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Everything posted by Kepes
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Alright. I think I'm sussed! Thanks for all the help... Is it worth buying a compression tester and testing each cylinder beforehand?
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How much can I expect to pay for a head? Theres one on trade me atm for around $400. Buy now $650. Seems a bit much? Edit: Seller says he'll take $450 buy now for this http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=766799213 Reasonable?
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Definitely very logical, however I don't have a garage. Would it be a problem to pull the head and leave everything 'open' under the hood for a week or something? Otherwise I will probably do as you suggested. Wise
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That's such a good deal! Lucky. I'm gonna replace the head gasket, water pump, cambelt, and tensioner I think. And just wait it out for a good deal on a motor. Did you do the swap yourself? If so, how much previous experience had you had? I mean, I can confidently work on my motor, but whether I'm capable of an engine swap... hmm
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I think the engine must have overheated previously because there was a new radiator in it when I bought it. Probably a clog or something and the heat caused the Gasket to go, so they used block seal and tried to hide it before selling. Yes, the white smoke does smell sweet. Definitely different to how it previously smelt. I would love the M52B28. I don't plan on getting rid of this E30 so maybe a new engine would actually be my best bet.... Edit: I don't want to be car-less for too long so depending on the cost of a M52B28, I might just add some 'head gasket fix' or block seal etc and some thick oil until I can find an engine and have the time for a swap. But maybe that's a bad idea.
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Yeah I think that's what has happened! Unfortunately. It's cool though, I've done some research and replacing the head gasket does't seem too bad of a job at all. It's just that I see a lot of negatives about it. Noisy on cold start, seal having to be replaced/rebuild. But the more I think about it the better I feel towards it. If I was to swap, I would use an engine like yours. Hahah, I couldn't keep up to you at the last meet so it's ok, I'm convinced! As for the high Km engine, I'm pretty sure it's original. Im not sure whether I should rebuild the head or just swap in a new engine. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the M52 cost you? all up (install, parts etc)
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Took it for about a 20min drive. Still the same symptoms. The milkshake coloured buildup on the oil cap is present, but it's a tiny amount. No evident coolant in oil on dipstick. The coolant smells a bit like oil, but still looks green as it did before (The foam which can be seen in the photo on my previous post disappears once engine cools). Performance does not seem different at all. Still pulls hard. Still smoky exhaust. Before this all happened on Friday night, I had been losing coolant. Not a lot though so I wasn't really concerned. It was about a finger-widths worth of coolant in the expansion tank every 2 weeks. Is there something I can do confirm it is a head gasket, or maybe even a cracked head? Or should I leave that up to my mechanic? I'm in college so would prefer to save money and DIY where I can! Thanks for helping ;-)
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Had a little look around this morning so here's an update. Just to be clear, the car never overheated, and the temp never rose past where it usually sits. I had a look around the engine bay and it appears that coolant has leaked from somewhere as there was a little puddle of coolant on the undertray. Maybe a leak from HG I think there is oil in the coolant, but I'm not 100% sure. It doesn't look like the photos of "oil in coolant" which I saw on google images. The coolant definitely smells different. A bit like oil! I started the engine and let it idle for 5mins. Shut it off, checked the coolant. There was a layer of brownish 'foam' on top of the coolant. See photo. The oil on the dipstick had tiny little bubbles on it. I took the oil cap off the valve cover, and there was a small amount of chocolate milkshake coloured built up on it. Im fairly sure it's the head gasket but it's my first car so really I'm not too sure. It may be something else I don't know about. If anyone else has experienced something like this let me know :-) Next stop the mechanics I think. Thanks for the help thus far
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No block seal, but I've only had the car for just under a year and there has always been a bit of this glitter so possibly previous owner. The engine has never over heated while I've had the car. But, since you mention that the gold glitter may be block seal, and there was a brand new radiator in the car when I bought it, I'm starting to think it may have overheated on the previous owner?? I bought the car from a dealer (it was a trade in) so I can't really find out. As for engines, I figure that the B28's may be better, but vanos and all that other stuff puts me off a bit. M30 just really appeals to me for some reason. But like you say, the m50/2 is more logical so I might go down that path.
