Author Topic: 91' 318i in a coma (Read 3709 times)

Selfish · « **on:** December 18, 2008, 10:02:03 PM »

Hi guys, looks like goodbye to my m42 e 30. It was running perfectly until some days ago. It was leaking some oil through the valve cover gasket, and it was already time for an oil change, so I ordered the gasket and the oil filter from Pelican and while I was at it, removed the lower oil pan. I have read it is not uncommon to find bolts that were not properly torqued lying on the bottom. I actually found 3 of them. Replaced the gasket, inspected spark plugs, put it all back together, there was no more leaking afterwards. I kept a close eye on it the subsequent days, everything seemed fine. A couple days ago, it overheated momentarily, some rough hesitation, lots of dark smoke exiting the tailpipe, coolant misteriously dissapearing and to confirm it all, a yellowish murky substance formed around the oil filler hole, and obviously not only there. The diagnostic over the phone: blown head gasket.
I still love the car, but the perspective of shelling out half of the car�s worth (at least what I paid for it) or more, plus all the time and labor, frustration included in such a complicated process, that I�m considering parting it out unless one or more of you guys manage to talk me out of it. The estimates I received so far for another whole engine are too high, or too far away, or have no warranty, not to mention they are already hard to find. Sooo....if you need any parts, let me know!

xwill112x · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2008, 09:43:38 AM »

fellow nc e30er, head gaskets arent that big of a deal. i'd hate to see a car down like that...all over a head gasket.
you should respectivly know that E30's are getting old and are breaking, they take time , money, and work to drive.

repair it, then if you regret...sell.
i sold one of mine and i FOREVER regret it, so take that into factor.

doitover · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2008, 03:47:23 PM »

Try Shade Tree Mechanic if you haven't already.

Every car costs something per month to drive. Even something as expensive as a head gasket is the equivalent of not that many months of new car payments.

Quote from: Selfish;63171

Hi guys, looks like goodbye to my m42 e 30. It was running perfectly until some days ago. It was leaking some oil through the valve cover gasket, and it was already time for an oil change, so I ordered the gasket and the oil filter from Pelican and while I was at it, removed the lower oil pan. I have read it is not uncommon to find bolts that were not properly torqued lying on the bottom. I actually found 3 of them. Replaced the gasket, inspected spark plugs, put it all back together, there was no more leaking afterwards. I kept a close eye on it the subsequent days, everything seemed fine. A couple days ago, it overheated momentarily, some rough hesitation, lots of dark smoke exiting the tailpipe, coolant misteriously dissapearing and to confirm it all, a yellowish murky substance formed around the oil filler hole, and obviously not only there. The diagnostic over the phone: blown head gasket.
I still love the car, but the perspective of shelling out half of the car�s worth (at least what I paid for it) or more, plus all the time and labor, frustration included in such a complicated process, that I�m considering parting it out unless one or more of you guys manage to talk me out of it. The estimates I received so far for another whole engine are too high, or too far away, or have no warranty, not to mention they are already hard to find. Sooo....if you need any parts, let me know!

Birdman16 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2008, 04:59:04 PM »

Come on man... You cant part out your e30! What are you thinking?!?! I'm 17 and loved my car so much I dropped $1,962 for a head gasket and head replacement. As long as your head is not cracked, you should be fine. It all comes down to how much you really love the car and if it helps you through life. It's kinda all I have left, so... I had to fix it. Just saying that if I was able to fix it on a 17 year olds part time job at Marshalls, anythings possible.

But seriously.... DON'T PART IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!

Selfish · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2008, 10:38:39 PM »

all of you guys, thanks for your supporting messages!! You don�t know how deeply hurt I would be to see her go (altough she looks good from behind), and that�s because I so fell in love with her. It also hurts to see her there, still, instead of running like she used to. There�s some light at the end of the tunnel, though. I might be able to bring her back to life, work on her little by little, just to see her burn some rubber again. I need to find either a donor m42 or a good, reputable machine shop in the area. But in a way I see a host of options opening now, and I�m even considering swapping in a bigger and/or badder engine. Do you have any experiences/ideas/stories about a good setup?

e30 4cyl · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2008, 11:59:40 PM »

After all the work you just did to it there is no way you can part it out now. Definitely get the head gasket replaced or maybe even try to diy?
I have heard that it is not too dificult and if you find a nice guide online combined with the great knowledge of this forum it will be a piece of cake.

Keep the e30!!! Everyone I know who sold their's really regrets it.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2008, 05:20:29 AM »

I did a quick google and came up with this ,
http://www.classicperformanceauto.com/repair.htm

I'm sure there are more .Don't part the car out ,If you don't want to deal with it then at least post it on the different forums for sale .If the body is in decent shape then someone will surely buy it and fix it up then you'll have two options :
1) you'll be sick to see it go

2) you'll be looking for another one:rolleyes:

How many miles on the car ?

good luck

roundel318 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2008, 12:50:23 PM »

Back east, it shouldn't take too long to dig up a M42 motor.
Call Reggie at Mobile Exchange Auctions, he might have something, if not he will call you when get does.
He has been reliable in our multiple dealings, he has a ebay store too.