M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: jbgood on October 21, 2020, 08:43:20 PM

Title: M42 Head Gasket and Timing Question
Post by: jbgood on October 21, 2020, 08:43:20 PM

I am in the process of putting the M42 from my '91 318i convertible back together. It was about time for a timing refresh when the head gasket went and demanded attention.
I have refreshed, refurbished and resealed countless things along the way, now I am about to put the cylinder head back on the block. I have been reading obsessively and taking lots of pictures; I plan to add my observations and lessons learned here once it is complete.

One question for the forum experts, since I have found conflicting information:
Do I need to add sealant (RTV) to the channel the rubber gasket fits into on the top of the timing case? (#10 in the RealOEM picture below)
Thank you in advance for any advice or guidance.

Title: Re: M42 Head Gasket and Timing Question
Post by: monty23psk on October 22, 2020, 07:20:33 AM

From factory manual, yes, you need to add some sealan where the profile gaskets meets with head/block. Check attachment.