The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 805 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: E36 M3 Purchase Re: E30 Brake Warning Light cleaning out the HVAC Re: cleaning out the HVAC Re: cleaning out the HVAC Re: cleaning out the HVAC Re: <E36> JTD underbody panel <e30> Starter Re: <e30> Starter 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! FS 97 540i/6spd, silver, $15K
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:42:44 -0500 From: "Marc Plante" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E36 M3 Purchase Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> usual E36 stuff Water pump, thermostat and radiator every 60k esp if he's going to DEs Trailing arm bushings every 60 couldn't hurt either. Rear shock mounts can tire in 60-90. Best to replace with aftermarket that are a bit more sturdy People claim the shocks are shot after 40k, but mine feel fine after 66, though the car spent the first 40k of its life driving in slow, straight lines in Florida. Koni front inserts and rear shocks are a nive upgrade when you replace stock. Metal master pads will run a little cleaner for street duty. Hmmm, i seem to remember other things I did to both my E36s over the years. Maybe they were just all mods 8^ D Marc Plante 1993 E36 325i, (sold @230k) 1997 E36 M3/4 67k 2005 Child (on oder) Vienna, VA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nick Ortwein" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: [UUC] E36 M3 Purchase Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 10:23:52 -0700 (PDT) > > My father who is where I get my 'car nut genes' from > Wants to buy an E36 M3. Most likely it will be a > coupe. I've already told him to by one that is bone > stock. > > What M3 specific repairs should have been done already > or potential issues do these cars have. Feel free to > e-mail me on or off-list. > > Thanks in advance, > > Nick Ortwein > San Diego, CA > '01 S4 MTM Stage II > '88 E30 325is > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 06:55:20 EDT From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E30 Brake Warning Light Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Scott Miller posted: Pulling the bulb is so much like work. Put a piece of black electrical tape over the part of the dash where the light is. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA Listens to Car Talk too much I'm surprised at you Scott!!! I thought you were a true gear head & "car guy". Sorry, but that is simply a "lame" response. You can do better (and have always done so, as you have been helpful to everyone in then past- maybe you were having a bad day? :-)) I don't know who posted the original post, but if you are out there feel free to e-mail me and I will try to give you instructions as to how to remove the instrument cluster to pull or change the affected bulbs. It takes all of about 10 minutes, and the fix will be "professional" - no black tape involved! Happy Motoring, John Weese Nittany Bimmers ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 09:39:18 -0500 From: "Marc Plante" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: cleaning out the HVAC Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have a nasty odor coming out of my 1997 M3/4s vents when I turn on the vent fan alone (AC seems OK)...Smells a bit like...urine. No, this car has not played host to any wild fraternity road trips, pets or young children. The odor fades if I run the system for several minutes full blast. Beyond micro filter (done in the last 3-6 months). What are other areas that are reasonably user serviceable to get rid of any odors? vent intake under the hood? go after duct work in the dash? Thanks, Marc Plante 1997 E36 M3/4 67k 2005 child (on order) Vienna, VA ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 10:48:51 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Marc Plante" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: cleaning out the HVAC Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Nasty stuff grows on the warm and moist evaporator. This is a common problem for those who use the A/C all the time in a humid environment and don't dry out the evap before shutting down the car. There are sprays and such but you have to get it onto the evaporator, not just in the ducts. Gary Derian >I have a nasty odor coming out of my 1997 M3/4s vents when I turn on the >vent fan alone (AC seems OK)...Smells a bit like...urine. No, this car has >not played host to any wild fraternity road trips, pets or young children. >The odor fades if I run the system for several minutes full blast. > > Beyond micro filter (done in the last 3-6 months). What are other areas > that are reasonably user serviceable to get rid of any odors? vent intake > under the hood? go after duct work in the dash? > > Thanks, > > Marc Plante > 1997 E36 M3/4 67k > 2005 child (on order) > Vienna, VA > > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 09:44:39 -0500 From: "Ivan Demkovitch" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected] Subject: Re: cleaning out the HVAC Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> That is