possible buy.. oil in water

[genocide98]

Thinking about buying a 90/91 325i

Guy says he recently had his head serviced. New timing belt, water pump, cam, lifters, and gasket.

He says he's selling it cause he bought a new pickup and it's got oil in the coolant.

Thoughts on this?

I might be optimistic, but maybe a faulty install on the head and gasket? I can't see why someone would drop $$$ servicing the head without having it checked over and then service and install anyway?

He says he suspects a cracked head because the gasket is new, but I'm wondering if the gasket was improperly installed or possibly damaged?

Does this happen often on M20's? I'm an M10 guy so I've come here looking for some advice.

Cost for a new head? I could pull one from a yard easy enough, but I'm wondering if they get sold for cheaper than the $50 or so they charge at LKQ.

Thanks!

[jlevie]

A part of any head work should be a check to see if the head is warped or cracked and if warped it should be surfaced. But that isn't always done. Oil in the coolant on a car with a manual transmission can only be as the result of a head gasket problem or a damaged head. However, if the car has an automatic transmission, failure of the transmission cooler in the radiator will result in oil in the coolant.

[genocide98]

A part of any head work should be a check to see if the head is warped or cracked and if warped it should be surfaced. But that isn't always done. Oil in the coolant on a car with a manual transmission can only be as the result of a head gasket problem or a damaged head. However, if the car has an automatic transmission, failure of the transmission cooler in the radiator will result in oil in the coolant.

The car has a manual transmission.

I'm not sure if the owner DIY, went to rasmussen, or an indy, but I e-mailed and asked.

How likely is it that the problem lies in the engine block opposed to head? I'm 100% sure its much less likely, but I'm trying to get opinions on it.

I figure $250-$300 max for a new (used) head, tank + resurface and parts to install myself.

Anyone else want to chime in?

Thanks again.

[SpecM]

T

How likely is it that the problem lies in the engine block opposed to head?

.

much less likely. The block was made of cast iron, they are pretty tough

it may not even have a bad head, just a gasket... which could have been improperly installed too.

[genocide98]

much less likely. The block was made of cast iron, they are pretty tough

it may not even have a bad head, just a gasket... which could have been improperly installed too.

That's what I was thinking / hoping.

owner said it ran for a while fine before he noticed oil/coolant mixing, and it ran fine before he re-installed the head.

So I'm thinking it's a problem with the install, or maybe a warped head itself, didn't have it checked and decked before re-install.

Cross your fingers for me guys.

[calz4m]

My bet is the head is bad. Since it appears the symptoms are the same both before and after the new gasket install. I think I understand that correctly from the above posts. Make sure if you have the head resurfaced that you get the correct thickness head gasket. Using a stock gasket will change your compression on a head that has been machined. Please keep us updated as to your progress.

[jlevie]

My bet is the head is bad. Since it appears the symptoms are the same both before and after the new gasket install. I think I understand that correctly from the above posts. Make sure if you have the head resurfaced that you get the correct thickness head gasket. Using a stock gasket will change your compression on a head that has been machined. Please keep us updated as to your progress.

The increase in compression after having a head surfaced isn't as significant as the change in valve timing if a significant amount is removed from the head. A thicker gasket will compensate for that, as noted.