E32 M30 730 Head Gasket
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 7 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 7 Series (E23, E32, E38, E65, E66, E67 & E68)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=24464
Printed Date: 01-May-2024 at 23:36
Topic: E32 M30 730 Head Gasket
Posted By: scoobydoo
Subject: E32 M30 730 Head Gasket
Date Posted: 22-November-2005 at 14:19
| The Head Gasket failed on my 1992'J plate BMW 730 SE M30 engined with LPG conversion. I have removed the cylinder head today but need to know what to do next. I know I will need to get the head checked/skimmed but I need to know how to strip the cylinder head to enable me to get it to the machinists ready for examination, and what should I use to remove the old bits of gaskets still stuck to the surface without damaging it. Also is there anything I should be doing while I am at it and can my old head bolts be reused? Taking a look on the net I get two conflicting opinions! |
Replies:
Posted By: shogun
Date Posted: 29-November-2005 at 03:19
|
Go to my website below. There is a link to Evansweb. Jon Evans did the headgasket job and made a nice instruction. Hope that helps. On my page there is also a link to the Haynes Repair Manual. ------------- E32 750iL,E36 M3 http://twrite.org/shogunnew/topmenu.html" rel="nofollow - 7 Series Tech Tips |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 01-December-2005 at 10:43
| Cylinder Head is now off has been pressure tested and skimmed and given the all clear by the machinists. He did mention though that if you on these BMW's that the coolant hass been contaminated by oil to check the oil cooler which he showed me (he blew into the cooler and the the air came straight through the other tube going into the round cooler), apparently air isnt supposed toi be able to blow straight through it....has anyone else heard of this and how do I get to this cooler? |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 01-December-2005 at 12:24
|
Sounds like a load of cr*p to me. If oil and water
were really mixing in the cooling system* than you'd need to replace all the hoses as the oil and water mayonnaise destroys rubber hoses very quickly. The 730i doesn't have an oil cooler for the engine oil. It has, as you know, an automatic gearbox oil cooler built into the side of the radiator. If that develops a cross leak you'll have water in the gearbox and ATF in the coolant. Not Good. Check the colour of the gearbox oil - any mayonaisse (or a low fluid level) and you might have found the problem. E38 and E39 cars were more prone to this for some reason. Just put it back together again and see how you get on. It's not a bad idea to run some engine degreaser though the cooling system to clean all the crap out, about 2 or 3 litres should do it before flushing it out again with a hose. I think your mate is referring to the oil cooler ring, a long steel pipe that goes rather like a kettle element in between the grille and the radiator. This is a cooler for the power steering fluid! 
*I mean really badly mixing as opposed to a trace of oil in the header tank. Send me a P.M if you're really stuck.  ------------- |
Posted By: M3AG
Date Posted: 02-December-2005 at 13:16
| good info that Andy, just shows what type of 'advice' is given by those not really sure. |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 23-June-2006 at 00:33
|
Right......car has been in the garage for since my original post.....never found the time complete the job....I removed the head and then left it headless in the garage! I still haven't got around to refitting it....the head is skimmed, I have the headbolts, gasket set, Bentley's Manual...I'm ready to go.....shall be attempting completion (finally) next week, then got to get her through an MOT! After I have completed the job should I run it on cheap coolant/water mix to remove any contamination in the coolant reservoir and anywhere else as the oil mixed with the coolant....the hoses have obviously been contaminated as well. Is there any websites showing the job or advice on the job ahead? When I removed the cylinder head I removed and dismantled the electrical wiring strip/box that goes to the fuel rail.....this looks like its going to be a nightmare to put back and get to actually work! |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 23-June-2006 at 00:33
| Refitted head and torqued down bolts today. As I was torqueing the bolt next to where the cam pulley sits the head cracked near to where the bolt was as if it was a weak spot of the head. As you can imagine I was extremely p***ed off about this as I had just bought a new radiator. I really do give up....the cars been standing for over 8 months and when I finally get around to completing the job....this happens. Anyone want an 1992 LPG 730 SE? |
Posted By: Check it out!
Date Posted: 23-June-2006 at 11:00
|
I'd have the lpg kit for my 635?
------------- www.335itc.co.uk Its gonna be finished for summer!!! thats the plan!!! 
|
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 26-June-2006 at 13:19
| Someone off a BMW forum has offered me a complete engine with a reconned head. Does anyone know of any reputable garages/people near to the West Midlands who could replace my engine (bear in mind it had an LPG conversion to have to be taken into consideration). |
Posted By: eta.
