Hello And Help!

[BMW318SE]

Hello,

I only joined up today and shamelessly my first post is a cry for help!

I have a 51 plate 318SE automatic that has a blown head gasket, I sent it to my local garage who basically made a pigs ear of fixing it before giving up. Unfortunately it seems they lead me on for a few weeks about waiting for parts during which time it looks like the car was left outside, bonnet up so the engine internals could go nice and orange :angry:

Anyway.... I've been looking at a replacement block as the head has been skimmed but this particular engine doesnt seem to be very readily available, am I restricted to this one engine (either in size or model) or do I have other options when looking for a replacement?

Any advice would be much appreciated as I hate seeing it looking poorly sick on my driveway!

Thanks

Shaun

[G4VHD]

I cant help at all...im useless with mechanics..

But welcome along

[andy-mcq]

Same as gav im no mech but welcome to the club. Im sure some one can help you out.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

To be honest, the bottom-end is very strong, so unless you have a crankshaft issue I would simply rebuild her with a good top-end...

[BMW318SE]

Thanks all,

Thanks Dabsy, the garage have said that the head gasket got so hot that they cant torque the head down because the threads are coming out! Everybody else I spoke to has said that it doesnt sound right that it could of got that hot which then makes me think if they have messed something else up in a big way while the head has been off so its a gamble that I get it rebuilt and find out they have caused a different problem?

The other issue is that the bores look to have a large amount of rust in them when they have left the head off and havent put any oil in the bores :(

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

If the piston rings are "sound" then just smear the bores with oil !

Bet they tried the old bolts LOL... You will need NEW stretch bolts in there pal.

Is the cyl-head actually OFF? And do you have access at this time?

DAZ

[BMW318SE]

The cylinder head is off, the engine is in bits and looking at it I couldnt really see how they had got to a point where they would have been torquing the head up! There is a head gasket kit in the boot with the new stretch bolts in so I kind of assumed they had tried those and its sat on my driveway so access isnt really a problem either.

Its just regular oil that I use to smear the bores with isnt it?

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Yes mate, any oil just to prevent surface rust...

How is the block?

AND can you see any damage to the head? Have a REAL look at areas where the oil/waterways are and check for slight cracks...

You could also get a SOLID steel ruler and spread it across the mating-face of the head... Look for a slight gap ! If you see a gap then its warped mate...

Bet they quoted you too low a price 'n thats why you have it back :angry:

Wish I was closer, fella, I'd sort it for you :mellow: