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Thread: Some Thoughts for Those Who Use the CES Cutring Gasket w/ Spacer.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Seattle, WA
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    136
    My Cars
    96 Hellrot 328is Turbo

    Some Thoughts for Those Who Use the CES Cutring Gasket w/ Spacer.

    I just pulled the head off of my M52, because it was getting some coolant in cylinder 4. The head was cracked, totally my fault for overheating the engine. Anyway, while I was coming apart, I noticed that the two small head bolts that go into the timing cover were *almost* hand loose. They were not tight at all, which I now figure is why I had an oil leak from my timing cover, because it is not common for those to leak.

    CES recommends pulling the valvecover and retorquing the head after heat cycling the engine. When I did this I did not retighten those bolts in the front, probably because I figured it wasn't going to be an issue. But it was, and I should have. The copper spacer crushed down quite a bit over time, especially where the cut rings were, but I imagine the whole thing did due to being a soft metal heating and cooling under the head. Or perhaps it was just the first few heat cycles. Either way, it was enough that those bolts were loose as hell and causing an oil leak.

    The other thing I noticed was just how good the seal of the gasket was, and how good the condition of it is now that it is back out. I ran it for 25k, and the actual gasket looks brand new. I honestly think I could throw it back together and it would seal. It is that good. Amazing gasket, and I can't say that enough. I will continue to use them.

    The last thought I had is that if the copper spacer is crushing down quite a bit, it is raising the compression. Not enough to make a major difference I don't think, but still, that is a thing that is happening.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
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    341
    My Cars
    93' Turbo 325i Coupe
    Good to know, I just threw that combo in my M50, yet to fire it up for the first time but I'll certainly re-torque those timing cover bolts now too once I pull the valve cover.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    5,373
    My Cars
    67mm 325i, RAM 1500
    Ive actually never used those timing cover bolts, just some silicone on the front.

    Retorque is important.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Montreal, QC Canada
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    86
    My Cars
    328is GT35R
    Is there any point in re-torquing after a few thousand miles or is it too late? I'm afraid I did not re-torque.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    Long Island, NY
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    My Cars
    67mm 325i, RAM 1500
    Im pribably 2-3k in on my most recent build, cutring with arp's every nut took half a turn, they moved with 65ftlbs

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    FL
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    4,754
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    are slow.
    Quote Originally Posted by daze450 View Post
    Is there any point in re-torquing after a few thousand miles or is it too late? I'm afraid I did not re-torque.
    Would probably be a good idea to check them. Copper compresses with pressure, heat and time. It's not too late.
    "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hova View Post
    Would probably be a good idea to check them. Copper compresses with pressure, heat and time. It's not too late.
    No copper spacer on mine and the retorque took half a turn.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Montreal, QC Canada
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    86
    My Cars
    328is GT35R
    Thanks guys! ill check em out.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Geigertown, PA
    Posts
    547
    My Cars
    95 M blk/blk
    Do you need a special socket to get to the head nuts with the cams in?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    96 328i ITR Racecar
    95 M3 blk/blk - hillclimb project - http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1798796 - Retired to street duty after two awesome seasons!
    2002 325XiT - daily


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    67mm 325i, RAM 1500
    Some sockets are a tight fit.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Ny
    Posts
    73
    My Cars
    94e36, 00e39 532it turbo
    this one has a thin enough wall it just fits.

    They make a 12 point impact that looks similar. (but I have no experience with the black impact version. )

    Screenshot_20220807-230049.jpg

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