what you need: http://bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/AC/smell.htm Ivan 97' 540i/6 >From: "Marc Plante" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: [UUC] cleaning out the HVAC >Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 09:39:18 -0500 > >I have a nasty odor coming out of my 1997 M3/4s vents when I turn on the >vent fan alone (AC seems OK)...Smells a bit like...urine. No, this car has >not played host to any wild fraternity road trips, pets or young children. >The odor fades if I run the system for several minutes full blast. > >Beyond micro filter (done in the last 3-6 months). What are other areas >that are reasonably user serviceable to get rid of any odors? vent intake >under the hood? go after duct work in the dash? > >Thanks, > >Marc Plante >1997 E36 M3/4 67k >2005 child (on order) >Vienna, VA > > >Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > >__________________________________________________________________________ >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: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:46:05 +0000 From: "Gilbert Hoffman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: cleaning out the HVAC Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Marc asked: >What are other areas that are reasonably user serviceable to get rid of any >odors? Wurth makes a product that you spray in the vents. I used it as the PO of my E30 was a smoker. It seemed somewhat effective. Don't have the can handy, but I believe it claims to kill mold/mildew etc. in the system. Gilbert ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 10:16:15 -0700 From: "J. Ochi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> JTD underbody panel Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 05:14 PM 9/12/2005, Brian Ruiz wrote: >In any case, I am looking for input you guys have >about the panel, and how durable it has been to >hitting parking blocks, bumps, bruises etc. My 2 cents on the panel - all of the underbody stuff works together as a system, and is only as strong as the weakest link. If you reinforce one part, then the next weakest part in the system will fail. The JTD panel is a fine piece, but if your fender liners aren't in good shape, or your bumper cover is torn, it will never be secure. If you habitually hit parking blocks, high curbs, berms, cones, squirrels, etc., then no matter what you do, it will all eventually tear out. Each time you hit something with the lower lip of your air dam, it puts stress on all the fasteners (and the plastic surrounding the fastener holes) on all of the underbody stuff. As these fasteners loosen up, it allows the underbody stuff to move around, putting more stress on the mounting points, until something eventually tears through. The increased stress will tear out the next mounting point, and the one after that, and so on, until the parts are dragging. So, here's what I suggest - it's not perfect, and won't be indestructible, but it's as good as anything else. Buy new fender liners, and reinforce the three mounting holes at the bottom of the liner with some sheet metal and pop rivets. Replace all of the little square white plastic pieces that the body screws go into with new ones (they're pretty cheap at the dealer). If you really want to get fancy, you can replace the white plastic pieces with M6 nutserts, and use M6 bolts to fasten everything together. You can also replace the tinnerman clips that the sheet metal screws go into with sheet metal reinforcements and M6 nutserts. Use fender washers under the heads of the bolts (or screws) to spead the load, and help support all of the plastic pieces. Basically, reinforce everything until you're back to the metal parts on the car. Then, use either the JTD panel, or stock panels reinforced as above. Use fender washers under the heads of all the screws/bolts that you use to mount the underpanel. Highly recommended - add some support to the front center of each fender liner, by using a chain or a piece of aircraft cable from the fender liner to the bumper support. The support should be tight enough to take some of the weight off the front vertical screw that holds the fender liner in place. I don't really recommend using anything solid here - you want the bumper/underpanel/fender liner to be able to move up if you run over a parking block. Hope this helps, Jim Ochi ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:47:15 -0500 From: "Paul Craven" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: <e30> Starter Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, I need to replace the starter on my 93 325ic. I have the part, any tips, tricks or gotchas? Regards, Paul Craven 1993 325 ic - not starting... 1995 525iT - "sold" on Ebay, but still at home and not paid for yet 1998 528iT - Hers. