Compression….

[Tomk]

Hi could get some advice for n this please.
I‘be done a compression check on n my 1997 year 2.8 Z3. The results are as follows from cylinder 6 to 1:
200, 120, 115, 140, 200, 135. Plus see attached photo.
The garage I initially took it to said they thought it was an exhaust valve then concluded it was nikasil.
since getting the car back I’ve done the above test and noticed a little ‘mayonnaise’ in the expansion tank, plus the oil level is below minimum (recently did an oil change - correct amounts).
There is blue smoke sometimes on start up.

I’m a little unsure where to go with this could it just be the head gasket? And or more? Do I just sack of the engine and take a chance on a second hand unit?
Thanks

 

[Tomk]

Just to add I’ve checked to find I have the tab on the engine block so from what I’ve read this engine has been sorted for nikasil issues….

 

[Tomk]

Drained the coolant, looks pretty oily to me
Not a huge amount either….

 

[t-tony]

Look for a good used motor, preferably c/w MOT emissions receipt.

Tony.

 

[Andyboy]

That's not clever.

The problem is finding a good single vanos 2.8...they are like gold dust now. Later twin vanos units are more common but would be a lot of work to fit and make work.

A head gasket replacement is a can of worms. It's doable but you will almost certainly need to drill out and Timesert on the block where the head bolts screw in. If not you can pretty much guarantee one or more block threads will strip on torquing the head bolts. I've done that tango too many times.

Short term fix - drain the coolant, flush it out with clean water and tip a bottle of Steel Seal into it. Unlike K Seal, it actually works.

 

[Tomk]

Look for a good used motor, preferably c/w MOT emissions receipt.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, dumb question what’s c/w?

 

[Tomk]

That's not clever.

The problem is finding a good single vanos 2.8...they are like gold dust now. Later twin vanos units are more common but would be a lot of work to fit and make work.

A head gasket replacement is a can of worms. It's doable but you will almost certainly need to drill out and Timesert on the block where the head bolts screw in. If not you can pretty much guarantee one or more block threads will strip on torquing the head bolts. I've done that tango too many times.

Short term fix - drain the coolant, flush it out with clean water and tip a bottle of Steel Seal into it. Unlike K Seal, it actually works.

realise its all a can of worms, I’ve had a look for a single vanos without much luck. I have no idea of cost to do the head gasket, but maybe the better the devil you know ….and finding someone to do it right.

 

[Andyboy]

Where are you based?

I don’t want to do it but I know a few really good BMW techs.

 

[t-tony]

c/w Read as “comes with”. In other words you know that it passed the previous MOT emissions test.

Tony.

 

[Tomk]

Where are you based?

I don’t want to do it but I know a few really good BMW techs.

Wiltshire. cheers

 

[Tomk]

So I’ve found a possible replacement engine, however it and auto.

mom sure physically they will match up, but is there issues ecu wise? Or any other potential issues?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Auto engine wont present any issues. My replacement engine came from a manual car and went into my automatic Zed with no problems.

 

[Tomk]

Auto engine wont present any issues. My replacement engine came from a manual car and went into my automatic Zed with no problems.

Did you swop ecu’s?
Where in the West Country are you?
cheers

 

[Jack Ratt]

I'm near Truro. I used my own car electrics. I didn't fit the engine myself. I bought the replacement engine from a guy on Ebay and he told me after I bought it, that he was a partner in a small garage in Bristol, specializing BMW's, mainly M's.
After a brief discussion he told me they would do the engine change for a fee. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the total cost for the whole job was £1600 and it was completed in just 4 days. This work was carried out between Boxing Day and New Years Day 2018. The guy who did the job is Josef Kiss who now runs his own workshop.

I bought my engine from Josef's business partner, I think his name was Glen. I've had no contact with either of them since they did the work for me, except that I follow Kiss MotorWorks on FB.

I'll try and post a link

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