Messages

1

Engine + Driveline / opinions plz?

« on: November 10, 2009, 03:12:07 AM »

Hmm, thanks, ill try that in the morning. ill post pics of my timing as well. I havent messed with it anymore cuz timing is frusterating. removing so many little parts just for a few degrees of adjustment gets annoying. However, if that is my problem i guess ill have to keep going at it. Im too close to give up now. Ill check leaks too. So it wouldnt be anything like valve damage, right? long as its not something big, i can keep going at it. Ive replaced 2 heads already due to "user error" lol

2

Engine + Driveline / opinions plz?

« on: November 09, 2009, 07:22:10 PM »

I have posted here before. I have a 1994 318is. I changed my own headgasket and have been having timing nightmares. Thanks to Nick on here, i was able to time my cams off the crank. However, what its doing Now is:  It starts, goes down to almost a stall, barely catch itself, bobble between 0 and 1000 rpms for a sec, then shootS all the way up to redline for a second, then falls all the way down to a stall.  It will keep starting up strong, but it keeps repeating the pattern. I hope that helps you understand whats going on. I even drove it to the autostore to buy sparkplugs, and it has good power (normal power), but in between shifts it jumps to redline. seafoam took care of the smoking it started to do, but now it feels like the car is free'er to rev and chooses to shoot up to redline. Would an exhaust leak cause this? I feel heat comming from the exhaust manifold gasket area. Or could i just be slightly off with my timing still? Is there any way to know for SURE if your timing is PERFECT? Im just trying to rule out anything major in hopes that i am closer to being able to rely on the beemer as it has been down for over a month and the Suburban wont last much longer as the daily driver. Thanks

3

Engine + Driveline / Who has changed their own Head Gasket?

« on: October 02, 2009, 09:32:43 PM »

ok i managed to get the head off and do the head gasket change. But its been a nightmare putting it all back together. I know howto find crank tdc (or close to it), i understand that the camshaft lobes at cylinder 1 are up and facing inward slightly. But what orientation should the camshaft sprokets be at tdc? I had them just on there and the car wouldnt even let the fuel pump turn on. i read that the knots are supposed to be in the same direction so i changed their position to match and now the car starts barely and sounds horrible before dying out (so its letting the fuel pump run now). If someone could post a pic of the 3 things that are supposed to line up at TDC, and where their cam sprockets are positioned , i would be most grateful.

4

Engine + Driveline / Need Timing Help

« on: September 13, 2009, 03:19:44 PM »

Hey, im glad youve solved your problem. I just did my head gasket and i dont know how to set my crank to TDC so that I can set the cams off that. How exactly did you get to TDC? thanks in advance

5

Engine + Driveline / Who has changed their own Head Gasket?

« on: August 29, 2009, 12:48:09 AM »

thanks. that gives me more motivation to get to work on mines. what is the average price for just the Head Gasket and the Profile Gasket?

6

Engine + Driveline / Who has changed their own Head Gasket?

« on: August 28, 2009, 08:34:01 AM »

thanks man, thats what i needed. wonder why it took so long before any replies? oh well. Can this Profile Gasket be purchased at an AutoZone type of place or does it have to be special ordered?

7

Engine + Driveline / Who has changed their own Head Gasket?

« on: August 27, 2009, 08:02:48 PM »

I have a 1994 318is and I think i need to change my head gasket. if anyone has done it themselves before, could you plz post what steps you took, what precautions, how long it took you, how hard is it , and what was your end results. I'm mechanically inclined, but id still like step by step if possible. Thank you all!

8

Engine + Driveline / Newbie to the Headgasket world, plz help

« on: August 27, 2009, 07:58:48 PM »

I have a 1994 318is. I love the car!! However, it overheats. I thought it was the thermostat, but it wasnt. I found a crack in the plastic side of the radiator, so i rigged up a metal radiator setup. Car STILL overheats. AT one point , i saw milky oil under the oil cap, but now thats gone. I am begining to think combustion pressure is getting into the cooling system. I cant waste alot of money so im assumming its the HG. Can someone help me tackle this job? It looks easier than alot of cars since its a 4banger, but its still a difficult task. someone with instructions would be grately appreciated!!!