What did you do to your other car(s) today?

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Discovered I ordered the incorrect part to fix the fan speed issue on the e34. Should really have just pulled the carpet back and checked prior to ordering, but I decided to trust ETK+VIN like an idiot once again. Turns out it is the sword variety.

Anyone with a late model e34 that needs a fan speed resistor?

[Karl Grau]

Ouch.... Zinger.

Mike I had a biotch of a time getting my pa soft working and recognizing the cable. But it was so worth it to turn off the damn DRL's and reprogram the cooling temperature gauge.

Me too. In fact it was so bad, I had to not only break the 'Guy Code' and read the instructions, I had to Google EXTRA instructions.

[davintosh]

While driving the 735i to lunch today, the ABS and a couple of other dash lights came on; my first thought was the alternator I put in a short time ago had taken a dump and was no longer charging. When I started turning off electrical stuff in the car to save battery power, I noticed the temp gauge had crept a bit past the 12 o'clock mark too. Crap; no charging and no cooling could mean only one thing. I'm on a four-lane divided throughway with limited access & egress, so I started looking for an exit point. Shortly after I look in my rear view mirror and see a cloud of steam trailing behind me -- uh-oh -- and the temp gauge has reached the Red Zone. I was about a block from an exit with plenty of momentum, so I switched off the engine and rolled into a parking lot. Popped the hood and sure enough, the alternator/water pump belt was hanging loosely from the fan blades, with a nasty looking break in it.

Again my first thought was the alternator, thinking that it had maybe stopped dead and the belt burned through, but both the alternator and the water pump & fan spun freely. Called my son, and he came to pick me up. I thought about just going to get the new belt then going back to swap it out right away, but then remembered it's the innermost of the three belts, and on that car it's easiest to get at the PS pump and A/C compressor from the bottom, and I didn't much feel like doing that right then on a wet parking lot (did I mention it was raining?) So I went & picked up a new belt then went back to work.

After dinner I loaded up the floor jack and some tools, and my son & I headed over to get it sorted out. But when I went to fit the new belt to the pulleys I discovered that the bozo at the parts store had sold me the wrong belt. Grrrr. So we drove back across town, got the correct belt, then back across town & got it buttoned up in about 10 minutes.

That alternator is still suspect though; I heard a funny engine-speed whine coming from under the hood on the way back home, so I gots a funny feeling I may have another under-the-hood excursion in my future. I sure love redoing the same job I already did a matter of weeks ago.

[MicahO]

Ouch.... Zinger.

Mike I had a biotch of a time getting my pa soft working and recognizing the cable. But it was so worth it to turn off the damn DRL's and reprogram the cooling temperature gauge.

Me too. In fact it was so bad, I had to not only break the 'Guy Code' and read the instructions, I had to Google EXTRA instructions.

Hmmm - with all of this recent experience, maybe it's time to finally do this and access the systems on the e46.....

[unt0uchable]

These came in the mail last Saturday....



Though, after reading this thread here, I'm afraid to admit that they are going on a Saab 9-7x Aero (Essentially a Chevy Trailblazer SS). Hopefully they will help make that thing feel less like a 5000# pig around corners and over our god awful roads in Michigan. These combined with a new intermediate steering shaft and I just may have solved the infamous steering knock that's going on. If not, I don't know where to go with it next, to the bar maybe?

[T_C_D]

My son and I worked on the S6 today. Funny how it hasn't been driven in 6 weeks. Work on the winter beater during the summer and the e28 during the winter. I bought a same color A6 parts car for rust free parts. We swapped three doors, trunk lid, front bumper cover (temp while I repair the original), fixed a loose starter wire, adjusted the hood locking mechanism. It still needs work but it's a nicer winter beater now.

[wkohler]

I drove my '75 E12 today.

[cddallara]

Put some taillights in it...


And threw a cover on (e39 touring) that a friend gave me.

[Jon in Richmond]

Did the CCV system on my e46. Damn near killed me. I think I just realized that I need to make more money so I can pay someone to do this stuff now. Had enough spare money though to have someone rebuild the front end components on my 99 Suburban though, Ball joints and all steering components.

I just really have a problem paying for someone to do a job I know I can do myself. The biggest problem I have is paying someone for six hours when it only takes four to complete. Oh well, such is life.

[w0014170]

Got around to installing the euro headlights in the 400e. Better light pattern now

[slammin_e28]

Put a clutch master in dad's e30.

E30s suck.

SRS light keeps popping in to say "Hi!!" on the Disco. Yay me.

