The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 35 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Re: [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) Re: E34/M50 Alternator Issues Re: E34/M50 Alternator Issues Re: E34/M50 Alternator Issues <E36> Worst Job Re: <E36> Worst Job Re: Replacement coilpacks? Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Re: Replacement coilpacks? Re: E36 brake woes - update <E36> Oil Drain Fittings was: Worst Job Re: <E36> Oil Drain Fittings was: Worst Job
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 08:11:14 -0800 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'm with you on that one. I hate it everytime I do it. One of these days I'm going to move the damn thing. Marco -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Brett Anderson Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 5:55 AM To: UUC Digest Subject: Re: [UUC] <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > OK Brett, we'll bite! What is the worst - in the sense of stupidly and > unnecessarily so - job on the E36? I think, as far as jobs go, the fuel filter on the OBDI cars is the worst job one can need to perform on an E36. Not because it's particularly horrible, but because it *should* be a real simple 30 second job, and the managed to turn it into a 10 minute ordeal. Brett Anderson KMS --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.573 / Virus Database: 363 - Release Date: 1/28/2004 __________________________________________________________________________ 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: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 08:27:17 -0800 From: Mark Dadgar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Bill Arnold moved mine while the car was in for misc. other stuff. It's now a 30 second job. - Mark On Feb 20, 2004, at 8:11 AM, Marco Romani wrote: > Search the > ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > I'm with you on that one. > > I hate it everytime I do it. One of these days I'm going to move the > damn > thing. > > Marco > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Brett Anderson > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 5:55 AM > To: UUC Digest > Subject: Re: [UUC] <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) > > > Search the > ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > >> OK Brett, we'll bite! What is the worst - in the sense of stupidly and >> unnecessarily so - job on the E36? > > I think, as far as jobs go, the fuel filter on the OBDI cars is the > worst > job one can need to perform on an E36. > > Not because it's particularly horrible, but because it *should* be a > real > simple 30 second job, and the managed to turn it into a 10 minute > ordeal. > > Brett Anderson > KMS > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.573 / Virus Database: 363 - Release Date: 1/28/2004 > > > _______________________________________________________________________ > ___ > 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: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 11:52:45 -0500 From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: david kroth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> How about replacing the microfilter? Maybe not a greasy nuts and bolts job but small hands and yoga practice come in handy! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 11:25:42 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brett - Have had intermittent rough idle (felt like it was running on 5 cylinders), which finally resulted in CEL. Code indicated misfire on first cylinder. Replaced plugs, but still feel occassional roughness at idle. If not a bad coilpack, perhaps a dirty injector?? Neil In a message dated 2/20/2004 1:41:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Neil, > > What makes you think you need to replace the coils? They > should be good for > 200K miles or better. > > Brett Anderson ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 11:50:03 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E34/M50 Alternator Issues Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gary, This morning going to work, the following resulted in no battery light illumination. Prior to starting with key at position 2. After initial startup, with the voltmeter reading 11-12vdc. After revving the motor to get the alternator charging the system. After shutdown, with key in position 2. I think the battery light is probably burnt out (how would I check otherwise?), but with a voltage gauge installed, I do not worry about it too much. But it goes back to the original question: Is there an alternator problem? This did not happen prior to the engine change. Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 08:47:12 -0800 (PST) From: Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E34/M50 Alternator Issues Sounds to me like the alternator field is not being energized. At higher rpm. the residual magneism generates enough voltage to turn it on. It may be a problem within the alternator or a wiring problem in the car. Does the charge light come on, then go out when the voltage goes up? If not the problem is in the wiring. The current to energize the field runs through that light. If the bulb is burned out, it will cause the symptoms you describe. Gary Derian > > > I have a 91 525i with a single vanos M50 motor > transplant (not saying the displacement, don't > ask:-D). When starting the car the voltage remains > at 11-12 VDC and doesnt come up to the 13-14VDC mark > on the gauge until I rev it up to about 2200rpm. > From my observations, the car is running off the > battery until the revs come up. (i.e. If the lights > are on, they have the dull glows.) > > The question(s) is: Do I have an emerging alternator > problem or is this an ECU issue or not worry about > it? