'll definaely need are a gallon of full strength coolant or 2 gallons of 50/50 premix and an oil change kit. Probably new plugs too.

[BrilliantRot325]

Thanks for the info guys. I will definitely be sending out the head to be tested.

[Nizzle508]

How did your head gasket end up blowing?

[Auto Parts Guy]

Def replace whatever caused the head gasket to fail in the first place...

[Yeti Poacher]

a gallon of full strength coolant or 2 gallons of 50/50 premix and an oil change kit.

Thought these engines took about 3 gallons of 50/50. I only ask because I need to fill mine Monday after repairs and want to have enough on hand.

[BrilliantRot325]

How did your head gasket end up blowing?

Not sure what caused it as the car has never overheated since I've owned it. I can only assume 241,000 miles and a previous owner who really didn't take care of the car.




Thought these engines took about 3 gallons of 50/50. I only ask because I need to fill mine Monday after repairs and want to have enough on hand.

I replaced the cooling system in mine about 2 months ago. It only took 2 gallons of 50/50.

[jpilk99]

I'm giving thought to doing my head gasket because of a very slow seap of oil leaking out. Engine runs very well. After looking at the bevvy of "extra stuff" outside of the actual head gasket itself ...I'm wondering if I should just live with the slow oil seap/leak. Comments please.

I'm assuming this is an all day job and the gasket "set" with head bolts is around $200-$300?

Thanks!!!

Jay

[flyfishvt]

I'm assuming this is an all day job and the gasket "set" with head bolts is around $200-$300?

Thanks!!!

Jay

NOPE it won't be done in one day. You have to take the head to get it serviced. That takes 24-48 hours after they get it. So you're looking at a day for tear down, 2 days for the head service and another day to reinstall. While the head is at the shop you can do all the other items on your list.

That one day for tear down assumes an entire day. maybe 2 if its the first head gasket youve done and it also depends on how meticulous you are at labeling stuff.

[Eric93se]

I'm giving thought to doing my head gasket because of a very slow seap of oil leaking out. Engine runs very well. After looking at the bevvy of "extra stuff" outside of the actual head gasket itself ...I'm wondering if I should just live with the slow oil seap/leak. Comments please.

I'm assuming this is an all day job and the gasket "set" with head bolts is around $200-$300?

Thanks!!!

Jay

Before you decide to do the job you might want to clean the engine of oil residue and then add a uv dye to the oil. This way you can be 100% sure where its coming from.

[flyfishvt]

i'm assuming this is an all day job and the gasket "set" with head bolts is around $200-$300?

Thanks!!!

Jay

$300

[Eric93se]

NOPE it won't be done in one day. You have to take the head to get it serviced. That takes 24-48 hours after they get it. So you're looking at a day for tear down, 2 days for the head service and another day to reinstall. While the head is at the shop you can do all the other items on your list.

That one day for tear down assumes an entire day. maybe 2 if its the first head gasket youve done and it also depends on how meticulous you are at labeling stuff.

He thinks its just a gasket failure, those do occur, but there is chance his leak if from something else. He won't need any head work if the gasket failure had nothing to do with overheating.

[flyfishvt]

Sorry but I woud never take that chance. An aluminum head that has over 100k on it could easily be warped just enough after you take it off so it won't seal correctly. If its got a crack then you won't know till its all back together and you run it. Its a catch 22. It will cost you about $200 to get it serviced. If you just replace it and its more than just the gasket then you just wasted all that time putting it back together and NOW you have to get another headgasket and probaby a few others. Plus another set of head bolts. Some would say you can reuse the head bolts but I never would reused stretch bolts.

I just don't think its worth taking that chance on an older engine. If it was a cast iron head I would probably risk it.