Refreshed engine woes.

[Wardie]

Refreshed M20 engine 2.7L Lower 2.5L Upper. MLS Headgasket and ARP Studs. Turbo.

Soooo, I have oil leakage in a few places which I suspect to be valve cover related. What concerns me the most is the cars cooling is horrid, when driving normally around town I get up to 200-210f even alittle warming in traffic. When I start the car I get white smoke out the pipe but goes away once the car is warm.

I am worried its a head gasket, or the head is warped. Is this common with MLS? I couldn't find much on a quick search. I don't think there would be any witch craft to a cooling system. Worth breaking it down and pulling the engine?

[TobyB]

The M20 seems to dump a lot of condensation cold
(it's a byproduct of combustion)

Taste it. If it's sweet, you have a leak.
If it's just (nasty) water, then you can start looking elsewhere.

t

[Wardie]

The M20 seems to dump a lot of condensation cold
(it's a byproduct of combustion)

Taste it. If it's sweet, you have a leak.
If it's just (nasty) water, then you can start looking elsewhere.

t

Mmm, taste nasty nasty exhaust. Bahaha. None of my fluids are mixed and oil on the block.

So crazy I might just try it thought.

[MR 325]

You had the head resurfaced I hope?

[Wardie]

You had the head resurfaced I hope?

Yep and block, brand new MLS and studs. Three step torqued and retorqued after a few heat cycles.

[e304me]

isnt 200-220 totally normal?

[Wardie]

I've heard 180-190 is normal, 200 is starting to get concerning and 210 you shouldn't be driving.

[Wardie]

Compression test:
1:140
2:150
3:150
4:150
5:150
6:150

Did a coolant pressure test, found a minor leak but fixed and about same problem.

After driving the car and letting it sit upon warming it up again I get white smoke smells like fuel and looks like water. After getting up to temp and about a minute of driving it goes away.

Just drove it didn't go above 205.

Should I pull the head and check for cracks?

[TobyB]

Have you bled it about a half- dozen times?

t

[Wardie]

Pressure bled it open the screw every once n awhile

[AndrewBird]

I've heard 180-190 is normal, 200 is starting to get concerning and 210 you shouldn't be driving.

210 is fine. The only reason you would get concerned is if it normally was lower, then for no reason increased.

This is for an E34, but I"m sure the temps are similar on an E30:



You won't start creating damage until AT LEAST the start of the red zone. I know in my E34, the coolant temp warning doesn't come on until the end of the red zone, so even that hot is ok for a very brief amount.

[Wardie]

Mmm alright, at idle now I hover around 185-200 and driving is 195-210. Might be because the intercooler is blocking some air.

If that's accurate I'm not worried.

[AndrewBird]

Does it cool down when you are moving, say, on the highway?