Fuck My Life... M50tu busted head??

[///Maddog9000]

I hate!

1990 325i w/ m50tu/ZF/3.25lsd

So the problem started a few days ago with poor fuel economy and a developing misfire. Idle was surging between 500-1500rpm. Unusual amounts of smoke from the exhaust. I thought I had a bad O2 sensor. WRONG!

Last night I drove to my buddy's house a few miles away. When I left the car started and was running like shit. Like 5 cylinders worth of shit. The carf only had 1/4 tank of 93octane and I assumed low fuel pressure coupled with this misfire was the blame. FML. So I tried to limp it down the street to see if it would correct itself. WRONG. No intake manifold pressure. Not even enough to work the brakes. I pop that stupid forward opening hood. I can hear a popping sound in the intake runners around #3 or 4.

Right now I assume that A) I have a broken valve spring or B) I have a bent valve.

I will be pulling the valve cover shortly to find out how much damage is in there.

If I trashed the head, can I just throw a complete US s50 head on without hassle? Why not upgrade if I have to replace it anyway?

Someone email me a new Cylinder Head.

P.S. I hate you Danny

[VEGETA7]

have you checked and made sure the hose (or plastic piece after hose) that goes from the idle control valve to the intake manifold didn't come loose that will give you a popping and its your icv making the sound .

[Danny]

I refuse to answer your questions.

[///Maddog9000]

pfft... Danny, you're silly.

Vegeta7- I wish the car was in the Atl... Right now I'm stuck in NC. I'm going to take a look-see at the car now. I'll update late. Thanks for the advice.

[Mossman]

The performance advantage from an S50 or S52 head is the cams not the head itself. Valves/springs are different but I've even heard m50's are stiffer. Lots of people just throw S50/52 cams into M50's and M52's with great results.

If you end up needing a head I have a fresh rebuilt one that I ended up not needing (well I ended up not buying the broken car that it was destined for)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1511928

If you want it give me a shout.

[///Maddog9000]

A little embarrassed, alot relieved! I didn't have any time to investigate the problem at first so, I assumed the worst case scenario. Life has been stabbing me in the eye with her wooden leg recently and, I thought there was no way I was getting out of this easily or cheaply.

Less than five minutes of snooping around and, I found the broken plastic elbow behind the TB. Explains everything... $10.33, runs like a weak-ass m50tu should.

Mossman: Seen any s52 cam sets around for sale? I've been looking for months and, keep coming up dry.

[///Maddog9000]

I <3 Danny