E34 M20 2.5 problems

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   Just had my car in the garage as it was losing water from what 

seemed to be the water pump but I couldn't locate the source.

The garage has rung me back their was a problem with the pump 

gasket but it won't hold pressure. They have done an exhaust gas test 

and it is either the head gasket or a crack somewhere.

Now the head will be a pig to remove as the exhaust manifold is stuck 

on with some sealant (a bodge job by a garage who I got to change 

the manifold gaskets and broke some of the studs...).

So what would you advise?

Thanks

Giles 

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gilescooperuk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 29-December-2005 Location: Peterborough Status: Offline Points: 56	Post Options Post Reply Quote gilescooperuk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: E34 M20 2.5 problems Posted: 24-June-2011 at 13:19
	Just had my car in the garage as it was losing water from what seemed to be the water pump but I couldn't locate the source. The garage has rung me back their was a problem with the pump gasket but it won't hold pressure. They have done an exhaust gas test and it is either the head gasket or a crack somewhere. Now the head will be a pig to remove as the exhaust manifold is stuck on with some sealant (a bodge job by a garage who I got to change the manifold gaskets and broke some of the studs...). So what would you advise? Thanks Giles
	Giles Cooper http://www.gilescooper.co.uk Tiger Cat E1 (fun car) 1989 BMW 525i (commuting car)

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Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nigel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-June-2011 at 22:28
	Hello Giles I've had two M20 engined E34 525i's, and I'm afraid, with age, the heads were a bit of an issue. It was to do with the way they were made, pressed from balls of hot alloy, rather than pure molten metal, so I was told. They had a reputation for becoming porus. I had one fail on my first car, although that cracked. One "test" I suggest you do, is with the car cold, squeeze the top hose with your fingers, then start the engine and do it again, if it's gone "rock hard", I'm afraid it is likely to be the head. Good luck
	Best Wishes Nigel

gilescooperuk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 29-December-2005 Location: Peterborough Status: Offline Points: 56	Post Options Post Reply Quote gilescooperuk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-June-2011 at 22:55
	Well I picked it up tonight - the garage have put some k-chem in the cooling system which seems to be stopping the loss. They checked it this afternoon and it wasn't losing anything. I will check the car in the morning and if the water level holds up use it tomorrow and see what it is like after that. Hopefully this may have fixed it for the moment - otherwise I was probably looking for a replacement engine..... How on earth did they press the head from a blank, it is far too complex to work, with both sides needing to be different shapes and thicknesses. You might be able to press a rough shape but it will need a lot of machining to get it correct?
	Giles Cooper http://www.gilescooper.co.uk Tiger Cat E1 (fun car) 1989 BMW 525i (commuting car)

Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nigel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-June-2011 at 23:13
	I've no idea how it was done, apparently is was a "thing of the time", not just BMW.
	Best Wishes Nigel