Driving on a blown head gasket

[djdropit]

What's the risk with driving on a blown head gasket on an e30?

After tearing apart the entire cooling system, replacing all the coolant hoses, thermostat, water pump, timing belt, accessory belts, and finally the TPS; I managed to get it back up and running, but it's got the white smoke, and the engine hesitates when you first hit the accelerator.

Everything I've read indicates a blown head gasket, but what are the implications of driving under this condition?

The car has rust holes in the driver side flooring and I'm trying to decide whether to get the engine up to 100% before taking it into a shop to get the rust taken care of or vice versa.

Thanks

[Jafxod]

Cut bait

[Bigdutch]

could potentially over heat..

[M-technik-3]

Prepare for a toasted bearing or race. If coolant is mixing with oil. Coolant does not make for a good lubricant.

[slammin.e28]

Just drive it. It's just an M20. They're a dime a dozen. Throw some think weight oil in there and some of that gasket fix-it-shit and roll with it.

Then again, have you diagnosed a blown HG? Comp test, leak down test, etc?

[djdropit]

Cut bait

Trust me, the thought has crossed my mind, but I've almost got it running. I didn't mention the other work I've done (new muffler, CSB, all new shift bushings).

It would be nice to enjoy driving it before I jump ship.

Sounds like the best thing is to ensure the head is good via compression , and if not replace the head gasket.

I was planning on doing the entire gasket kit since I'll have the head off. Any recommendations on other work I should do while it's apart?

I've already adjusted the valves but there is a tinging noise so I'll probably do it again.

Thanks again everyone

[bernzpeed]

could potentially over heat..

I don't know about potentially... but it will overheat most definitely.
Not good... Better to address the engine first before anything else.
What good is a rust free body if the engine doesn't run?

[riceh8r]

get your head shaved and install new hg.

[browntown]

I've had a blown hg since I bought the car. I have oil pushing into coolant though, not the other way around. So my oil is clean and my coolant is sludge. I haven't overheated yet but I did toast a water pump. Ultimately you should replace your HG as soon as you have the time/funds.

[djdropit]

get your head shaved and install new hg.

Why would I shave the head?

Since I would be taking everything apart anyways to replace the head gasket, would there be any reason to replace the valves, crankshaft or pistons?

-Dropit

[Brandon12V]

you need to resurface the head. the head is made of aluminum and IF you have a blown head gasket, there's no telling whether the surface on the head is still perfectly flat. have it resurfaced and hot tanked. most machine shops will do this for $75-100 bucks. if you don't it may still be prone to a leak and you get to do this shit all over again.

[djdropit]

you need to resurface the head. the head is made of aluminum and IF you have a blown head gasket, there's no telling whether the surface on the head is still perfectly flat. have it resurfaced and hot tanked. most machine shops will do this for $75-100 bucks. if you don't it may still be prone to a leak and you get to do this shit all over again.

When people talk about head gaskets, why do they only ever recommend resurfacing the head?

Also when they shave it, how does it affect the piston positions, and valves? I mean the Germans are pretty tight with their tolerances aren't they? Will I have to watch out for anything specific after I slap it all together?

Dropit

[browntown]

^^If you shave the head, you can buy an extra thick head gasket. Or you can just take the higher compression and tune around it.

[McGyver]

I don't know about potentially... but it will overheat most definitely.
Not good... Better to address the engine first before anything else.
What good is a rust free body if the engine doesn't run?

to that, what good is a perfect engine in a car thats falling apart?