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Yes - using stop leak is blasphemous

I think the failed aux fan did your engine in.

Replace the head gasket.. it should go quickly since it’s your second one..

Your exact circumstances forced me to do it twice also..that was 15k miles ago

Don’t know about the fan..as a head gasket survivor I constantly monitored the dash temp and unless the gauge or sensors were inaccurate it never once overheated after the gasket was replaced. I have no idea how long the fan was not functioning but I never threw a code or showed as non-functional on my reader until it failed this summer.

Thanks for the encouragement though.


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Gonna +1 on the have to replace. Did you use the stepped up thickness and any issues with following the exact bolt tightening sequence with new bolts. Lubrication state is a killer. Most get installed dry and any oil or coolant on the threads is a big problem. Some require lube to get the tension correct.

Sounded to me like “OLDMACTECH” knew what he was doing or enough of what he was doing to make it work..these engines take head gaskets pretty well.

But his failed Aux fan May have caused this..

I also have seen folks gouge the head on the locating dowel to cause this, but that is rare..

Plus one on using thicker gasket, but I don’t think that happened..

OP did you install time-serts the first time?

Thermostat bad?
 

I did you the thick gasket because the head had to be decked (not sure that’s the right term.)

Did use Timeserts and torque sequence.

Would not be at all surprised if I gouged the gasket as I seem to remember struggling with the weight of the head (bad Shoulder), and after all, I was I’m my driveway in December in GA.




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I think doing it in the driveway in reasonable weather is a great way to do it.

The clearance on an E53 X5 is such that it stays on its wheels the whole time for a head gasket.

The cylinder head with exhaust manifolds attached are damn heavy…I use an engine hoist to raise and lower the head for a head gasket.

You may have damaged the gasket, but the gouges I have seen previously were in the head itself and caused by the locating dowels.

Yes, I remember.
I’m 71 yrs old, think I’ve done my one and only.

However, for conversations sake, with no evidence of overheating, simply a matter of replacing the gasket or would the head need machining again?

Would the Timeserts have to be removed?


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I have a machinist (past retirement age, but still working) who I trust like a brother.

You likely would not need to have it machined - unless it is gouged - but every time I take a head off, I take it to the machinist to check for warpage and and a valve test. I also get a pristine mating surface. It runs me $0-300.

you do not need to remove time-serts...unless they failed and pulled. This is unlikely. If they have failed, I will loan you my 1050 Big-Sert kit.

Here's a thought...Maybe you find a kid who is showing some automotive aptitude (maybe from a local vocational school?) and have him/her help you...It will make the job easier. I've brought a relative along in a similar manner, and he ended up doing an BMW engine swap on one car, and a manual swap on another before going to school for automotive engineering.

You should do this head gasket...This is no reason to get rid of it.

I’ll commit to a firm maybe.


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