Blown Head Gasket?

[kwill22]

How mechanically inclined are you? Judging by your "I'm in over my head comment" not much experience? If you think you can do it,

Do a compression check. If it's a head gasket it's really not that bad. Pull the head and get it checked to make sure there are no cracks. Get the head resurfaced and slap it back on. With a new gasket. That's the cost effective way of you're tight on cash.where I live resurface is about $40. Can be done under $200. Otherwise you should check your timing components and change those if needed. And get the M42 manual if you don't have one.

Is there anyone local to you that could possibly help, (check the regional forum)

[firstE30]

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

[mitchlevy7]

You can bring it to a shop and have them do a hydrocarbon test in a radiator, will tell you if thats actually oil in your coolant. If your still skeptical you can flush it and see if it happens again. Put some radiator flush in it to get all the crap out and fill with fresh coolant.



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[FLG]

Never trust PO, unless he is reliable or has receipts. Though some owners will not flush coolant as part of the "changed fluids" as they dont really see it as a wear item or something that should be serviced.

[firstE30]

PO told me he changed all fluids in november but i'm not sure i trust that.

[FLG]

Flush it and go from there, could be some seriously old coolant, sometimes topped off different color coolant leads to weird looking stuff.

[Gerta]

OP - If it is, you can often get a good running M42 for around 200 - 500 depending on the seller. I have seen many times where they are given away free. Good luck and report back!

[jntar]

Flush the system and check it again after a few days. Don't beat on it. Should give you a difinitive answer.

[firstE30]

I recently purchased a 1991 318i off craigslist. Drove the car 200 miles home. ran ok. last night was looking at the coolant and it looks like chocolate milk, brown and milky, and smells strange not sweet. Many have been saying blown head gasket but is there any hope its less serious? i only paid $1100 for the car and an engine rebuild would cost at least that. Help!