Re: Rob, you should read

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In Reply to: Rod, please read posted by Rob Anderson on May 04, 2001 at 10:48:00:

As for head gaskets on the S-38. Yes, I have done it, however quoting the 30 hours I put into replacing the head gasket on my S-38 is other than a good comparison. I have reservation that fast is good. I have plenty of horror stories to tell you about the fast BMW mechanic.

As for your argument about brake torque derived from the floating vs fixed caliper, I will let you argue that out with "Brake Handbook" by Fred Puhn. Hint: chart on page 99, the floating calipers in general will develop more pad pressure than a fixed caliper because the area of the single piston is multiplied by 2 in the calculation and that usually will exceeds the total area of the 4 pistons in the fixed caliper. The only other variable that are a factor in the brake torque comparison is the effective rotor radius and pad coefficient of friction.

Rob wrote:-------------
Rod, about mis-information, aren't you the one who tried to argue with me that my father's M635csi actually had larger bars from the factory than a 19mm/15.5mm?? Oh yes, that was you. But on to more important things. You have never done the job yourself. And actually, I never said that I have personally done it, but I have watched it done and it took a BMW Mechanic 12 hours to do. YES 12 HOURS! And I can will say that it was done correctly since I never saw the car come back into the shop for anything more than an oil change. I never said I was comparing it to an M30. You obviously are trying to put words in my mouth like the post on brakes. Also also never said to pull the head to make sure it is not warped. I said, "Second I think that I would replace it now and make sure the head is not warped." If you can't follow english grammar let me break it down for you. That means once you have the head off, make sure that it is not warped. Any shop worth the money they make will tell you the same thing. Once you have the head off, make sure it is not warped. I think you need to get off you high horse and come back down to reality. Some of us have more experience than you want to give us. I know of some things that can go seriously wrong doing a head job on any car, but I can also tell you that if you know what you are doing it is not as hard as you might think. And well, if you actually read the original post before you try to get into an arguement with me, you will see that he already has a leaking head gasket, how would you complete a valid leak down test on a motor that already has a known leak??? Last time I checked that was really hard. Lastly if you don't like what I post don't read it. Plenty of other people on the list have had help from me and most people admit that when I respond, I will let you know if it is a WAG. But please don't question my knowledge unless you fully understand what the question being asked is and what my response is. If you don't understand what I am saying ask me to clarify, don't say I am wrong.

Rob,
You are the most argumentative person on the message board. Mis-information is less valuable than no information!!

Rob... when I had the head replaced on my S38 motor it took the tech 15+ hours, covered under BMW factory warranty.
Also, replacing the head gasket on an S38 motor is an order of magnitude more difficult and expensive than the M30 in the M535i and can lead to some serious repair bills and If it isn't done correctly, disaster!

I would never pull the head to make sure the head isn't warped. Either there is a definitive reason to suspect a warped head, like an engine overheat and high leak down % or you leave the head alone.
Rod...

Rob wrote:-----------------
I think 15-20 hours is a little high. Second I think that I would replace it now and make sure the head is not warped.

I have had a slow oil leak, which has been traced using dye/UV to the front passenger-side corner of the head gasket. My mechanic
whom I trust is advising doing nothing until it gets worse, then replace gasket, which he says could run $1500 (15-20 hours labor). I
have no other symptoms such as white or blue exhaust, discolored oil, oil in coolant or disappearing coolant. It barely leaks when
parked over night, just get a few drops worth on floor. In fact, they couldn't find it after running the car for 90 minutes, so I had to drive
it a few days. What prompted me to bring it in was I used a quart of oil in 2k miles. Yes I drive it fairly hard, lots of short trips (no
track). Car has 80k miles on it. I would appreciate any advice on: 1. should I just sit tight and monitor it? 2. should I do any other tests
now (compression)? 3. Is this common in the S38 at this mileage? 4. might the head be warped or cracked? 5. Assuming it is the
gasket and I have it done at some point, does 15-20 hours sound right, and what else should be done while it's pulled. THANKS a
million for any advice.

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