Can an m20 exhaust stud be drilled out while in the car?

[Five Star 0]

So another set back.. I had my car taken into pitstop as one of the exhaust studs broke and the gasket was leaking. I would've done it myself but was going away for new years and wanted it running so I could run in the motor before I left again for uni.

They decided to drill it out and failed. They now tell me that 'someone did a hash job of it before hand and the head has to come off to get it drilled out'.

After all the trouble I've had changing this head (bent valves on new head, engine reconiditioners not finishing the job) forking out for a new gasket set and head bolts seems a bit much when it's just one exhaust stud.

So is it possible to get it drilled out while still in the car? Anyone recommended to do this in Hawkes Bay?

The car is an e21 320/6. Just changing the head has nearly cost more than the car after all the problems getting shops to do the work while I'm away.

Any help would be appreciated,

Tom

[*Glenn* 854]

The studs should have been replaced when the head was off. Its not an easy job doing it in place. With the right tools and a brain its quite easy if you have done them before. If someone has already had a go though...the head might have to come off.

[Sick Puppy 1]

you could give Andrew Hollywood Motors in Corunna Bay (06-835 4539)- he specialises in BMW's, and I used to go to him with my car- they're a good outfit.

[Five Star 0]

I was not happy with the recon job they did on the head at all. I'm not going back there.

It actually would've saved me time and money just to tow it up to glenn.

[Guest FrantiC]

Is this the red E21 sitting outside pitstop, hastings?

Go down to Quality Auto Machinists down Miller street, 1 street over from St Aubyn st. They specialize in all internal engine work and head work and their own mechanic area where I bet if you asked them they could give it a shot.

Edited January 7, 2009 by FrantiC

[Five Star 0]

Yup that's my car, don't steal my carb.

They're not giving out many details, but I think they got someone around from quality auto machinists. Who I haven't had the best run with either (I asked them to change a few valves, and they took the rest of the head apart and didn't touch the valves).

[Guest FrantiC]

Yup that's my car, don't steal my carb.

They're not giving out many details, but I think they got someone around from quality auto machinists. Who I haven't had the best run with either (I asked them to change a few valves, and they took the rest of the head apart and didn't touch the valves).

Lol, Yeah I saw it with no bonnet just parked outside...

Hmm, I used to do work experience there and every head job they did that they disassembled the valves were sand blasted, buffed and the tops are usually ground flat. And the head gets hot tanked, sand blasted, then whatever was wrong with it gets fixed (i.e new valve guides, or valve grinds, new valves, warped heads fixed, milled etc)