The BMW UUC Digest Volume 1 : Issue 80 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: spark plug installation tools Re: spark plug installation tools Re: spark plug installation tools Re: spark plug installation tools brake lining warning Re: brake lining warning 1990 525iA instrument cluster Re: [E46] Transmission Fill Quantity Re: E36 bike rack / hitch Re: E36 bike rack / hitch Re: Dent Removal What is this? Re: What is this? Re: <OT> foam in Volvo airbox [E46] Transmission Fill Quantities
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 10:56:41 -0800 From: "Ziv Gillat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: spark plug installation tools Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Got it. OK. I trust you. I will change my order. BTW, the Bosch plugs were actually half-price. Since I read a review of someone that used them, and he said that the engine ran MUCH quieter, I trusted him too. But I like your explanation, and will stick with the stock NGK plugs. Thanks :-) FYI, here is the link: http://e46fanatics.com/howto/howtodetail.php?howto_id=44 Take care --- Ziv. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Daley Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 10:47 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UUC] spark plug installation tools Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] It's a common misconception that platinum plugs are performance plugs. They're not, they're a long-life plug. Copper has about 6 times the electrical conductivity of platinum so you get a stronger spark but copper plugs will erode much faster so they require more frequent replacement. The Bosch +4's have 4 ground electrodes (thus the +4 designation). Incidentally, the stock plugs on my 325ic have 2 ground electrodes. The spark only fires to one ground electrode each time the plug is fired. As each electrode wears the spark will jump to whichever one is closest (path of least resistance). Since there are 4 ground electrodes the +4 plug will last 4 times as long as a conventional plug with a single ground electrode. 4 ground straps surrounding the spark also provide 4 times as much shrouding of the flame kernel making it harder for the flame front to spread through the combustion chamber. Definitely not good for performance. Depending on variables like combustion cha! mber design and plug placement some engines are more sensitive to this than others. Unless the plugs are very difficult to access I wouldn't waste the extra money on platinum plugs, and I wouldn't put +4's on any engine that I cared about performance (in other words, any vehicle I own). Brian 94 325ic -----Original Message----- From: Michael Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Jan 4, 2004 5:10 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UUC] spark plug installation tools Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] I would suggest NOT installing them in your car. Not sure what car you have, but I have tried them in a couple of vehicles and they instantly resulted in a poor running car. They absolutely don't work in a turbocharged car, nor my M3 or 535i. YMMV Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ziv Gillat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 3:36 PM Subject: [UUC] spark plug installation tools > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > Hi, > > I have bought the Bosche Platinum 4+ plugs. What sockets and extensions do I > need to connect to the ratchet, in order to get in and remove/install the > plugs? I looked at Griot's Garage, but they had several sizes, and I'm not > able to figure out what is the size that the '01 330Ci has. > > Thanks --- > > Ziv. __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 15:08:15 -0500 From: "Michael Lawrence" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: spark plug installation tools Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> So you don't trust us others who have actually used them in several different cars, all with bad results? I could have given you the reasons it doesn't perform well but have found most people like to hear real world results over intelligent reasoning, lol. Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ziv Gillat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 1:56 PM Subject: Re: [UUC] spark plug installation tools > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > Got it. OK. I trust you. I will change my order. BTW, the Bosch plugs were > actually half-price. Since I read a review of someone that used them, and he > said that the engine ran MUCH quieter, I trusted him too. But I like your > explanation, and will stick with the stock NGK plugs. > > Thanks :-) > > FYI, here is the link: > > http://e46fanatics.com/howto/howtodetail.php?howto_id=44 > > Take care --- > > Ziv. > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Daley > Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 10:47 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [UUC] spark plug installation tools > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > It's a common misconception that platinum plugs are performance plugs. > They're not, they're a long-life plug. Copper has about 6 times the > electrical conductivity of platinum so you get a stronger spark but copper > plugs will erode much faster so they require more frequent replacement. The > Bosch +4's have 4 ground electrodes (thus the +4 designation). > Incidentally, the stock plugs on my 325ic have 2 ground electrodes. The > spark only fires to one ground electrode each time the plug is fired. As > each electrode wears the spark will jump to whichever one is closest (path > of least resistance). Since there are 4 ground electrodes the +4 plug will > last 4 times as long as a conventional plug with a single ground electrode. > 4 ground straps surrounding the spark also provide 4 times as much shrouding > of the flame kernel making it harder for the flame front to spread through > the combustion chamber. Definitely not good for performance. Depending on > variables like combustion cha! > mber design and plug placement some engines are more sensitive to this than > others. Unless the plugs are very difficult to access I wouldn't waste the > extra money on platinum plugs, and I wouldn't put +4's on any engine that I > cared about performance (in other words, any vehicle I own). > Brian > 94 325ic > > -----Original Message----- > From: Michael Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Jan 4, 2004 5:10 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [UUC] spark plug installation tools > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > I would suggest NOT installing them in your car. Not sure what car you > have, but I have tried them in a couple of vehicles and they instantly > resulted in a poor running car. They absolutely don't work in a > turbocharged car, nor my M3 or 535i. > > YMMV > > Mike > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ziv Gillat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 3:36 PM > Subject: [UUC] spark plug installation tools > > > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > Hi, > > > > I have bought the Bosche Platinum 4+ plugs. What sockets and extensions do > I > > need to connect to the ratchet, in order to get in and remove/install the > > plugs? I looked at Griot's Garage, but they had several sizes, and I'm not > > able to figure out what is the size that the '01 330Ci has. > > > > Thanks --- > > > > Ziv. > > > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 14:31:47 -0800 From: "Ziv Gillat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: spark plug installation tools Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I ordered the NGK plugs, and won't touch the Bosch, when they come in. Thanks guys. !!! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 11:20:38 -0800 From: "Ziv Gillat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: spark plug installation tools Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> OK, ordered the NGK plugs :-) Will return the Bosch plugs. Thanks for the advise :-) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 14:33:06 -0500 From: "Beaudette, Roland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Uuc (E-mail)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: brake lining warning Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I recently replaced the front and rear rotors and pads. The sensors were replaced and the connection was lubed with dielectric grease. But the brake lining warning continues to appear. Upon disassembling the front, driver's side I noticed the lead from the sensor had frayed. I cut out the offending section and spliced in a repair. Is the wiring so sensitive as to notice the spliced section? Is the wiring directional (I think they were reconnected to the correct wires). Any way to disable the warning and clear the dash display if I can't solve the problem? Cheers, Roland ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2004 15:17:30 -0500 (EST) From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: brake lining warning Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Buy a new sensor for $20 and plug it in. If you want to avoid this in the future, tie it back with a zip tie and keep an eye on your pads. > Any way to disable the warning and clear the dash display if I can't solve the > problem? Marc Plante E36 325i, 218k Vienna, VA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 14:49:27 -0500 From: "Beaudette, Roland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Uuc (E-mail)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: 1990 525iA instrument cluster Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Is the instrument cluster required in order to operate the car? I need the car but would like to remove the cluster to replace the capacitors. Obviously, if the cluster can be out but the car run, it makes scheduling the repair easier. Cheers, Roland ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 13:14:02 -0800 (PST) From: Brian Daley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [E46] Transmission Fill Quantity Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cliff, As far as I know you should always fill a transmission until the fluid is to the bottom of the fill hole - i.e. until it starts to drip out of the hole. Those engineers are pretty clever - with the transmission in place you can't overfill it, no measuring required. I just changed the fluid in my E36 yesterday. The spec is 1 liter and it took slightly more than a 1 qt bottle. Your E46 shouldn't be too different. One tip - make sure you can get the fill plug out before you pull the drain plug. Not often a problem, but if you drain first then can't get the fill plug out you're in trouble! Brian '94 325ic -----Original Message----- From: Cliff James <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Jan 5, 2004 6:31 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UUC] [E46] Transmission Fill Quantity Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Gang. I have a 2000 328i, 5sp, sport pkg. I currently have 85K trouble free miles. I am looking at a major service at 100k, since I intend to keep this car a lot longer. BMW claims that the manual transmission and rear differential fluid are "permanent" fills and therefore, do not list quantities in the owners / service manual. Since I intend to potentially put a lot more miles on this car, I don't want to trust the "permanent" fill. I want to use Redline MTL and Redline rear diff fluid to replace the BMW fluids. Does anyone know what are the service quantities for the manual transmission and rear differential fluids? TIA Cliff James __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 21:59:20 -0500 From: "Mike Gambini" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: E36 bike rack / hitch Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I also had a hitch mount 2" bike rack that used to mount on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Worked fine there. Sold that car and got a VW