What did you do in your ALPINA today?

[Aggie]

Another B3S with the head off, the headgasket is just starting to fail. Its a bit shit as its only covered 59k ish since the last time i had the head off 10 years ago. I don't think that is the only problem sadly. Its been off the road sat in the garage over a year now

What were the symptoms for your Head gasket Simon?

[Marc 76]

Clicked past the rather noteworthy eleventy...

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[Charles]

What were the symptoms for your Head gasket Simon?

I'm sure Simon will be along shortly, but here are my experiences of a failing B3S HG

There are a number of indications:
- mpg worsens unexpectedly (depends, of course, on how carefully you monitor this)
- pinking under load at lower revs (open the window and listen as you go up a hill under load and it is obvious)
- gearbox changes up earlier than expected (resulting in a deep exhaust tone and the feeling that it should be in a lower gear)

Because the gasket typically fails between cylinders, you shouldn't experience cloudy exhaust fumes (water in the cylinder) or emulsified oil in the filler cap (water in the oil) - so, even if you don't pick up on it immediately, the only problem is crossover between cylinders which reduces power and worsens consumption but shouldn't cause damage.

If you think that it has gone, then a compression test across all six cylinders will reveal the culprit as normal cylinder compression should be about 180psi but where the gasket has failed between cylinders, the reading will be lower, nearer 120psi on two neighbouring cylinders.

From experience, the gasket generally fails between the two cylinders at the back of the engine (closer to the bulkhead) which are 5 & 6 IIRC

Hope this helps

[simon13]

its not quite the truth i've done it over a couple of saturday and sunday afternoons Matt, I'd like to be able to have patience skill to detail cars. I'm better at driving them dirty!

I'm with Simon here, don't have the patience or skill to carry out Matt level cleaning.

What flavour is the E30 in the background?

2.7,

Aggie, i've pulled the head not because i thought the gasket was failing but because before i laid the car up it was starting from cold on 5 cylinders for a while and it was losing coolant. Not alot but all the same, i did a bore scope looksie last year when the engine was hot and i could see coolant in the chamber so i'm faily certain the head is cracked

I need to get the head stripped down and off for a pressure test and then go from there or decide what do/what is best

[Marc 76]

New set of front control arms fitted to the old F11 this weekend...

Feels great- new front PS4S's and alignment check later this week

https://thealpinaregister.com/forums/vi ... 38&t=27494

[Davey_A]

Actually drove it!!!

I really don't use it enough, a crime really as covering miles is it's absolute forte.

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[Rav]

Visited Bird's in Iver today. Complete brake overhaul and new diff fluid.

She drove a lot better on the way home, need to get the new tyres on next and attend to a couple of points Kos and the gang at Bird's found.

[Sab]

These arrived today.

[MattOz]

Drove it up to the Peak District to detail a car for a friend. Thought it looked great in the sunshine.

[MattOz]

Actually drove it!!!

I really don't use it enough, a crime really as covering miles is it's absolute forte.


IMG_1110.png

Still looking fantastIc.

[Sab]

I cleaned the e36 then went for a cruise around London for few hours.

How can a car feel better than the last drive every time and has been better than every car I’ve owned as it does everything so well.
It’s comfortable, fast, manual gearbox & lsd , plenty of room and looks sublime.

I feel blessed that own a car from one of the golden era’s of motoring and my childhood - the 90s!

[MattOz]

My G21 had some PPF applied over the last couple of days. The chaps at Auto Curators did a great job. The front end, side skirts, lower doors, rear bumper top and high gloss shadow line all got a layer of Xpel. Should minimise chips on the main areas that are in the firing line

[Jules Sunleu]

Went to Caffeine and Machine's latest (third) site this evening, that officially opened this week after a soft launch prior.

At the old Meon Hut pub at West Meon, by Loomies biker cafe for anyone that knows that, between Alton and Petersfield and a 'bit West'.

Very impressed with the fit out and the main man from Ettington was there tonight too.

My first run out in the B5 this year now weather improving and salt gone. Used her for a work meeting earlier in the day too so the full tank of V Power I put in this morning is half gone already. I really do bloody love this car. Roll on more of car season!

Kevin was also there with his Alpina Touring and good to catch up.

Maybe we can arrange a few of us to meet up here for those in the south this is less of a trek for rather than the original at Ettington or the other new one near Bedford.

[Jules Sunleu]

Forgot to add pics!

[Sab]

Parked by the river in Rotherhithe in this glorious weather.