is it merely the pressure inside a turbo cylinder that causes this?

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My 240D's motor was not cared for at all. The PO did nothing other than drive this car. The air filter was was caked with black gunk, oil was very, very old, the trani was overfilled 2 quarts and the glowplugs were dead.

The valves probably hadn't been adjusted for years and it was very dirty. My engine at 300,000 miles with not being cared for is in my opinion giving me notice. It has very bad blow by, I can take the cap off for a second and have oil spray as far as my windsheld. My head gasket is shot and is leaking coolant out of the back, which is probably why my car heats up on the highway due to lost compression.

The head would probably have to be sent in to be readjusted, not to mention that my master brake cylinder needs replacing and my vacuum pump has a mind of its own. A new or rebuilt engine would make life so much easier and much more problem free. I'd have none of these problems, except for maybe the brake master cylinder in which case I might be able to get it off this parts 240D. I would like to get into my car and drive, knowing I am not going to have any problems, and I'm sure that's the goal of many people on this forum. I might be moving to Los Angeles around november and will need a car I can count on.

I want this 240D to be a car I can trust. As I mentioned before, I can hardley trust it to go to the store down the street due to the vacuum pump. With a new/rebuilt engine it's pretty much a new car in my eyes. I have the same car that I love, with a engine I know (or at least hope) will last. This engine I have now needs lots of work and i'd rather invest in an engine I can drop in and go that's in top shape..

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2007 BMW 328XI

Oh my!

I am convinced that you have engine problems.

I would not be driving that car with a leaky head gasket.

Yes, if you have a need for a full rebuild, then swapping to the 617 turbo or non turbo is a viable alternative.

Don't overlook the na 300. Its a very nice motor with a lot more usable power than the 240....much more than you would imagine since so much of the power of the 240 is devoted to overcoming basic resistance of the mechanical parts of the car.

I would recommend finding a complete running car with a sound motor and cosmetic issues so it can be driven and evaluated. This approach seems to me a lot more viable than trying to find a good junkyard engine. The cost of purchasing the car in that condition should not be any more than just a good engine from a yard.

I've done this twice with good results. One of the cars I bought was a 300d euro ('83) which turned out to have a buggered nose on the crank which resulted in a full rebuild and locating a good crank. It was extra expense but I got the satisfaction of having a bullet proof motor when done.

The 617 turbos are so popular that I think the 300 na is overlooked and may well be easier to find a good used one than the turbo motors, and the na motors are more durable over the long haul.

Good luck.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.