Passatt wagon. Very hard to find receiver hitches for most foreign cars. Found and bought a D'Lan 1.25" receiver, then bought a new bottom for the bike rack. Have to be careful loading too much weight though because the D'Lan is only mounted to sheet metal(BMW 3 series mount is almost identical), and you have to strap the bikes from the top to the car racks to prevent them from having too much leverage on the receiver. Works OK but more than 2 bikes is pushing it. Better to put them on the roof probably. MikeG ----- Original Message ----- From: "M Kittock" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I know some have installed hitches for pulling trailers. Right now I have a hitch mount bike rack for 4 bikes that I mount on our Durango. I am thinking of selling the Durango but still want to travel with 4 bikes. I've looked at roof racks, and thats an option but after getting 4 bikes up there I'll be too tired to bike :) > > So I'd like to use the hitch rack on my 328i, it is for a 2" receiver. Has anyone done this? > > Thanks, > > Mark Kittock ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 22:10:02 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: E36 bike rack / hitch Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I don't know what the E36 has, but the E34 has very strong trailer hitch mounts built into the frame. Europeans tow with all their cars. I think all BMWs have a 3000 lb rating or so. Gary Derian > > I also had a hitch mount 2" bike rack that used to mount on a Jeep Grand > Cherokee. Worked fine there. Sold that car and got a VW Passatt wagon. Very > hard to find receiver hitches for most foreign cars. Found and bought a > D'Lan 1.25" receiver, then bought a new bottom for the bike rack. Have to be > careful loading too much weight though because the D'Lan is only mounted to > sheet metal(BMW 3 series mount is almost identical), and you have to strap > the bikes from the top to the car racks to prevent them from having too much > leverage on the receiver. Works OK but more than 2 bikes is pushing it. > Better to put them on the roof probably. > MikeG ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 19:50:54 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Dent Removal Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> More than likely your weather is conducive to the old wet towel and iron trick. Place a damp towel over the dent and then an iron on top of this. The temperature differential between the cold metal and heated should pop the dent back out with the localized expansion. -Kevin ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 21:31:59 -0800 From: "Scott & Charlotte Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: What is this? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Does anyone know what this part number is? 12 51 1 724 521 Thanks, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 01:35:57 -0500 From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: What is this? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> It's an engine wiring harness from a 9/87 to 5/88 E30, left hand drive, probably manual transmission. Brett Anderson KMS -----Original Message----- Does anyone know what this part number is? 12 51 1 724 521 Thanks, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 08:29:59 -0500 From: "Robinson, Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: <OT> foam in Volvo airbox Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> It's an easy job & the E46 RSMs are only about $12 ea. Guess which way I'm going. Mine are over 3 years old & have seen some track use & some serious autocross use & are still fine. Of course, the roads in my area of the country are generally better than most other places as well...... Lee > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bora Akyol (BMW) > Sent: Friday, January 02, 2004 15:42 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [UUC] <OT> foam in Volvo airbox > > > Search the > ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > The E46 M3 shock mounts are still pieces of cr*p. > > If you are going to track the car at all or autocross it, go > with GC or JTD ones. > > Bora > > On 12/31/03 11:09, "Andrew Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > At least this doesn't require much disassembly to fix. Let > us not forget > > that for several years BMW would fit self-destructing rear > shock mounts, > > requiring regular and frequent replacement unless the car > was used extremely > > gently in climes with little temperature variation. > > ______________________________________________________________ > ____________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of > the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 07:57:07 -0600 (GMT-06:00) From: Cliff James <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [E46] Transmission Fill Quantities Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jamie Wrote: >This was posted last week by someone else, you type in the last 7 digits >of your VIN and lots of neat info is revealed: >http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi >BTW, conventional wisdom is that 85K miles is too long to wait for a >tranny/diff fluid change. I do mine every 30-35K miles. >Regards >Jamie Howton >2002 330i >1995 M3 Jamie, Thanks for the response. I agree, 85K is too long to wait. My previous two 3 series, I always changed at the mileage you indicate. I have probably been dupped into thinking that BMW utilized better synthetic fluids in the E46, thus the recommendation for lifetime fill versus the previous service interval of about 30K. I checked the website you indicated above, and was able to determine the fill quantity for the MTL would be about 1.3 litres. However it still lists 0.0 litres for "rear axle oil" with the remarks at the bottom of the page indicating BMW's philosophy of "life time fill" for the transmission and rear axle. Any one know the quantity for the Rear Axle Fluid on a 2000 328i? TIA Cliff James ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
