How to Replace a BMW 3-Series Head Gasket
Do you have a blown head gasket on your BMW? Replacing a head gasket on a BMW requires quite the skill but it can be done. Especially when you are trying to save money.
First of all, it must be clear that you have a blown head gasket. Some of the symptoms of a blown head gasket are:
- Coolant leak
- Loss of coolant with no visible leaks
- Engine is overheating
- Bubbles in the radiator
- Bubbles in the coolant overflow tank
- White smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe
To begin your head gasket replacement you will need tools such as camshaft timing tools, a torque wrench, angle finder, plastic clean up tool, and standard hand tools.
BMW Head Gasket Replacement Steps
Here are the steps to replace your head gasket.
- Drain engine oil
- Drain coolant
- Disconnect negative battery cable
- Remove engine covers
- Remove valve cover
- Remove engine cooling fan
- Remove shroud
- Remove exhaust and intake manifold
- Remove coolant case from crankcase
- Remove VANOS oil line
- Pull hose clamp off coolant pipe
- Remove two 10mm fasteners
- Remove coolant pipe
- Remove plastic camshaft cover
- Rotate engine clockwise until camshaft lobes point toward each other
- Remove dust plug from crankcase
- Install crankshaft locking pin tool
- Remove studs at rear of cylinder head
- Install camshaft locking jig
- Remove 8mm plug
- Remove full VANOS
- Remove primary timing chain tensioner
- Compress the secondary timing chain tensioner
- Remove three 10mm impulse wheel fasteners from exhaust camshaft
- Remove impulse wheel from camshaft
- Remove spring plate
- Remove three E8 inverted Torx bolts
- Lift camshaft timing chain
- Remove timing chain tensioner
- Remove splined shaft
- Remove exhaust camshaft sprocket
- Remove four E8 inverted Torx timing chain cover fasteners
- Remove cylinder head from engine
- Remove cylinder head gasket
- Remove all ol head gasket material
- Insert new head gasket on the block
- Tighten new head gasket
- Reinstall timing chain
- Lock in camshafts
- Install crankshaft locking pin tool
- Install exhaust camshaft sprocket
- Install timing chain presentation tool
- Install timing chain tensioner
- Install exhaust camshaft splined spacer
- Install intake and exhaust camshaft sprocket
- Install intake camshaft spring plate
- Install spring plate
- Install camshaft impulse wheel
- Preload timing chain tensioner and exhaust camshaft impulse wheel
- Re-install full VANOS
- Lock down camshaft adjustment fasteners
- Rotate engine back to place
Replacing a head gasket on your BMW can be a lot of work. Here at The Haus we specialize in BMW head gasket replacement. Visit our Contact Us page to schedule an appointment.