NOOB Questions Galore

[turbosnow]

So, I just brought home my m3, long drive to get her and bring her back. I am very happy but I have many questions, here they are..

1. I was gonna replace the air filter using a K&N is this a good idea?

2. I have heard too many horror stories about the waterpump failure, I've gone through the extensive records of the PO and it does not look like the pump was ever replaced. I want to replace it, I found this waterpump http://oem.overnightautoparts.com/parts/overnightautoparts/wizard.jsp?year=1995&make=BM&model=M3--002&category=G∂=Water%20Pump&dp=true (http://oem.overnightautoparts.com/parts/overnightautoparts/wizard.jsp?year=1995&make=BM&model=M3--002&category=G&part=Water%20Pump&dp=true), any thoughts? It looks like a cente one and the cols is lower,and I intend to buy a bunch of stuff from this company.

3. Got an oil leak around the valve cover, going to do the valve cover gaskets and replace the spark plugs with the NGK BKR6EIX-11, anything else I should do while I am in there?

4. Also, I'm going to change the oil, I have been told that the "GC German Castrol" is the best synthetic out there, anyone have any other ideas? What is the best weight to use for mostly summer use?

[cstang68]

For #3 I'd get a DMM and check the coil packs while you have them out. There is a procedure in the Bently manual (get one) on how to check them.

[Mekihead]

You might wanna save your self the trouble and check the airbox to see if it's already got a K&N filter in it. That's what happened to me.

[Matt927]

K&N should be ok, be careful when cleaning that you do not use too much oil as this can cause problems.

Mobil 1 15w/50 should be fine for you in the summer.

Check the records to see if any other cooling components were replaced including the radiator and T-Stat. I was lucky and my radiator made it to 115,000 miles before I replaced it.

[turbosnow]

thanks for all the responses folks. FYI the car has 77k I have not found any records of any cooling system replacements, but I am a careful driver so I watch my gauges constantly. There do not appear to be any leaks in the cooling system, and she was running very cool on the 300 mile drive home last night.

And sorry what is a "DMM"? probaby obvious but I am still sleepy.

[E36M3E]

#1 - sure

#2 - I have a graf waterpump new in box I'll sell you for 50$...I decided to go with the Stewart. also check to see if your T-stat housing is metal. if not get one. look to see if the nut has been off the fan clutch. maybe all those parts were replaced and the record is missing.

#3 - don't forget the 14 (or 16?) rubber washers for the valve cover.

#4 - there are 1000s of oil discussions on these boards. most of the synthetics will allow your engine to run maintenance free into the many of hundreds of thousands of miles. prob the minerals too if changed regularly.

[turbosnow]

cool thanks I have heard bad things aboot the graf waterpumps, so I'm a little leery. How could I tell if the waterpump nut has been removed?

I got the sparlk plug gaskets for the valve cover but did not see the washers, anyone got a link?


Thanks again.

[turbosnow]

ahh I found them, overnightautoparts.com wants like $2.85 apiece and diyautoparts wants $.51 I'm not payin $50 for freaking grommets, so I'm going with diyautoparts.

[E36M3E]

cool thanks I have heard bad things aboot the graf waterpumps, so I'm a little leery. How could I tell if the waterpump nut has been removed?

I got the sparlk plug gaskets for the valve cover but did not see the washers, anyone got a link?


Thanks again.

the link you posted shows graf, geba, and airtex...those are all the same quality, average...aftermarket pumps. sorry, I thought that's what you wanted.

rubber washers: http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/zygmunt/wizard.jsp?partner=zygmunt&clientid=bimmerparts.com&baseurl=http://www.bimmerparts.com/&cookieid=1QZ17SMCT1QZ17ST91&year=1998&make=BM&model=M3--003&category=A∂=Valve+Cover+Seal+Washer (http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/zygmunt/wizard.jsp?partner=zygmunt&clientid=bimmerparts.com&baseurl=http://www.bimmerparts.com/&cookieid=1QZ17SMCT1QZ17ST91&year=1998&make=BM&model=M3--003&category=A&part=Valve+Cover+Seal+Washer)

[kevsbeamer]

duno much about #2 3 and 4, but for the K&N ive heard alot of people not liking them and saying they are worthless and are worse than the standard paper ones becuase it lets more dust and all that crap in. as for oils just go with what E36M3E said.

[turbosnow]

the link you posted shows graf, geba, and airtex...those are all the same quality, average...aftermarket pumps. sorry, I thought that's what you wanted.

rubber washers: http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/zygmunt/wizard.jsp?partner=zygmunt&clientid=bimmerparts.com&baseurl=http://www.bimmerparts.com/&cookieid=1QZ17SMCT1QZ17ST91&year=1998&make=BM&model=M3--003&category=A∂=Valve+Cover+Seal+Washer (http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/zygmunt/wizard.jsp?partner=zygmunt&clientid=bimmerparts.com&baseurl=http://www.bimmerparts.com/&cookieid=1QZ17SMCT1QZ17ST91&year=1998&make=BM&model=M3--003&category=A&part=Valve+Cover+Seal+Washer)

Sorry man no offense intended, I was asking because I am new to these and want to get the right thing. If the OEM waterpump is $20 more then it is worth it to me to not have to replace it again.

[iateyourcheese]

thanks for all the responses folks. FYI the car has 77k I have not found any records of any cooling system replacements, but I am a careful driver so I watch my gauges constantly. There do not appear to be any leaks in the cooling system, and she was running very cool on the 300 mile drive home last night.

And sorry what is a "DMM"? probaby obvious but I am still sleepy.

Digital multimeter, aka voltmeter etc.

[turbosnow]

Digital multimeter, aka voltmeter etc.

Gotcha, I have one of them, I'm guessing the test is for a specific resistance across the coil is that correct?

[iateyourcheese]

Gotcha, I have one of them, I'm guessing the test is for a specific resistance across the coil is that correct?

Yep. My Bentley says between 0.4 and 0.8 ohms is the desired spec.

[turbosnow]

Yep. My Bentley says between 0.4 and 0.8 ohms is the desired spec.

excellent thanks very much, gotta order a bentley, always hed them for VWs so I knowhow necessary they are.

[FDj]

Congrats on getting the car! 77k miles is a good time to look at the EDGE Motorworks 75k check list at www dot edgemotorworks dot com slash e3675k.html
and save time and money by e.g. replacing the waterpump and radiator together.

(Who do I talk to about posting URLs?)

-Florian