head gasket change... finding oil?

[bmwlover0725]

I got my head off tonight and saw that one of the intake valves had some oil on it the piston (#2) had oil on it. The weird thing is that I didn't notice a lot of oil on the spark plug. I actually didn't really notice any at all. I just see it on where it is in the picture. It looks like the oil is somewhat fresh as if it was there just from when I removed the head.

I'm really hoping this isn't a piston oil seal. Could it just be a warped head or valve seal? Oh, and the head gasket didn't look bad. Does anyone notice anything wrong with it? I wondered if it might be that the head warpage or gasket problem was allowing oil into that spot.

[Tree18is]

as good as r3v is, take it to a couple of machine shops and see what they think about oil getting in there. maybe the valve seat is bad.. but im no professional. so dont listen to me.

later!

[bmwlover0725]

I probably will, but now that I think of it... it smelled horrible when I removed the head and it looks like there is a bit of coolant in that cylinder. Maybe it was the head/head gasket

[Liam]

Probably valve guides and seals, look in the ports at the back of the valves or snap a shot through the ports and post it here then PM me.

edit: oh yeah, was that plug fouled?

[ScottL]

My number 3 intake valve looks the same. Compression is low in that cylinder. Also have a mysterious oil streak down the side of the block on the exhaust side. I'm figure leaky guide, blown head gasket, or bad ring - or all three! Either way, I'm running it like that for now. It needs a rebuild anyway.

[bmwlover0725]

Probably valve guides and seals, look in the ports at the back of the valves or snap a shot through the ports and post it here then PM me.

edit: oh yeah, was that plug fouled?

pmed

[xLibelle]

replace the valve guide seals before you install the head. also put a straight edge to both surfaces. you will see it, if there is an issue.
then once installed have a compression test and leak down test performed. this could be pisont rings, but not as likely.

[bmwlover0725]

I'll do a compression test and leak down as soon as I break it back in (which will be the same day it works because I'll probably drive it for hours :D

I'm having a machine shop do a pressure test because even if the head is warped, I saw no gasket damage. I'm having the shop resurface it (if it needs resurfacing) and repairing any cracks that may be in it along with replacing the valve seals since they came in the gasket kit

[Fidhle007]

It's stupid to not go through the head completely now that it's off. Resurface, valve job and the rest of that crap. Just do it now and avoid complications in the future. As for that oil, it's very likely that it just ran into that cylinder when you were taking the head off.

[bmwlover0725]

I never thought of that much oil running into one cylinder specifically... but now that I think of it I did have to set the head down again and let it rest to remove the hose to the side of it for the heater core that I forgot the first time. Since it wasn't resting flat, maybe oil came out of the ducts into the head. I still find it weird though, that that cylinder happened to have oil in the valves. I'm pretty sure that whatever the problem here is, it will be fixed by this whole job being finished. If it's a piston ring, I will lift the engine and remove the crankshaft to replace piston rings and main bearings. I refuse to remove the head again. It wasn't hard, but it's been quite expensive

I've redone almost every single thing on this car. I replaced all of the driveline parts when I did the clutch and did them by dealer parts so it was all BMW products. I'm now doing this. I've done full suspension work and am getting coilovers soon, replaced everything in the engine bay beside piston rings (I did to all the lower seals)... wow I'm thinking about this too much lol. the only thing I haven't done now is interior because mines in good condition beside the seats... thats next


or maybe a turbo;)