Date Posted: 26-June-2006 at 17:25
|
My cousin Nick is a proper technician and has a lot of LPG experience. He's near York though, I think he has a trailer. He won't be the cheapest, but you'll get a proper job and not be 'tucked up' by some muppet outfit.
T: 07889 546420 smallworldltd@aol.com |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 26-June-2006 at 20:10
| Thanks for the response. Is he a BMW specialist? Is he familiar with the M30 engine? |
Posted By: eta.
Date Posted: 27-June-2006 at 10:00
|
He sorted out someone's 750 that had others scratching their heads. He builds and races (or used to) rally cars. Restores Lotus's down to the last bolt for wealthy clients. Has done LPG conversions and his work is tidy, like OE, not a buggers muddle that you sometimes see. He did have some association with a BMW dealership, but is not a BMW specialist per se. The M30 is pretty straightforward compared to a double bank 750!
I think he has a trade pal that is a BM specialist. |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 27-June-2006 at 17:18
| Thanks for that mate. I've emailed him with all the details so we'll see what he says. You can imagine how frustrated I am with this car. Since I bought it almost a year to the day I've done approx 500 miles in it only! Think I should have bought the LS400 I promised myself before seeing the Beamer. |
Posted By: eta.
Date Posted: 28-June-2006 at 06:03
|
It sounds like your car was not properly maintained by the previous owner/s. You might just as well had the same issues with a Lexus, but I am guessing that parts would be one heck of a lot more expensive.
Good luck! |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 28-June-2006 at 12:41
| Thanks mate. I await your cousins response with baited breath! |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 29-June-2006 at 23:20
|
The LPG install doesn't come into it - it can be
carefully removed from the inlet manifold and refitted by any competent mechanic. |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 30-June-2006 at 11:22
| I know but you'd be amazed the amount of mechanics who don't want to know when you mention an LPG conversion....even if the job is nothing to do with it. |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 30-June-2006 at 18:51
|
Well, if you can get the car up to M1 J28 area I can
have a look and if it warrants it, source and fit a decent cylinder head. I haven't done an M30 for a good couple of years but can still remember how it all goes together - not as easily as an M20! I'd need it for a couple of weeks tho and there can be absolutely no guarantees that it will be 100% perfect - that's the problem with old engines, and especially old engines that have been apart before. Having said that, it the block is okay (no cracks around the bolt holes) and the replacement head has no obvious issues it should all be okay. |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 01-July-2006 at 13:40
Thanks for your assistance. My main problem now is I have the 730 sat in my garage with the head on...as soon as I torqued up the bolts and the crack occurred I left everything else as I was completely deflated by it. Therefore the timing chain is still disconnected from the camshaft and I presume when I come to move the car onto a low loader the timing will be knocked out and I could cause valves to strike pistons? Since I've been posting about this problem I have been offered a head from someone who has one laying dormant in his garage, and obviously the engine that I mentioned previously but its whether you think I should go for complete engine or just the head. 
|
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 01-July-2006 at 16:00
|
It sounds to me like the valve-poston thing has
already occurred - i.e piston at TDC and the head going on with a valve down. This puts pressure on the valve and if it doesn't break a rocker first it might just split the head where the rocker shaft sits. I can't see why a head would otherwise crack when being torqued down. |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 04-July-2006 at 00:24
No I dont think it has as the crack is at the end of the head where the camshaft fits. 
|
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 11-July-2006 at 12:15
| Eta, have still recieved no reply from your cousin. |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 25-July-2006 at 12:01
| Car is still here in the garage laying dorment. I Have found what I have been told is a good 735 engine with reconned head. Just haven't found anyone to fit the complete engine yet though. I presume the engine will go straight in to replace the 3.0 with no difference in exhaust or ancilleries etc. etc. |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 25-July-2006 at 18:40
| Swaps straight over but you'll need the ECU as well. |
Posted By: eta.
Date Posted: 26-July-2006 at 11:14
Will chase him. |
scoobydoo wrote:Posted By: eta.
Date Posted: 04-August-2006 at 08:31
Here is Nicks reply:- "patrick, i thought that i had repied to this guy, i do remember receiving his email about fitting an engine to an old 7 series, i have none of his details on file so could you please contact him and i shall get in touch, i don't know if i will have time to look at his car i am stacked out with some very big long term jobs at the moment and i am away on holiday soon for 2 weeks. Any way i shall talk to him and let you know thanks nick" |
Posted By: scoobydoo
Date Posted: 04-August-2006 at 13:12
|
I'll mail him back as I'm in no great rush either so it might suit both of us.
Thanks |
