BLOCK REPAIR?

[smiler5870]

Hi Guys
Looks like my e36 328i has either blown the headgasket or something worse as its overheating and throwing water out of the exhaust.

I have the opportunity to buy a replacement engine from an accident damaged vehicle but it has a small hole in the block where one of the air con mounting studs were (knocked off when he hit the tree)

Does anyone have any experience of repairing small holes and what is best to use.

I have attached 2 photos showing the hole

[Oldandslow]

I've repaired castings with "plastic metal". Resin loaded with metal powder making a near metal like solid you can even machine to shape. Not sure how it would handle pressure covering a hole like that. If it was into a thick section I'd say drill, tap and fit a bolt sealed with aforementioned plastic metal or RTV but looks too thin.

My best suggestion is find someone who welds cast iron to put a spot over that hole, might be tricky to get enough heat in.

[redgriff500]

Personally I'd rather change the headgasket on yours than fit that.

However I too have used the putty described above - needed replacing every 6 months on a thermostat housing.

I have seen crack stitching done - drilling holes and fitting screws in which should work on that but TBH I'd pass.

[shoehorn]

That`s ally and a doddle for a welder.

[Mr2Mike]

Oldandslow said:

My best suggestion is find someone who welds cast iron to put a spot over that hole, might be tricky to get enough heat in.

It will definitely be tricky to weld aluminium alloy with cast iron rods

Chemical metal may work to block the hole, but do you need to use the fixing for the aircon on your car? If so then welding is the only way to get a satisfactory repair.

[blade7]

shoehorn said:

That`s ally and a doddle for a welder.

I would have thought it's cast alloy, possibly Nikasil in any case the filler rod needs to be compatible.

[Oldandslow]

D'oh, assumed it was an iron block. Should have realised it didn't look rusty enough.

[blade7]

Oldandslow said:

D'oh, assumed it was an iron block. Should have realised it didn't look rusty enough.

E36/46 M3's have iron blocks.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Im sure they don't like having the head off the block tbh I'd find a different engine

[shoehorn]

blade7 said:

I would have thought it's cast alloy, possibly Nikasil in any case the filler rod needs to be compatible.

Niksail is a coating on wear surfaces.

[blade7]

shoehorn said:

Niksail is a coating on wear surfaces.

What's Niksail ?.

[4key]

blade7 said:

shoehorn said:

Niksail is a coating on wear surfaces.

What's Niksail ?.

It's when you use a big pair of old lady bloomer pants as a sail on a yacht.

[blade7]

4key said:

It's when you use a big pair of old lady bloomer pants as a sail on a yacht.

[TheEnd]

It's a mixture of nickel and silicon that makes a tough coating for aluminium engine cylinders.

It's only downfall is it it's allergic to petrol.

[NightRunner]

A bit like making a kettle out of ice...

[Astra Dan]

I'm amazed you're even considering swapping your engine for that.

[blade7]

TheEnd said:

It's a mixture of nickel and silicon that makes a tough coating for aluminium engine cylinders.

It's only downfall is it it's allergic to petrol.

I thought that was Nikasil and it was damaged by sulpher.

[TheEnd]

I thought Nikasil was damaged by Sulphur.