How to Tell if Your BMW Head Gasket is Blown (and Find Coolant Leaks!)

In this video you will learn the process that I go through to diagnose a blown head gasket on a BMW and how I typically find coolant leaks.
This particular vehicle is a BMW E36 but this process will work the same for most model BMWs.
The most important tool you will need is a coolant pressure tester. These testers can typically be rented for free from a local auto parts store.

[@anval1257]

Great Video Pal !!

[@jimmielebouef2546]

Ha I talked to you a while back and I took the Head and intake off and it's is the 2 hoses under the intake I'm still going to change the Head gasket anyway so thanks for the help

[@bilalahmed2123]

Did you end up restoring it to its former glory ?

[@garagem.74]

GOOD AFTERNOON, WOULD LIKE A HELP, I HAVE A 318IS 4CC AND SHE IS NOT SAFE SLOW GEAR, I TURN ON AND SHE GOES OFF, AT LOW ROTATION SHE OSCILLATES, AND THEN NORMAL HELP, HELP ME DEFECT PLEASE PLEASE

[@fresskoalbanese]

I swaped engine on my E36 from 318i to E46's 320i after a while I had a problem with temperature cause it reached the TOP really quick and now the head gasket is recently fucked up, i know the reason why it was blown up LOL, the water radiator was from the 318i (I know I know I know...but it ain't my fault) otherwise...what type of water radiator or cooling system should I use so that wont happen again? I NEED A SOLUTION ASAP cause after fixing the head gasket I MUST REOLACE THAT WATER RADIATOR WITH A BETTER ONE. #HELP

[@bendy1808]

check heater core number one cause or coolant pipe/ heater core damp window fog I put in a aftermarket heater core on passenger side floor

[@jimmielebouef2546]

Can you tell me what is going on with my BMW E46 keeps getting hot I have no leeks no water in oil

[@Gino18is]

I have a coolant leak in my e36 316i M43b16, I've change the radiator and the thermostat tha had some leakage.. the car still losses coolant like crazy , no sight of smoke off the exhaust and the oil is as oilly as it can be. Water pump was change about 2/3 years ago also no coolant in the interior but i do see coolant on the rack n pinion and sway bar..what should I do next?

[@TheNickfisch]

If you haven’t found your leak yet, chances are high, that your rear coolant connector to the Cylinder head is leaking. Those are common to break on the M43 due to heat and age.

[@williambernstein4313]

My coolant cap won't come off!! I'm trying hard to turn it counter clockwise

[@davidvanhorn6871]

I am so clueless about cars. Anyways I have a bmw 550i saw a couple videos about the white smoke coming out of the tailpipes. Saw a fedora snd once I purchased it a worker was helping a lady so I waited to ask him because of the two places that say oil only. I was a mile away dash said oil pressure is low so I did that at auto zone the same time. Any help or I seas wold be amar. Ty for your time.

[@raventaylor2981]

Hello E36 this video is like identical to my problem I can't figure out if it is a blown head gasket because it's not overheating there's no milky substance in the oil I was wondering can you answer this question for me? What do you think about head gasket sealants and if you do agree with them which one would you use on a 2008 328 BMW xi

[@lacroseee]

I have the same problem with my 2008 328i. Did you find the problem?

[@Linoge279]

My e39 with m52tu on cold start there is some minor smoke coming from the exhaust and when it got warmer, the smoke still there and alot if I accelerate but not too much. Previously the car stranded on the side of the road due to blown coolant hose and got tow to home and fix the hose, refill the coolant and see no water flow on the radiator outlet hose which seem there is a blockage inside the radiator( hose cold to touch). Im afraid that I have a blown headgasket but no milky on the engine oil or spark plug. I have done the compression test on every cylinders which gives out 165 psi to 190psi which seem to be healthy. My concern at the moment is what causes the smoke? can it be the spark plugs? its black when I check it.

[@joshuacruz4046]

Did you find out ???

[@rick2tube]

Will this coolant system pressure test detect leaks from the thermostat housing or water pump if the engine is off?

[@kyreebrixton8630]

i guess im randomly asking but does someone know a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot my account password. I would love any tips you can give me!

[@crosbytristen1153]

@Kyree Brixton Instablaster ;)

[@stepanovps]

Do you have to warm up the engine and make sure the thermostat is open before pressurizing the reservoir?

[@e36fanatics29]

No do not warm the engine up! Engine should be relatively COLD. No don't worry about the thermostat.

[@ozgurakman10]

@@e36fanatics29 why cold?

[@e36fanatics29]

@@ozgurakman10 It doesn't have to be stone cold. I simply recommend that so someone doesn't drive the vehicle around, open up the reservoir, and get burns from hot coolant.

