WIBIMMERS

When Earl helped me do my suspension, he introduced me to "NGA" for the big bolts.

Alrighty then! Any advice on what to do with it? It also has front end damage in the form of fucked up hood and right fender, and there is no nose panel/kidney grill thingies. I'm optimistically guessing junk yard would give me $300?

I wish I could better know if you were being serious

Hey guys,

Swapped out my thermostat since the temperature would climb, but today I noticed the exhaust is pretty bad, and I've got water dripping out the tailpipe. I took a video of the car getting revved up. it makes some terrible noises when it drops back down in RPMs. Also got a video of it idling. Is this pretty surely a head gasket? Is there a cheap way to check? 

Idle:

Revving:

If it's a head gasket, anybody looking for a project car ? I don't have the space to try to part it out, and I don't want to junk it.

Excuse the noobie question, what exactly are city lights and what is the point?

Haha! Maybe a little bit.

The spraying I think was because I didn't seat the gasket on correctly, and then drove around. It appeared to have "sprayed" because the engine was covered in oil, but perhaps I exaggerated a bit .

Got a new radiator fan, radiator mount (holy shit only $39 on ebay w/ free shipping), and the cap & bleed screw for my expansion tank. Waiting on the gasket to get here and then we'll see how it all goes! I'm hoping the engine was shaking because of the now-asymmetrical radiator fan... hence the new one I ordered.

patsbimmer1 said:

I would get it done as soon as you can but I haven't heard of them getting that bad!

How bad? Are you surprised it's causing smoke?

To be fair, it has been leaking for a while, and I've been told about it... I just always monitored my oil level and didn't think a slow leak was a big deal. If that leak triggers a smokey engine, sounds like it's time to replace it. I'm scarred from the time I attempted to change it on a Nissan several years ago and it ended up spraying (literally) oil all over the engine.

Hmmm so it was probably smoking before too? Should I be able to see something dripping in that area?

Checked down in all the plug wells (holes?) for oil, and didn't find any. It now starts even with the MAF plugged in but it runs a little rough. The car has a distinct vibration. Could this be because the fan is missing some fins? I wouldn't think that imbalance has much effect, but thought I'd add it

After letting it idle a few minutes, the temperature seemed fine, but the engine started to smoke from the area I show here: http://imgur.com/CGYmJAg

The smoke wasn't very thick, but was white/gray. It smelled 'burnt', but I'm not attuned to the standard engine smoking smells. It didn't smell sweet like coolant, but I don't know what burning coolant smells like!

Hmmm, not sure what the mounts are. If you need new ones and it shares any pieces with an e36, my door is your door.

Narcosis said:

Have you pulled & inspected the plugs?

What happened to the car?

Hey narcosis! I have not pulled and inspected the plugs. I pulled a couple coils and looked down the tube to see if there was anything bizarre, but there wasn't. Maybe I should pull all the coils? I changed the plugs about 700 miles ago, so I doubt they're part of it... but if you recommend I still take a look I definitely will!

As far as what happened, I rear-ended someone. I have some pics on the "Well Crap :(" thread if you're curious.

Hmmmm. So letting it idle for a bit, the only abnormal sound is the fan rubbing the duct tape I have holding my overflow hose up, since the fan shroud is snapped. I haven't attempted to drive it since it's still missing a front end.

Any idea what the bad exhaust smell is? Is that from continuous failed starts? Maybe put a lot of fuel in the cylinders or something? Maybe it's just from idling? Any ideas on that?

Here was the sound when it wouldn't start...

http://imgur.com/SaDzEbX

Is that where the crank position sensor is supposed to be??! Looking at images there should definitely be something there... is it possible it hasn't been there for a while or can the engine absolutely not run without it?

Edit: Looks like that was the sensor position for OBD1 engines? I guess the mystery continues!

IT STARTED. After I unhooked the MAF and removed the air filter (maybe unnecessary), it started up. It had a really shakey idle for a bit then seemed to calm down. It smells absolutely terrible. Very exhausty around the engine and in the cabin. I now have a headache.

Rowleym said:

I think it's blown up and I'll even do you the favor of removing the car from you

Haha, this is the 3rd offer from people who could "take it off my hands"! I'm not convinced it's blown up quite yet!

DrLeadFoot said:

What kind of motor?

M52 motor, btw.

Is the e46 regulator the same as an e36? I have an extra door so you could have the regulator for like $10 if it's a match (if you're in milwaukee0

Thanks guys. I'll look into this I. The evening. I ordered a tank and it came with no cap or bleed screw any reason that will be an issue right now? I know I'll need it before I drive around

Hmmm, any way of knowing if there is coolant in the system? I don't know how it would have possibly all spewed out...

I could try to do that tomorrow when it's light again. Do you have a preferred area where the camera should be? I may need to ask my assistant to help!

BTW, it's a 1998 328i.

A couple closer images:

http://imgur.com/a8EpOE1

http://imgur.com/RAKI4V5