M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: longms on August 14, 2009, 12:51:48 AM
-
Recently went to check the oil and found coolant in there. What are some key spots that usually might be the first places to fail on the M42 that might cause this to happen? Do you guys have any suggestions on which places I should look first so I don't go too deep and realize I didn't need to go so far?
Look forward to the input. Thanks fellas.
-
head gasket.
-
Well that sucks. I just got that back together.
do you think upon installing the water pump the o-ring could have gotten shredded if not installed correctly?
-
How often did you change coolant?
-
Profile gasket. Either way, it's the same job.
-
well the engine had been rebuilt about a year ago and hasn't really been run that much yet...Is this the infamous gasket that BMW never recalled???
-
I wa told that the new headsets have the corrected gasket
just did mine this past decemeber with a victor rentz kit
-
we had to re-tap some bolt holes on the head. maybe the integrity of the metal has let go.
That really sucks!!!!
-
If it was built by any legit company and it its under a year old, wouldn't it have a warranty
-
yeah....my father and i made it a project and rebuilt it together, so no.
-
UPDATE::::
I can see no indication of coolant mixing with the oil but the coolant level has visibly gone down in the tank on the side of the radiator in the past few days. There is no indication of a leak anywhere. Had the car parked in the garage over night and there were no drips of any kind. Could this be a leak that only shows its ugly face when the car is running?
Where could the coolant have gone?
-
A blown head gasket will not necessarily mean water will get into the oil..It could be blown between the water jacket and a cylinder. As the engine runs, it sucks water (antifreeze) into the cylinder..It can also blow compressed exhaust gases back through the cooling system..
See if you notice any white smoke when the car is running.
Sometimes you can remove the radiator cap (only when COLD) and see if you notice any large bubbles in the antifreeze when you rev the engine...Might have to fill the reservoir tank up near the top.
-
there is also a dye you can put in the radiator that will show if there is CO in the coolant...
Dave
-
I will try these things and let you know what I find...thanks guys
-
:( I think I'm having a similar problem. White gunge on the oil cap and the dipstick, and white smoke from the exhaust. Car runs pretty much ok though.
-
^Yep that sounds like a head gasket. Not sure about the OP's situation though.
-
check the gasket between oil pump and block!
-
A blown head gasket will not necessarily mean water will get into the oil..It could be blown between the water jacket and a cylinder. As the engine runs, it sucks water (antifreeze) into the cylinder..It can also blow compressed exhaust gases back through the cooling system..
See if you notice any white smoke when the car is running.
Sometimes you can remove the radiator cap (only when COLD) and see if you notice any large bubbles in the antifreeze when you rev the engine...Might have to fill the reservoir tank up near the top.
Compression or leakdown test!
-
Everything still seems to look fine on with my car. Changed oil right before New Years and it looked normal. I am just going to keep an eye on it. When the warmer months come I will be digging into the heart of this beast and replacing some gaskets.
:( I think I'm having a similar problem. White gunge on the oil cap and the dipstick, and white smoke from the exhaust. Car runs pretty much ok though.
I never had white smoke just a little bit of condensation that didn't have time to evaporate due to short trips I frequently make and the motor never gets up to full running temp. I now start the motor and try to make sure that I am able to get it up to running temp on short trips.
Saves me some gray hairs and I don't worry about the white stuff anymore cause I never see it now.
-
Everything still seems to look fine on with my car. Changed oil right before New Years and it looked normal. I am just going to keep an eye on it. When the warmer months come I will be digging into the heart of this beast and replacing some gaskets.
I never had white smoke just a little bit of condensation that didn't have time to evaporate due to short trips I frequently make and the motor never gets up to full running temp. I now start the motor and try to make sure that I am able to get it up to running temp on short trips.
Saves me some gray hairs and I don't worry about the white stuff anymore cause I never see it now.
Sorry for the post hijack! :S
That may be the case with my car as I only drive it on the short journey to work and don't really do many long trips. Shame because I love driving it! I may give it some TLC after I save up for my USA trip :)