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:11:42 -0700 From: Dave Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Paul Craven <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: <e30> Starter Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Wed, 2005-09-14 at 15:47 -0500, Paul Craven wrote: > Hi all, > I need to replace the starter on my 93 325ic. I have the part, any > tips, tricks or gotchas? The E30 starter can be a PITA unless you have some real long socket extensions so you can get to the bolts from the rear. I snap together a few so that the extension is almost as long as the transmission. Its also helpful to lower the rear of the transmission so you can get a little more room around the bell housing to get at the bolts. Of course, a second set of hands helps a lot for this job, but it can be done solo. I really wish BMW had used studs to mount that starter.... Dave ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 13:06:37 -0400 From: "chet.dawes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Vehicle: '95 S50 US-spec M3 (OBDI) ~75,3XX miles Problem/background info: No perceived running problems yet the 'CHECK' light in the center of the IP info area illuminates at seemingly random intervals. Sometimes it is on for a few seconds after start-up and then goes out, sometimes it never illuminates. Occasionally it blinks and other times remains lit for extended periods. Note: This is not the 'CHECK ENGINE' light as it is not illuminated and located on the left side of the same display area. Stomp test reveals only a code 1444 which indicates no DME diagnostic problem exists. My on-board computer display is on the fritz and is trying to tell me something (two things from what I can tell) yet I can't decipher what it says due to the faulty display. Question(s): 1) What the heck does this 'CHECK' light mean? 2) Could this light be telling me "Look at the on-board computer stupid!"? Mostly this is an annoyance but I'd prefer not to simply remove the bulb unless I absolutely can't fix/find the root cause. Thanks for the help! Chet Dawes **************************************************************************************** Note: If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. **************************************************************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:02:47 -0700 (PDT) From: Carlos Lopez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "chet.dawes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- "chet.dawes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Question(s): > 1) What the heck does this 'CHECK' light mean? > 2) Could this light be telling me "Look at the on-board computer > stupid!"? I believe that's it. Mine will do it when I'm low on washer fluid. Lately I'm getting the 'Brake circuit failure.' Not to hijack your thread but what's the fix for that? Leaving tomorrow evening for VIR so it's not like I can actually fix it before I go. :-/ Carlos 98 M3 __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:38:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Brian Ruiz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The "check" light illuminates whenever some sort of fault has been detected by the OBC. I would advise checking all your external lights (headlights, stop lights, parking lights, reverse lights, etc), your coolant reservoir level (when cold), your brake fluid level, and your washer fluid level (might want to read your manual too; I think it lists all the possible faults the OBC can detect, but I can't think of anything else off hand right now). Any problem the OBC displays are all non-extreme problems and you can now sigh in relief. NB: if you find nothing else wrong, I'd check into the coolant reservoir level sensor, as they're known for going out and causing the OBC to fault. Especially if the sensor is original. Brian 95 M3 --- "chet.dawes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Vehicle: > '95 S50 US-spec M3 (OBDI) > ~75,3XX miles > > Problem/background info: > No perceived running problems yet the 'CHECK' light > in the center of the > IP info area illuminates at seemingly random > intervals. Sometimes it is > on for a few seconds after start-up and then goes > out, sometimes it > never illuminates. Occasionally it blinks and other > times remains lit > for extended periods. > Note: This is not the 'CHECK ENGINE' light as it is > not illuminated and > located on the left side of the same display area. > > Stomp test reveals only a code 1444 which indicates > no DME diagnostic > problem exists. > > My on-board computer display is on the fritz and is > trying to tell me > something (two things from what I can tell) yet I > can't decipher what it > says due to the faulty display. > > Question(s): > 1) What the heck does this 'CHECK' light mean? > 2) Could this light be telling me "Look at the > on-board computer > stupid!"