BMW E46 3-Series Head Gasket Replacement for 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i

The cylinder head gasket seals the seam between the top component of the engine, the cylinder head, and the bottom end, cylinder block or crankcase. It is responsible for sealing the combustion chambers, the oil passages and the coolant away from each other. The sealing surfaces of the cylinder head and cylinder block are machined very precisely to be absolutely flat. The head gasket is designed to fill any irregularities that the machining left behind. In addition, the metal parts expand and contract due to thermal changes, and they do so at different rates because they are made of different metals. This means that the head gasket is required to allow some slippage and to fill distortions between the sealing surfaces even though the entire assembly is bolted together at very high torque.
Cylinder head bolts are designed to stretch and stay stretched when torqued and are therefore one-time-use bolts. They are threaded into the soft alloy of the cylinder block, which, due to the thermal stresses of the engine, may lose its ability to hold the bolts tightly.
Therefore, with aging and mileage, the head gasket may fail. When this happens, you could have engine overheating, oil and coolant mixing along with a poor running motor. On BMW E46 models it is often the case that you cannot simply replace the head gasket; faulty threads in the cylinder block make this a useless repair. Before repairing a faulty head gasket, attempt to re-torque the cylinder head bolts. See our tech article On Cylinder Head Bolt Testing. If the bolts will not tighten, the block is faulty as well. Not all hope is lost as you can repair the thread holes with time-serts, which work quite well. However, most times, if the cylinder head bolt threads are faulty, it is better to go with a used lower mileage engine.
To replace the head gasket, you need a handful of special tools not limited to but including:
Camshaft timing tools
Torque wrench
Angle finder
Plastic clean up tool
Standard hand tools
Be sure to have your cylinder head professionally cleaned and pressure tested before reinstalling.
Read through the entire procedure before beginning. Be sure this is not above your skill level, as engine damage can occur if engine timing is not correct.
Keep in mind that when your car was serviced before, parts may have been replaced with different size fasteners used in the replacement. The sizes of the nuts and bolts we give may be different from what you have, so be prepared with different size sockets and wrenches.
Protect your eyes, hands and body from fluids, dust and debris while working on your vehicle. If you are working with the electrical system, disconnect the battery before beginning. Always catch fluids in appropriate containers and properly dispose of any fluid waste. Recycle parts, packaging and fluids when possible. Do not work on your vehicle if you feel the task is beyond your ability.
Vehicle models change and evolve, as they grow older, so the vehicle shown in our illustrations may vary slightly from yours. If something seems different, let us know and share your info to help other users. Do you have questions or want to add to the article? Leave a comment below. When leaving a comment, please leave your vehicle information.
The majority of the procedure will be shown on an engine that is not installed in a vehicle. The steps are the same as if it was installed.
Drain the engine oil and coolant.
Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable. See our tech article on battery replacing for connection notes.
Remove the engine covers. See our tech article on removing engine covers.
Remove the valve cover. See our tech article on valve cover gasket replacing.
Remove the engine cooling fan and shroud. See our tech article on engine cooling fan replacing.
Remove the exhaust manifold. See our tech article on exhaust manifold replacing.
Remove the intake manifold. See our tech article on intake manifold replacing.
Read the Full Article:
www.pelicanpar...
Time: 12 hours
Tab: $250
Tools: Set of sockets hex, Allen, Torx, wrenches (19mm, 32mm), screwdrivers, camshaft timing tools. BMW special tool 11 6 180, 11 2 300, 11 3 240, 11 4 220, 11 6 150
Parts Required: Head gasket kit:, coolant pipe and O-rings, sealing compound 3 Bond 1209
Hot Tip: Work with a cool engine.
Performance Gain: Repair oil and coolant leaks
Complementary Modification: Replace VANOS oil line: www.pelicanpar...
Applicable Models:pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/BE46_catalog.htm
BMW 323Ci Coupe/Conv (1999-00)
BMW 323i Sedan/Wagon (1999-00)
BMW 325Ci Coupe/Conv (2001-06)
BMW 325i/xi Sedan/Wagon (2001-06)
BMW 328Ci Coupe (1999-00)
BMW 328i Sedan (1999-00)
BMW 330Ci Coupe/Conv (2001-06)
BMW 330i/xi Sedan (2001-06)

[@bobinobobinobobino]

Thank you for showing me that it is doable. It's great when a video gives me a chance to step into the possibility of doing the job and actually taking it on.

[@pelicanparts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vinceg4947]

This is no easy task.. BMW is so complex.. it takes a true genius to do this correctly.

