"What did you do to your E39 today V2.0."

[geargrinder]

also, trying not to make this a "wow look at joe's problem" thread, it is a what did you do today thread after all.
if you guys want to offer sage advice and keep up with the drama, it's over here
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...es-vanos/page6

Lol well said Joe.

[smoothgrass]

Addressed some cosmetic issues while doing final re-assembly after valve cover, upper timing cover, P/S pump, etc. work:

Re-finished the headlight covers using the 3M 39165 kit, which I can now highly recommend. I don't have any before pics, but they were in pretty bad shape and I consumed most of the 500 grit discs in the kit removing the original UV coating plus a fair amount of the polycarbonate. About 1 hour to do both units, not including removal and re-installation.
IMG_20180120_153509.jpgIMG_20180120_153526.jpg

Replaced all the rubber bits around the windshield including windshield cowl, left and right cowl covers, and moldings. A cheap/flimsy wiper puller was sufficient to remove the wiper arms but I had to borrow a tie rod puller from Advanced Auto to pull the adjuster piece under the driver's side wiper arm.
Fought with the cabin air ducts for about 30min during reassembly, still not 100% sure they're attached correctly at the firewall.
IMG_20180120_155047.jpgIMG_20180120_153556.jpg

Noticed a small coolant puddle in the valley. Assume there's a valley pan job in my future, but nothing dripping down below so I'll put if off until I get back in the mood for a big job.
IMG_20180120_131501.jpg

Replaced the angel eye bulbs (HELLA 153746011) to address a 'Check Side Lights' message and no angel eyes symptom, but couldn't get them to come on. Can someone confirm which headlight switch position(s) should activate these lights? If I have an INPA cable, is there software that offers diagnostic mode access to the LCM so I can try to toggle them that way?

[joekitch]

if that 3M kit doesn't come with a sealant, make sure the put that on afterwards

[smoothgrass]

The 3M kit comes with their synthetic wax, but I finished by wiping on some spar polyurethane instead (which some other headlight kits come with)

[joekitch]

wax seems a little too temporary, a proper UV blocking sealant is best since you're literally replacing the factory uv sealant.
not sure about polyurethane but if it works for a while, it works

[dannyzabolotny]

I replaced the starter in the 540i/6 after it started intermittently failing. Thankfully I had one laying around from a parts car so it cost me a grand total of $0 to fix. I also fixed two vacuum leaks in that car that were preventing it from idling correctly. Lastly, I topped up the coolant since I had just replaced the radiator (for the third time) a few days prior.

On the 540it, I fixed a big vacuum leak on the brake booster hose and changed the oil after 7800 miles. The oil that came out looked quite black so I'm going to try a 6000 mile interval next time.

[zener]

Added some spacers.

Without spacer:


Rear 17mm and front 12mm.


Gonna change my winter tires from 205/50R17 to correct size 225/50R17 next week.

[AusE39er]

Got the AC blowing again but it's still stuck on auto and the preset temps. AC control unit lights up no problem, but all buttons are not responding to inputs...

[bimmer7410]

Finished my pixel repair over the weekend. Got about 89% of them restored, good enough for me (for now)

[ryunk]

Finished my pixel repair over the weekend. Got about 89% of them restored, good enough for me (for now)

The contacts must be thoroughly clean of all adhesive, i had to remove it again to further clean (sand) the contacts and that did it.

[agentrnge]

Master cyl, and slave cyl replaced at local indy. First time going to this shop, found via bimmershops. Turns out his personal car is an 2001 740iL that he bought new, so I think I scored a good place to go for this and my e38. PCT Automotive in Pompton Plains, NJ.

[adm750]

threw my wallet at it....

She catches the wallet really well, she just loooooves to play catch, and she's really good..! ...but I'm struggling to get her to throw it back. Makes it hard when she says she wants to play catch ya know ?? ...it's kindof a lonely game. I throw...she catches...but she never throws back. I don't take it personal, but sometimes I feel sad....

