M52 328i Engine Problems

[ericbass]

Hi everyone!

My 328i (M52 with the replacement block) has just given up on me after a very enjoyable 205,000 miles. Lots of rough running, blue smoke, oil in the exhaust etc - but still starts ok! I suspect the cylinder head is cracked at worst, or the head gasket blown at best. It had a very slow loss of coolant for the past few years (ever since the crap plastic water pup failed and boiled the engine).

So, just did a compression test on a warmed up engine with the following results (in bar):

1. 13.9
2. 13.9
3. 12.9
4. 12.2
5. 10.9
6. 13.0

Obviously these are way out of limits in terms of difference between cylinders!

Since I want to do an engine rebuild for the fun of it, I have a few questions:

a. What compression result does an engine with new pistons, rings and a rebore have?

b. How do I get the front bumper assembly of the car, so that I can get the engine and gearbox out in one piece?

c. Can I get the engine out on my driveway just using an engine hoist/crane?

If I actually get the engine out, I'll probably start thinking about performance mods as well! So if anyone has any experience with these M52s, maybe you could point me in the right direction.

Cheers all.

Eric

[phelix]

Only cylinder #5 looks like a problem - the others have some variability but that's to be expected.

You might wish to consider a leakdown test to verify further where the problem is: it should help pinpoint bore/ring wear, worn valves or a cracked head/leaking head gasket. Or just pull the head and see what you find; valve work and fresh rings may solve the problem.

[MPETT]

drop me an email with ur number and I can tell u about my experience to date with same issue. Martin

[sniff diesel]

I've taken engines out of E36's with just a trolley jack and a plank of wood. It helps if you take the whole front end off the car which is easy enough.