Quote:
Originally Posted by blatant
Hi all,
I have completed 3 headgasket jobs on s50 + s52 engines but I have some concerns with the all aluminum m54.
- Since the x5 most likely has been driven for a while with the head gasket issue, am I more than likely going to have an issue with the head bolts stripping in the aluminum block?
- I have never timeserted before, so that concerns me. How difficult is it?
- The coolant system has oil in it now, including the heater core. Has anyone ever used a cleaner to get rid of the oil? What is a procedure I should follow to clean out the system?
- I have not run a compression test (have it) or leak down (do not have), would anyone recommend doing this before I tear into doing the head gasket job? The amount of oil in the cooling system made me just jump to "change the head gasket" mode. Like...can power steering leak into radiator.
I'd appreciate any help with this. |
Welcome!
I'd suggest some more diagnostic work before concluding you have a head gasket failure. The trans-cooler can fail and allow engine coolant to mix with trans oil. I'd be checking that first. Smell your exhaust, is it "sweet" smelling? Maybe borrow or rent a leak-down tool if you have a compressor.
Head bolts wont strip coming out, but they will strip when you attempt to torque new ones into the (annealed from overheating) block.
Timeserts are not particularly difficult to install, just be patient and don't rush it. Ensure the drill is SQUARE to the block.
As mentioned, I like to be really heavy on the diagnosis before buying any parts to be certain what I'm dealing with.
Just saw a low mileage M54 complete longblock from an X5 from en eBay seller I trust. I think the buy-it-now was $1200, the X had 96k miles on it.
(edit: 102k miles, $1250... I was close, lol)
BMW Engine Motor M54 Z4 Z3 3 0i E46 330i 330CI XI E39 E60 530i E53 x5 3 0i | eBay