[Stevo12]

Installed an R-package lip on the Miata. Also re-installed the belly pan for the first time in 2 years - it will make the car run cooler, they said. It also makes oil changes a bitch, I say. E28 gets some new tie rods and an alignment this week

[davintosh]

Did the CCV system on my e46. Damn near killed me.

Oh but that hurts to hear; I have parts for that job waiting for me at home... What kind of trouble did it give you?

I did that same job on the e53 last fall/winter and didn't think it was too bad (but had help from my son with the magic fingers to get the bits lined up under the intake manifold.) The only problem getting started on it is finding a free weekend.

I think I just realized that I need to make more money so I can pay someone to do this stuff now. Had enough spare money though to have someone rebuild the front end components on my 99 Suburban though, Ball joints and all steering components.

I just really have a problem paying for someone to do a job I know I can do myself. The biggest problem I have is paying someone for six hours when it only takes four to complete. Oh well, such is life.

I hear you there.

[Mike W.]

Funny, I've had the CCV out a couple of times on the E39 and I didn't think it was too bad to get to. But I hear lots of stories about how bad it is. On the other hand, I hate taking the E39 fan shroud off and putting it back on. And most don't seem to have a problem with it. I bring this all up since it's all M5X related and they're all pretty close.

[Chimi-Changa]

Tundra front Brakes this weekend... Wow what a difference. Nice four piston calipers are now actually stopping the truck, and no more caliper drag. Went with Centric stuff and seems ok so far....350$ in parts for the whole shebang.

[slammin_e28]

Funny, I've had the CCV out a couple of times on the E39 and I didn't think it was too bad to get to. But I hear lots of stories about how bad it is. On the other hand, I hate taking the E39 fan shroud off and putting it back on. And most don't seem to have a problem with it. I bring this all up since it's all M5X related and they're all pretty close.

E46 it SUCKS.

Helps to get OE pipes and not the shit URO stuff. Bends weren't correct on the URO stuff....I should have know better but figured a pipe was a pipe.

[davintosh]

Funny, I've had the CCV out a couple of times on the E39 and I didn't think it was too bad to get to. But I hear lots of stories about how bad it is. On the other hand, I hate taking the E39 fan shroud off and putting it back on. And most don't seem to have a problem with it. I bring this all up since it's all M5X related and they're all pretty close.

E46 it SUCKS.

Helps to get OE pipes and not the shit URO stuff. Bends weren't correct on the URO stuff....I should have know better but figured a pipe was a pipe.

Ruh-roh; I made the same assumption.

[Jon in Richmond]

Funny, I've had the CCV out a couple of times on the E39 and I didn't think it was too bad to get to. But I hear lots of stories about how bad it is. On the other hand, I hate taking the E39 fan shroud off and putting it back on. And most don't seem to have a problem with it. I bring this all up since it's all M5X related and they're all pretty close.

E46 it SUCKS.

Helps to get OE pipes and not the shit URO stuff. Bends weren't correct on the URO stuff....I should have know better but figured a pipe was a pipe.

Ruh-roh; I made the same assumption.

I got the BMW stuff. If the URO is worse, I'd still be cursing that biatch right now. There's a few good write ups with pics on the net. It's doable, Lol, I got'r done.

[slammin_e28]

I didn't know about removing that firewall bit between the brake booster and intake mani.

Pls do. It makes it so much easier. I rear about it AFTER I was done.....

[davintosh]

I kinda went by the Bavauto videos when doing the X5; definitely need to review before diving into that beast; Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

[ldsbeaker]

Went to La Jolla Independent for the early e28 body differential mount strengthening kit and some key blanks for the 1600. I haven't had a trunk key since I've owned the car, nor a second set of keys.
( I brought the car over the mountain for DD while I'm attending a school here in SoCal. )
Asked Carl for a place that might cut the keys.. Dup A Key 3 miles away, and they are open for another 45 minutes. (Close at 6) Go there, explain situation and they make short work of it. They had a trunk blank in stock but it doesn't have a roundel on it... Got the code off the tail/lock panel. Duplicated door/ignition key. Duplicated gas cap key from a random blank in stock (never a BMW key). $64 and an hour of my time, TWO complete sets of keys! Woot!

Also replaced my bodged together driver's side regulator that FINALLY gave up for good. Okay, i screwed up the assembly of the regulator after "fixing" the pot metal bolt/pin. It's an '02 thing.

