Author Topic: Head Gasket Kits? (Read 4115 times)

deansweet · « **on:** January 10, 2012, 09:01:17 PM »

Victor Reinz or FelPro?

Comments? Personal opinions?

Swapping out water pump, hoses, etc as well.
Debating on pan gaskets while I am tearing it apart.
Not too sure if I want to have the head machined or not? It runs like a top, just leaking coolant out and on to front of block and AC compressor.

Put some dye in it. I will drive around for a day or so so I can get a tell tale trail of where it's coming from when I pull the timing chain covers.

e30jr88 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2012, 02:55:08 PM »

Go to PelicanParts.com and buy the parts there, Thats what I did and it came out to a reasonable price with new water pump, HG kit, and T-stat.
In the HG kit it included all the gasket needed to change except the little gaskets that go on the injectors. The brand they use is Victor Reinz.

I got my head rebuilt because once it was pressure tested they found a crack in the head so I would say atleast get it pressure tested. Might aswell get it tested now rather than finding out later that there is something wrong with the head. because the slightest overheat can fracture the head.

Nelson_40 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:30:29 PM »

What you get really depends on your price point. The Victor Reinz HG kit is a pretty good bargain for ~$110 with all of the top end gaskets, new valve stem seals, and injector o-rings. But when I visually compared the actual head gasket to the Goetze one I purchased separately (long story about warped block) to the VR gasket looked decidedly inferior, for me the extra $40 for a very infrequently (hopefully) part you might as well spring for the nicer part even if you buy the VR HG kit for the rest of the parts. Clearly a visual inspection means little in a part like that, but I figure if a company have nice fit and finish they typically make a good product. Those are autohausAZ prices BTW.

As for the head definitely have it crack/pressure tested, if for nothing more than peace of mind, and if the machinist seems competent/the head needs it have it machined. It is also typically a great time to ask if they will throw in installing your new valve stem seals for free!

Might as well do the pan gaskets at the same time, just to be sure. Then you can have a trouble free car for months or years depending on usage.

Noticed you haven't mentioned the oil pump, chain or guides, might be a good time there too. Good luck & hope you don't break the bank.

318bud · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2012, 09:49:43 AM »

How hard is doing the headgaskets on our m42s?
Ive taken off top and lower timing covers and replaced gaskets before..is it alot more than that?
Is there a full written DIY for the job?

Thank you!:)

deansweet · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2012, 05:24:50 PM »

figured I would post up an update?

Well, I ran around town with the dye in it and it was quite evident where the coolant was coming thru and it was indeed, the Timing Case Profile Gasket and I am taking it as a sign as 'close to 350k on the odometer so it was time to replace all the stuff anyways.'

Only took 2.5hrs to get to the point of removing the head. A new personal record and another point where BMW has made it quite easy to maintain these things. The exhaust had been swapped out with aftermarket so the bolts weren't rusted/burnt on and the intake was just as easy? RWD compared to FWD head work is so different it's crazy. The lack of space to the chain end of FWD and the lack of access to the back side. I ordered $228 worth of parts from RockAuto; HG kit, Head Bolts, Water Pump, Thermostat, oil filter adapter gasket and a couple other misc parts I needed. Need to run to BMW Dealer to pick up a couple gallons of coolant, and advance-auto to pick of the torx socket for head bolts.
Hoping to have the car back on the road by next Monday?

As for DIY's. There are a couple out there but really don't do a step-by-step instructions with pictures for each step.

318bud, check your PM's

victor.askew · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2012, 12:18:33 AM »

I did this back in Oct 11 and the main key is to pay attention to the small details as you progress along. I also bolted th header to the head before installing it all as one onto the block. I used the VR gasket kit and had no problems at all. It was so quick. Good luck!!!

deansweet · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2012, 07:20:40 AM »

All back together and fired right up. Worst part was getting the exhaust header back on without disconnecting it at the collector. Next time I will simply buy new studs/nuts and screw them on before putting the head back on.
Only notable issue is the idle; when I stopped the idle kind of drops a bit, then jumps back to normal. I'm guessing a vacuum leak somewhere but I would like to drive it a couple days to see if things smooth out?

Replaced the oil pan gaskets while I had it apart as well. What a messy job that was.
Steering rack is next on my list. Then maybe tackle the 'mess under the intake' that the PO just replaced all the hoses so didn't feel the need to complete it now.

kslb1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2012, 02:55:26 PM »

http://www.bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1991-BMW-318is--/l4_1.8l_m42-Engine&yearid=1991%40%401991&makeid=BMW%40%40BMW%40%40X&engineid=1011373%40%40318IS%20%2FL4_1.8L_M42%40%40318IS&catid=Engine&subcatid=Cylinder%20Head%20Gasket%20Set&mode=PA

BMA has the Reinz kit for $ 76.69. It comes with fair amount you don't need, and some of the gaskets may not be as well made as the originals, but it's such good value it's hard to go wrong.