Need Help In Sherwood!!!!

[Cody Vent]

So heres the back story, I bought my 89 325i Vert in November, it was running great until the timing belt broke in early december, replaced the head with a used one pulled from a running car, everything on it looked good enough to get the car running, replaced the head gasket, intake gaskets, exhuast gaskets, ect, the timing belt, water pump and tensioner. I cleaned the spark plugs as they looked to be in good shape, and left the cap and rotor as well.

Now I do have the car running and it will drive, but somethings definately off, and I am pretty sure I am missfiring on what sounds like one cylinder. When i get on it it goes but there is definately some power missing. I am almost positive the timing marks are right because I was super scared of ruining another head so I did check it a few times before putting everything back together.

It is ticking more then it should so it probably needs a valve adjustment and I am wondering if that it whats going on.


If someone with more knowledge then I would feel so inclined to come out and help me diagnose it would be greatly appreciated. All I want is my car back on the road and would really like to make it to Red Robin Cascade station meet this weeK!!!


If you are interested please text me at 503-425-9261


TIA

[nny403]

What did you do with the old cylinder head? If you've still got it I'll take it off your hands. Bent valves or no bent valves.

A valve adjustment will help with the ticking but your symptoms are a little vague. If you want to meet up at my place in Lake Oswego I'd be willing to help you adjust those valves see if it helps. Trade a valve adjustment for the head if you got it.

[Cody Vent]

The cars tags expired, so if you can come out to Sherwood, you can have the head. It has a broken exhaust valve on #6

[Twelvizm]

Did you have a machine shop go through and resurface the new/used head?

[e30austin]

You should run a compression test before you do anything else.

[Cody Vent]

I didn't have it resurfaced, and a compression test was one of my next things to do, just need the gauge.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Paging RobinH.

[e30austin]

I didn't have it resurfaced, and a compression test was one of my next things to do, just need the gauge.

Always have a head surfaced before you install. Takes 10 minutes and costs $35. There's a chance it could be warped and losing compression...let's hope not though!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Always have a head surfaced before you install. Takes 10 minutes and costs $35. There's a chance it could be warped and losing compression...let's hope not though!

This. Also doesn't hurt to pressure test while it is at the machine shop

[Cody Vent]

I didn't know it was that cheap!!!!! Grrrr

I cannot find a compression tester! Anyone willing to come help me out with that too?

[LuckyHenriksen]

I'm sorry I totally would but I don't have one :(

[e30austin]

I didn't know it was that cheap!!!!! Grrrr

I cannot find a compression tester! Anyone willing to come help me out with that too?

I don't really have anything going on tomorrow. PM me if you're free and we can set up something.

[nny403]

Looks like I'm heading your way tomorrow towards Sherwood. If I can swing by maybe take a look. I don't think I can get my compression test tool by then.

[EDIT] Are you still good with parting with that cylinder head with the puckered valve?

[Cody Vent]

As of right now, plans to look at things are put off. Reassessing some things.

Thanks though guys!

[Cody Vent]

Cars running fine now, still has a tick though! A vale adjustment should help!