Garage fucked my car up BAD... need advice ASAP.

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Originally Posted by e34.535i.sport

Hey Adnan don't even worry about it, entirely my own choice.

The only steam I saw was a very brief tiny bit on top of the engine where coolant had landed after coming out of the hose that joints to the expansion tank...

Ran it again earlier up to normal operating temp and no signs of steam or leaks around the head from what I could see. I'm assuming I'll notice signs after driving it a while if there is a HG problem, anything to look out for besides the obvious (oil/water mix, loss of coolant, exhaust smell)?

Seriously hoping I got away with it. I did turn it off as soon as the warning came up when it happened, and it was half way into the red bar on the guage.

In terms of a compression test, do I need to get that done at a main dealer? What does it involve?

Whiskey, I don't think its a pulley sticking as it ran fine earlier after putting the belt back on... Had a feel before I did put it back on though and the alternator spun fine as did the pump pulley. It is a mystery.

Fingers crossed no damage done... HG is my worst nightmare.

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Hi,

Sounds like you may be just fine; you are one of the lucky ones! A compression test is pretty simple but you need a compression gauge. Essentially, you remove all the spark plugs and screw the gauge into a cylinder and crank the engine. Repeat for all cylinders and compare the readings. Depending on the age of the engine, there will be some variation but the rule of thumb (I think) is a 10% variation or less. Those with more M30 knowledge should chime in, if they know. Advisable to disconnect the fuel pump and ignition when cranking.

As for things to watch out for, I think you've identified the main ones. Keep an eye on that temp gauge to see if it's erratic.

Regards,
Adnan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adnan

Hi,

Sounds like you may be just fine; you are one of the lucky ones! A compression test is pretty simple but you need a compression gauge. Essentially, you remove all the spark plugs and screw the gauge into a cylinder and crank the engine. Repeat for all cylinders and compare the readings. Depending on the age of the engine, there will be some variation but the rule of thumb (I think) is a 10% variation or less. Those with more M30 knowledge should chime in, if they know. Advisable to disconnect the fuel pump and ignition when cranking.

As for things to watch out for, I think you've identified the main ones. Keep an eye on that temp gauge to see if it's erratic.

Regards,
Adnan

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Hey I don't know what I'd do without you guys sometimes... This forum has helped me through some bad times (car-wise!).

Drove it to work and took it easy, maximum of about 3200 revs... Seemed like I was watching the temperature guage more than the road sometimes! It hit marginally above dead centre as it always has and never moved past there which is good news.

I'm going to look into a compression guage, see how much it is. Are there any other things it can indicate rather than a HG failure?

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Originally Posted by leicesterboy15

You can get compression guages off ebay (yes I know its pikey but I do love it) for about £20 from what I recall, when you see one you will be able figure out exactly how it works.

I've been ill for the last few days and just seen this thread, that is really bad news, I think this may just have turned out to be bad timing though and maybe nothing to do with the garage? Other than the whacking great spanner left in the engine bay! I've had it done to me, the tool was quite small though, and so was what they left in the engine! I complained and nothing ever came of it but no damage was done so I left it at that, I just gained a small snap-on wrench out of it - maybe I was lucky it did no damage.

As for the M-badge, the car is a sport so its well justified, and even if it wasn't its not the most dis-tasteful mod in the world. Sadly mine has an M5 badge on the back which was the brainchild of the previous owner, haven't had the guts to take it off in case the paint comes off with it.

Good luck with the car, hopefully its all sorted now, but keep checking that belt as well as the temp.

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Hey cheers man, All seems well now but still a bit pissed about the tool thing! BMW specialist as well. Phhhffff.

Anyway, best way to remove your badge is to use dental floss... then sticky stuff remover you can get from B & Q if any is left over! I done it successfully on my e34 to take the 316 badge off it... I know its silly but it was the base model!

You can get compression guages off ebay (yes I know its pikey but I do love it) for about £20 from what I recall, when you see one you will be able figure out exactly how it works.

I've been ill for the last few days and just seen this thread, that is really bad news, I think this may just have turned out to be bad timing though and maybe nothing to do with the garage? Other than the whacking great spanner left in the engine bay! I've had it done to me, the tool was quite small though, and so was what they left in the engine! I complained and nothing ever came of it but no damage was done so I left it at that, I just gained a small snap-on wrench out of it - maybe I was lucky it did no damage.

As for the M-badge, the car is a sport so its well justified, and even if it wasn't its not the most dis-tasteful mod in the world. Sadly mine has an M5 badge on the back which was the brainchild of the previous owner, haven't had the guts to take it off in case the paint comes off with it.

Good luck with the car, hopefully its all sorted now, but keep checking that belt as well as the temp.