3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
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Ok so My head gasket on my 1993 is the culprit for my Coolant leak, if it's been leaking in the engine, would it have damaged it, I lifted the oil cap and there is no sign of any coolant leaking into the engine, and plus Im not seeing any smoke shoot out the back.
my dad is gonna pay for it, Since I like did a bunch of stuff for him, plus he's helping me bigtime (thx dad)
and so it's getting fixed which is all good and dandy
but I dont know after this my bmw, just seems so Ah, Like this shouldnt have happened.
I mean no bmw's arent invicible, but I thought they were meant for driving fast and hard, and Yes it's a 1993 so it's old, but a head gasket leak is kinda a big thing. and It just seems that this shouldnt have happened, cause I dont hear about it happening on any other cars, or are bmw' engines just not as reliable as we once thought
help me out guys, I love bimmers I dont want to stop loving them
hmmm a few things first, the only way to know if hte engine was damaged is when they crack it open, its an expensive job to do but not very common nonthe less. i wonder if this is a second hand car, how well it was maintained before you had it. as for driving fast and hard every car has limits you cant expect the car to be able to take punishement all the time everytime without consequences its just the way things work , harder you drive the shorter the life.
True, I guess
it just seems like bmw engines were supposed to be hardy and be able to take rough driving
It just kinda made me rethink, are bmw engines really that reliable?
guys I need some help, I dont want to look at my bmw and go
Wait, btw how could a cracked head gasket even cause damage?
and it obviously seemed to be only leaking out of the engine, and not in, cause I didnt see any coolant in my oil, nor did I see ever any smoke come out my exhaust?
Originally posted by BMW-ATI@Aug 6 2005, 03:19 PM True, I guess
it just seems like bmw engines were supposed to be hardy and be able to take rough driving
It just kinda made me rethink, are bmw engines really that reliable?
guys I need some help, I dont want to look at my bmw and go
[snapback]367850[/snapback]
Hm... when I first started reading this thread, I had flashbacks to when I first got my car... I was going out with the dumbest peice of shit who thought BMW's were totally invincible (this was not the only reason he was a dipshit, it's just an example of his tiny brain... I'm not insulting you!). I let him drive my car once and he sped and took corners really sharp to the point where I thought the thing was gonna flip over. He kept saying, "It won't flip! It's a BMW! Blah blah blah." I started screaming at the top of my lungs until he pulled over and was banned from the drivers seat forever.
Anyways... So...
They're still just cars. Nothing lasts forever. Things break and wear out and need to be replaced on all cars (and stereos, and shoes, and...) and, for all ya know, someone taught their teenager to drive on the thing way back when. Personally, I've never had a problem with my engine, my car's never broken down, and I've had it for 3 years.
Think about it this way, after this repair, you're set! I mean, woo hoo!
You probably caught it before you did any major damage. There's a big difference between driving an engine hard and thrashing it. If you beat it to shit, of course it's gonna fail. BMW engines are typically designed to give their best performance at the higher end of their rpm range, but that doesn't mean they're impervious to over revving.
mines an auto
and anyways, it's gone on for a decent amount of time, but what even if any damage could this cause? and wopuld it be permanant?
i mean Coolant is just leaking Not even really in the engine, and if it is it's very small amounts, I mean really what could that actually do to hurt the engine?
Don't loose your faith! Consider all the other BMW engines that live to 200,000 miles on the original head gasket. Our engines may be of better quality than GM's or Hyuandi's but none are invincible. Plus, working on engines with your dad is fun! I have replaced head gaskets on many domestic vehicles and they are not all that hard, just remember what plugs into where and note the position of timing components before removing them. If you are new to engines and their operation, a head gasket swap will open your eyes to what goes on in there. Truly a good experience.
As far as the coolant goes, it does contain chemicles that are not designed for paint and other components of the car. Wipe it from the block daily untill you fix it (which should be ASAP). And drive it easy to keep flows and pressures that the gasket seals to a minimum.
Check out this 2.3L mustang engine - replaced the head and top end with port/polished one.
So basically the only damage it causes is more damage to the head gasket, just making it worse, well i guess it doesnty matter since it's gonna get fixed anyways ahahaha
EDIT:Ive heard u can warp your cylinder heads or crack them by letting coolant get in, but I think only coolant is leaking out, BUT i also hear that u can only crack and warp cylinders or cylinder heads when the car overheats
and my car has no overheated, so which statement is correct?
and this is the only engine problem thing car has encountered too and their such high performance vehicles a camry is no a High performance vehicle, i gotta remember that
Originally posted by BMW-ATI@Aug 6 2005, 06:19 PM True, I guess
it just seems like bmw engines were supposed to be hardy and be able to take rough driving
It just kinda made me rethink, are bmw engines really that reliable?
guys I need some help, I dont want to look at my bmw and go
[snapback]367850[/snapback]
BMW engine are extrealy reliable - built to last a long long time. ghead
I like the bimmers of the late 80's the best.
Here is my living proof, in order of what I have owned.
1972 Mercedes 280C, rust bucket, but had over 400,000 miles on it, I crashed this when I was 17, overall a heavy slow car from the 70s
1980 Mercedes 300D, slow piece of crap that smelled all the time, threw a rod at 350,000 miles, not bad for a German machine
1987 BMW 325e 256,000 miles, lady ran a red light and took me out, I lived!
HERE IS WHERE I WENT WRONG - BUT IT WAS ALL I COULD AFFORD
1993 Saturn SC2 91,000 miles, thew a frickin rod
2002 Saturn L300 45,000 miles, transmission re-built twice already, sold it.
1987 BMW 325ic, wow, I missed this understeer, 119,000 miles, still going!
1986 BMW 528e, winter car, little rust, 280,000 miles, still going.
1988 BMW 325is, never ran, parts car, RIP
1988 BMW 735i, 280,000 miles, WOW, she is 98% perfect too, no rust, land cruiser.
There it is - I do all the repairs and maintenance myself on the BMW's
I will NEVER buy anything else but a German made car, yes that means made in Germany, not South Carolina.
BMW head gaskets should be replaced every 120k I would say with hard driving - longer if you baby you car. Like my 7 series, never had to replace the head gasket yet.
Just change the oil, the timing belt, keep the salt off her, and keep her true in-line and the car will last you a long time - I drive the PISS outta my convertible as if I were on a race track to and from work everyday. Love that car - !!!!!
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I have replaced head gaskets on many domestic vehicles and they are not all that hard, just remember what plugs into where and note the position of timing components before removing them. If you are new to engines and their operation, a head gasket swap will open your eyes to what goes on in there. Truly a good experience.
ghead 
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