? > > Mostly this is an annoyance but I'd prefer not to > simply remove the bulb > unless I absolutely can't fix/find the root cause. > > Thanks for the help! > Chet Dawes > > **************************************************************************************** > > Note: If the reader of this message is not the > intended recipient, or an employee or agent > responsible for delivering this message to the > intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination, distribution or copying of this > communication is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify > us immediately by replying to the message and > deleting it from your computer. Thank you. > > **************************************************************************************** > > Search the > ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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 > __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:43:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Brian Ruiz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Oh yeah, when I said to "check all the lights" I meant to actually pull the bulbs and check the filaments, as sometimes a broken filament will recontact with the pole it broke away from after being jittered enough and continue to function normally. Do that before going too deep into the coolant level sensor. Brian --- "chet.dawes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Vehicle: > '95 S50 US-spec M3 (OBDI) > ~75,3XX miles > > Problem/background info: > No perceived running problems yet the 'CHECK' light > in the center of the > IP info area illuminates at seemingly random > intervals. Sometimes it is > on for a few seconds after start-up and then goes > out, sometimes it > never illuminates. Occasionally it blinks and other > times remains lit > for extended periods. > Note: This is not the 'CHECK ENGINE' light as it is > not illuminated and > located on the left side of the same display area. > > Stomp test reveals only a code 1444 which indicates > no DME diagnostic > problem exists. > > My on-board computer display is on the fritz and is > trying to tell me > something (two things from what I can tell) yet I > can't decipher what it > says due to the faulty display. > > Question(s): > 1) What the heck does this 'CHECK' light mean? > 2) Could this light be telling me "Look at the > on-board computer > stupid!"? > > Mostly this is an annoyance but I'd prefer not to > simply remove the bulb > unless I absolutely can't fix/find the root cause. > > Thanks for the help! > Chet Dawes > > **************************************************************************************** > > Note: If the reader of this message is not the > intended recipient, or an employee or agent > responsible for delivering this message to the > intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination, distribution or copying of this > communication is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify > us immediately by replying to the message and > deleting it from your computer. Thank you. > > **************************************************************************************** > > Search the > ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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 > ______________________________________________________ Yahoo! for Good Donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate3/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 23:09:17 -0400 From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: 'CHECK' light illuminated, help! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Carlos, You may have a brake light out. Ask someone (me?) to help you check them. - Jay /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Chet, That light often means look at the OBC. If you press the "check" button and the light goes out, rest assured there's a correlation, (and probably causation). On my cars it has meant 1) I drained the washer fluid before storing the car for winter... WASHER FLUID LOW 2) The radiator neck is failing and slowly leaking coolant... COOLANT LOW (shortly after which, the neck cracked off -- hindsight is 20/20) 3) The left brake light bulb is out... BRAKE CIRCUIT FAILURE Good luck. Let me know when you want to pay for and pick up your B&B Tri-Flo. I'm saving it for you. :-) Kidding. - N. Jay FS: B&B Tri-Flo, M3 application /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ > --- "chet.dawes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Question(s): > > 1) What the heck does this 'CHECK' light mean? > > 2) Could this light be telling me "Look at the on-board computer > > stupid!"? > > I believe that's it. Mine will do it when I'm low on washer fluid. > Lately I'm getting the 'Brake circuit failure.' Not to hijack your > thread but what's the fix for that? Leaving tomorrow evening for VIR > so it's not like I can actually fix it before I go. :-/ > > Carlos > 98 M3 > > > > __________________________________ > Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 > http://mail.yahoo.com > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 22:53:19 -0400 From: "KMS- Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: FS 97 540i/6spd, silver, $15K Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Not sure if it's a good price or not, you do the research. A customer of mine ( a used car dealer) has one for sale. Silver, don't know the interior colour, about 100K miles. Any remote interest, email me and I'll pass on his contact info. Brett Anderson KMS - Koala Motorsport www.bmwdiffs.com 440 564 7574 9988 Kinsman Rd Novelty, OH 44072 (Near Cleveland) ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
