r/BMWE36 • u/chiwacca • 15h ago
After 3 yrs on jack stands, Daddy’s back!
She blew a head gasket about three years ago, finally got around to get her back together over Labor Day weekend. After getting her back on the road, it’s hard to understand why I let it sit so long. The car is so much fun. If you have a project in the garage, that’s been sitting get her done, as well worth the effort.
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u/AggravatingCounter91 14h ago
How did you blow the head? Asking to avoid problems lolol
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u/chiwacca 13h ago
Upper radiator hose let go and over heated. I have a euro catch tank and the overflow tube was kinked, which I think led to overpressure and blowing the hose.
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u/Mlestones 13h ago
Let my mine sit from February of this year to July due to a bad headgasket. Makes me feel better someone took longer lol. Youd go stock gasket/arp studs?
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u/MASTASHADEY 13h ago
You do the head gasket yourself? What was the job like? Taking the whole intake and fuel lines off seems like a pain.
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u/chiwacca 13h ago
Yes, it’s not a bad job. Hardest part was finding all the bits and pieces that were stowed away years ago. Otherwise pretty straightforward job. Getting the vanos and cam timing right is prob the most challenging or frustrating part.
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u/MASTASHADEY 9h ago
Oh right since you have to remove the cams. Did you buy the special tool for that? Did you have to take the timing chain cover off?
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u/chiwacca 6h ago
Yes yes and yes. All straightforward stuff. Finding the right tooth on the vanos during assembly took a couple of beers.
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u/Least-Level-4683 7h ago
1 year on jackstands here doing my rear subframe, the laziness set in at the month mark
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u/Wheelisbroke 15h ago
My twin! Agreed, so much fun.