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Not such a good day for me today! I think my head gasket went bad, but i'm not 100% sure. It probably is, but i'm REALLY hoping it isn't. 1987 325i E30 - 321,000km Here's what happened I started my car as usual and as I was driving I noticed white 'smoke' in my rear view mirror. I'm used to seeing a bit when it's cold, but it usually just disappears (steam). This was thicker, and lingered a bit longer. There was more of it under harder acceleration etc. I always fill up at Mobil, but had filled up at Z yesterday and so I thought it was just the fuel. Then the coolant light came on on the check panel. That's when I thought head gasket. The car's temp was still normal on the gauge. So, I stopped and sure enough the coolant was low. I carry coolant in my boot, so I waited about 20min for the engine to cool before I opened the expansion tank. I did so slowly, and there was pressure/air coming out. As this happened, the coolant level rose back up to the 'max' line on the tank. I could hear it moving through the hoses and it sounded like there was air or something in there too. I checked the dipstick to see if the oil was milky and it looked fine. The coolant, however had little gold bits in it. The best way I could describe it is that it looked like gold glitter in the expansion tank. Sorry for the long read, but I don't know whats going on and hope someone can help me out! If it turns out to be head gasket, I may just get another engine. I am really interested in a M30B35 swap. But only when I have to. I want to get as much as I can out of this M20. Thanks for reading and any help you may have Edit: Went for a drive. Engine feels 'lumpy' and inconsistent (google says that this suggests water in the cylinders). Would lose power momentarily at times. It sounded different too. I can't really describe it though. It was just different. Once it warmed up a bit it was fine. Still plenty of smoke out the tail.
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The things we E30 owners do for our cars ae... Good to see you're keeping her on the road. Make sure to upload some pics when it's all ready! (maybe before and after pics?) Anyway, welcome
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My dream car - A beautiful E34 M5 parked in Kilbirnie today. Cool plate too Anyone here?
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New brake pads all round. Way easier than I thought it would be! Now for brake fluid flush....
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Definitely keep us posted when you start your project or something! It's something I'd consider dropping into my E30... What a thrill
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Welcome mat! Sounds like a nice car - any pics?. Im sure somebody will be able to chime in about the windows or leaks.
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Probably something along those lines although it's not just the RE002's... I think I saw/read somewhere that you had the RE002's at some stage? How did you find them?
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I actually have the 4 waffle plates... But only 2 are complete waffle + centre etc. I have no clue where to find them in New Zealand. They are also ridiculously overpriced for what they are i reckon! I guess the weaves don't look too bad without the centres but I would prefer to have them.
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Just thought I'd let ya'll know. It's a good deal if your looking at getting tyres. I just bought a set of Potenza RE002 in 205/55/15 and worked out at $165 a tyre. RRP is $220 so it's definitely not a bad deal. Started today and ends on 22nd of this month. More info here http://www.bridgestonetyrecentre.co.nz/specials/aug-buy3get1free
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Sweet car dude. E46's are definitely growing on me. Welcome
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Hello, I'm after 2 centre waffles for my 15" basketweaves. Don't have to be new, or perfect condition. Happy to pay shipping. Let me know if you have some
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Now on trade me - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=758389363
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Two Toyo Proxes T1R Tyres which came on the wheels I bought. Size is 205 50 15. The seem to be in near new condition. I'm not experienced with tyres so I can't even guess how many Km they were used for. Not a lot. Like I said - they look great. Reason for sale is that they look too small on my stock ride height E30. $200 takes em both. Wheels not included Pictures attached. Coin for reference. Aussie 20c. About the same size as our $2
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Hello, do you have any msport springs for an E30? thanks
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E30 Experts - Help me identify these springs
Kepes replied to Kepes's topic in Brakes, Suspension & Steering
Anybody? -
While overseas I've found some springs (hopefully) for my E30. The guy said they came out of his sport optioned 325e, with the mono tube bilsteins, and he says he ran a vin check and it had the sports suspension option. The front springs have 7 coils, and a white strip(e) on them. I've done some research and apparently these are M3 springs. Right? The rears are a little harder. There's a pink stripe on them, and they have (7?) coils too - same as stock? Anyway, I think the pictures will be more help than my noob description. Thanks for any info you may have! The rear The fronts