My personal Monday continues

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 03/01/2016 at 16:39 • Filed to: None

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We were learning how to do compression tests at tech school today and I thought for shits and grins I’d do the M3. While taking out the coil packs I noticed oil on the ends of the boots. Which means my valve cover gasket is bad, yaay.

So coil packs and valve cover comes off.

Not bad for a 180k mile engine!

I am SO GLAD the internals of the engine looked pretty damn clean. The timing chain was nice and tight too which is SO AWESOME.

$66 later, valve cover gasket is being delivered to the auto parts store as we speak, and I got new, fresh boots.

My car is currently sitting in the shop at school with the valve cover off awaiting new parts. Which means I have to drive the Safari tomorrow :(

Update: Woo, new gasket is here!

PatBateman > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 16:43

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I would have SO ruined that engine if I had attempted that.

GMart > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 16:46

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M50 MANIFOLD WHILE YOU’RE IN THERE!!!!!!!! :-D

iSureWilll > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 16:47

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When you go to seal up the valve cover, put some RTV high temp type sealant on the spots with circles below. I’ve had a LOT of them leak there with brand new gaskets until I started putting a little dot of sealant over those cracks.

iSureWilll > PatBateman 03/01/2016 at 16:48

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Its not as bad as it looks :)

JGrabowMSt > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 16:48

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I did my valve cover gaskets this past summer, in the next few weeks the HEMIWagon is going to reach uncharted territories, and it’s going to be awesome. I’m going to learn how to rebuild a diff. Taking a 3.06 open diff and converting it to a limited slip, then stuffing it into the HEMIWagon along with adjustable control arms and 500hp axles.

E36 looks so clean though. What’s next on your mod list?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > iSureWilll 03/01/2016 at 16:48

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Yeah it tells you to do that in the instructions I got off the mechanic All Data. My teacher has a whole cabinet full of RTV so there’s no reason for me not to.

PatBateman > iSureWilll 03/01/2016 at 16:48

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You don’t know about my amazing “breaking shit” skills.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > GMart 03/01/2016 at 16:49

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I wish.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 16:49

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Are valve covers NOT supposed to leak?

- Toyota owner

iSureWilll > PatBateman 03/01/2016 at 16:49

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Sounds exciting!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JGrabowMSt 03/01/2016 at 16:50

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Some goddamn headlights! Then lowering springs hopefully. H&R Sport Springs.

GMart > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 16:50

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It was without a doubt the best thing I did for mine.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/01/2016 at 16:51

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Nah, totally normal :)

JGrabowMSt > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 16:53

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Have you done the water pump? I’m not completely sure of all the specifics, but I know the E36 water pumps can be trouble, and there’s good aftermarket ones and bad aftermarket ones.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JGrabowMSt 03/01/2016 at 16:56

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The water pumps already been upgraded to a metal aftermarket one. No breaking impellers for me!

uofime-2 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 17:04

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Did you end up completing that compression test?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > uofime-2 03/01/2016 at 17:05

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Nope. I’ll probably do it after I get everything wrapped up.

finn's arm > GMart 03/01/2016 at 17:26

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Did you use a kit or not?

I’m considering doing it while I have my valve cover off and looking at cleaning up my injectors (Have pink tops, but will probably just clean up my filters on my greenies)

uofime-2 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 17:32

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Fingers crossed for a clean bill of health!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 17:44

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While taking out the coil packs I noticed oil on the ends of the boots. Which means my valve cover gasket is bad, yaay.

I know this hell. The only thing more fun than this is having an engine that was only ever used in one generation of cars by one manufacturer (and only on the higher trim levels) and having to buy three gaskets before getting one that fits.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 03/01/2016 at 17:46

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That’s on the highest level of “fuck this bullshit”

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 17:49

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Fuggin’ Saturn 1.9l DOHC. To make it worse there were two or three variations of valve cover. Just for that engine. Great damn car (‘97 SL2 base model manual AKA the Champagne Shitbox) but holy hell I hate fixing it/finding parts.

Big Bubba Ray > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 03/01/2016 at 18:42

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How was the compression on the M3?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Big Bubba Ray 03/01/2016 at 18:45

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I never actually got to the test... I’m gonna do it tomorrow after everything’s all put back together. I don't imagine it's gonna be bad though, the engines pretty damn heathy.

GMart > finn's arm 03/02/2016 at 09:04

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I did not - I just got some vacuum hose, some T-fittings and followed some instructions on bimmerforums really closely. I never had any idle problems, so I figure I got it right the first time. I got the manifold itself from a junkyard and I think I replaced the gaskets for the TB and the manifold itself. This was in 2005, so the fine details are fuzzy. :-)

finn's arm > GMart 03/02/2016 at 10:32

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Ah <3 ty

I am doing a few things now, but I think in a few months I’ll do a full refresh and I’ll get the kit for it then.