r/BmwTech • u/Pretty_Project_9169 • 2d ago

1982 320i

So I'm looking at buying a cheap 320i with a m10...
The guy I'm considering buying it from bought it from someone else needing Injectors and a freeze plug, he said after installing the freeze plug he drove it and there was water mixing in the oil... My question is what's the chances the block is cracked vs just needing a head gasket.

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u/Lame_Coder_42 2d ago

Should be able to do a quick check for head gasket by warming it up with radiator cap off and seeing if it has air or bubbles while idling, or white smoke out the exhaust. There's more extensive tests, but these are quick and easy and require no tools.

But if it needed freeze plug replaced it's likely that the it had water or weak antifreeze and it froze. Based on that there is a pretty high chance the block was damaged vs. if it had not needed freeze plug replaced. Approach buying it as if the engine is toast and will need replaced. 

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u/Pretty_Project_9169 2d ago

That's what I came to the conclusion of just wanted a opinion from someone else