1981 528i - valve guide seals shot......

[Goldy]

Great site here,

As a new BMW owner (New to BMW - the car is NOT new) - I am digging for info.

I have checked the archives - and now am posting.......

The 1981 528 has about 230k miles - and the valve guide seals are gone - smokes heavy on accelerator release.

At this point - it is easier to keep oil in it than to spend the $$ to replace the valve guide seals.

All I have read indicates that this is a majore undertaking.

Has anyone done this task at home - how long did it take - any shortcuts - and any other items to replace while in there.

I understand that the head comes off - timing belts are off, cams, etc. - basically a top end tear-down..

Or is this just better left alone on a 24 year old car, with 240k miles, and a fair amount of body rust?

Thanks in advance for all and any input.

Goldy

 

[southpaw]

Oil is cheap. This repair is not and the bottom end of the engine also has 240K on it. Try using some of the new oil designed for high mileage engines. It helped reduce oil consumption on a older 528e with over 200k.

 

[Goldy]

1981 528i & oil usage....

Thanks - my sentiments also...

Are the "new" oils for older engines something "special" or would running a 40 weight be almost as good.

My thoughts are that a 10W40 should provide protection for winter starting and shorter trips...

If it was mostly highway miles - I would stick with a heavier oil but some of these euro engines are finicky with regards to oil specs.

I had a Volvo 6 cyl (puegot engine) aluminum block, - the oil ports were so tiny - that if the oil wasn't changed every 2500 miles, the O/H cam rockers got starved for oil and the next thing - the unit was clacking like an old diesel.

But - I became a whiz a t changing out O/H cam rockers on a Satrday morning..

Thanks for the input

Goldy

 

[epj3]

just buy the head from someone...