[@pelicanparts]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@timr617]

No not really it doesn't take a genius just someone with determination and not being afraid of working on a bmw engine. All the information you need to do the job is on the internet step by step. Anyone with a little bit of mechanical aptitude can do this job.

[@drtydncn2512]

It’s actually easier on most BMWs especially this one ☝️ then a lot of other cars

[@brandonbarret8904]

Stop lying to the people

[@sylvainst-laurent3631]

It's not that hard . If you have some order when you work, it's fine

[@e36fanatics]

yeah i wont be changing my head gasket...

[@pelicanparts]

We're here if you need parts or have questions about it.

[@3ManFunny]

😂😂😂

[@Oo77WIGGS97oO]

😂😂

[@p1epoppa]

I was just thinking the same thing. Too many special tools and steps.

[@5ub7even]

Oh nice an E46 330i going cheap because it needs a head gasket. I'll just look up how to do that real quick *complex 20 minute video explaining how the universe was made in astronomical detail* Think I'll pass on the E46...

[@pelicanparts]

It is a challenging repair.

[@e36fanatics]

yeah i think i have blown head gasket also now... came here to see what i can do.. answer: nothing :(

[@kumstane8128]

@@e36fanatics watch the video a couple times! You can do it

[@bracemasterplus]

Exactly why I was here

[@konradkusmierczyk5035]

Great video, really helpful!

[@pelicanparts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carlosaguilar-ik8uy]

Thanx bro very helpful vid. Keep at it very detailed and informal with part #'s & errthang subscribed thanx

[@pelicanparts]

Thanks and welcome

[@god5192]

very good video man! having the engine out so i think its a good time for a cylinder head gasket change. think the engine is in good condition but i guess time will tell when i get the head out :))

[@pelicanparts]

Great idea to address it when removed!

[@professionalbeats.6382]

Im building a e46 rn thank u sir!!!!!☹🔥🔥

[@pelicanparts]

No problem!!

[@randomnaampie4888]

Perfect video thank you

[@pelicanparts]

You're welcome!

[@joegotyoutuification]

My 2004 325 xi head gasket is blown. To solve this the easy way. I can swap 2001 325 engine or I can dump more head gasket repair liquid into the radiator. I buy me another bottle tomorrow. May be a third bottle of gasket liquid fill in. Hopefully it will work. I will let you all know.

[@pelicanparts]

Gasket stopleak will not repair the faulty gasket. It could plug up the radiator or heater core. I'd suggest replacing the gasket or engine, look for something with an M54 engine when looking for donor engines.

[@Truthseaaker]

I have been told by every mechanic that a 325i cannot have its head gasket replaced due to the head bolt hole threads in the iluminum block being too weak to handle being retorqued. Is this true?

[@pelicanparts]

You will want to test the head bolts before removing the head. See this article: www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E46/104-ENGINE-Cylinder_Head_Bolt_Testing/104-ENGINE-Cylinder_Head_Bolt_Testing.htm

[@Xanzeri]

Great DIY video!!! I do have a question. On the block , do you apply the sealing compound 3 Bond 1209 only where the timing cover joins or you apply this on the whole surface of the block (minus all the holes, of course)? Thank you for sharing the knowledge.

[@pelicanparts]

Just where the timing cover joints are.

[@niinmika3450]

Really useful video

[@pelicanparts]

Thank you!

[@frankmfeb13]

I think my head gasket might be going, not really sure. I get a little cloud of white smoke once in a while, when im shifting from first to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd. Its only in those lower gears. And ive only noticed it twice. But thats literally the onpy symptom

[@pelicanparts]

If your coolant level isn't getting lower, it likely isn't leaking.

[@frankmfeb13]

@@pelicanparts yeah it's not getting lower. I'm not sure what that issue is

[@TheLionwarrior87]

Might as well do a full rebuild

[@pelicanparts]

Not always necessary, plus a lot more involved. But if you have the budget, it is a good idea to refresh whatever you can during a major repair.

[@gorlovka5740]

Hi, little late to this vid so hope you will still respond. Question, for what do you use the cam locking tool? Is removing the head possible without using the cam locking tool?

[@pelicanparts]

Possible. But you won't be able to time the engine.

[@sylvainst-laurent3631]

Thanks alot sir .

[@pelicanparts]

Most welcome

[@Oo77WIGGS97oO]

It’s all the tools needed for me 😩

[@pelicanparts]

Yes, there are quite a few!!

