M20 needs head gasket put money into or dump it

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  • Kevinl
    E30 Modder
    • Oct 2012
    • 897
    #1

    M20 needs head gasket put money into or dump it

    My E30 has a major oil leak from the head gasket thank you Victor Reinz and cheap previous owner.

    The head is pretty fresh I am not sure how the bottom end is but it still runs great.

    I bought the car 4.5 years ago and never planned on keeping the M20 in it this long but with a wife two kids and a new house things keep getting put on the back burner but now the headgasket is forcing the issue.

    I thought of selling the car because I dont have alot of time to devote to it but I love driving it so much if it was not for being small for a family and the A/C being terrible I prefer it over my 335i.

    So now I have to decide put a headgasket on the M20 and drive it for who knows how long or put a M52/S50/S52 in it

    I am even interested in doing some upgrades to the M20 as I love the sound of it and the originality factor but unless compression ratio and displacement is increased cam header and a chip are just throwing money away for minimal gains
    1989 BMW 325is Lachsilber metallic 5 speed
    2007 BMW 335i KARMESINROT 6 Speed manual
    2011 BMW X5 35I
    Tags: None
    • superj
      Grease Monkey
      • Feb 2006
      • 397
      #2
      I would just replace the headgasket and enjoy it as a classic sports car

        Comment

        • 101
          Mod Crazy
          • Jul 2011
          • 764
          #3
          Replace the head gasket and have the head checked for flatness.

          "a wife two kids and a new house" is not a good fit with doing an engine swap right now ... both from a cost and time perspective. This coming from someone that just did an M52 swap into the eta.
          101

          The E30 collection:
          1987 325es M52 - Schwarz / Taurus Red Sport (son #2's)
          1987 325is - Delphin / Black Sport (son #3's)
          1987 325i Convertible - Triple Black
          1989 325iX Coupe - Diamondschwarz / Black Comfort
          1990 325iX Coupe - Sterling Silver / Grey Sport

          1981 Fiat 124 Spider 2000 - Green / Tan
          1998 Volvo V70 GLT - White / Tan
          1998 Volvo S70 T5 manual - White / Taupe
          2001 Ford Windstar - Silver / Grey (parts hauler)
          2006 Lexus GX470 - White / Tan (tow rig)

            Comment

            • superj
              Grease Monkey
              • Feb 2006
              • 397
              #4
              you can check the head for flatness your self, that is why I said just replace the head gasket. I figure people know to do certain things when something is posted like that.

                Comment

                • jeffnhiscars
                  R3V OG
                  • Jun 2011
                  • 6010
                  #5
                  How do you even know if the straight edge you have at home is truly flat ?

                  You don't and most aren't within an acceptable tolerance. Take it to a machine shop to check
                  Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

                  https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
                  Alice the Time Capsule
                  http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
                  87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

                    Comment

                    • TobyB
                      R3V Elite
                      • Oct 2011
                      • 5163
                      #6
                      ...or use a $12 piece of drill rod and a feeler gauge...

                      t
                      now, sometimes I just mess with people. It's more entertaining that way. george graves

                        Comment

                        • CMatos
                          Noobie
                          • Jan 2017
                          • 22
                          #7
                          I agree. Pull the head and replace the gasket. I'm definitely not saying there is anything wrong with checking flatness yourself, but I'd take it to a machine shop just to make sure. I don't do this everyday, so I like to get a professional set of eyes on it.

                            Comment

                            • ahlem
                              Grease Monkey
                              • Sep 2008
                              • 369
                              #8
                              I had trouble with the VR head gaskets until I used the copper gasket spray on them.
                              Since then I've done 2 with good success. I would get Goetze preferably.

                                Comment

                                • goldenbb
                                  Wrencher
                                  • Jun 2013
                                  • 208
                                  #9
                                  Two years on with a Reinz and still no issues.
                                  '90 zinno 325iS

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