[@JustinZupancic]

Because as a hot engine cools it will lose pressure on its own even without leaks present

[@jazpersalinas3864]

Good day bro, i need help with my e36 328i, i already change the water pump and the reservoir and when i start the car, is it normal that the water on the reservoir is overflowing and not stable? What do you think the issue, i already change those parts a new one because i thought that was the issue of the overheating, can you help, when i put water on the reservoir its not loosing water, but when i drive the start, its start to loose water, im planning to change the engine thermostat first ? Would that be the answer? What do you think Help please, thankyou

[@biggysonn2850]

Did you fix it?

[@aldolopez319]

Do you have Instagram? Or anywhere where we can contact you?

[@calvinunroe2462]

Where did you get that strut tower bar?

[@e36fanatics29]

This is my brother's car and he bought it four or five years ago. I would like to say that it's a cheap one of Ebay but I'm not certain.

[@DoubleZZsChannel]

If you are still looking for Strut bar, and chassis reinforcement, i have a friend of mine who makes them, and ships them worldwide, so pm me.

[@DoubleZZsChannel]

U can send me pm on IG: choda.e36

[@Mickeywellington12]

hey so if your still on this forum, I have an F10 m5 and just today I had a super rough idle and then the white smoke came out super thick from the exhaust and the hood, I checked my oil and I did have the milky oil, any thoughts??

[@Gino18is]

I'm sorry to say but..that's a head gasket for you. Are you sure your oil was milkish?

[@Mickeywellington12]

@@Gino18is yeah the oil was milks color when it went out and im hoping that the block isn't cracked

[@diegom.9762]

@@Mickeywellington12 it’s definitely the head gasket probably broken block or threads near the block causing water to leak in

[@deebodigital]

Did you get that checked?

[@t-bird4738]

If you see where you’re leaking coolant from, what are the odds I have a blown head gasket?

[@pignapoke6772]

How did you pressurize it? Air compressor? Hand pump?

[@AB-dl1hz]

You didn't see that handpump

[@willd3808]

i got white smoke coming from my tail pipe, running like crap.... but gas in my oil, not coolant :c

[@joshuacruz4046]

Fpr

[@officialyungtwizted3858]

Mines coming from under the intake manifold. I got an 01 e46 i6 engine

[@edsselflearnedmechanics257]

coolant inlet pipes r under intake manifold some r 2 pieces some r one piece happen to mine at 198k

[@officialyungtwizted3858]

@@edsselflearnedmechanics257 yep mines at 199,000 hope it's just that n not the headgasket

[@edsselflearnedmechanics257]

Yea most likely I fixed mine and started it up it runs gd since there’s new gaskets on everything like no air leaks n stuff rpm b shooting. Up no rev limiter lol shit ridiculous that’s why I love. Bmw but yea I just refilled it n mine has a old fashion water pump u have to drive the car so it can circulate Thur hoses/build presure n then go back home wait for car to cool j remove coolant cap n ull c it has. Presure u let that air out cuz u don’t want. Or need. It in ur system

[@AlonZoArellano]

I opened my coolant and bunch it bubbled so bad , but a mechanic told me it was normal since the car was running and it was hot? Thank you.

[@drumme19r84]

They also put warning stickers NOT to open the lid while is running and especially if the engine is warm. You could in worst case scenario get it on your arms or face.

[@jimmielebouef2546]

And no sind of anything you showed on your video and still get Hot I did the coolent rest All good but keep getting hot

[@arnolduk123]

A blown gasket would be the least of my worries with that car....LOL. You forgot coolant leaks into the cylinders which can cause white smoke and misfires.

[@rayroh]

What causes this

[@arnolduk123]

@@rayroh Small cracks within the engine cooling channels. These engines are made of aluminum alloy which become soft and warp or crack under excessive heat conditions.

[@rayroh]

@@arnolduk123 speaking of which I recently overheated my m3, doing a pressure test rn a few hoses were loose tightened them up but I still hear air hissing from what I believe is coming from the thermostat housing. It loses pressure still but no visible leak just that air hissing from that area. Should I suspect warped head or bent thermostat housing ?

[@arnolduk123]

@@rayroh Air won't be coming from the thermostat, if it's leaking it will be a mist of water vapour or drips. Are you loosing coolant ? Have you done a sniff test, if not do that first then a leak down test to be sure of any cracks or leaks.

[@vellharris4225]

You have a beater not a beemer good info!

[@chasis807]

You have a head gasket leak if you own a BMW.

[@smnhar]

Where can I buy the testing kit

[@Anthony_RIZZelneck]

How? Look for the name “used BMW” 😂

[@johnthomasmoulton8934]

That car is literally composting.

[@DTAPeter]

😂😂😂😂

[@SurginersYT]

Damn that car screams OLLDDDDD

[@Cupat1]

Christ if you say the word coolant once 🙄

[@stormfam4779]

No way you drive around in that shit?

[@229knogud]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Damn😂😂😂😂😂

[@bw1532]

Why not. I drive around in a beat up E36. I love it.

[@Ahmed-qf3wz]

Lol😅