E30 Mx Questions

[Cloudbase]

So I sold the race car. I'm going to invest a little in my E30 and have a few questions.

Currently my motor has 240k miles. The PO got the car with a broken timing belt and rebuilt the head at 195K miles.

It has been leaking oil on the right side of the block behind the oil filter housing. The most likely culprit is the HG. It seems like they all leak here. I'm about to do my timing belt, but thought I might as well address the oil leaks too. I wonder if replacing the HG and decking the head will fix this, or if it's a warped block.

I'm going to do the oil sump gasket too.

[Andy.B]

I think it is extremely unlikely, of not impossible, that the block warped. If you are going to pull the head anyway, check the block for warpage with a straight edge.

[Cloudbase]

Does anyone know why they always leak on the right front of the block? Beyond the oil filter housing?

[Roland H]

Damn, I didn't know M20 parts were so cheap:

Head gasket set: 11129059240 $77.69
Block gasket set: 11119063134 $38.16

Pretty much all the gaskets in the engine right there for less than $120.

Damn.

I'd definitely have the head checked, have it decked maybe a little if it needs it, or just .001~.002 to give you a clean surface.

Block should not be warped, just make sure it's super clean before you reinstall the head. I'd check the cylinder walls to make sure that there is some cross-hatching remaining or any damage.

Can't explain why all M20s leak in specific areas... it's just the nature of the beast I guess. All S38s leak too, but that's because they have a million different gaskets that all must be replaced to get to any of them and a head gasket kit is $350.

[Cloudbase]

Where are you getting those prices from?

[L-ucky-S-ix]

.......

[conway]

Where are you getting those prices from?

Pelican parts.
I have a wholesale account with them and I save a little more than their listed price.

[Roland H]

Where are you getting those prices from?

Pelican, RM European, AutohausAZ, etc. Tons of cheap parts sources. I tend to shop em all. Or go to Greg.

[Cloudbase]

I almost always use pelican. I've got a bug order going together. Conway, maybe I'll have you order it, it that's an option.

[Cloudbase]

The PO installed ARP head bolts. Is that something you would reuse on an M20?

[Roland H]

The PO installed ARP head bolts. Is that something you would reuse on an M20?

It's really hard to tell with head studs. Theoretically they should be reusable, but since there is no easy way to test the stretch of the stud when you install it, one can't be certain.

I'd measure them all and see if they're all the proper length (probably have to call ARP or a vendor and ask). If they're all the same length as a new one, it's probably safe to reuse them. Replace any of them that have been permanently stretched.