Euro cruise disaster

Gary, I've just caught up on this thread. Sorry to hear the final outcome. Just a couple of things from me. We were right behind you when your engine failed and did not hear a bang that has been mentioned, also our car had a mist if oil over the windscreen and front of it so I agree that all the oil wasn't being burnt.
I agree that the best way forward is another Zed, but a strip down would be useful to know what happened.
 
Mint said:
Gary, I've just caught up on this thread. Sorry to hear the final outcome. Just a couple of things from me. We were right behind you when your engine failed and did not hear a bang that has been mentioned, also our car had a mist if oil over the windscreen and front of it so I agree that all the oil wasn't being burnt.
I agree that the best way forward is another Zed, but a strip down would be useful to know what happened.
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I'm going to take the head off for a closer inspection. I'm a bit concerned that number 3 & 4 pistons faces look like the surface of a pizza, but someone said it's most likely burnt oil ??? If I can clean the faces without too much hassle I'll carry on with the repair. I still might give her to my boys though and get me another one
 
Nothing new to report at the moment. I've started removing bits but as there's no pressure to get it done this is going to be a drawn out job.
I've got the exhaust manifold and the inlet manifold off, next is the radiator, then I'll dismantle the vanos then the head will come off.
 
I hope that when you get it all in bits it is not as bad as you think it might be, I wish you well
 
Finally got the head off this weekend and first impressions make me feel fairly optimistic that the old girl will ride again.
As I found from my endoscope inspection there is / was water in numbers 4 & 5 cylinders, but no damage on initial inspection, so I cleaned the water out with industrial tissues and applied a light coating of grease to each of the cylinder walls and piston faces. The engine was running very clean given that there isn't any carbon build up anywhere.
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The cylinder head looks good too on first inspection. Again there are no carbon deposits at all.

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I need to get a proper straight edge to check it properly but I've done a quick check using a blade from my saw and have to say it looks good, but I'll reserve judgement until I can have a better look.

I have though found that my vanos needs attention. The vanos wasn't noisy but there is enough play in the piston to warn me of future problems if they aren't addressed now. It's another job, but while it's out I might as well sort it. I think a vanos seal for a M52 engine is around £30 so it's a no brainer.

I don't know how long it wilI take me to get these jobs done but I feel a hell of a lot better now I've opened her up.

It's been a few years since I did a head gasket on a car, but these days I work at a more leisurely pace and I'm a lot more patient.

I'll order the head gasket set when pay day comes, along with a new water pump, thermostat, vanos seal kit and any other bits and bobs I've forgot to mention.

I'll keep you posted but don't hold your breath, it's only took me 5 months to get this far =))
 
Nice one mate, hope all works out well, let me know if you find a VANOS kit for £30 as I can't find one for less then £70
 
Sounds positive Garry. Good luck with mate. :thumbsup:
 
Sean d said:
Nice one mate, hope all works out well, let me know if you find a VANOS kit for £30 as I can't find one for less then £70
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Thanks Sean, with regards to the vanos, my car is a M52 with single vanos and when I looked online this morning the seal kit was £29.99. I think 6 cylinder facelift cars, M52TU and M54 are dual vanos so twice the number of seals so twice the price

http://www.mrvanos.com/Single-Vanos-Kit(2722819).htm

and the link for the twin vanos kit, bit cheaper than £70

http://www.mrvanos.com/BMW-Twin-Vanos-M54(2722826).htm
 
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Althulas said:
That’s potentially good news, so it was just head gasket failure? I was wondering due to the reported oil loss at the scene.

Would it be worth while to have the head blue printed to check 100% on a possible warp?
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If I have a doubt after checking it myself I will turn to the pro's. The maximum warp limit is usually around 5 thou on a cylinder head, unless things have moved on considerably which is easy to see and measure with a straight edge, a good light and feeler gauges.
 
HI jack glad its not as bad as you thought it might have been, hope you get it all sorted.

Geoff
 
Brilliant news Jack. Nice to see she's on the mend. I bought one of those Vanos kits for the 2.8 my dad has, two seals and a spacer 29.99 :D
 
Sean d said:
Nice one mate, hope all works out well, let me know if you find a VANOS kit for £30 as I can't find one for less then £70
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The Single Vanos M52 has fewer seals hence cheaper I think.
The MK1 2.8 really is the cheapest engine to run:)
 
Good news potentially.
Can you see the point on the gasket where it has failed
 
Mmmm whilst you in there and all that...port and polish head, high lift can, bore out cylinders...

Oh as you have the manifold off might as well do the M50 intake...or supercharger?
;)




Nice to hear it's all clean in there, what's the mileage?
 
Good news so far Gary, would it be best to have the head skimmed while you've got it off just to be sure. can you check to see if any of the piston rings have broken ?
 
Jack Ratt said:
If I have a doubt after checking it myself I will turn to the pro's. The maximum warp limit is usually around 5 thou on a cylinder head, unless things have moved on considerably which is easy to see and measure with a straight edge, a good light and feeler gauges.
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Good work Ratty me old mate, that means you will have it back together in no time and come over here for next years Limborit again.
:thumbsup:
 
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