Well this one has been sitting for a few weeks because the inspection ran out, plus I started driving the green seductress in my Project IL thread. Yeah, there's hours and dollars I would like to have back. Last night figured I'd pull this one around and get all my stuff out of it. She fired up immediately, and was quiet as a mouse. Unbelievable. I thought, hell, let me check it out with INPA since I have that now and it's about the only thing in my garage at this point that is working. Some results:
This one is purring like a freaking kitten compared to the green tease:
I mean, I can't even tell it's running. Maybe I cast this one off too soon? The manifolds smoke like hell when you fist start it, so I definitely need those. And the cats are clogged. I'd get more codes if I took it out and got on it for a bit. It still ticks like crazy under acceleration, and I swear I hear a hammer on metal pipe sound like a rod knock or something. But maybe the green one becomes the donor? I don't know, too early in my grief stage to make rational judgements?
Still looking good despite the dirt and rust. Anyone have four Cosmos shorty doors for sale?
If you have a blocked cat then get that fixed first as that can cause knocking noises similar to big-end knock - more info here:
http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/BMW_M60...ary_Noises.htm
....it can also cause the exhaust valves to burn as well!
Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i
My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
My Current 840ci Sport Individual
My Current 650ci Sport Individual
My E31 Repair and Information Website
My E38 Repair and Information Website
My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website
Chase - Heroes to a generation
If anyone wants to buy this car please let me know. Plenty of good parts. Runs and drives. Engine noisy. Passenger side cats shot. Rusty. Make an offer.
So instead of parting this or junking it, I did what any sane person would do, throw more money at it.
Replaced the rotted doors. Sure wish I had a before picture. I put my had through the bottom of the passenger side doors when I took them off. Grabbed some rust free but not the best looking doors. Price was right.
Was quite a bit of surface rust, so I sanded that down and touched up with black glossy rustoleum. Pretty cheesy, but the black is very forgiving, particularly from 20' away.
Wrinkle black paint has not held up that well. Not sure if it was something I did or what. Oh well, it is the least of my worries. The engine really taps under load. I think it is junk. So much for getting 50k miles out of it after the TCGs.
Also replaced the PS high pressure hose. Top tip: Loosening the motor mount top nut and lifting the engine a few inches makes this job so much easier. No more leaks!
Replaced the steering angle sensor to get rid of the DSC light, but the light is still on even after resetting the center with INPA. The steering wheel is way off center now, which is probably why the TIS tells you to remove the wheel - so you can center it back up when done. I am going to center it up to see if the off center wheel is causing the warning light.
Really at a quandary. I am driving it around with an expired inspection sticker, car ticking away like mad. I could spend $850 on a new engine, $350 on a windshield, install these front struts that are sitting under my desk at the office. Probably $2k more. Or part it out and get maybe $2k. I don't know.
It still llooks good and one of the best looking and driving cars on the road... I was against the wrinkle black even though i love the finish due to the other reports of it not holding up over time so i went with flat silver super high temp rattle can paint. It only came in flat black or silver and ao far so good.... What do you mean tapping under load?
Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk
Last edited by purplecty; 07-17-2018 at 05:08 PM.
Sounds like a lifter tap. Tick tick tick tick. Drives me nuts.
I’ll try different paint next time.
Last edited by clarkitect; 07-17-2018 at 08:49 PM.
Have you tried a different oil? My friend switched from Mobil 1 0W40 to Liqui-Moly 5W40 in his 540it with 200k miles and it really quieted down his top end ticking.
The reason the paint didn’t stick to the valve covers very well is because the valve covers are magnesium and quite porous. The proper thing to do is to get them properly degreased, bake to remove any residual oil, sandblast, and then powder coat.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
I just sanded them down to bare and painted with that super high temp pain 2 or 3 years ago... No primer used... I used 0w40 on my 220k+ e38 but i have considered the 5w40 castrol as well which has the LL01 approval...
Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk
Last edited by purplecty; 07-19-2018 at 12:08 PM.
This ticking started very quietly a while back but has progressively gotten worse. Now it is really loud, basically embarrassing. I've tried a few different oils and the results are the same. 0w40 mobile 1, 5W40 Castrol, and the last time 5W40 Chevron. Still ticks. I even used an engine flush prior to the last change and it still ticks. It only ticks if you give it a little gas, not on even throttle. First I figured it was an exhaust leak, but it is clearly some lifter noise or something. There is a local guy I may have look at it for me to see if he has any thoughts. My thought is I can pick up a sub $1k engine and install it, or just buy another E38 in better shape. Or try thicker oil like 10w60, but I figured that would be worse.
Yeah, on the valve covers at the time I didn't feel like powercoating, I thought I'd give the VHT a shot. Didn't work out but it was like $15, so no big deal. At this point it's a couple hundred dollars I have not spent. Small win.
I have used basically every European option that Wal-Mart had available.
Casually listed this thing for sale. If it was gone would just shop for a better condition one.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...rt-Black-Black
Did hit 214k today. Runs great!
Last edited by clarkitect; 07-19-2018 at 04:13 PM.
It was it was a car project day. Needed to put the lower dash back together after replacing the steering sensor so figured I’d take the opportunity to install the working cupholder I had on hand. Pulled apart.
Man things are brittle. Had to be careful and also repair some anchor locations along the way. Also fix this malarkey.
Looking better. Was a little heavy with the adhesive but should clean up.
Cupholder closes now for the first time since I’ve owned it! Need to make a “do not use!” sign lol. New nav works but only reads CDs. Good enough for me.
Took Danny’s suggestion for oil. Did a flush and change and added this lifter magic liquid.
Did a wash and vacuum and right into the garage to beat the rain today so haven’t driven it to see if it’ll quiet down. Monday will be new rear guide links and eccentric bolts, alignment, and hopefully pass state inspection. Then drive until the engine explodes or wheels fall off.
You're interior looks beautiful! There's Something about the e38 black sport interior... Let me know how you like that 5w40. I planned on trying the castrol 5w40 but stuck with what's been working which is castrol 0w40...
Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk
I put some fresh Liqui-Moly 5W40 in my 210k mile 540it today and man my engine is a lot quieter. It's even quieted down the super sloppy Vanos (guides were done by previous owner around 160k miles but Vanos wasn't rebuilt so it was super noisy). Startup rattle is reduced considerably too.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
Well I had both rear guide links replaced, along with the bolts and eccentric washers, got it aligned and state inspected.
Yeah I'm pretty damn excited to be fully legal at last. Good to for a while hopefully. Of course there's the ticking, but I have no idea if it's bad or just embarrassing. Will be taking it on a trip tomorrow.
Also, the new GPS has the updated M splash screen. So that's pretty cool too.
It's the small things.
Bookmarks