S52 cylinder head crack or no?

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  • PGear
    Noobie
    • Jul 2026
    • 8

    #1

    S52 cylinder head crack or no?

    Hey everyone,

    I was hoping to get some opinions from those with experience rebuilding BMW S52 heads.

    I took my Z3M Roadster out of storage after about 6 months, installed a fresh battery, and the engine hydro-locked on startup. I pulled the spark plugs and found cylinder #3 full of coolant.

    I removed the cylinder head and sent it to a machine shop. They pressure-tested it, resurfaced the deck, and hot-tank/power washed it. They charged about $500 CAD and told me the head passed the pressure test.

    After getting the head home and inspecting it closely, I noticed a line between the intake and exhaust valves on cylinder #3 that looks very much like a crack.

    Before I assume the worst, I'd like some experienced opinions.
    • Has anyone seen marks like this that turned out to be normal casting marks?
    • Or does this look like a genuine crack between the valves?
    • Is it possible for a head to pass a pressure test yet still have a crack like this?

    I'm planning to take the head to a second shop on Monday for another inspection, but I'd appreciate any feedback in the meantime.

    Thanks!
  • digger
    R3V OG
    • Nov 2005
    • 6120

    #2
    doesnt look like a crack
    89 E30 325is Lachs Silber - currently M20B31, M20B33 in the works, stroked to the hilt...

    new build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=317505

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