[@swellbros]

When i used to drive a single cam honda civic it was possible to swap the cylinder head to get higher compression.. Im trying to find information on this for BMW and i cant really find any for my exact question. Can i put a 2001 330xi cylinder head on a 1999 328i? & would doing this actually serve a purpose? Both engines are inline 6.

[@bo-z1790]

They might not be the same cuz sometimes Same cars have diffrent Cylinder size and oil Passages even if its mm's

[@swellbros]

@@bo-z1790 alright will keep that in mind thanks bro

[@pelicanparts]

The heads are the same, from 1998 to 2014 , same part number. You can double check by confirming your vehicle part number and the donor vehicle's/

[@pelicanparts]

Thanks for the input on this one. We appreciate the help.

[@nicolashromyk5397]

And here I was foolishly thinking it's worthing trying to change my own head gasket when I have no experience with working on an engine 😂

[@pelicanparts]

it is an advanced repair, but totally do-able.

[@wake777]

All I've done is a rear diff replacement, judt bought a 330xi to do the head gasket on and make some money.

[@Drewless]

@@wake777how was it

[@wake777]

@@Drewless I ended up parting it out, but the disassembly was pretty easy. Just dont miss any head studs and be careful not to round the e torx

[@jonmartin2200]

Did mine starts but won’t drive

[@pelicanparts]

I would start by checking the vehicle for fault codes. If the system is not working properly, a fault code will be set. This will be your best bet when diagnosing.

[@jakkoplaysfornite]

i just got done doing a head gasket on my 04 325xi and i got everything back together i tought but maybe not, i tried to turn it on and there was no crank, then when i tried to turn the key again it was like locked, they key wont fully turn, any help

[@pelicanparts]

Check timing and check for coolant in the cylinders. Could either be mistimed or hydro locked.

[@Thomas-fc6gf]

almost sounds like its your locking cylinder or your battery that is the problem here. I see it's been 2 months now, so what happened?

[@jakkoplaysfornite]

@@Thomas-fc6gf i put in a new coolant temp sensor that goes on the block and it fired right up, pretty weird

[@rafaelmgusso]

great video, what is the difference between the e46 320i and the others? Does this way of doing apply to the e46 320i?

[@pelicanparts]

We did not have a 320 E46 in the US, so I can't comment directly. However, if that VANOS system is similar, it will be a similar procedure.

[@rafaelmgusso]

@@pelicanparts I was worried about being different, because I saw that it applied to the e46 but it didn't talk about the 320i, but I did the disassembly and I verified that it is similar, thanks

[@taylormartin4281]

Could this be done without removing the engine?

[@pelicanparts]

Yes.

[@louieregalado938]

What time frame would you estimate for a garage mechanic to do this job? Gettin ready to do mine and nee to borrow a garage. Kind of want a time frame to give them.

[@pelicanparts]

I would say two days. Depending on machine shop turn-around time.

[@TheBoaDiddly]

what's the part number or the name of the green arrowed coolant hose? I can not seem to find the right one. Thanks

[@pelicanparts]

You didn't mention what year and model vehicle you are working on. With your vehicle info handy, give The Pelican Parts parts specialists a call at 1-888-280-7799. They can figure out what part or repair kit you need.

[@cavemanken7029]

Great video!

[@pelicanparts]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@narkwttv]

How much would this cost on average for a a mechanic to do this for me?

[@pelicanparts]

I am not sure what the repair will cost in your area. Call a few shops and ask for a quote. It is also a good idea to have them confirm what the issue is.

[@jackharvey9808]

Basically if the head gasket goes, buy a new engine

[@pelicanparts]

If you don't want to repair, yes.

[@jackharvey9808]

Pelican Parts sorry I didn’t mean that in an asshole way, after reading it back it sounds rude

[@Phakepasco]

Just as much work to pull the engine and put another one in. Its more of do you got any brains or not lol

[@joeyaguirre4430]

How long would this take for a semi experienced mechanic?

[@pelicanparts]

I would say a day, not including machine shop time.

[@Slothstop]

Is this the same for a 320i ?

[@pelicanparts]

Similar but not the same. The 320i uses a different engine.

[@vinceg4947]

Different engine

[@KM-bq3cm]

Hw can I get in contact with you

[@pelicanparts]

Give Pelican Parts parts a call at 1-888-280-7799.

[@conradgieblewicz8220]

So easy. Just about any Rocket scientist or brain surgeon can accomplish without any problem, Most of the time..

[@pelicanparts]

Or mechanic. ;)