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 08:54:02 -0800 (PST) From: Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E34/M50 Alternator Issues Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From your description I think the alternator is OK. Either a wire has been missed, or the light is burned out. Gary Derian --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Gary, > This morning going to work, the following resulted > in no battery light illumination. > Prior to starting with key at position 2. > After initial startup, with the voltmeter reading > 11-12vdc. > After revving the motor to get the alternator > charging the system. > After shutdown, with key in position 2. > > I think the battery light is probably burnt out (how > would I check otherwise?), but with a voltage gauge > installed, I do not worry about it too much. > > But it goes back to the original question: Is there > an alternator problem? This did not happen prior to > the engine change. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 01:26:36 +0700 From: "Sean Cordone" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E34/M50 Alternator Issues Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This goes way back, but I think on the E28 at least the bulb was part of the charging circuit- I can't recall how, but a burned out bulb in the instrument cluster (an open circuit) would cause charging problems. --SC > I think the battery light is probably burnt out (how would I check otherwise?), but > with a voltage gauge installed, I do not worry about it too much. > -- _____________________________________________________________ Web-based SMS services available at http://www.operamail.com. >From your mailbox to local or overseas cell phones. Powered by Outblaze ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 11:54:41 -0500 From: "Dorffer, Rich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: <E36> Worst Job Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brett says > > I think, as far as jobs go, the fuel filter on the OBDI cars is the worst > job one can need to perform on an E36. OBDI prior to a certain date right? I have the more accessible version in my 6/95 production OBDI E36 M3. I thought that issue was limited to the '94 production models but I don't what the changeover date was. > Not because it's particularly horrible, but because it *should* be a real > simple 30 second job, and the managed to turn it into a 10 minute ordeal. My "rule of three" comes into play here. Many underestimate the time it takes to do a job, I am as guilty as anyone. In all actuality, for Brett, this should be a "90 second job instead of a 30 minute ordeal". For me, the rule of three applies again as any time Brett tells me something will take me an hour, it will really take me three hours. Just remember the "rule of three", there isn't an on-line translator that I am aware of.... David says > > Other "bad" E36 jobs: > > - Removing the block drain. VERY hard to do from > the top (though I recall Brett says that's > how he does it). If you do it from the bottom > you WILL get a shower of coolant. It goes > everywhere as it bounces off the exhaust. This is much easier job if you add the Fumoto drain valve with the lead nipple: https://ssl2.adhost.com/fumotovalve/static/Graphics/N-Plug.jpg I did this on two of my cars after seeing how easy it was to drain the coolant in my wife's Honda Accord V6 (which has a drain valve with lead nipple similar to this OE). Regards, Rich ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 12:39:29 -0500 (GMT-05:00) From: Brian Daley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: <E36> Worst Job Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Rich, Where is it located on your 95? The location on my 94 is awful. What were the engineers thinking putting a service part there? Must have been a Friday afternoon. If it can be relocated using the later parts I might want to do that next time I replace the filter. Thanks, Brian -----Original Message----- From: "Dorffer, Rich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Feb 20, 2004 11:54 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UUC] <E36> Worst Job Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Brett says > > I think, as far as jobs go, the fuel filter on the OBDI cars is the worst > job one can need to perform on an E36. OBDI prior to a certain date right? I have the more accessible version in my 6/95 production OBDI E36 M3. I thought that issue was limited to the '94 production models but I don't what the changeover date was. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 08:59:17 -0800 From: Jim Bassett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Replacement coilpacks? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 07:27 AM 2/20/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] talked about: >Suspect I need to replace coilpacks on my 99 M Coupe with 48,000 miles. That seems like awfully soon to be replacing coils. How did you determine this? >Which manufacturer's are best -- Bosch, Bremi, others? When I replaced the coils on the '93 325is (unnecessarily, it turned out), I was told to replace them with the same brand as originally installed. >Also, any recommendations on least expensive source? I got mine from Bimmerparts.com. Cheers, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP/A5 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 09:04:42 -0800 From: Jim Bassett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: <E36> Worst Job (was Front Door Handle R&R) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 05:54 AM 2/20/04, Brett Anderson talked about: > > OK Brett, we'll bite! What is the worst - in the sense of stupidly and > > unnecessarily so - job on the E36? > >I think, as far as jobs go, the fuel filter on the OBDI cars is the worst >job one can need to perform on an E36. > >Not because it's particularly horrible, but because it *should* be a real >simple 30 second job, and the managed to turn it into a 10 minute ordeal. This was one of the first mods Bill Arnold did to my '93 325is race car - relocating the fuel filter for easier access. It's now located below the engine compartment along the frame rail as it slopes up to the engine compartment, and uses a filter from a 750i IIRC (longer & thinner that the OE one). Quite a bit easier to change now :-) Cheers, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP/A5 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 09:06:37 -0800 From: jkerouac <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Replacement coilpacks? