Head Gasket Problems

[tzei]

Head gasket doesn’t seal. It’s the head or block or both. Something is off big time.

[Steve76063]

When the head was shaved, was the front timing cover installed on it?  I believe it needs to be attached so as to have it shaved the same amount.  Otherwise, you could have a 'step' at the front that keeps the front of the head from seating/sealing.

[Reza Taheri]

I gave them the timing cover and hope they did that. But that is a suspicion I've had as it does appear wet in that area. I'm going to take pictures after work and see what you guys think. 

[Reza Taheri]

No washers!!! I have no idea what happened. The bolts didn't come with washers and I have no idea what I did with the original bolts. But I can tell from the metal there should be washers there. 

 

So what now? Do I start over with a new gasket and new bolts? Do I go to the hardware store and find washers? Do I order ARP studs? 

[2002iii]

New head gasket and add washers to bolts is the correct way to do it.

[Reza Taheri]

4 minutes ago, 2002iii said:

New head gasket and add washers to bolts is the correct way to do it.

Do I just take a bolt to the hardware store and find something suitable or should I get something specific? 

[Hans]

10 hours ago, Steve76063 said:

When the head was shaved, was the front timing cover installed on it?  I believe it needs to be attached so as to have it shaved the same amount.  Otherwise, you could have a 'step' at the front that keeps the front of the head from seating/sealing.

The front covet gets installed after the head is torqued. 

[Son of Marty]

The washers are hardened steel nothing at the hardware store is going to work. Part number 11120621145 for the washers. Pretty sure thats your problem there replace the gasket and torque it down and you should be good to go.

Edited March 22, 2023 by Son of Marty

[Hans]

So you had no head bolt washers? Those are special. Some body must have a few lying around. I would check the bottom of the bolt holes for accumulated sludge and oil.

What king of valve cover gasket is that?

Edited March 22, 2023 by Hans

[Reza Taheri]

9 minutes ago, Hans said:

So you had no head bolt washers? Those are special. Some body must have a few lying around. I would check the bottom of the bolt holes for accumulated sludge and oil.

What king of valve cover gasket is that?

Glad you asked! Victor Reinz, part of the set below. While we're here, anybody know what these rings are used for?

 

 

[Son of Marty]

The 8 large rings I belive are for plastic runner tii's the larger of the small rings is for the large plug in the head behind the timing gear, the small one I can't recall right now. My method for cleaning the head bolt holes is to use a 3/8ths (I think) wood dowl down the hole while holding a wad of paper towels to soak up the goo, then finish with solvent or brake clean and wick it out with a twisted paper towel.

[Einspritz]

I clean the bolt holes using a tap, then forced air, then brake cleaner (the carcinogenic kind) then blow it all out again (into your face).

 

While you're in there, check that there are no cracks at the bolt holes; I've seen that happen with hydro-locking bolts.....

 

The OCD in me says trim your upper radiator hose by 1/4" to eliminate the kink.

 

All good.

[Reza Taheri]

44 minutes ago, Einspritz said:

I clean the bolt holes using a tap, then forced air, then brake cleaner (the carcinogenic kind) then blow it all out again (into your face).

 

While you're in there, check that there are no cracks at the bolt holes; I've seen that happen with hydro-locking bolts.....

 

The OCD in me says trim your upper radiator hose by 1/4" to eliminate the kink.

 

All good.

Literally what happened and I remember watching a video where he put a rag above the hole before blowing it out and realized why he did that. Then I did it again a day later when I forgot about the rag technique. 

 

That upper radiator hose has always bothered me but thought it was supposed to be like that. 

[TobyB]

welp, there's yer problem.

 

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=ST12-USA-09-1972-114-BMW-2002&diagId=11_2363

 

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-washer-11120621145

 

your head bolts are bottoming before they clamp.

 

I would toss whichever bolts you've used, and either reuse what came out,

or get new ones again

 

t

 

[thehackmechanic]

48 minutes ago, TobyB said:

your head bolts are bottoming before they clamp.

 

I suppose that, in theory, since the coolant-in-the-oil problem is so pronounced, you could pull the studs, put washers on them, and torque them down just to be certain that this solves the problem before you go to the work of pulling the head and replacing the gasket again, but @TobyB's explanation is so perfect that it's not worth it.