Blown Head, Or Head Gasket?

[mike11787]

Im looking into buying a 1992 325is. It has some engine noise im thinking is just a valve adjustment, it has 131000 miles. but im pretty sure either the head gasket or the head is blown. I think this cause the coolent smells like exhaust and the exhaust smells like coolant, pretty good sign. I dont know much about bimmers but on this model is it more common for a head gasket to blow, or the head, or are ither of these par for the course on this modle or what? any knowlege would be great!

[nobrakese36]

for gods sake dont buy it unless the pope use to own it and its worth 271,000$,thats just loads of trouble,the valves arent adjustable on the e36,but is it a e36 or e30,the e30s are the boxy ones from the 80's on those you can adjust the valves

[theruss1an1]

If it smells like burning coolants that doesnt mean headgasket or cracked head. There are places where the coolant may get into the engine, one is passages by the T.B. Check dip stick to make sure there its not milky color and check over flow bottle for oil. If the car has major problem dont buy it or have the owner take the repair bill of the askin price. Its probably more of the gasket going, not he head if it is one of those. The engine noises you here are probably from the chain being lose due to probably original chain tensioners that are worn out. Good luck.

-Serge

[obd2guru]

check all caps for chocolate , oil filler cap ,radiator cap, dipstick ,and steam trough exaust,

when the car is cold start it and touch the top water hose ,if it feels with a lot of

pressure when u just started the car , the head gasket is cracked to a piston and you wont

see no chocolate . but the car will steam a little trough the exhaust. bimmer heads

are good ,i have changed a lot and only seen one cracked , if you check all above

and pass then buy it if the price is right ,

[mike11787]

Thanks for the advice obd2guru. Ive heard the heads are pretty solid, and i had a few people check it out and all said it was probly the head gasket. I made an offer and im just waiting now, and the waiting is killing me!