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Thread: 1997 840ci 136k new project

  1. #1
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    1997 840ci 136k new project

    hello,Mike here. just picked up a 97 840,black/black, I wanted a e31 since I was a young kid, now that Im a old man ''35'' I fin. got one LOL picked her up for 12 k USD runs great but trans dose not always reverse,at shop now getting a whole check. thanks to you guys here I located a lot of info and products, just ordered the csi front/ back spoilers,from Gault I have lots of upgrades planed once in great mechanical cond. thanks.

  2. #2
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    Hello Mike, Mike here. Car looks great. Good luck with the trans.
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  3. #3
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    Losing reverse is very common due to the check balls in the valve body wearing down over time. This issue is well documented among the other models that use this transmission.

    You will need rebuild the valve body, or get one from a compatible car and swap it in. My friend lost reverse on his 740iL with a ZF 5HP30, and just replaced it with one he snagged out of a junked 540i. The trans does not have to come out for just that.

  4. #4
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    Welcome!

    Nice looking car...im sure you'll get the tranny issue sorted quickly.
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  5. #5
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    What build date did the '97 840 go from the 5HP30 to the 5HP24? I do not believe the 5HP24 suffered from the worn check balls. I believe both suffered from the main pressure valve issue and can be fitted with the same ZF spool valve upgrade.
    Last edited by Mike in CT; 08-14-2015 at 12:02 PM.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike in CT View Post
    What build date did the '97 840 go from the 5HP30 to the 5HP24?
    09/1996
    Last edited by olinjohnston; 08-14-2015 at 01:12 PM.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by olinjohnston View Post
    Losing reverse is very common due to the check balls in the valve body wearing down over time. This issue is well documented among the other models that use this transmission.

    You will need rebuild the valve body, or get one from a compatible car and swap it in. My friend lost reverse on his 740iL with a ZF 5HP30, and just replaced it with one he snagged out of a junked 540i. The trans does not have to come out for just that.
    thanks for the info! I hear a lot about this ball issue,should they are rebuilding the valve body as we speak.

    - - - Updated - - -

    also have a nice set of 18'' Alpinas will update pics here as I proceed.

  8. #8
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    Hello Mike, and welcome to the Forum!
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  9. #9
    tvjake2's Avatar
    tvjake2 is offline SoCalEights - CA BMW CCA Member
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    Welcome aboard. Keep posting as you fix it up.

  10. #10
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    G'day Mike. Welcome. Good luck with the 'box & build.

  11. #11
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    So I just got the trans issue figured out, 5k for my trans completely rebuilt,installed,plus I had a motor mount that was shot ''I had them both replaced for good measures'' They said My trans was not the one with the ball issue,car should be done this week.dose this price sound about right? 5500 u.s.d. trans rebuild,and two motor mounts from a very reputable repair shop that specializes in BMW. also just received front and rear CSI spoilers from Charlie @ Gault!! all other parts of car received a 9 out of 10! My mechanic was very impressed with this car

  12. #12
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    $5.5K sounds a lot. Even in New Zealand you could pick up a good used 5hp24 for around US$1K and engine mounts cost about $100 a piece and don't take long to fit with the right tools.

  13. #13
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    I would wager with any shipping and labor 4-5K seems about right. The 5HP30 in the 840 is total overkill, but that should mean a much longer life as well. Surprised you had to rebuild at only 130k and change. I'm a shy bit over 90k now and after a preventive VB rebuild, it shifts like a new car.

    My bigger worry at that mileage would start with the chain guides. The M60 has a huge advantage over the M62 in that department.

    Nice car, stay with it. A suspension overhaul is quite dramatic in character.
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeauto6 View Post
    hello,Mike here. just picked up a 97 840,black/black, I wanted a e31 since I was a young kid, now that Im a old man ''35'' I fin. got one LOL picked her up for 12 k USD runs great but trans dose not always reverse,at shop now getting a whole check. thanks to you guys here I located a lot of info and products, just ordered the csi front/ back spoilers,from Gault I have lots of upgrades planed once in great mechanical cond. thanks.
    Welcome what part of NYC are you in?

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by G8nightman View Post
    Welcome what part of NYC are you in?
    thanks guys,Im in lower Manhattan but shop is in PA

    - - - Updated - - -

    Should I look into the chain guides? from what Im reading this is a pretty serious issue

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeauto6 View Post
    thanks guys,Im in lower Manhattan but shop is in PA

    - - - Updated - - -

    Should I look into the chain guides? from what Im reading this is a pretty serious issue
    Sorry, not trying to scare you - just thought it was weird the transmission needed a full rebuild before the guides.

    I have never seen much about failures until closer to 175-200k. I think replacing the chain tensioner (if not already done) and checking your chain deflection if you ever do the lower oil pan would be good insurance.
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  17. #17
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    Chain guide failure is so common that I would do them as preventative maintenance while the car is out of commission for the transmission rebuild. Not a cheap job by any means unless you're doing it yourself (and even then it's around $400 - $500 in parts if I remember correctly). Mine started going out on my 540i at 110k miles, though I think they usually start to go after 150k. The problem is that they are just plastic, so given enough time and heat cycles they are very likely to go bad at some point. The symptoms will be a rattle that can get worse over time, and the risk is that if the plastic has totally disintegrated, the chain won't have sufficient tension and can skip a tooth. This kills the motor.

  18. #18
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    So I went to My mechanic today,and My trans,and motor mounts have been replaced and running like a swiss watch, while at the shoppe I pondered a set of e36 sport mirrors one needs glass but they are in good cond. from what I read on here Im going to need dif brackets? I was very happy to find these in the most unlikely place,and the price...Free! after dropping 5k+ I guess they thought it was a good gesture.Attachment 550703Attachment 550704

  19. #19
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    These do not fit E31. I believe someone in Germany makes brackets, I would go with original CSI mirrors from one of the online retailers like ecstuning.


    Quote Originally Posted by mikeauto6 View Post
    So I went to My mechanic today,and My trans,and motor mounts have been replaced and running like a swiss watch, while at the shoppe I pondered a set of e36 sport mirrors one needs glass but they are in good cond. from what I read on here Im going to need dif brackets? I was very happy to find these in the most unlikely place,and the price...Free! after dropping 5k+ I guess they thought it was a good gesture.Attachment 550703Attachment 550704

  20. #20
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    some update photos of My 840ci
    Attached Images Attached Images

  21. #21
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    Car looks great! i hope we don't have to wait 2 years for the next group of pics.
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  22. #22
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    tvjake2 is offline SoCalEights - CA BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeauto6 View Post
    thanks guys,Im in lower Manhattan but shop is in PA

    - - - Updated - - -

    Should I look into the chain guides? from what Im reading this is a pretty serious issue

    The chain guide issue is overblown and, as far as I can tell, is fake news. This does happen on the 540 models but as to the 840's (which is odd because it is supposed to be the same engine), I've not yet heard from, or talked to anyone, who has had this issue actually happen. When I've asked for experience with this failure on the Forum we get...crickets. Replacing the tensioners is always good if you don't know when they were last replaced.

    Car looks great.

  23. #23
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    Very nice car. What happened to the wood trim?
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  24. #24
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    thanks guys, I never liked the light wood on this car,so I changed all to black, also batteries where replaced,now alarm is going crazy and car won't start! anyone have this issue?

  25. #25
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