P38A 2.5 Diesel - What Head Gasket

Hi All,

2.5 Diesel p38.

Head gasket has failed apparently. Any suggestions on what brand bits to go for? On my VW engined Volvos I'd normally stick to Victor Reinz multi layered steel hg and Febi or Elring for other gaskets. Will have head skimmed and tested, new stem seals, injector washers etc while apart.

Rich

RAW111111 said:

Hi All,

2.5 Diesel p38.

Head gasket has failed apparently. Any suggestions on what brand bits to go for? On my VW engined Volvos I'd normally stick to Victor Reinz multi layered steel hg and Febi or Elring for other gaskets. Will have head skimmed and tested, new stem seals, injector washers etc while apart.

Rich

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BMW do NOT recommend head skimming on this motor. How do you know the gasket has failed?

wammers said:

BMW do NOT recommend head skimming on this motor. How do you know the gasket has failed?

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AA have performed a sniff test and detected combustion gasses. I'll check first that it's properly bled of air as I'm not personally sure but otherwise I might agree with them as I'm not sure how that test could be wrong - unless the heads cracked to a coolant gallery.

Do these heads not warp then? Won't skim unless necessary but six cylinder heads tend to be prone to warping due to length.

RAW111111 said:

AA have performed a sniff test and detected combustion gasses. I'll check first that it's properly bled of air as I'm not personally sure but otherwise I might agree with them as I'm not sure how that test could be wrong - unless the heads cracked to a coolant gallery.

Do these heads not warp then? Won't skim unless necessary but six cylinder heads tend to be prone to warping due to length.

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Yes they do warp but they are not supposed to be skimmed. These heads do crack if over heated.

wammers said:

Yes they do warp but they are not supposed to be skimmed. These heads do crack if over heated.

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Hmm. Suppose we'll have to wait and see what state it's in if it comes off. Any advice on parts suppliers?

RAW111111 said:

Hmm. Suppose we'll have to wait and see what state it's in if it comes off. Any advice on parts suppliers?

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No not really, anything second hand will be hit and miss. Lots of stuff about that has been skimmed and allegedly pressure tested, but there is a big difference between a .010" clean and a .050" warp removal when BMW say they should not be skimmed at all.

wammers said:

No not really, anything second hand will be hit and miss. Lots of stuff about that has been skimmed and allegedly pressure tested, but there is a big difference between a .010" clean and a .050" warp removal when BMW say they should not be skimmed at all.

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Ageeed. If a replacement head is needed I'd prefer one that's had nothing done that I can have the machine shop I trust deal with if necessary.

What about gaskets?

RAW111111 said:

Ageeed. If a replacement head is needed I'd prefer one that's had nothing done that I can have the machine shop I trust deal with if necessary.

What about gaskets?

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Reinz, Elring nothing Chinese off Ebay

wammers said:

Reinz, Elring nothing Chinese off Ebay

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Usual rules then. Buy cheap buy twice. Thanks for the advice as usual wammers.

RAW111111 said:

Usual rules then. Buy cheap buy twice. Thanks for the advice as usual wammers.

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If you are doing the job yourself make sure you follow the head tightening instructions to the letter.

Do all work myself, have done since I was 13. My daily Volvo is at 285000 miles now so must be getting something right. Didn't my first FIP last month.

Is it worth doing the timing chain while the heads off?

RAW111111 said:

Do all work myself, have done since I was 13. My daily Volvo is at 285000 miles now so must be getting something right. Didn't my first FIP last month.

Is it worth doing the timing chain while the heads off?

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Yes most definitely. You will need several special tools though. Can get a bit expensive with the tools if you don't have them and the parts.

wammers said:

Yes most definitely. You will need several special tools though. Can get a bit expensive with the tools if you don't have them and the parts.

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Hmm. Any tool bank in the owners community for borrowing specialist tools?

RAW111111 said:

Hmm. Any tool bank in the owners community for borrowing specialist tools?

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I've got the timing tools if you're passing through Bucks.

Grrrrrr said:

I've got the timing tools if you're passing through Bucks.

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For the cost of buying them I can gladly. To be honest living in Bristol with family living in Northants, girlfriend in Sheffield and doing a masters near Swindon I seem to travel through or near most places regularly!

Rich

They were something like £120 off the Bay IIRC.

Ok, so I've had a look at the car now.

Think it is definitely the HG/Head. Have ordered Elring Gaskets and Head Gasket, injector heat shields, and a set of Reinz Bolts - total about £170 off eBay.

Looking at whether to do the timing chain while I'm at it, so can anyone recommend me a supplier and or manufacturer for a timing chain set. Is it worth speaking to the dealers for these? I've had a look around and can find one company selling all the individual parts, totals about £400+ when added up, or a seller on eBay selling a set for £300 but they don't specify the manufacturer. What's peoples thinking...

Rich

RAW111111 said:

Ok, so I've had a look at the car now.

Think it is definitely the HG/Head. Have ordered Elring Gaskets and Head Gasket, injector heat shields, and a set of Reinz Bolts - total about £170 off eBay.

Looking at whether to do the timing chain while I'm at it, so can anyone recommend me a supplier and or manufacturer for a timing chain set. Is it worth speaking to the dealers for these? I've had a look around and can find one company selling all the individual parts, totals about £400+ when added up, or a seller on eBay selling a set for £300 but they don't specify the manufacturer. What's peoples thinking...

Rich

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Look at Island 4x4. Injector heat shields ???

wammers said:

Look at Island 4x4. Injector heat shields ???

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That's what Bosch call the little crush washers that sit under the injectors. Never refit an injector without changing them.

RAW111111 said:

That's what Bosch call the little crush washers that sit under the injectors. Never refit an injector without changing them.

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Can't see how it's an heat shield. But it is a gas seal. Used to be annealed and refitted in the days of yore.