[adm750]

no...really, I did throw my wallet at it...

ordered new rear pads/rotors, front lca's, and a couple O-rings for the oil filter cap... I haven't replaced those jokers the last two services. I was pissed bmw quit putting them in the kit. (benefit or not...orings suffer compression set...)

[joekitch]

four intake valves arrived, will be handing them and my cylinder head to the indie again tomorrow

[jp5Touring]

Washed the winter wagon at quarter car wash,even used that scary foam brush

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Talking brakes and crap last night on another thread, woke up this morning, ordered rebuild kits for all four calipers, I had opened up the front 540 calipers that I got for the 528, for powdercoating, the seals were in excellent condition, I had purchased the calipers from Brian/Redshift when I met him at his place while the Raleigh gang was doing a wrenchfest, he says the calipers only had 20,000 miles on them when he did a BBK on the wagon.
On the workbench, one of the pistons had rolled off the table and hit the ground, (Lot's of beer was involved). I fixed the few knicks with a fine file and some scotch pad, but it's been bothering me, because I put the calipers back together, I did pop a dust shield by accident too, so, today, I ordered rebuild kits for all four calipers, a new piston to replace the one that fell, new rear Zimmerman rotors, and new rear pads.
I gotta powder coat the rear calipers and brackets when I get to it. I already have the braided lines from FCP, waiting to be installed, I was under the car yesterday, checking stuff, the rear rubber brake lines are showing some rot on the surface next to the couplers. All the metal lines all check out , are in very good shape. I sprayed all the metal lines with Penelube, this sprays on like oil, and thickens up like grease in about 5 mins. Great for keeping the lines rust free. Above the fuel tank area, where the lines sort of disappear, I just liberally sprayed up in there. Only problems I've ever had with rusty metal lines in an E39 was from grassy dirt accumulating between the plastic liners and the rockers, keeping the brake lines constantly wet, happened on my 530. So I now constantly remove the covers for inspection and lubemevication and peace of mind. These damn cars are always wanting.

[zener]

Valve cover gasket.

[computiNATEor]

Ordered parts to finally repair my busted windshield washer lines.

[cnsorial]

Ordered parts to finally repair my busted windshield washer lines.

I’ve gotta do this too after I finish my rear suspension refresh


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cnsorial]

I’ve gotta do this too after I finish my rear suspension refresh
I pretty much spent all day yesterday in the bosom of my E39 lol. New rear bearings, control arms, integral link, sway end link, and ball joint. Car should be tight as a drum.

Below is a picture of my homemade ball joint tool after I couldn’t get the POS autozone tool to work.




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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dannyzabolotny]

That's pretty creative! I just bought the official tool from Koch, it was like $100. Well worth it considering how many E39's I've owned.

[cnsorial]

That's pretty creative! I just bought the official tool from Koch, it was like $100. Well worth it considering how many E39's I've owned.

Thanks. Honestly, if I had known it was only $100 I may have just bought it. I thought they were $300. My homemade one worked like a charm though.


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[computiNATEor]

Killed my radio? Maybe? Posted new thread asking for help:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...Bluetooth-help!

[DuetcheDunce]

Well, Today I went for a ride on the parkway. Took some pics. This car is extremely photogenic, It's paint is faded and scratched to hell but it looks great in the pictures.
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[Thrifty S50]

Last friday i replaced the bags in the touring as it appeared i blew one. I had jacked up the front for some work, and the passenger rear wasnt pumping back up. Went with Arnott Bags



Somehow i managed to not break any of the factory clips, although Arnott did provide new ones.





Stock Vs. Arnott. The arnott's are "universal" between Sport and non Sport models.



Which leads us to today, as after the bag install, the car wasnt pumping back up. ran some tests and it came down to the compressor. The old one just wasnt pumping up like it use to, and i just so happened to have one "laying around". Swapped that in and all fixed