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Oil mixing with colant in radiator. What to look for?

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    Oil mixing with colant in radiator. What to look for?

    A little history. I bought this car with a rebuilt head on it. The bottem end was in bad shape. Had 245000 miles on it. So i got another block and rubilt it. I checked the head the best I could for cracks. I was straight and no warpage. The engine has run fine for over a week. Put 300 miles on it. To day it over heated and I found oil in the colant wich I thought was strange. Usually it is the other way with colant in the oil. The oil is clean but low. The engine doesnt miss or hasitate. It runs fine. I wanted to know if anyone has had this problem before and what should I look for. I have rebuilt many angines in my life and have never seen one do this. I plan on removing the head this weeked. This really sucks since my son is without transportation again. Any hints to what it might be will be helpful. I may just get another head and have it rewroked and just put it on. Thanks in advance.
    sigpic
    1990 E30 325ic (sold for more than I paid for it after 5 Years)
    1995 E30 325e (in progress)
    1987 E30 325is (totaled)
    1990 E30 325i
    1991 E30 318is M50 PWR
    1996 E36 328ic
    1997 Z3
    2006 F150 Super Crew 5.4L 6.5' bed The work horse (need something to drag all these old BMW's home for resurrection.)

    #2
    Head gasket. If the head has recently been rebuilt, they MAY have installed the gasket incorrectly or it may not have sealed properly. Pull the head and have it checked... if it's warped, there's some heads for sale for cheap on here.

    "See, we're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anyone wanna see second prize? Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired."

    Comment


      #3
      I checked head myself and put the gasket on myself. I know it was on correctly. I even torqued it according to the manual and the proper sequence.
      sigpic
      1990 E30 325ic (sold for more than I paid for it after 5 Years)
      1995 E30 325e (in progress)
      1987 E30 325is (totaled)
      1990 E30 325i
      1991 E30 318is M50 PWR
      1996 E36 328ic
      1997 Z3
      2006 F150 Super Crew 5.4L 6.5' bed The work horse (need something to drag all these old BMW's home for resurrection.)

      Comment


        #4
        Sounds like it didn't seal correctly. Try again with a new HG.

        "See, we're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anyone wanna see second prize? Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired."

        Comment


          #5
          Take the head to a machine shop and have them shave it!!!! just because it looks straight to you, doesnt mean its good. if you have it shaved, it will be trued and as straight as can be, plus it will add a "little" performance to it also. as a rule of thumb here in germany, no one usually puts a head back on with out having planned, it doesnt cost much, and at the same time they will check it for possible cracks.

          Comment


            #6
            I checked the head with a straight edge and feeler guage. It is straight. I am a machinest and have shaved many heads. Either the head gasket didnt seal or its a crack. But what puzzles me is usually when it has a crack it normally gets water in the oil not oil in the water. I will take the head off tonight and take another look.
            sigpic
            1990 E30 325ic (sold for more than I paid for it after 5 Years)
            1995 E30 325e (in progress)
            1987 E30 325is (totaled)
            1990 E30 325i
            1991 E30 318is M50 PWR
            1996 E36 328ic
            1997 Z3
            2006 F150 Super Crew 5.4L 6.5' bed The work horse (need something to drag all these old BMW's home for resurrection.)

            Comment


              #7
              If it isn't a cracked head or block and the head and block are straight, you can use a little halomar HPF around the oil and coolant holes to help seal it up.

              Comment


                #8
                I was thinking of using some sealant around the holes. This time. What I really hate is trying to clean out the cooling system.
                sigpic
                1990 E30 325ic (sold for more than I paid for it after 5 Years)
                1995 E30 325e (in progress)
                1987 E30 325is (totaled)
                1990 E30 325i
                1991 E30 318is M50 PWR
                1996 E36 328ic
                1997 Z3
                2006 F150 Super Crew 5.4L 6.5' bed The work horse (need something to drag all these old BMW's home for resurrection.)

                Comment

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