Re: bmw-digest V9 #1998

[Bimmers Only <bmrfamly@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill
  Since the panic about headbolts on M20 motors, I've seen more cracked
blocks on M20 motors than all other motor types in the 37 years I've been
professionally working on BMWs.
  If you pop a headgasket.....panic.  If you pull the valve cover and find
a couple bolt heads missing............PANIC.
  If you go out this weekend and change your headbolts without pulling the
head and sanitizing the bolt holes within the block.........PANIC! because
you've just cracked your block.
  If you want to change the headbolts, do so as part of a complete valve
job, or entire motor rebuild, which is probably in order on a 13 yr old car
(check the manufacturing date posted on the driver's door jam.  Commonly,
it will be a year or two earlier than the car is titled).
  Remember, the design life on your car was 6 yr/50k miles.  In Germany,
85% of 89' 325's were retired (scrapped) at 6 yrs, and 50k miles (source
ADAC = German AAA).

 Dan Patzer the CyberWrench from BIMMERS ONLY Seattle's exclusive BMW hobby
shop
Providing O.E.M. parts, Independent service & Instruction since 1964
 12724  Marine Drive,  Marysville, Wa. 98271
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