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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
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95 325i head gasket
Hello
This is my problem-I bought this 95 bmw 325i and was told it has a blown head gasket and they started to take apart(rad and things lick that but not the head yet) I never heard it run but the story they told me was that it overheated on the highway and the lady who owned it said the macanic said it needs a new head gasket so she sold it and bought new bmw. The car has 300.000 miles on the motor so im sure the head gasket has been changed at some time. I took out the plugs and they seem to be perfect no oil or antifreeze on plugs all dry and when i checked the oil dipstick it is black oil not milky. The car has been sitting all winter and im starting to work on it now. How would i tell for sure if the head gasket is gone to be sure before jumping into something as big as this job.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP 
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04-12-2009, 07:36 PM
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A compression test tell you but a Leak Down test would be better.
Have you driven the car yet? I would drive it and keep a careful eye on the temp. Check the oil and coolant regularly to see if there is any cross contamination.
__________________
HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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04-13-2009, 01:08 PM
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Posts: 6
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Thanks Jeron
I bought this car not running, the rad was out and was told the head gasket was gone but when i took out the plugs they were all good no antifreeze and i just drained the oil and NO milky anything just thick OIL. Do you think the head gasket is gone? Do you think that i should just put rad back in and fill so i can run it to see what happens? Thanks for Your Time |
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04-13-2009, 03:30 PM
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There is no way to know just based on the oil. Was the oil new or used?
The radiator was probably out because it had oil in the rad fluid. I would do a leak down test . If that was normal I would fill it up and run it.
__________________
HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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04-14-2009, 06:39 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 12
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anotherway is to see if ther is any water inthe oil or oil inthe water, blown gasket is where they would mingle. so if so any indicater of that. then for certain gasket needs replacing along with other work.
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04-14-2009, 07:23 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
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HI Jeron
How do you do a leak down test ? The oil was black and when you mix it up you can see some discoloring and when you blow on it it makes white circle rings? Than You for you're time |
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04-14-2009, 07:13 PM
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You can buy a leak down tester but a decent one is expensive.
You can make your own for less than $50. You need two pressure gauges and a fitting between them with an obstruction. The obstruction can be epoxy with a small pinhole drilled in it, 1/32" or smaller. You can find instructions and descriptions on the web. If you have questions let me know. I wish I had the pictures of mine with me.
__________________
HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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04-15-2009, 10:48 AM
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1997 BMW M3 3.2L I6
