Author Topic: White smoke, coolant residue and low compression (Read 4001 times)

dunny · « **on:** March 12, 2011, 01:35:52 PM »

Hi All,

I'm having some issues with an engine I purchased back in December for my 91 318i. I bought the motor from a guy in central Ohio who claimed he would warranty it if there were any problems. Here is what is going on:

Last week I started it up. Before doing so I replaced all of the plugs and installed a COP kit. At this point I found that cylinder 4 (I think that is the one, closest to the transmission) had a ton of what looks like coolant residue, almost a chalky powder, in the spark plug tube. I thought nothing of this and put everything together.

The car seemed to run fine and idle well, but I was never able to reach operating temperature because the lower radiator hose was leaking and needed replaced. I picked up a new hose yesterday, added more coolant, bled the system, and tried again. This time the car did heat up to operating temps, and the heat blowing in the car warmed up. It does have a new t-stat, all new hoses, and the mess under the intake cleaned up. Shortly after it heated up to the middle mark on the gauge, it started to idle really poorly, threw an engine code, and white smoke poured out of the exhaust.

At this point I'm frustrated. Today I performed a compression test. As I expected, cylinder #4 was VERY low, #3 was a little low, and the others were fine. Here are the numbers:

Dry:
#1 = 200
#2 = 200
#3 = 165
#4 = 70

Wet:
#1 = 215
#2 = 215
#3 = 215
#4 = 105 (performed a second time with a little more oil and got 150)

With that said, I've called the person who sold me the engine and of course he is not answering calls, texts, or emails. I certainly regret buying this M42 at a premium price because he claimed it had around 115k on it and ran very well. I could have rebuilt the engine I had for less money. I'm posting here to get input on what the problem could be. I'd assume it is a cracked cylinder head or at least a bad headgasket. It doesn't look like it will run well in its current state so I've got a lot more work ahead of me.

If the seller doesn't make good on his "warranty" I will post up his information here and on other forums to warn folks about doing business with him....I believe he sells a lot of parts as does his friend who was with him when I picked up the engine.

Any input on where to go from here is appreciated. Thanks!

dunny · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2011, 01:55:08 PM »

A few photos:

http://dunawayphotography.com/jasonmisc/bmw/318parts/plugs01.JPG
http://dunawayphotography.com/jasonmisc/bmw/318parts/plugs02.JPG
http://dunawayphotography.com/jasonmisc/bmw/318parts/plugs03.JPG
http://dunawayphotography.com/jasonmisc/bmw/318parts/plugs04.JPG
http://dunawayphotography.com/jasonmisc/bmw/318parts/plugs05.JPG

Warsteiner · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2011, 01:56:32 PM »

Well it's definitely coolant getting into the combustion chamber. I agree with your head gasket or cracked head theory. It is unfortunate but I think that is where you're heading with this. Good Luck with everything.

Cheers,
~Ralph

DesktopDave · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2011, 06:25:31 PM »

That sucks. You might be able to repair the motor if it's just the gasket. It's an unexpected turn of events, but you might be able to save the motor. Otherwise post it in the classified section...I'd be interested in trading for a used motor myself.

I'd strongly recommend posting his information here. I'll sticky it in the classified section so nobody else makes the same mistake. Not that it'll likely make a huge difference, but let him know that he's been tagged on BMW sites as a fraud. Eventually nobody will buy his stuff.

You've given the guy a chance; but if he's just trying to get away with it I'd go after him. If you have a written contract or he has a business, have a lawyer draft a nasty letter informing him that he can't get away with this. Get a pro to determine the motor was in fact defective. Consider taking him to small claims court locally for breach of contract, though court costs may be too much.

monty23psk · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2011, 07:25:58 PM »

I am dealing with this now. The temp keeps going up and get the white smoke at high rev. Also the oil has a tiny sign of coolant. I saw the temp getting high, past 3/4 and turned the car off. Then it sat there until I got the head out. It had a crack on #2. So now I can have it repaired or find a good used one. The search begins.

dunny · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2011, 08:07:52 PM »

The seller responded to my text messages. Apparently the person who I thought I was buying it from only owned the transmission....and his friend owned the engine. They both responded and while they will not refund me they are going to help buy some of the parts to fix it. I hope it works out as I'm already past my budget to get this running.....

What should I refresh while I'm going this? Profile gasket? Timing chain tensioner or guides? I want to do this right but I don't have deep pockets so let me know what I need to do to make it reliable for another 50k miles. Thanks in advance

DesktopDave · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2011, 08:28:13 PM »

You'll need to have the head pressure tested. Some cracks only happen as the head expands. Look for a decent race shop close by, it's cheap insurance. You don't want to use a head that needs scrapped.

At a minimum, I'd get the head, profile & manifold gaskets. I'd toss in some valve cover seals too, and the timing chain cover gaskets. Tensioner or rails might need replaced too, that'll be apparent when you open the front case.

B318M42W · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2011, 02:11:45 PM »

and for good measure, i'd replace t-stat and water pump if it hasn't beed done recently.

dunny · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2011, 05:30:21 PM »

Thanks for the responses. T-stat was replaced. Water pump hasn't been, that's a good idea. Valve cover seals are in the trunk....not yet installed. All of the manifold gaskets are new, may just re-use them since I've only heated up the engine a few times. I think at this point since I'm already out the money I spent on the engine I might as well take it slow and do things right.

Here is a photo of the plug from the bad cylinder:

http://dunawayphotography.com/jasonmisc/bmw/318parts/plugs02.JPG

DesktopDave · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2011, 08:03:20 PM »

That's the spirit! I know you don't need a pep talk, but...think of it as an investment. If you do it right, the car will run for years to come. And IMHO - it'll still be fun every drive you take, for less than a couple of new car payments.

dunny · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2011, 08:19:40 PM »

Yeah I'm hoping that with gas heading towards $4-$5 a gallon it will pay for itself in a few years....my other daily is a V6 Dakota and 85 miles a day to work and back burns a lot of gas

DesktopDave · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2011, 06:26:48 AM »

They are very economical cars, but more fun than the average econocar.

I keep a detailed spreadsheet with my expenses & credits to see how much I've saved. It's a bit of work to keep one of these going, but when I can see a nice fat chunk of cash solidly in the black it makes me really love my car...I'll send you a blank copy if you like.

I used to just see what the costs were with my car vs. my wife's piggish minivan. But...now I also get a little work-related mileage check now and then. At $0.50/mile it adds up fast. They've basically bought my car for me.