Speculation: How long would it take for a bad HG/head to show itself?

[JAlfredPrufrock]

OK so earlier this summer I was down south headed to a karting day with a couple of friends, a few miles from the track I decided to see if my EAT chip was actually good for ~7k in third gear on this lonely deserted country road. :p

So as I pulled into the track pitting area, not thinking anything of my car, the thermostat shot to red and I saw a metric ton of steam escaping from every nook and cranny it could find under my hood.

Turns out the main (largest) hose that runs to the radiator right near the top (drivers side M30) split loud and clear. I let my car sit and tore up the track, a few hours later I refilled with whatever OEM coolant I had with me and we attempted to make the return trip... I refilled three times with water because there was no way we were going to repair the hose and there was no way I was paying for an expensive tow out in bufu...

My procedure for filling was to wait until the car showed signs of shooting to red, pull over, let the engine cool down, and refill the expansion tank to the top with water.

I replaced the hose and about a week later I was driving around the inner city in Chicago when something similar happened to me.

Turns out the clamp that connects to the radiator had shot off when I replaced the ruptured hose and I was losing my coolant again. Reconnected that after the engine had cooled down, had no water so I attempted to make it the few miles home.

This is where I'm wondering if the engine sustained damage: I took the highway after reconnecting the hose and the needle shot almost immediately to red, the car threw an alarm about Coolant Temp which I had not experienced before, and I shut the engine off and coasted the shoulder for as long as I could til I could find a place with water... this probably happened two or three times before I could stop somewhere.

Fast forward to now: the past couple of weeks I have had the Coolant Level sensor throw off when I start the car, I refilled the expansion tank last week with 50/50 OEM coolant and I get the warning thrown at me again today.

Is it possible that something a few months ago could trigger what is happening now? I haven't started looking for leaks yet and I have my hopes that I don't have to do any major overhauling til I am at my home garage this summer.

[genphreak]

Look now and avoid the bill later is all I can really suggest; A faulty cooling system will stress the motor, and an M30 with an old head gasket doesn't like stress at all. Check where the leak is occurring ASAP. After my experience I'd have to say I'm never keen to see my needle go North of half way, if it does I'm off the road.. I'll never run my car under load with the cooling system open enough to accept air. If it gets bubbles in the head (it'll create its own steam the moment u depressurise the system) this is what happens. Then coolant stops flowing. How long does it take to cook the head or blow the gasket? Only Buddha can tell you that dude... but your car is old enough to need it without going through the kind of experince you describe.

I wonder if anyone on the board has seen an M30 go past even 18 years of age without having it done... sorry I can't help more :) Nick

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Look now and avoid the bil later is all I can really suggest. A faulty cooling system will stress the motor, and an M30 with an old head gasket doesn't like stress at all. Check where the leak is occurring ASAP. After my experience I'd have to say I'm never keen to see my needle go North of half way, if it does I'm off the road.. I'll never run my car under load with the cooling system open enough to accept air. If it gets bubbles in the head (it'll create its own steam the moment u depressurise the system) thsi is what happens. Then coolant stops flowing. How long it takes to cook the head or blow the gasket? Only Buddha can tell you that dude... but your car is old enough to need it without going through the kind of experince you describe.

I wonder if anyone on the board has seen an M30 go past even 18 years of age without having it done... sorry I can't help more :) Nick

Thanks for the reply Nick.

Don't worry about being helpful, you were without effort. This thread is merely speculation, I will take a look at it when I drive it (home) again in another week or so.

[genphreak]

Thanks for the reply Nick.

Don't worry about being helpful, you were without effort. This thread is merely speculation, I will take a look at it when I drive it (home) again in another week or so.Sure, no probs. Check in the oil for water before you do and try to cover as much as possible before you go. Be sure to look for water mixed in with the oil or just at the bottom of the sump before you start it up). If you have it I'd think twice before driving it... it might not last the trip. (Plus you'll need to budget for a new O2 sensor) once a fix is found... and that fix will be a head gasket. at least, its no picnic financially.

When mine went it was only blowing water the slightest of water out the side on a hot day. I got to it quick, didn't drive it hot for more than 10 seconds the first time the needle rose and my gasket replacement didn't involve any warpage in the head. That would make it much more expensive as you'd have to take it to a (BMW experienced) machine shop for that.. would take time too. Good luck :) Nick

[632 Regal]

In all this reading did I notice any attempt to bleed the system properly?


Thanks for the reply Nick.

Don't worry about being helpful, you were without effort. This thread is merely speculation, I will take a look at it when I drive it (home) again in another week or so.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

In all this reading did I notice any attempt to bleed the system properly?

Air in the system is not an issue at the moment.

[632 Regal]

it is if its overheating.

Is there a lot of comdensation coming from the exhaust? How about pressure in the system if you start it with the expansion tank opened?

[JAlfredPrufrock]

it is if its overheating.

No overheating... but I've had to top off the expansion tank twice in the past two weeks.

[632 Regal]

your not helping without posting more details man.


No overheating... but I've had to top off the expansion tank twice in the past two weeks.

[Kalevera]

You know, one thing to remember is that overheating affects more than just the engine internals -- as you saw, the weakest point (that being the elbow pipe) blew out. Everything else in the circuit (including all electrical switches) were affected, as well. This is why I usually end up replacing most plastic components on the V8 cars when they blow a water pump and overheat.