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Re: [UUC] Replacement coilpacks? Quick check before replacing coils, check the ground straps for the coil grounds, and if a coil mounting bolt could be loose. I got my car back when it was still under warranty from InspectionII and something wasn't right, found that the dealer hack had overtightened a bolt to where it broke and the ground strap wasn't secured snug. Never bothered to tell the dealer, just never went there again. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >Suspect I need to replace coilpacks on my 99 M Coupe with 48,000 miles. Which >manufacturer's are best -- Bosch, Bremi, others? Also, any recommendations on least >expensive source? Thanks. > >Neil Simon >99 M Coupe >DC tags "MDORPHN" > > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 09:36:29 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E36 brake woes - update Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My understanding is that the most common causes of pedal going to the floor are the master cylinder and the brake booster. Since you've done the master cylinder, why not do the booster? I've never heard anyone say that this could be caused by an ABS problem, but what do I know? Well, you asked for our opinions. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 09:08:30 -0500 >From: "Chris Baker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: E36 brake woes - update >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >For those that remember and/or care, I've posted here a couple times >about the low brake pedal in my '94 E36 that I've been trying to >eradicate for 5 months. Highlights: > >- Initial low pedal. One pump brings it up nicely. Steady pressure >will eventually result in a pedal all the way to the floor, nothing >you'd notice in normal driving. >- Rebuilt calipers, replaced front wheel bearings, replaced master >cylinder. Multiple pressure bleeds. No improvement. > >I finally buckled and took it to the dealer so they could perform their >fancy cycle-the-ABS flush. They flushed and gave it back saying it was >all better. It wasn't. I think there is an improvement, but it's >certainly not 100%. > >I took it back today and they brought out their lead technician to >discuss the issue with me. He told me that there is nothing they can do >with the ABS system while flushing in the earlier E36s, not until '96 or >so when some sort of additional pump was put in the system. I was quite >surprised as I've never heard this before. He said they would probably >try an old fashioned brake pedal pump bleed because sometimes the >pressure bleed doesn't use enough pressure to get all the air. > >Opinions? > >Chris B. >'94 325i ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 13:10:01 -0500 (GMT-05:00) From: Brian Daley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: <E36> Oil Drain Fittings was: Worst Job Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I see from the link that this is intended to be an oil drain but it can't be used as one with the lower brace on my convertible. The brace has the additional drawback that as the oil flow slows it puddles on top of the brace. I'd been thinking of trying the Fram Suredrain but they don't list an application for the E36. Does anyone know the size and thread of the oil drain plug offhand? I'm thinking one of the existing part numbers might fit the E36 but Fram doesn't list it because they haven't confirmed it. Thanks, Brian -----Original Message----- From: "Dorffer, Rich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <snipped> David says > > Other "bad" E36 jobs: > > - Removing the block drain. VERY hard to do from > the top (though I recall Brett says that's > how he does it). If you do it from the bottom > you WILL get a shower of coolant. It goes > everywhere as it bounces off the exhaust. This is much easier job if you add the Fumoto drain valve with the lead nipple: https://ssl2.adhost.com/fumotovalve/static/Graphics/N-Plug.jpg I did this on two of my cars after seeing how easy it was to drain the coolant in my wife's Honda Accord V6 (which has a drain valve with lead nipple similar to this OE). ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 10:22:18 -0800 From: Mark Dadgar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: <E36> Oil Drain Fittings was: Worst Job Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Feb 20, 2004, at 10:10 AM, Brian Daley wrote: > I see from the link that this is intended to be an oil drain but it > can't be used as one with the lower brace on my convertible. The > brace has the additional drawback that as the oil flow slows it > puddles on top of the brace. I'd been thinking of trying the Fram > Suredrain but they don't list an application for the E36. Does anyone > know the size and thread of the oil drain plug offhand? I'm thinking > one of the existing part numbers might fit the E36 but Fram doesn't > list it because they haven't confirmed it. The Fumoto oil drain valve is a *very* popular upgrade on GM/Chevy HD trucks, particularly the Duramax diesels. Personally, I would worry about scraping it off on something and leaving a 10 qt oil slick behind me. The cool thing about these trucks is that you don't need to jack them up to drain the oil. :) - Mark '97 528i 5-spd '94 325is, JP/A5 #117, temporarily mothballed due to impending baby arrival '02 GMC 2500HD Duramax Big Farkin' Truck, no Fumoto valve, new Graco baby seat ----- [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
