Time to change the head gasket or..? - United Bimmer Community

**mr-bear** · 01-08-2007, 03:11 AM

Hi there.
I hope you can help me.

I have a few problems that I really need to get sorted out:

Coolant seems to disappear
When idling the the engine runs great for 2 sec. then a bit rough for 2 sec. and then back again,the same thing happens when revving it up

On both occasions the car shakes a little.

I do have white fumes from the exhaust when I'm revving and sometimes when I'm idling but but I have that on my other car as well that I don't have any coolant problem on that one.

The oil is changed and there's no indication of water in the oil.

When water runs low I loose the heating in the car.

I have tried bleeding it and air comes out from time to time

The car is a 320iA Touring -95 with 200000kms on the dial (124274 miles (I think))

SO.. Is it a blown headgasket or?

Why is the car shaking?
All and any comments are welcome.

Hope you can help me

**c1apton** · 01-08-2007, 06:10 AM

I'd add a couple of bottles of "Bars Leaks" before blaming head gasket or cracked head. Bars Leak is a brand, not just a stop leak product and it's one of few that actually work.
Your description sounds like it could be a head gasket but try the above 1st.
The roughness problem could be related but it could also be vac leak, poor gas, moisture in gas, plugs, ICV - the list goes on. Need to know when last plug change, air filter, fuel filter,etc... to give you an idea of possibles.

**mr-bear** · 01-08-2007, 06:13 AM

Well.. the last oil and complete filterchange was done two weeks ago, sparkplugs I dont know.

What sparkplugs is recommended to the 6-cyl engine?

**mr-bear** · 01-08-2007, 06:46 AM

By the way: I've already added whynns to the coolingsystem. Is it possoble to mix these two?

**c1apton** · 01-08-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr-bear

Well.. the last oil and complete filterchange was done two weeks ago, sparkplugs I dont know.

What sparkplugs is recommended to the 6-cyl engine?

You'll have to check your owners manual or at the local parts store. Plugs vary by model year and I couldn't begin or attempt to perscribe a plug for your model.
And yes you can mix Bars Leak with just about any other stop leak - as I mentioned Bars Leak works - the others are pretty poor excuses for stop leak products.
You also might consider buying a DIY manual for your car.

**mr-bear** · 01-08-2007, 08:20 AM

Well.. I have Haynes but that is not very good. I've checked Bars Leaks and found out that there's a special one for headgaskets, but you have to flush the system first because it dont mix with coolant (the one i looked at).

Witch one of the different "Bars Leaks" products were you thinking of?

**karlow** · 01-08-2007, 02:17 PM

Check plugs for signs of rust, and water.

**mr-bear** · 01-09-2007, 02:35 AM

Thanks. I have'nt thought of that yet. Will do that