Head gasket - BMW Forum

e30dream · 03-07-2007, 08:25 PM

Just curious as to how hard it would be to replace the head gasket on an M50b25 from a '94. the engine would be completely out of the bay.

and if anybodys done it before.. any suggestions,comments, warnings, anything would be appreciated.

Im asking because i have a chance at buying one for about $100.

for sure head gasket blown - $70 - $150 gasket/gasket kit

used M50 head - around $200 (this is the result of some ebay heads ive seen and such.

Thanks guys

94BMW325i · 03-07-2007, 08:43 PM

I think if you take your time and it is out of the engine it wouldn't be that hard.

I think that there are a few pictured write-ups on bimmerforums.com if you dont have any kind of manuals.

Do you know anyone locally like a friend that has done a headgasket, or any engine work before?

e30dream · 03-07-2007, 10:51 PM

no

but im mainly buying it for the experience and the knowledge ill collect on the way if i succeed, and if i dont, hey, it was worth it right? and ill keep it, if i ever get some extra cash ill stick it in my e30... i dont think theres any way ill be able to do that by myself. this is all assuming i get the engine, but i see it as a pretty good chance. Ill check bf.c thanks 325i

MrInFiNiT3 · 03-07-2007, 11:39 PM

where are u at in SD? Ive done some extensive engine work in the past but mostly on Jap imports. If your close by I may be able to help out on the project. After all all gas engines work on the same principal.

jake

e30dream · 03-08-2007, 12:00 AM

Scripps ranch, right next to mira mesa (other side of the 15) right south of poway. very very close to the miramar airbase if that helps. If i buy it ill probably be driving up to pick it up around LA.

MrInFiNiT3 · 03-08-2007, 01:48 AM

damn thats pretty far bro... I know exactly where that's at... I (my company) built the 24hr fitness down there a few yrs back. Im up in the Temecula area. But hell if I get some time... Ill still drive down that way for ya... its not all that bad of a drive... nothing like heading northbound LA way lol

///M Power · 03-08-2007, 03:31 AM

If it's out of the bay you should be fine. Only real specific tools you need are camshaft tool, assuming you're pulling head apart and sending to get decked. Come to think of it you should be fine, as long as you got a hand and tools. Alex I have faith in you.

Love,
Eric

triggrhaapi · 03-08-2007, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power

If it's out of the bay you should be fine. Only real specific tools you need are camshaft tool, assuming you're pulling head apart and sending to get decked. Come to think of it you should be fine, as long as you got a hand and tools. Alex I have faith in you.

Love,
Eric

Actually you will probably want to pay for this to be done. Vanos installation is very precise, very easy to get wrong. You need a tensioner tool as well. I reccommend that you think about getting this done for you.

Pelican Technical Article: BMW Camshaft Timing and Vanos Unit Installation

Here's some light reading if you do decide to do it yourself.

Also, get as much of the head gasket kit installed as possible. Valve stem seals are a whole other nightmare, so I forgive you for not doing those. Everything else, you have to do. When installing the valve cover gasket, put one drop of silicone sealant on each corner on each half moon cutout of the head, and each corner of the head before the gasket goes on. This will prevent oil leaking and will generally increase the service life of the gasket.

Also, while the motor is apart, make sure to take a PLASTIC scraper to each surface the head gasket touched and remove all debris and residue, clean the tops of all pistons with a drill and a wire brush, and be very gentle, do not remove metal, only carbon. Remove #6 piston to check for excess wear, it is the hot piston and will have the highest liklihood for wear in the cylinder wall and will have the highest liklihood for a blown oil ring on the piston. Also check the rod bearing and rod journal surfaces on #6 as well as one main bearing and journal. You also may want to inspect other cylinders and perform compression tests before taking it all apart to check everything is ok.

Edit: when are you coming up to LA? I'll be getting my block and doing my engine assembly within the next week or so, and if you want to drop in and watch me do my engine, it will probably make your life alot easier.

e30dream · 03-08-2007, 10:24 AM

Mr. infinity: lol thanks dude, i used to work out at that 24hr!

eric: for shizzle! ill definitely try.

triggr: id love to drop in and watch, but i dont have a truck so id be driving with my friend that has one... id take out the two back seats of our minivan and drive that up, but its got over-heating issues (i guess the fan doesnt turn on and everywhere weve taken it to has no clue.) with that as a problem, driving in LA concerns me. If anyone knows the lightest traffic times from SD-LA and could give me them id be happy

and my minivan could very well be a possibility. and i forgot about the '94 M50 has vanos. but i guess this is a good thing in the long run

///M Power · 03-08-2007, 11:47 AM

Take advice from Jason aswell. When I pulled the head I did it with two other guys.

e30dream · 03-08-2007, 07:25 PM

yeah i wont have any help

the only guy who would be helpful that i know, i dont get along with. god damn. Im still pretty excited about getting it tho, even if i cant turn it into a smooth running engine ill at least gain alot of knowledge and actually SEE this stuff.

triggrhaapi · 03-08-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e30dream

yeah i wont have any help

the only guy who would be helpful that i know, i dont get along with. god damn. Im still pretty excited about getting it tho, even if i cant turn it into a smooth running engine ill at least gain alot of knowledge and actually SEE this stuff.

PM me if you need any help, I know this motor like the back of my hand.

e30dream · 03-08-2007, 11:18 PM

alright new developments.....

so i owe union dues... alot of union dues... im going to try to quit and then get rehired and hopefully thatll give me some time to pay the union dues.. if not..there goes my engine. BUT if i can go through with my plan above ^^^
then hopefully ill be picking up the engine sometime next week.

e30dream · 03-11-2007, 08:18 PM

engine is mine guys. ill probably be picking it up in LA sometime in the next few weeks.

///M Power · 03-12-2007, 01:59 PM

Nicely done Alex. oh and if i havent clarified enough, you suck dick for coke.