Is it the headgasket?

[Stringer]

Alright guys heres a little background on my problem.
As I driving my car one day the engine started to get wayy too hot. I let it cool down multiple times on my way home... had to drive it about 20 miles and when I arrived the temp gauge was all the way up to the red...
The next day I started the car... ran perfectly fine, but there was no water circulating... took one of the hoses off of the thermostat housing and no water came out... it seemed like it was vaporizing? Or just going somewhere it shouldn't....
Decided to do a complete engine refreshing including vac hoses, new timing chain, tensioner, guides, gaskets, seals, plugs, thermostat, w-pump, etc.
The car had the original thermostat after doing 200k miles... so I assumed it probably got stuck hence the coolant circulating problems.
I fired the car up for the first time today after about a month of sitting around waiting for damn parts to arrive (USPS sucks at losing stuff).. car seemed to be misfiring or the compression is just really bad due to the HG being gone. I'm going to run a lot of tests tomorrow to see... I just can't bring myself to believe the HG went bad as the car sat there... it ran perfectly fine when I pulled it in the garage. Maybe the valve timing is off? I don't know... any input is appreciated.

[JoeDellio]

Do a leak down test. Overheating in these cars is never a good thing.

[DesktopDave]

I hope it's the head gasket...not a cracked head or burned valve.  a compression test will prove it, a leak-down is even better.  If you do have to pull the head, make sure you check for warpage.

[Stringer]

Well I did a compression test and a cylinder tested low ~120 but I read that m42's lose their compression after sitting for a long time... So I revved it up for about a minute and the idle problem was fixed. However there is a whining sound coming from the timing chain area... Is this something I should be worried about or with all the new components is it just something that will cure with time?

[Stringer]

Ok guys I NEED help!
I'm not too sure what is good compression for an m42 but ALL cylinders checked out at 185 which led me to believe my car did not have a bad headgasket.
However I still have the overheating issue.... It seems like the coolant is getting pressurized really badly. Like theres an air lock or something blocking it... or is the headgasket gone? There is NOTHING going through the top hose from the t-stat housing to the radiator. I've tried bleeding it out a few times but I'm stumped. I'm hoping it's not the headgasket but if it is I need to get to work on it...

[Frank Gallegos]

Stinger,

It sounds like your profile gasket may be blown, which is diff. than your headgasket, but just as much work to fix.  The stock gasket is known to blow on the M42's.  Mine blew and the only way to get it done was to pull the head to get to it.  I have taken the opportunity to do some other work while I have been working on it.  At first I was bummed out I would have to remove the head for one POS gasket but now I am taking advantage to get some of my engine components up to date and know I will be much happier when all is done.  

I have some information i.e. links, pics and write ups on my other computer at work, so when I get to it I can provide you with some good strong info.

[Stringer]

Sounds good thank you!

[DesktopDave]

Might just be an airlocked pump.  I don't think that pump is really self-priming.  Maybe try filling the upper hose, then trying to bleed it.  I know you're putting water in it backwards, but sometimes that displaces enough air to get the bleeding started.

[nickmpower]

it is for sure a cracked head or bad headgasket. Most likely both. you coolant is pressurizing because combustion gasses are getting into the coolant system.

[Frank Gallegos]

The profile gasket can be found on this page (  http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_0156&hg=11&fg=10  ) Labeled # 10 the gasket sits on top of the lower timing chain case and under the head, so you would have to remove the head to get to the gasket.  Like I said I am taking the opportunity to work and bring my engine up to par while doing this job.
 My symptoms were as you described yours until eventually I found a leak from the front top drivers side corner of my lower timing case cover. I removed my valve cover, my thermostat and housing, and than my Top Timing Case Cover( #1 in this link   http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_2683&hg=11&fg=10  ) took a look at the middle where my my head meets the lower timing chain case and was able to see and pull some of my blown profile gasket.  I do have pics of my find but site will not let me post them for some reason.  This type of inspection might help you diagnose your situation.  


This web page/site (  http://timthurber.com/tcpg.htm  ) was a good start for me to get an idea of what I needed to do.

I can get you more info. and pics if you find this is the rout you will need to go just let me know.

Frank

[keflaman]

If it is the profile gasket and the car is your DD and you can't afford excessive downtime you can replace the profile gasket without removing the head.

In the FAQ/Reference section of this forum there are links to download the E30 Factory Manual and the E36 Bentley manual. Search for the lower timing case cover in either/both manuals and you will find the procedure, one of which shows the factory special tool and the other shows a workaround.

[Frank Gallegos]

There is a profile gasket that sits on top of the - lower timing case cover - that you do not need to remove the head to get to.

The profile gasket I am referring to is the one that sits atop of the -THE LOWER "TIMING CASE" -  having already done some work on mine there is not a way I could see or imagine you could get to the profile gasket I am referring to with out removing the head, but if there is I would love for someone to point the way.  If so than I thank you in advance.

Frank

[keflaman]

There is a profile gasket that sits on top of the - lower timing case cover - that you do not need to remove the head to get to.

The profile gasket I am referring to is the one that sits atop of the -THE LOWER "TIMING CASE" -  having already done some work on mine there is not a way I could see or imagine you could get to the profile gasket I am referring to with out removing the head, but if there is I would love for someone to point the way.  If so than I thank you in advance.

Frank

I don't wish to hijack the OP's thread by getting off on a different tangent, but there WAS a link (http://ee1394.com/bmw/docs/factory/repair/index1.htm) for downloading a manual (zip file) in this thread:
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=964

If you can download the manual, refer to section 11-14/42.9, figure 42 11 158, the illustration shows the special tool (P/N 11 2 330) as it is used to keep the profile gasket (#10, http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_0156&hg=11&fg=10) in place while installing the inner, lower timing case with the head installed.

The special tool referenced above is simply a flat, thin piece of material with a handle that slides between the head and lower timing case. There is a post by "Sheepdog" wherein he describes doing the job with a feeler gauge, although I'm not sure if he is talking about the "inner" or "outer" profile gasket.

In retrospect, I guess the choice of replacing the the profile gasket by "head removal" or "lower timing chain cover" depends on your particular situaton, skills, vehicle condition, oil leaks, etc, etc, etc;

[Frank Gallegos]

keflaman,

The links to the manual are no longer working from what I can tell.  I did copy the information to my computer before it was no longer working for me.  I have looked up the information you have posted and yes it looks like you are correct, thank you.  the job looks just about as intricate as removing the head.  The way I see it, by going the route of removing the head it calls for you to address the hoses under the intake, which we can all agree all our cars have that need, and really does give you the excuse to really do a pretty good job of cleaning and adjusting your intake both in and out as well as the components to your head, which I found out my head for one was better off for the attention even though the car was running fine.  O and not to mention the opportunity to also update or upgrade your fuel injectors.  And both options allow you to look into your timing components, which I like.

Thanks again for the info.

Frank

[VictoryChaser]

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!!!