Turbo E36 Results Are In... [Compression and Leak-Down Test] 

I’m just gonna say, this turbo upgrade video series has been absolutely fantastic. I’ve watched every single episode. Best DIY on the web. Excellent editing also. Keep up the great work brother.

Couple of pointers on using the Leakdown tester, you don't turn the regular up to 100psi, but instead adjust it until the needle on the Cylinder Leakage gauge is in the "Set" portion of the gauge. You also need to make sure you do this whilst the leakdown tester isn't connected to the hose that screws in to the spark plug hole, otherwise it will all just bleed straight through in to the cylinder whilst trying to set it Once you have set the gauge and you connect it to the spark plug hole the cylinder leakage needle will move and show you how much leakdown you have in the cylinder. You'll want to reset it between each cylinder, as sometimes it won't be back in the "set" position You also need to make sure you are at TDC on a compression stroke and not an exhaust stroke, otherwise all of the air will go straight out of the exhaust valves, and give you a false reading It's unlikely you will have cracked the block with the boost/power you were running, as the Iron block M52s are pretty solid and you would likely do a HG first It's mostly a HG failure, but I had similar on my M50 Turbo and it turned out to be a cracked cylinder head on Cylinders 3&4 in to the coolant jacket, but that was with a cut ring HG and ARP head studs Best of luck getting it sorted, it's a fairly easy easy job to do on these engines, just make sure to get the head crack/pressure tested if you can't see any obvious cracks yourself

You were using the leak down tester wrong. You first set the right gauge to zero. Then plug it into the hose to the engine. Best of luck on your turbo build. I did a diy turbo recently and now I belt a rod after 6k miles. I did so many compression tests and leakdown tests. Part of the boosted life.

So I remember watching your video when you finally started your car up for the first time after a very very long time. That stuck with me one of the best videos I've ever seen from someone who was being honest about how that made him feel. I'm about to go through the same thing myself. I have been rebuilding my z for over a year through many ups and downs I'm about to swap in a new motor and have this thing back on the road after being down for over a year. You inspired me to make that kind of video.

I felt your pain when the compressor kept going on. The video was good. Sucks the headgasket blew. Good luck with it man. I subscribed

Every time the air compressor turns on🤣

Got to say I pmsl at the air compressor noise. Best E36 series on youtube.

Love this channel and how you keep it real my dude

I just installed arps on stock HG and i’m taking them right back out to put that cut ring gasket on lol

The block is probably fine the stock hg blow out really easy when boost is added just go with a mlg.140 or a cut ring and copper spacer. Then you should be able to turn up the boost to be making around 500ish

Bro easy. Take the compression tester check valve off with a tire check valve screw driver and boom, free leak down tester

Fkn love this channel and the vibe of your vids. Shame about Ebony but damn man that's all part of the game. Build it back stronger and more capable. I doubt you've cracked a cylinder wall, pull the head, get it serviced, new MLS gasket and full send my bro! 🤘🏼

Have a complete 2.8 with turbo manifold also have a zig all for sale

Man i hope your making enough from these videos to get her up and running soon

Hope she gets back on the road soon bro 🙏🙏

I have an extra M52 with 163k miles but Deep South Texas 🥲 swapped my e36 with an s52

Hate liking this video, but I know how the algorithm be. Hopefully you can get it sorted out sooner than later man.

Check if your head is worped when you take it off!

Either way the motor would need to be pulled. I'd pull it and see what the damage is. More than likely just the headgasket being that it was already an older motor and boost thrown at it. You aren't pushing 40psi so I would be very surprised if the block is cracked.

Great. Idea. Been. A long time since I’ve done this. I need to ck my N20 with 207,000 mi (yes the car has it but when one goes into service rest it reads out 81,626 “engine miles”. Guessing it was replaced and my water pump is all metal. Still I should ck compression every now again…..

No doubt the HG is a problem - but don't assume that's the only problem. I had a similar issue on my S52 Z3 M Turbo and it turns out I also had ring land failures on the pistons in addition the HG.

Super good video.

Sorry to hear brotha , I guess this means time for some upgrading. 🤔🤷🏾‍♂️

New here, Love your car, looking forward to content.

Brother, I see you have mishimoto cooling.. NOT GOOD! check it out oncthe forums, and here, for some reason mishimoto gear doesn't cool bmws enough. You having any cooling system issues AT ALL, I'd start there! We are running csf at the recommendation of hank at AAF Racing, pro3, spec3, champ, builds bimmerworlds spec3 car.. love the content man.. keep rollin..

K SWAP THE WORLD CRAIG

I suspect its just the head gasket, I mean you dont do any hard driving, so the cylinder block should be healthy

My pull a part has an m52 car there the last time I went in Birmingham Alabama

I’ve got an m52b28 head in Alberta if your buddy wants it shipped down there I could arrange for that

If you didn’t hear any air through the valve cover then ur bottom end is chill

I’m going again Sunday if I see one I’m pulling it and I’ll shoot you a dm if you or any guys need one

Sorry if it is a stupid question, but why not just replace the head gasket? It might be tricky but cheaper than buying another m52🤔

just did a compression test on my m50 (~10psi stock everything) after it started pushing coolant from the exp tank.. got 135 from 1 to 5.. 6 got 55-60 and it did increase to 80 after adding a bit of oil.. bets on what caused it? i hope its only the hg

Put in a bottle of blue devil and send it! Tell us how long it lasts lol

nice

Goodluck man super sad

Where can i get the ltw wing risers

Love your air compressor. LOL!

What spark plug and gap are you using ?

That harbor freight compression tester is TRASH. Did a compression test on my car with it and a more expensive tester and the difference was crazy.

😂😂 I need a compressor but it’s gotta be a big one, them thangs loud asf

Air compressor reaction lol .

N54 swap...it

Firsttt

Bro if you don't wanna use a upgraded head gasket then be ready to do a head gasket job twice or kiss the turbo set up goodbye.

This makes me sad.

💥 𝓟Ř𝔬𝓂𝔬𝐒ϻ

I'm white and don't appreciate the privilege your Yt NAME grants you. I feel offended, violated, and feel like white people can't build cars the same.