|| Del wrote: ||| Hello all, ||| I've just purchased a '96 416i because it was too good a bargain to ||| turn down! ||| I'm going to get the head-gasket done as a precaution || || If the head gasket isn't leaking, then only a loon would get it || changed ! || || Leave it alone ! || ||| but what's the ||| best way to minimise a failure? || || The headgasket usually goes when the engine overheats. Keep an eagle || eye on the temp guage at all times, and check the coolant every || weekend. If anything changes, then DON'T drive it until it's sorted. || ||| What are the warning signs (if there are any) that are peculiar to ||| this engine? || || Same as every other engine. White smoke if it's leaking water into || the combustion chamber, blue smoke if it's leaking oil into the || combustion chamber, mayo in oil filler if it's leaking water into || oil, and a physical leak if it's leaking oil/water outside of the || engine - these will all be coupled with a drop in the fluid level || obviously.
I agree 'if it aint broke don't fix it!'
More important change the Radiator, they lose their efficiency over a period of time due to deposits inside, fins coming loose, etc., you may not be losing water but the engine is being put under more stress especially when its being worked at high speed on moterways or in traffic especially on a hot day. The other thing to check is the radiator fan is coming on, it is not unknown for the thermostatic fan switch on the radiator to fail. you may not notice it on local (short) journeys. Cars that have been driven all winter with no problem, first hot day in traffic and they are on the back of a breakdown truck!!
Des