The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 289 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: VAC Head Gaskets Re: VAC Head Gaskets Re: VAC Head Gaskets Re: VAC Head Gaskets Re: VAC Head Gaskets Re: Anyone found a source for 125/90R15 spares? Re: Anyone found a source for 125/90R15 spares? 1990 325iC? Re: 1990 325iC? Re: 1990 325iC? Re: 1990 325iC? Re: 1990 325iC? Re: 1990 325iC? <misc> oil in coolant, no coolant in oil Re: <misc> oil in coolant, no coolant in oil
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:17:45 -0400 From: KMS- Brett Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: VAC Head Gaskets Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> They're not VAC gaskets, they're Cometic gaskets and are available cheaper from most sources other than VAC. Brett Anderson KMS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Impression and experiences with VAC head gaskets? Or should I replace > the bad one with stock again? This will be be for an na E36 //M3. > tia, > Barry > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:46:14 -0500 From: "Jamie Howton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "[uucdigest]" <[email protected]>, "bmw digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: VAC Head Gaskets Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Impression and experiences with VAC head gaskets? Or should I replace > the bad one with stock again? This will be be for an na E36 //M3. I used a stock one. It seems to be doing its job so far approximately 50 track days later. -- Jamie Howton 2006 M Roadster 2000 M5 1995 M3 Hampshire, IL ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:28:24 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Jamie Howton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "[uucdigest]" <[email protected]>, bmw digest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: VAC Head Gaskets Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My concern is long term durability many miles after a momentary near-overheat. When the water pump let go last year, ~12k miles ago, the gauge went to above 3/4 position. That's been the only event that could have weakened the head gasket. Currently there is a coolant leak and steam from the exhaust a minute or two after cold start, and gel globs on the oil filler cap indicating coolant in the oil. The engine otherwise runs fine but the car is not going much anywhere until I get the gasket replaced. Barry Jamie Howton wrote: >> Impression and experiences with VAC head gaskets? Or should I replace >> the bad one with stock again? This will be be for an na E36 //M3. > > I used a stock one. It seems to be doing its job so far approximately > 50 track days later. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:34:12 -0400 From: KMS- Brett Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: VAC Head Gaskets Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A short trip car will exhibit condensation on the oil filler cap. It will also have "steam" from the exhaust. From your description, you do not have a head gasket problem. Brett Anderson KMS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > My concern is long term durability many miles after a momentary > near-overheat. When the water pump let go last year, ~12k miles ago, > the gauge went to above 3/4 position. That's been the only event that > could have weakened the head gasket. Currently there is a coolant leak > and steam from the exhaust a minute or two after cold start, and gel > globs on the oil filler cap indicating coolant in the oil. The engine > otherwise runs fine but the car is not going much anywhere until I get > the gasket replaced. > Barry > > Jamie Howton wrote: > >>> Impression and experiences with VAC head gaskets? Or should I replace >>> the bad one with stock again? This will be be for an na E36 //M3. >> >> I used a stock one. It seems to be doing its job so far approximately >> 50 track days later. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 06:01:01 -0500 From: "Jamie Howton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "[uucdigest]" <[email protected]>, "bmw digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: VAC Head Gaskets Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > My concern is long term durability many miles after a momentary > near-overheat. When the water pump let go last year, ~12k miles ago, > the gauge went to above 3/4 position. That's been the only event that > could have weakened the head gasket. Currently there is a coolant leak > and steam from the exhaust a minute or two after cold start, and gel > globs on the oil filler cap indicating coolant in the oil. The engine > otherwise runs fine but the car is not going much anywhere until I get > the gasket replaced. I would send a sample of oil out for testing, I have used http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ in the past. It's inexpensive and if they detect any coolant in the oil you then know you have an issue. When my HG failed the only symptom I noticed was overheating on the track during my cooldown lap, every session. The car showed no symptoms at all of overheating on the street and would have probably been fine for a long time if I wasn't tracking the car. -- Jamie Howton 2006 M Roadster 2000 M5 1995 M3 Hampshire, IL ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:39:55 -0400 From: KMS- Brett Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Maverick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Anyone found a source for 125/90R15 spares? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Tire Rack has a 135/90/15, but you have to call to get it. It's not on their web site. Brett Anderson KMS Maverick wrote: > Mine is showing signs of dry-rot and I am looking for a replacement. > Seems I remember someone saying they are unavailable. I also > remember some recomending the BMW Mobility kit as a possible > alternative. Anyone familiar with the Continental kit that Tire Rack > sells. > > Thanks, > > David Ellsworth Richmond, VA Search the > ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW > CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . > http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:16:17 -0400 (GMT-04:00) From: Maverick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Anyone found a source for 125/90R15 spares? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks Brett, I already had e-mailed them and they do have a Goodyear in that size, but they would not endorse it as an alternate. Have you actually used these on the ti's? It seems it would fit in the tire tray ok and the diameter difference is small, but I am going to be putting that LS diff in soon and don't want to burn it up if I need to use the spare. I run a 245/45-16 on the rear in summer and a 215/55-16 in winter, for now anyway. The winter may change in a few years and I am thinking about going 245/40-17 someday. I guess if I was really stuck I could swap a front to the back and run the donut on the front. Thanks again, David -----Original Message----- >From: KMS- Brett Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Oct 18, 2006 12:39 AM >To: Maverick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, UUC Digest <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: [UUC] Anyone found a source for 125/90R15 spares? > >Tire Rack has a 135/90/15, but you have to call to get it. It's not on >their web site. > >Brett Anderson >KMS > > >Maverick wrote: >> Mine is showing signs of dry-rot and I am looking for a replacement. >> Seems I remember someone saying they are unavailable. I also >> remember some recomending the BMW Mobility kit as a possible >> alternative. Anyone familiar with the Continental kit that Tire Rack >> sells. >> >> Thanks, >> >> David Ellsworth Richmond, VA Search the >> ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >> >> >> __________________________________________________________________________ >> In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW >> CCA. >> >> UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate >> Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . >> http://www.uucmotorwerks.com >> >Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > >__________________________________________________________________________ >In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > >UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate >Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! >908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:49:20 -0400 From: "Della Barba, Joe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: 1990 325iC? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> There is a 1990 325iC for sale near me with about 100K. Ad states garage kept, good/excellent condition, asking $6K. I am thinking of it for an extra car, not a daily commuter. Are these still viable cars now or maintenance nightmares? Joe Della Barba 323iT ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:06:46 -0700 From: Mark Gold <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Della Barba, Joe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: BMW list <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 1990 325iC? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Joe, It really depends on the condition of the car. If its been regularly maintained then it shouldn't be a problem. Definitely check for good maintenance records and have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a local independent. Key items to be aware of include: convertible top (pricey to replace), top motor (gears are prone to failure on power tops), Automatic transmission (hopefully the car is a 5-speed). Unlike my 318ic (and your 323iT), the 325ic has these specific items to maintain regularly: timing belts (need to be changed every 30,000 miles I believe), valve adjustments and distributor cap. I'm sure there's other E30 specific issues that I'm overlooking. All of these items however would be addressed with regular inspections performed. I love my E30 convertible, but hate it as a daily driver (which its been for the past 7 years), that being said its actually been reasonably inexpensive to own. Good luck. Sincerely, Mark Gold Sacramento Valley Chapter BMWCCA [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Oct 18, 2006, at 10:49 AM, Della Barba, Joe wrote: > > There is a 1990 325iC for sale near me with about 100K. Ad states > garage > kept, good/excellent condition, asking $6K. > I am thinking of it for an extra car, not a daily commuter. Are these > still viable cars now or maintenance nightmares? > > Joe Della Barba > 323iT > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/ > [email protected] > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > ____ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the > BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:08:11 -0700 From: Bob Sutterfield <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 1990 325iC? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On 10/18/06 10:49 AM, "Della Barba, Joe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > There is a 1990 325iC for sale near me with about 100K. Ad states garage > kept, good/excellent condition, asking $6K. > I am thinking of it for an extra car, not a daily commuter. Are these > still viable cars now or maintenance nightmares? An E30 can certainly be reliable transportation, or it can be a nightmare, just like any other car: depends how well it's been maintained so far. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:28:59 -0400 From: "Della Barba, Joe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 1990 325iC? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Well I know that much, but some animals are more equal than others. For example, an old V-12 7 series is not known for being a cheap car to maintain no matter what you do and Fieros like to catch on fire. I do have a good local shop to do a pre-buy and I also wouldn't offer more than 5K. This whole thing started because I mentioned to my wife I REALLY miss my MR2 and she said NFW to another 2 seat car until the kid is in college. I also drove a mid/late 80s E30 once and the pre-VANOS engine was fun. It isn't really faster than an E46, but the way it comes alive on the cam feels like it. Unlike Honda's version of VANOS (VTEC?), BMW seems to go for seamless power instead of a big kick when it comes online. Joe Della Barba 00 323iT -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bob Sutterfield Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 2:08 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] 1990 325iC? On 10/18/06 10:49 AM, "Della Barba, Joe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > There is a 1990 325iC for sale near me with about 100K. Ad states > garage kept, good/excellent condition, asking $6K. > I am thinking of it for an extra car, not a daily commuter. Are these > still viable cars now or maintenance nightmares? An E30 can certainly be reliable transportation, or it can be a nightmare, just like any other car: depends how well it's been maintained so far. Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ________________________________________________________________________ __ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:04:04 -0500 From: "Paul Garnier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Della Barba, Joe'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 1990 325iC? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> $6K is a little high for a 90. It better be very clean with no mech issues. And with that kind of mileage I can bet it's not. Have it looked at by a BMW independent. And get the real condition of the car assessed. Well worth the $150 or so they will charge for the inspection. Paul A. Garnier Houston, TX 281-827-0725 www.fastnetworking.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Della Barba, Joe Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 12:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [UUC] 1990 325iC? There is a 1990 325iC for sale near me with about 100K. Ad states garage kept, good/excellent condition, asking $6K. I am thinking of it for an extra car, not a daily commuter. Are these still viable cars now or maintenance nightmares? Joe Della Barba 323iT Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:09:01 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 1990 325iC? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A manual top is better as the power tops are known to fail expensively. Also check out the top, especially the tension straps as they are expensive to repair. Everything else is pretty standard E30 with the added flexy body feature that convertibles have. Gary Derian > $6K is a little high for a 90. It better be very clean with no mech > issues. > And with that kind of mileage I can bet it's not. Have it looked at by a > BMW > independent. And get the real condition of the car assessed. Well worth > the > $150 or so they will charge for the inspection. > > Paul A. Garnier > Houston, TX > 281-827-0725 > www.fastnetworking.com > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Della Barba, Joe > Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 12:49 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [UUC] 1990 325iC? > > > There is a 1990 325iC for sale near me with about 100K. Ad states garage > kept, good/excellent condition, asking $6K. > I am thinking of it for an extra car, not a daily commuter. Are these > still viable cars now or maintenance nightmares? > > Joe Della Barba > 323iT > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:35:22 -0500 (CDT) From: "Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: <misc> oil in coolant, no coolant in oil Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gruupe: Recall a posting from me a few weeks ago asking if there was an acceptable level of oil in one's coolant (universal response was NO!). I just got back an oil analysis from Blackstone, and they find no traces of antifreeze in my oil. The sample has only about 1K miles on it, but at the rate I drive this car that represents several months (I don't drive much more than 10 miles/day on average). But even with that, these findings are certainly encouraging. So I have two questions: [1] is there a scenario where coolant will appear after a few more Kmiles of driving, and [2] how is it possible there is clearly oil in my coolant but no coolant in my oil? - Kevin Jay '96 328is, red/tan, 95K, usual H&R/Bilstein setup, a few M3 parts too '02 X5 3.0, white/tan, 50K, bone stock ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 18:58:59 -0400 From: "Jason Kay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: <misc> oil in coolant, no coolant in oil Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Although this knowledge is based off my 'other' german car (944 Turbo) it still applies, as a common issue wth the 944s is the "mixer seals" or seal in the oil/water heat exchanger... Anyway, the oil lines have a higher pressure under normal op. cond. than the cooling system... (when cold, oil is MUCH higher that water in 944s... cold is 5+ bar oil vs ~1 bar water) If there is a leak in these seals (944s), typ. oil is pushed into the coolant resulting the what's typ. called a 'chockolate shake'... its a goo that doesn't do a good job cooling and looks like a choc. shake under the coolant cap... and it requires either mult. flushings/ steam to clean or new comp. to get rid of the 'shake' (go ahead and ask me how I know) (this is MUCH worse in Turbo car as when you are hard on boost, then off WHEN hot... there can be a situation created where water press. is higher than oil, and coolant goes into the oil... resulting in a sludge that doesn't lubricate well... expensive rebuilts then ensue (can we say new bearings? ... or the car is stripped for parts)... (as a side note, When cold a 944's oil press is typ. ~5bar + and water is < 1bar... when hot at idle, oil press can drop as low as 1bar and water can be slightly above 1bar...) Be Very, VERY thankful there is no coolant in your oil! I hope this at least answers #2, and I would not wait till #1 happens either! HTH... -Jason '86 951 "Sparky" '70 240Z "Dusty" '97 Contour "Bambi" '03 325xi "Daisy" > Gruupe: > > Recall a posting from me a few weeks ago asking if there was an acceptable > level of oil in one's coolant (universal response was NO!). I just got back > an oil analysis from Blackstone, and they find no traces of antifreeze in my > oil. > > The sample has only about 1K miles on it, but at the rate I drive this car > that represents several months (I don't drive much more than 10 miles/day on > average). But even with that, these findings are certainly encouraging. So > I have two questions: [1] is there a scenario where coolant will appear after > a few more Kmiles of driving, and [2] how is it possible there is clearly oil > in my coolant but no coolant in my oil? > > - Kevin Jay > '96 328is, red/tan, 95K, usual H&R/Bilstein setup, a few M3 parts too > '02 X5 3.0, white/tan, 50K, bone stock ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
