I need all your expert opinions on M42 maintenance

[psyber_0ptix]

I acquired a car and am now trying to pick through it as I part out my other m10 318i.


I pulled the plugs and the plug well 1,2 and 3 were flooded with a bit of oil enough to cover the bolt head of the plug.

Compression numbers where cylinder 1 is most forward on the engine

#1) 210 psi and holds

#2) 200 psi but dropped to 195 psi and holds

#3) 200 psi holds

#4) 210 psi but dropped to 206 psi and holds


engine was warmed up for a couple minutes (longer than 5, no more than 10) but was not at operational temperature. I have a check light and low on gas.

stay tuned for more... it needs to have timing maintenance done but I'm wondering if the block is worth it, or just to spring for a used m42 if i can find one locally. motor has 209,000 miles.


edit: post 100 already? yay

[psyber_0ptix]

[psyber_0ptix]

valve cover gasket?

[KenC]

Yeah, that's your valve cover gasket. There are also bolts around the spark plugs to tighten it down. I'd replace the gasket though.

Compression numbers look great.

[psyber_0ptix]

i want to figure out how to do a leak down test, then i'll crack the timing cover open to see what the chain/sprockets/guides look like. Can this be done without draining the oil (the manual i have has very little information about late model with m42's)

Any ideas on anything else I should look for before committing to hundreds of dollars worth of timing maintenance?

To do:
Spark plugs
Valve Cover Gasket
Oil
Timing Chain/sprockets/guides

[KenC]

Leak down with those compression numbers? I wouldn't bother. You're leaking like 1%.

How many times did you crank it over to get those?

[psyber_0ptix]

cranked 5 times per cylinder

edit: oops i didn't hold the throttle open while cranking, should i repeat the test?