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Car Forum / BMW Cars / April 2004E34 M20 overheat damage
Howdy all, Got stuck in traffic last night and overheated the car in a big way. It was in the red for about half and hour with no way for me to stop or pull over so I eventually pulled in to a service station to let in cool down and check fluids etc. I had tried putting the heater on full but it was just making lots of creaking noises with no hot air coming out. I didn't want hot water all over my feet so I left the heater off. The radiator only took about a litre of water and then I went off on my merry way home, except I only got about 3 miles before I noticed a lack of power, again with nowhere to stop, and then the car died completely as I pulled in to stop after another 2 miles, and oil level light came on at the same time. Temp was normal right up to time of death. I got towed home and had a quick look this morning. Car had dumped about half its oil - haven't found the leak yet but it appears to be on the exhaust manifold side. I've pulled the plugs out and they're all fine, but there is hardly any compression in 2, 3, 4, and 5. 1 and 6 have about 750. I thought the head might have warped but there is no loss of coolant, so maybe it's the rings, bore and/or god knows what else. I'm thinking it might be cheaper and quicker just to swap the engine with another rather than even attempt to find what's wrong here. If I do this can I fit any old M20 2.5l and bolt up my Motronic injection system or am I limited to any particular year range? Any thoughts or helpful comments greatly appreciated. Steve > Howdy all, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Steve Well that's bad news Steve but with an M20 at least your options from here are a lot cheaper than if you had a 540. If I were you I'd ask this question in one of the yahoo groups, either mod_m20@yahoogroups.com or even e30@yahoogroups.com. Theyll be able to help you out. Depending on the year of your car the head might be different than both earlier cars and all the E30's due to vanos, you may need to get one from an E34 of around the same year. You may be able to match a newer head with an older block and bottom end also. But those guys would be a better resource to ask such questions. -Russ. > If I were you I'd ask this question in one of the yahoo groups, either > mod_m20@yahoogroups.com or even e30@yahoogroups.com. Theyll be able to help > you out. Depending on the year of your car the head might be different than > both earlier cars and all the E30's due to vanos, you may need to get one > from an E34 of around the same year. AFAIK, No M20's had vanos. Vanos was introduced in the middle of the M50 run. -Fred W > Got stuck in traffic last night and overheated the car in a big way. It > was in the red for about half and hour with no way for me to stop or > pull over so I eventually pulled in to a service station to let in cool > down and check fluids etc. I had tried putting the heater on full but > it was just making lots of creaking noises with no hot air coming out. > I didn't want hot water all over my feet so I left the heater off. If the heater didn't work, it means the coolant level was very low - and not circulating in the cylinder head, where it's most needed. When the gauge goes into the red, pull over. A 'traffic ticket' or whatever is cheaper than a new head.  Signature*If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? * Dave Plowman dave.sound@argonet.co.uk London SW 12 RIP Acorn Thanks for reply Dave. I'm fairly sure the coolant level wasn't too far down - checking it the next day it was still full. I'm thinking maybe the thermostat was stuck or not working properly, but still haven't checked fully. Will fix our E30 steering rack then put the E34 up on axle stands and see what I can find. Have recently bought another E34 on impulse so at least have a spare car which can also be used for reference. From various enquiries it looks like the rings may be damaged and maybe the bore of the block. I have the option to buy another M20 and trans for around US $120 so I'm checking if I can just swap over the old 1977 block with my 1990 one. From my limited enquiries they appear to be the same but I've been caught out before trying to swap old and new parts. As always, any comments or suggestions welcomed. Steve > > Got stuck in traffic last night and overheated the car in a big way. It > > was in the red for about half and hour with no way for me to stop or [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Dave Plowman dave.sound@argonet.co.uk London SW 12 > RIP Acorn I think you mean 150 on 1 and 6. No car developes 750. Sounds like the timing belt slipped and bent the valves. > Howdy all, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Steve Oil starvation leading to cam seize i wonder ... snapping or causing a belt jump on the way??? Why oh why didn't you switch off before it even reached the red??? SignatureFor every two hours a garage mechanic works, you get billed for four, even though the job should have taken eight to do properly. ..... But you get to think your cars going to be reliable because its got a FULL SERVICE HISTORY!!! Regards..... Steve. (Email Address Is Phoney). > I think you mean 150 on 1 and 6. No car developes 750. Sounds like the > timing belt slipped and bent the valves. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > > > Steve |
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