Possible Head Gasket?

[nunezfrancisco30]

Hi guys just a little question, I have never done a head gasket job. EVER! I just finished a swap in my 318is, from m42 to m20b25. Once I started the car, I waited patiently for thermostat to open so that I could bleed the system of any air. After close to 7 min or so I noticed no change, yea I know I maybe should of waited more, but its pretty hard to be patient when you have open headers in a friendly neighborhood haha Anyhow I started to notice a little river of oil coming out from between the head and bottom half(where the head gasket would be) in between cylinder 3 and 4!!! Just my luck. The oil that poured out din't seem to have the milky shake look to it, I haven't checked the spark plugs nor compression test yet, rainy weather to blame. I have a couple questions actually, Is the area from where leaking common? Is there any things that I should pay attention in regards to removing the head? Will the gasket literally be torn apart? how can I tell if its blown or not? sorry like I said I have never replaced one before. Please help me get my e30 back on the road guy!!!!!!

[Bmwb]

you should do a compression test before assuming its from there , your valve cover could also be leakeing oil , as for the coolent try takeing out the hoses that are empty and filling them up with the coolant/water mixture and then re try to bleed the line , it took me about 5 trys to finally get mine right , the gasket will still be attached together but will probably have small tears in it if it was a headgasket but your best bet is a compression test

[jlevie]

If oil is truly coming from the interface between the head and the block, the gasket has failed. The other possibilities could be the oil pressure switch or filter. Clean the side of the engine and watch for the first sign of oil.

[nunezfrancisco30]

ok thanks guys for the response, I will do the compression test later on in the day once I get out of class, I know ho eto perform one, but what am I looking for exactly? and hat will the numbers tell me? . I din't see any oil from the valve cover, only the little river of oil from between the head and the block, it was pretty obvious where it generated from haha.

[lowsodium]

Maybe im wrong but I dont think a compression test would always diagnose a oil leak where hes getting one. Mine had a good compression test on all 6 cylinders, but its still leaks oil between 3 & 4.

[jlevie]

A compression test isn't going to tell you anything about this leak. The head gasket around an oil supply gallery has failed.

[603Racing]

They like to leak there. I had a brand new gasket, machined head, and it leaked oil between 3 & 4 as soon as run it down the road. Had good compression numbers, still does. I'll be doing another gasket job before it gets too hot here in Illinois.

In hindsight, if you have a used motor for a swap, REPLACE ALL GASKETS BEFORE HAND! I did everything except the head, then it blew. Now it still leaks. An ounce of prevention...

[lowsodium]

They like to leak there. I had a brand new gasket, machined head, and it leaked oil between 3 & 4 as soon as run it down the road. Had good compression numbers, still does. I'll be doing another gasket job before it gets too hot here in Illinois.

In hindsight, if you have a used motor for a swap, REPLACE ALL GASKETS BEFORE HAND! I did everything except the head, then it blew. Now it still leaks. An ounce of prevention...

Does it start getting worse over time? Mine looks like its been leaking for a long time. if its going to leak again after doing a gasket Im not sure I want to bother doing it.

Did you use a real bmw gasket? I know everyone had problems with the cheaper ones.

[nunezfrancisco30]

Ok one more question, the previouse owner of the m20 claimed he had arp head bolts. Of course after this whole incident I don't have much belief in anything he said about the engine. However in case he is right, how can I tell if they are arp head bolts or just oem? Also I read somewhere that if they are aftermarket head bolts, there is no need to use new ones, how true is this? Thanks again, really appreciate the helpful advice from you guys :)

[jlevie]

There are ARP studs, but as far as I know there aren't ARP head bolts. So you can tell by a visual check if the engine has head bolts or studs. ARP studs can be reused, head bolts can't.

[carfantiti]

Sorry op this kinda lame question .you have oil coming out between head and block and want to know if gasket is bad?best to you on your head gasket replacement its easy job:)

[lowsodium]

Sorry op this kinda lame question .you have oil coming out between head and block and want to know if gasket is bad?best to you on your head gasket replacement its easy job:)

Dont be an ass. You gotta learn somewhere.

[carfantiti]

^not being a ass he asked a question than answered it himself he new answer but asked any way best luck on the head gasket replacement dont be scared you can do it!