Blown Head Gasket?

[kwill22]

Still need to do a conpression check. How are your valve cover gasket and spark plug hole gaskets

[bmwm42]

Those are the wrong plugs and damn that oil seepage

[kwill22]

Aren't those the wrong plugs or was that the platinum plugs that sucked in the M42

[firstE30]

sorry, wanted to get the detail on the plug tips. There was a very little bit of oil in the plug wells but i saw no liquid down there. just black carbon looking stuff.

[roguetoaster]

Well, as i said, the i checked the oil cap and peered inside the valve cover puut everything looked normal, no foam or white crap. Decided to pull the plugs to see if that could be the issue, here what i found (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES)

Im holding out hope that its not the head gasket.

Holy massive pictures!

So, no liquid was visible down the plug wells?

That crack in the plug wire is probably not be an issue, just depends on how high up it goes.

[firstE30]

Update

Well, as i said, the i checked the oil cap and peered inside the valve cover puut everything looked normal, no foam or white crap. Decided to pull the plugs to see if that could be the issue, here what i found (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES)



also found a crack in one of the leads:


Im holding out hope that its not the head gasket.

[kwill22]

it is possible to drive that long and much longer with a cracked head and not have any symptoms. I know first hand.

Any updates OP

[bmwm42]

[DesertBMW]

lol you obviously dont know the m42 as there was never such a thing as an automatic m42

jalopi = owned.

UPDATE: Just tried to start the car and it cranked but wouldnt turn over. I am in over my head.

Very common, the cylinder head is cracked. These engine once overheated and done. You did not lose because E30 chassis alone is worth $1000

[jalopi]

lol you obviously dont know the m42 as there was never such a thing as an automatic m42

[bmwm42]

You never mentioned if this was an automatic or not - reason I ask is that if it was an auto, it could be trans fluid mixed in with the coolant (do these bmw's have an integral auto trans cooler/warmer in the radiator?)

In any case, something's up, but I'm not convinced it's the HG - if it was running fine on your 200 mile trip home I don't think the HG would go boom once you got home. Check for fuel and spark, go from there.

lol you obviously dont know the m42 as there was never such a thing as an automatic m42

[roguetoaster]

It is a manual. I checked the oil and it looks fine. The contamination is limited to the coolant. However today the car would not start and stomp test revealed code 1222. any ideas?

While I do not believe your no start and weird coolant are related you should do a couple of quick things. First, drain the coolant (drain plug is on the passenger side of block below the exhaust manifold) and refill/bleed the system. Second, remove your oil fill cap an check for any sort of white residue under the cap or on the top of the chain guide. If you see any residue you should pull plugs 2 & 3, shine a light down the plug wells and have a look for water in the cylinder, but I doubt you will see residue.

Code 1222 could be a number of things, none of which should prevent the car from starting unless there is a massive vacuum leak.

Keep working on it, rule out/solve issues one by one and don't worry, the M42 is not as fragile or as maintenance heavy as some would believe.

[firstE30]

It is a manual. I checked the oil and it looks fine. The contamination is limited to the coolant. However today the car would not start and stomp test revealed code 1222. any ideas?

[jalopi]

You never mentioned if this was an automatic or not - reason I ask is that if it was an auto, it could be trans fluid mixed in with the coolant (do these bmw's have an integral auto trans cooler/warmer in the radiator?)

In any case, something's up, but I'm not convinced it's the HG - if it was running fine on your 200 mile trip home I don't think the HG would go boom once you got home. Check for fuel and spark, go from there.

[jntar]

UPDATE: Just tried to start the car and it cranked but wouldnt turn over. I am in over my head.

Sucks dude. :(

Go to the region subforum and see if there is a group in your area. Maybe one of them can stop by and lend you a hand.