Driving w/ blown head gasket

[e30_vt]

Long story short. Bought a car from a mechanic. Mechanic turns out to be shady because he washed down engine bay to hide blown head gasket. Now I am stuck in Connecticut and need to drive it back to Vermont.

The car smokes a little. Upon driving it around it does not overheat. Visible oil leak under exhaust manifold. I can't tell if the oil or coolant is milky because shady mechanic just did an oil change and topped off the coolant. Oil leak seems to be small.

My question is should I risk driving 200 miles on the highway back home or am I SOL.

Before anyone says it....Yes, I am an idiot for being tricked.

Thanks for any help in advanced.


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[sublimation]

External head gasket leak isn't the 'traditional' blown head gasket. If it isn't using any coolant and the oil is clean, then you may make it. However, you should stop every 50 miles or so to ensure the condition is not getting worse

[ak-]

I'd drive it. It's an E30 after all.

Regardless, you're going to have to do the HG if it is indeed a goner.
Worst case scenario is you crack the head. Just keep an eye on the temp. gauge and shut it off when it gets near the 3/4ths mark considering these things aren't the most accurate forms of measurement from MY experience.

A used head is cheap. A rebuilt one from a shop also won't break the bank.
A newly rebuilt one with all the bells and whistles will run you ~$1000 from our very own BimmerHeads on this site, which I recommend!

GL! Update us.

[noid]

200 miles is nothing, if its overheating throw the heater on high (fan and heat), and keep an eye on the temps like mentioned above.

[e30_vt]

Thank you all for your responses and tips.

A HG swap is definitely in order once I get back. I will update you all once I get back.

[Seawolf]

If you're taking I91 northbound and get stranded for any reason ping me a PM, I'm near Springfield western Mass.

I know those old/new car white knuckle drives all too well.

[turbo55]

The oil return passages on the exhaust side are on the edge of the gasket. You could have a HG that's leaking oil but not mixing with coolant (ask me how I know) and therefore safe to drive as long as you keep the oil level topped up.

[e30_vt]

Driving w/ blown head gasket

If you're taking I91 northbound and get stranded for any reason ping me a PM, I'm near Springfield western Mass.



I know those old/new car white knuckle drives all too well.

That is very kind of you. Thank you!

I ended up making it home. It didn't overheat thankfully but it was shaking above 65mph. The steering wheel held steady and the car didn't pull to ether side. I wonder how much of the shaking was due to the soft top.

Tomorrow I am spending a few hours diagnosing the whole car to see what needs to be replaced.

[Seawolf]

Woohooo Christmas I spy....my fave game....

Cam cover gasket
FPR vacuum line
Timing belt
Tensioner
Water pump
Tensioner spring & pin
Exhaust manifold heatshields

....let the fun begin :-)

[turbo55]

Is the #1 spark plug lead plugged in? Looks long compared to the others

[TobyB]

Timing belt!

t

[e30_vt]

Hahaha. Keep it going!

The timing belt and water pump have been done by the previous owner. Or so he says. I have proof that the clutch has been replaced.

Other things in need of replacement:
1. drivers rear window switch or motor (window won't go down)
2. Rebuild the gauge cluster (left side won't light up).
3. Gas gauge works intermittently
4. Interior is in rough shape.
5. Trunk shock is toast.
6. Windshield washer fluid not hooked up.

Tomorrow I find out more once I actually take the time to diagnose it.

Buy an E30 they said. It will be fun they said. Hahaha

[e30_vt]

Is the #1 spark plug lead plugged in? Looks long compared to the others

Not sure. I'll have to check it out tomorrow and get back to you.

[noid]

Thats the whole fun of an E30, you buy it rough, you make it nice. If it was nice from the start it wouldnt be nearly as fun.

[joecrotch]

I had a vert that I bought like this once. I just re-torqued the head and drove it 500 miles with no leaks. That re-torque ended up lasting me 2 years with no issues. Its no replacement for a new HG but it will definitely work in a pinch!

Joe