3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
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Well, what I have feared most has happened. My new to me 95 325i has a leaky head gasket. My local BMW dealership did a leak down test and confirmed it positive leaking into the coolant. Which is why I've been overheating, and the white smoke following me. What I would like to ask all of you here is - what next? Should I sell it and take my losses? Should I buy a used/rebuilt engine and replace it? If yes then ebay? or where? I really dont have the funds to do to much here, which is why I bought a 95 not a
2005.
Still, I'm very disappointed I had some dreams for my first bimmer.
I forgot to mention, the bottom end wasn't very good either, bad compression, so I'm not considering a head job. The mechanic told me the head could even be cracked.
I agree with BMWJNKY, try another compression test after fixing your headgasket. The headgasket you can do yourself, just have a machine shop check your head while you have it off.
good luck!
Good points guys, but I had to drive this car home because I wasnt going to do anything at the stealership. It was overheating pretty bad, not smart I know. So I'm afraid I may of warped the head or caused extra damage from the heat. I think I'm going to do an engine swap. My engine has a ton of miles so any engine will be an improvement from mine. Any experienced swappers have any tips? I work with a guy who has done quite a few swaps, but not on a bimmer. Thanks for your input.
I've spent the whole night searching on the net, havent slept in like 30 hours. Anyways I have found a replacement engine for $800. It has 146,000 miles - half of what mine had. I've never replaced an engine, but like I said a guy from work has done some on non-BMW's. Going to put on the aluminum
t-stat housing this time while I have it off from Bavarian. I'm sick of these cooling system problems, seems pretty common to E36's.
Later all. Wish me luck.
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Leak Down Test 
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