THSCC Forums

I agree with this.

I'm no expert on leakdown readings, but none of those look that bad (#3 is a bit sketchy, but....)


Drive it, keep track of coolant loss, and then if you do have to pull the head, I'd have #3 checked for cracks, but nothing I've seen in any of the info posted points towards a bad head gasket.

Here is a confession that you may wish to consider. Several years ago I was changing the plugs in my wife's BMW525 when I discovered that the #5 cylinder plug well was full of antifreeze. I got lots of good advice from well meaning folks that ranged from pulling the head and having it tested to major overhaul (perhaps a slight exaggeration), but being the lazy cheapskate that I am, I added some Prestone coolant system sealant to the radiator (the stuff with the micro polymer particles) and periodically checked the #5 plug for evidence of leakage. Never a problem.
Admittedly, the leak you seem to be describing with coolant getting into the exhaust sounds like a leak between the combustion and the coolant, but if that were actually the case then you would most likely be loosing coolant as exhaust gas pressurized the coolant and blew coolant out of the radiator.
I'm going to go along with Bret and suggest close monitoring of the problem and taking no immediate action. (A little prayer couldn't hurt either.)
Regards,
Charlie G

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1998 BMW Z3
1987 BMW 325is
2000 BMW
1996 F250 Turbo Diesel