profile gasket & upper pan round #2

[mabeer]

(Mods please feel free to delete original post)

Profile gasket is pooching out and upper pan gasket appears to be as well.

What do you guys think?  Replace or leave well enough alone?

[DesktopDave]

I'd do the profile gasket, but IMHO the oil pan looks OK.  I'd put a little locking sealant on the oil pan bolts just to be sure, but otherwise I'd be happy with it.

You might also have a little electrolysis damage under that profile gasket on the head or inner case - check it carefully.   I've seen a few other M42'ers use JB Weld to rebuild those mating surfaces before reassembly.

[mabeer]

Thanks Dave.  I've read some have had success without pulling the head and using the BMW special tool, or drywall knife, or plastic report cover.  Is that  an acceptable method or is pulling the head the best way to go?

PS.  Original post seems to be a problem with dropbox not allowing public shared foplders.  Switched to another host and works fine.

[deansweet]

It is acceptable if you can get it to work!
I am thinking about going to 'water less coolant' to avoid having to do the gasket again in my 2 E30's. It appears to be coolant pressure related and the water less system has no expansion so should fix this from ever happening again, and no water so no rusted blades or rust particles to build up and has way lower temp capabilities as it is stated it will never freeze? May be slushy but will still flow through systems.

Mercy I sound like a info-mercial.  

anybody tried this yet in their E30? Comments?

[DesktopDave]

@Mabeer: I've seen a few try any flat sheet of metal with a silicone lube to get it in place.  Lining up the oil pump onto the crank snout when re-installing the lower inner housing is the problem...if the oil pump rotor 'ears' are misaligned and the cover gets torqued down it'll crack the rotor.  I haven't done it myself, but that way still seems a lot easier than pulling the head and potentially damaging some valves.

@Dean: odd you should mention it...I have a bucket of Evans propylene glycol coolant in my basement.  I'm planning on putting it in the bikes first, then trying it out in the car.  The low pressure should preserve the cooling components, but I worry about the thicker fluid.  Apparently glycerine is also an alternative.  All have their problems...