Subject: Re: Answers to Head Gasket in a bottle cont'd... Author: lweaver : member since November, 2008 : 18 posts Posted on: 2008-11-21 13:57:41

Tom,

Thanks for all the help, as I'm hestitant to put something like this into my system until I feel confident I have found the problem. Now to answer your questions:

1. How cold is cold? Below 50 degrees? If you are getting a lot of white smoke above 50 degrees, it would tend to indicate HG.

- When my gf called me (about a week ago) about the billowing white exhaust, it was approx. 30F. This was also before I installed the new fan clutch, I wouldn't think it relevant, but can't hurt to mention.

- Today at lunch however, with it around low-mid 40's F, and the car warmed up, I could not get the white smoke.

- It isn't suppose to get much higher than 45F here today, Raleigh NC.

- I do not believe I see the white exhaust on warmer days, but then again, I've only been paying attention for a week or so, and its been below 50F for that time period. On sunday however, it is supposed to get to roughly 60F. I will start it up then and see if I get the white smoke.

2. How rough is rough? Your rough idle at startup could also be due to cold weather. It could also mean coolant seeping into a cylinder

- The idle isn't too too bad, it hunts it for a little bit, but finds it after the car has warmed up.

- I'll try pulling the plugs tomorrow morning and performing the test you mentioned. Hopefully, no coolant appears.

thanks for all the advice, if you think of anything else, or other tests to perform, I'd love to hear your ideas.

Thanks,

Law
91' 535i 5spd 242k

• Head Gasket in a bottle... - lweaver 2008-11-19 12:31:26 (342 views)
  • Look at the heater valve on the drivers side - bimmer5michael 2008-11-25 12:00:17 (208 views)
  • Re: Head Gasket in a bottle... - Shayne 2008-11-21 00:10:14 (241 views)
    • Re: Answers to Head Gasket in a bottle... - lweaver 2008-11-21 09:43:38 (247 views)
      • Re: Answers to Head Gasket in a bottle... - cloudnine 2008-11-21 10:23:29 (182 views)
        • Re: Answers to Head Gasket in a bottle cont'd... - lweaver 2008-11-21 13:57:41 (187 views)
          • Re: Answers to Head Gasket in a bottle cont'd... - cloudnine 2008-11-21 16:37:51 (185 views)
            • Update - lweaver 2008-11-24 13:18:43 (196 views)
              • Re: Update - jneer750 2008-12-29 14:10:21 (113 views)
                • Re: Update Response - lweaver 2009-01-03 16:52:28 (106 views)
              • Re: Update - cloudnine 2008-11-24 18:09:38 (144 views)
          • engine/cat warm up - kfister 2008-11-21 14:41:44 (182 views)
            • OOOooman! Excellent tips Ken! - e34jef 2008-11-21 15:51:24 (166 views)
  • Re: Head Gasket in a bottle... - yaofeng 2008-11-20 06:57:27 (170 views)
    • Re: Head Gasket in a bottle... - cloudnine 2008-11-20 18:21:29 (175 views)
      • Good point C9 - e34jef 2008-11-20 23:24:48 (169 views)
  • Re: Head Gasket in a bottle... - e34jef 2008-11-19 15:50:44 (191 views)
    • Re: Head Gasket in a bottle... - roguepidgeon 2008-12-26 11:30:55 (121 views)