P38 diesel mystery coolant loss

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Hi all, the latest update in this saga is that now the head is cracked apparently. I obviously need a new head but how much skim is ok as I hear they shouldn't really be skimmed? Many thanks.
 
Last edited:
Gazza36 said:
Hi all, the latest update in this saga is that now the head is cracked apparently. I obviously need a new head but how much skim is ok as I hear they shouldn't really be skimmed? Many thanks.
Click to expand...

BMW say no skim is allowed on these heads. If a head is warped it is scrap. Likewise if the mating surfaces are pitted. You can however clean them up with a flat block and some fine wet or dry paper. Always fit a three hole gasket.
 
Gazza36 said:
Hi all, the latest update in this saga is that now the head is cracked apparently. I obviously need a new head but how much skim is ok as I hear they shouldn't really be skimmed? Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Why would you contemplate skimming a cracked head? A new head will not need skimming and nor will a good secondhand one. Skim it and you weaken an already weak head.
 
I wasn't talking about skimming the cracked one, a reconditioned one I was looking at had been skimmed. Thanks for the info, glad I checked.
 
Hello all, I was just wondering roughly how long do you think it would take to reassemble the the engine after removing the head? Cheers.
 
Gazza36 said:
Hello all, I was just wondering roughly how long do you think it would take to reassemble the the engine after removing the head? Cheers.
Click to expand...

Depends how quickly you work. Torquing the head bolts takes time, it is done in eight stages you need to run the engine up to temp and let it cool preferably overnight before you do the final 90 degrees.
 
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