Head Gasket Replacement Shortcut DIY

tommytoyz · 03-11-2012, 02:58 PM

I recently replaced my head gasket on my 323i 1999. But it is leaking again. I think the mistake I did was to scratch some of the new gasket material on the new gasket - the black stuff that goes around the piston hole cut out - and installed it anyway.

Car has not overheated - not even a little. But I know I have water being blown out and some oik in the coolant and a gunky oil cap.

Here's my question:

I know how to replace the head gasket the long way. But having done it once before, I realized there may be a much faster way to do this job and I want to know if anyone has done it like I am about to decribe:

1. Remove the hood
2. Remove the intake manifold
3. Remove the Valve cover
4. Remove the chain tensioner
5. Remove the head bolts
6. Install hoist
7. Gently hoist up the head a few inches
8. Remove old Head Gasket through the gap
9. Clean surfaces through gap as best as possible
9. Install new Head gasket through the gap
10. Lower the head carefully
11. Reassemble

This would eliminate taking off anything on the exhaust manifold side and the Vanos and chains.

Of course you can not inspect and test the head this way, but I recently had that done and am reasonably sure that's not the problem. Anybody done this?

E46_330i_Stud · 03-11-2012, 03:03 PM

So your saying you didn't send the head off to a machine shop to at least be checked?

SweetBMW · 03-11-2012, 03:44 PM

If you're sure anything didnt twist or deform, this will work. But its not the recommended way.

tommytoyz · 03-11-2012, 11:14 PM

Yes, the 1st time I did send the head off to have it checked and resurfaced. I know it is not the recommended way, but would make it doable in half the time - or even faster. I only have about 5,000 miles since I did the head gasket and everything was perfect, until a few days ago, when I started using up coolant and a few other signs that - unfortunately - make it pretty clear to me the gasket is not holding for some reason.

I might do it the traditional way, as I was planning on changing the clutch and rear seal, which requires removal of the exhaust and detaching from the exhaust manifold. But not sure yet.

I think a hoist is mandatory in any case - regardless of method - because even with 2 people, it's too easy to nick it on installation onto the new gasket. The head is just too big and heavy.

At least I'll be much faster the 2nd time as I know exactly where everything is and how it comes apart and back together. No more hours of searching for a way to get something off or on.....

Mango · 03-12-2012, 03:01 AM

Sounds like you're asking for approval for doing something half-assed. You're going through all that work, don't gamble with your time.

INB4 blockedout

tommytoyz · 03-12-2012, 09:46 PM

I was asking if anyone had done it this way once before or not. It seems like I'll do it the long way....again

Brinkley · 03-12-2012, 10:47 PM

How is this really a shortcut? You're doing all that work and then instead of removing head and doing job properly you will just save the 60 seconds to hoist head up and remove from car. Did you get the head checked last time? What about the studs were you able to re-torque all to spec? I'm all about saving time/money but I will say that this particular job, if being done, is one that should be done right.

DonnieC · 01-10-2013, 04:11 PM

How much did the head gasket you put in cost you? I just dropped my car off at the mechanic less than an hour ago and it was overheating really bad. I could see there was antifreeze leaking out underneath the hood area of the car but not really smoking from the tail pipe just the hood.

WDE46 · 01-10-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnieC

How much did the head gasket you put in cost you? I just dropped my car off at the mechanic less than an hour ago and it was overheating really bad. I could see there was antifreeze leaking out underneath the hood area of the car but not really smoking from the tail pipe just the hood.

Your expansion tank probably blew up. That is the most common thing. AFTER your ET blows up, you lose all your coolant, overheat, and if you aren't fast enough, you can blow the headgasket and warp the head. IF you turned it off fast enough, then you just need to do a cooling system overhaul.

willsbma · 01-10-2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDE46

Your expansion tank probably blew up. That is the most common thing. AFTER your ET blows up, you lose all your coolant, overheat, and if you aren't fast enough, you can blow the headgasket and warp the head. IF you turned it off fast enough, then you just need to do a cooling system overhaul.

Could be one of the hard coolant pipes under the manifold too.