First thing to do is to check the switch itself. Then, go from there. It could just be bad from being overheated.

best, whit

[genphreak]

your not helping without posting more details man. Dude, Jeff is right- careful bleeding is assumed on an M30, he's right to be concerned. If you are losing coolant, its exiting somewhere. If only under pressure its possible that it is not taking in much air, but it will take some, this is almost a definate- u sure there is not a bubble coming out of the bleeder when u follow the correct bleeding procedure?

I just know you have been around a while, figured you know this from previous posts...

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Thing is, I don't have the resources to bleed the coolant system at school.

There is not a lot I can do at the moment, hence: speculation.

[genphreak]

Thing is, I don't have the resources to bleed the coolant system at school.

There is not a lot I can do at the moment, hence: speculation.Hmmm Are you sure- we don't mean draining it.

You only need an 8mm spanner, the hood open, the correct procedure adn 2 minutes.

If filling the system as you are, its something you should do every time, engine cold and cap off- then tell us how many bubbles come out. This will tell you much, and if you're motor is ok, may return you to normal operation anyway- are you sure you do not just have an air-lock in the top of the head?

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Hmmm Are you sure- we don't mean draining it.

Yes.

Really, thanks for the advice guys, but I made this thread intially about HG concerns and it's tracking into basic car maintenace.

Mods: feel free to close this thread.

[632 Regal]

You haven't even stated anything about HG symptoms except getting low on coolant which could and can be directly related to basic car maintenance.

You also stated that you overheated the engine a shitload of times (way to far) and didnt bleed it at all let alone correctly...dont be going to sheep now man!

What we need to know you havent or dont want to post which is any of the other symptoms...if there are any at least.

Sheesh this is like talking to the 1st ex on court day.


Yes.

Really, thanks for the advice guys, but I made this thread intially about HG concerns and it's tracking into basic car maintenace.

Mods: feel free to close this thread.

[genphreak]

Well I guess that's 'spraying it as it is' Jeff...

Come on JAP, tell us the outcome- don't just leech us for a rundown and close out on us.

We wanna know, is she alive or is she dead? Is she gonna go? Will she make it to ur folks place? Have u got an 8mm spanner or should we post you one ;) Nick

[JAlfredPrufrock]

You haven't even stated anything about HG symptoms except getting low on coolant which could and can be directly related to basic car maintenance.

You also stated that you overheated the engine a shitload of times (way to far) and didnt bleed it at all let alone correctly...dont be going to sheep now man!

What we need to know you havent or dont want to post which is any of the other symptoms...if there are any at least.

Sheesh this is like talking to the 1st ex on court day.

The whole thread is just speculation man, I simply wanted to know if there was a good chance I damaged my HG/head a few months ago and have it only appear now.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Well I guess that's 'spraying it as it is' Jeff...

Come on JAP, tell us the outcome- don't just leech us for a rundown and close out on us.

We wanna know, is she alive or is she dead? Is she gonna go? Will she make it to ur folks place? Have u got an 8mm spanner or should we post you one ;) Nick

She's alive and running fine, she'll probably eventually go, she will make it to my folks' place, I do not have an 8mm spanner.

[Kalevera]

Lol...FWIR, there's one in the trunk tool kit, if it's still there.

Nick -- JAlfred's too busy scooping the honeys to be working on the car...at least, that's what I'd be doing were I in college :D


best, whit

[genphreak]

She's alive and running fine, she'll probably eventually go, she will make it to my folks' place, I do not have an 8mm spanner. I am probably right in saying the number one killers of M30 heads are air-blocks.

Before you drive it any further do one thing and one thing well. Know the bleed procedure; Without the motor hot or running take the cap off and bleed the system by undoing the bleeder screw on the water neck. Let about a glassfull of cold coolant mix out to be sure. Check it again once warmed up (and system pressurised), letting out any more air- this time you will get air more or less immediately and you should only need to bleed coolant for a 10 seconds. The thermostat often prevents the air bleeding through properly when cold (and closed).

Check it on the way, expelling any air (once clear coolant flows the air is gone). From now on any air you get in coming out is (probably) new air, so it'll be nice to know if you don't get any- and your head could be fine if so! Avoid opening the cap pressurised or letting too much coolant out each time you let the bubbles boil through the bleeder screw. Be careful not to scold yourself- the coolant can spray off the fan into your face if the engine is really hot. It takes a minute to pull over and check, better safe than sorry I say. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, we're just concerned for a fellow member. Warped heads are expensive and hard to fix. 'Nuff said now... good luck, Nick

[genphreak]

Lol...FWIR, there's one in the trunk tool kit, if it's still there.

Nick -- JAlfred's too busy scooping the honeys to be working on the car...at least, that's what I'd be doing were I in college :D
best, whit If I had a Bimmer at Uni that's what I'd have been doing. Kids these days, huh! I guess if it overheats on J I guess he's always got the back seat to settle down to. Perhaps the question is which one (s?) does he take home? :D Nick

[JAlfredPrufrock]

HA! Honeys... lol

Few and far between guys, I'm a Mechanical Engineer major at a predominantly male school.

Girls = :(
Curriculum... however, I enjoy.

[DanDombrowski]

Man I feel ya....girls were not plentiful in the Mechanical engineering program I was in at school (and yet I had a good relationship with all the girls that were there).

I ended up taking home a girl from the civil engineering department, and she's still there 18 months later :)

[JAlfredPrufrock]

Not to turn this into a relationship thread or anything but the last thing I want/need is a girlfriend at this point.