[Jon in Richmond]

I kinda went by the Bavauto videos when doing the X5; definitely need to review before diving into that beast; Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

That's a good video that I had not seen and would have helped me with the MF top hose to the OS that you are supposed to rotate into position. I couldn't find a way to rotate it and practiced out of the car and found that if your just pushed hard, it would snap into place just like the rest of them. A couple of observations: 1) Why didn't the guy just take the DISA valve out of the way, 2 bolts. You should take it out to check it and clean it. 2) Take the ICV out and clean it up real good. Mine was very dirty and sticking and after cleaning made a huge difference when I started the car back up. 3) Get the O ring for the dipstick tube and pull the tube out of the car to clean it out really good. Why blow all that gunk down into the pan?

[slammin_e28]

I washed the trail off the Discovery.

Going to go off roading this weekend, so had to make room for more dirt.

[oldskool]

OK, . . . so the LandBruiser exhibited classic battery failure syptoms and I ran all the numbers. Yep, she's dying a slow death. Not bad for a 10 year old AutoZone reject. My question, er, statement is this . . . will MikeW acknowledge this as successful wrench turn, or do I have to actually put in the new battery with full video display while wearing a thong? I'm open to either.

[Mike W.]

OK, . . . so the LandBruiser exhibited classic battery failure syptoms and I ran all the numbers. Yep, she's dying a slow death. Not bad for a 10 year old AutoZone reject. My question, er, statement is this . . . will MikeW acknowledge this as successful wrench turn, or do I have to actually put in the new battery with full video display while wearing a thong? I'm open to either.

No video required and please no thong, but did you actually R and R the battery yourself? My wife can tell if the car is cranking slowly...

[davintosh]

I accidentally sold one... Well, kind of anyway. I cleaned up the 318ti & took some photos of it on Friday night to post a FS ad for it, then parked it on the street overnight. A neighbor from down the block drove by (several times) while I was working in the garage yesterday; he finally decided to stop on about his third pass. We chatted about the car and he took it for a long drive, and was pleased with it for the most part. He was a little put out by the CEL on the dash and the fact that the A/C wasn't working, worrying about what it would take to get that sorted out. We talked a while, and I told him the other three cars would be up for sale soon too because we were, um, heading out of town soon. He pointed to the e46; "Tell me about that one." So I did. We talked price and timing -- my plan was for that car to be the last one we'd sell before leaving for Germany, and that's the most solid of the bunch. In the end we agreed on a price and a date when I'd sign the title and hand over the keys, and it's pretty much done. He didn't even want to drive it.

[2 5's and a 7]

I'm late to the party.....on 4/12 wife went out of town took the 09 Suburban to the Local Ford dealership and 45 minutes latter bought a 2015 Explorer Limited for her. I now drive the X5.....it's incentive for me fix my e28 and e38. First my car I've ever bought.

[oldskool]

Battery is in. I paid the neighbor $50 to slide it in because I had just painted my nails. Black.
I made sure the radio mast went up and down and then slid the Morrisey CD in but the neighbor ran off before being paid. Weird.

[Mike W.]

I accidentally sold one...

He didn't even want to drive it.

That happened when I sold my first E39. The guy looked at it in awe, and it was nice, but 11 years old with 155K on it at that point, didn't want to drive it, but eventually asked if he could hear it run. Didn't want to look under the hood, just walked around murmured to his wife and offered me $500 less than my asking price, 4 hours after the ad went up on Craigslist. I took the money and ran.

[slammin_e28]

My first REAL problem with the D2 happened Saturday. After driving trails we stopped to regroup and drive back up and out. Turn key, CLICK. Hmm....try again....CLICK.

Starter pooped.

So after an ordeal of towing the Rover out of Deliverance, ordered a starter (after confirming voltage was getting to old one). Arrived today and I installed....POP, 30a fuse blows. WTF. FIddle with it, POP, another one. After the third, and last 30a Pacific slow blow fuse, I pulled the starter and bench tested it, thinking I got a dud reman. Operated just fine. So I reinstalled, made a jumper with a 30a blade fuse, wired up, connected battery, and turned the key.

Started right up. If it had operated the first install I'd have been done in 20 minutes. Rover V8 FTW. Love this engine.

Also finally got the e46 SRS lamp out. Code for LF side airbag, low resistance. I had done a window regulator. High resistance would have meant I probably forgot to plug it in...but it was plugged up. With Paul (Moosehead) helping me via messages, figured out I'd broken the locking tab for the plug. This tab pushes back some tabs in the airbag that short it out....a safety feature so you can't accidentally pop the bag when handling it, apparently. We have a car out back so I went out and nabbed a new tab from it (to compare to the one on my car), and indeed, mine was broken. If it weren't for Paul I'd still be chasing my tail.

Next up, SRS lamp in the Disco (RF seatbelt tensioner) and SRS light in the e34 (control unit - think it fried when the alternator overcharged before it crapped out....light came on with code right after I got the car running again).

yay SRS,