03-11-2012, 02:58 PM	#1
tommytoyz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Manhattan Beach Posts: 148 My Ride: 1999 e46 323i View My Garage	Head Gasket Replacement Shortcut DIY I recently replaced my head gasket on my 323i 1999. But it is leaking again. I think the mistake I did was to scratch some of the new gasket material on the new gasket - the black stuff that goes around the piston hole cut out - and installed it anyway. Car has not overheated - not even a little. But I know I have water being blown out and some oik in the coolant and a gunky oil cap. Here's my question: I know how to replace the head gasket the long way. But having done it once before, I realized there may be a much faster way to do this job and I want to know if anyone has done it like I am about to decribe: 1. Remove the hood 2. Remove the intake manifold 3. Remove the Valve cover 4. Remove the chain tensioner 5. Remove the head bolts 6. Install hoist 7. Gently hoist up the head a few inches 8. Remove old Head Gasket through the gap 9. Clean surfaces through gap as best as possible 9. Install new Head gasket through the gap 10. Lower the head carefully 11. Reassemble This would eliminate taking off anything on the exhaust manifold side and the Vanos and chains. Of course you can not inspect and test the head this way, but I recently had that done and am reasonably sure that's not the problem. Anybody done this?

03-11-2012, 03:03 PM	#2
E46_330i_Stud Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,891 My Ride: 2004 330ci ZHP 6MT View My Garage	So your saying you didn't send the head off to a machine shop to at least be checked? __________________ 1995 325i 5mt ArcticGrey/Dove - SOLD 2004 330ci ZHP 6MT SilberGrau/Black - SOLD 2001 330i M-Sport 5MT StaulGrau/Grey - SOLD 1992 Accord LX Sedan 275k miles all original - DAILY 2002 Chevy Suburban LT Autoride - TOY HAULER 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT - RACE TRUCK!

03-11-2012, 03:44 PM	#3
SweetBMW Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 316 My Ride: 318CIA View My Garage	If you're sure anything didnt twist or deform, this will work. But its not the recommended way. __________________

03-12-2012, 03:01 AM	#5
Mango Platinum Plus Quality Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 16,354 My Ride: M54B30 View My Garage	Sounds like you're asking for approval for doing something half-assed. You're going through all that work, don't gamble with your time. INB4 blockedout __________________ Cooling \| Maintenance \| Vacuum \| Suspension \| Costs "Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." -Steve Jobs

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03-11-2012, 11:14 PM	#4
tommytoyz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Manhattan Beach Posts: 148 My Ride: 1999 e46 323i View My Garage	Yes, the 1st time I did send the head off to have it checked and resurfaced. I know it is not the recommended way, but would make it doable in half the time - or even faster. I only have about 5,000 miles since I did the head gasket and everything was perfect, until a few days ago, when I started using up coolant and a few other signs that - unfortunately - make it pretty clear to me the gasket is not holding for some reason. I might do it the traditional way, as I was planning on changing the clutch and rear seal, which requires removal of the exhaust and detaching from the exhaust manifold. But not sure yet. I think a hoist is mandatory in any case - regardless of method - because even with 2 people, it's too easy to nick it on installation onto the new gasket. The head is just too big and heavy. At least I'll be much faster the 2nd time as I know exactly where everything is and how it comes apart and back together. No more hours of searching for a way to get something off or on.....

03-12-2012, 09:46 PM	#6
tommytoyz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Manhattan Beach Posts: 148 My Ride: 1999 e46 323i View My Garage	I was asking if anyone had done it this way once before or not. It seems like I'll do it the long way....again

03-12-2012, 10:47 PM	#7
Brinkley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: asheville NC Posts: 1,424 My Ride: 99 328i, 02 325ic View My Garage	How is this really a shortcut? You're doing all that work and then instead of removing head and doing job properly you will just save the 60 seconds to hoist head up and remove from car. Did you get the head checked last time? What about the studs were you able to re-torque all to spec? I'm all about saving time/money but I will say that this particular job, if being done, is one that should be done right.

01-10-2013, 04:11 PM	#8
DonnieC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 8 My Ride: BMW E46 323i View My Garage	How much did the head gasket you put in cost you? I just dropped my car off at the mechanic less than an hour ago and it was overheating really bad. I could see there was antifreeze leaking out underneath the hood area of the car but not really smoking from the tail pipe just the hood.