Butler's E34 M5 Restoration Thread

[Butler]

Todays Project: Vacuum line inspection and replacement


Started with a whole S38 -


S38 Vacuum Lines-3 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


S38 Vacuum Lines-2 by Nick Butler, on Flickr






Got the intake plenum off -


S38 Vacuum Lines-5 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


S38 Vacuum Lines-6 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


S38 Vacuum Lines-7 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


What is this extra plug? Its not plugged into anything. It was wadded up and tucked down by the ABS unit. Its next to the ABS in this picture.

S38 Vacuum Lines-4 by Nick Butler, on Flickr







Ummm, that looks broken. Yup. valve cover to intake vent tube. Ran to the dealer who happened to have one in stock! Lucky me.


S38 Vacuum Lines-8 by Nick Butler, on Flickr






Got her all buttoned up again. I scrubbed a lot of shit while I was in there. Many years of gunk and dust on everything. No pics of the cleaning but everything looks good, even if its out of sight!


S38 Vacuum Lines-9 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


S38 Vacuum Lines-10 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




So, the point of todays work was to solve for any potential vacuum leaks. I have assumed that I have a leak somewhere because the intake actuator valve doesn't do its test at start up. This usually points to a vacuum leak, since the part is vacuum powered, or so I understand. Well, after all that work and my actuator still did not do its self test cycle... Bummed about that! Two probable outcomes - I didnt find the vacuum leak or its due to another issue somewhere else.


video of the actuator test cycle here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSTd3eqdc28


There was some good news! My AC started working just after completing this work. AC cold R12 goodness!!! I have a strange suspicion that the ripped vent pipe might have been involved but I can't make the connection. Anyway, I was happy with that.


More soon!

[waterdevil]

Amazing thread! I love e34's and i love reading about barn finds, especially m5! Good luck with your car!

[BeLiQ]

Stunning work! I do admire the effort of taking prior and post pictures.

I would suggest a timing tensioner refresher with an S50 unit. 11311405081

[Butler]

Thanks for saying so! ^ Its fun to share my adventure with you guys. I'll get the S50 piece eventually.



I am sad to report that my AC isn't working any more! I had one day of it and now its gone again. I really was under the impression that this car was fixing herself... I guess not completely. haha

Also, its doing this cute thing where the SLS starts to sag really badly after a few days of sitting. I don't see any leaks, yet. My first guess is the acumulators are dying (or dead) I'm not too concerned. I have plans to delete the SLS system eventually.

[mottati]

Also, its doing this cute thing where the SLS starts to sag really badly after a few days of sitting. I don't see any leaks, yet. My first guess is the acumulators are dying (or dead) I'm not too concerned. I have plans to delete the SLS system eventually.

the regulating valve also acts as a one way valve, so that could be the issue, allowing pressure to leak from the accumulators.

[canimuff]

Part of me wishes you only cleaned the interior, underbody and motor, that green moss looking stuff and fog over over the lights made it look sooooo badass. did an outstanding job on cleaning it anyways, cheers on such a good pick up

[Butler]

Played with the car for a while this weekend.


I have a power steering leak so I wanted to poke around and see where it was coming from. Looks like this line right here... I threw on a new hose clamp and I'll see if that helps anything.


IMG_7971 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


IMG_7970 by Nick Butler, on Flickr






I decided it was time to re-finish the windshield cowl. It was so faded and worn out. It needed some attention.


IMG_7972 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




IMG_7973 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




IMG_7974 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




IMG_7975 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




A few coats of trim paint later -


IMG_7976 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


IMG_7977 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


IMG_7978 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


IMG_7979 by Nick Butler, on Flickr










Fresh stuff from Levent! GutenParts ftw


IMG_7969 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


IMG_7980 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


IMG_7981 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


IMG_7982 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




Rollin capless for the day!


IMG_7983 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

[sbeckman7]

Beautiful work so far!! Glad those wheels are about to be 100% again they were starting to stand out given how much work you've put in to the rest of the car

[93FIM5]

Awesome work man!

-Greg

[atl530i]

Very nice. Glad to see the roundels are still available for the center caps. I need to order some for my turbine covers.

[laine34]

Don't stop. You're inspiring me to start cleaning the dark forgotten caverns of the car.

[Butler]

[BleedsBlue]

[Bimmerick]

This thread is nothing but BMW E34 PORN...

Keep it up.

[Butler]

^ Obviously it was out with the old [tires]. The tires that were on the car were disgusting, so old and insanely worn out. Annnnd 100% unsafe.




So, (drum roll please) I splurged and got myself a set of Michelin PSSs!!! I've never been more excited about a set of tires in my life. These are INCREDIBLE. Worth every damn penny! I was experiencing some nasty steering shake at 55mph and she drives near perfect now. So not only do I have a set of amazing tires but the death wobble I had is completely gone!

[SpazE36]

^ Obviously it was out with the old [tires]. The tires that were on the car were disgusting, so old and insanely worn out. Annnnd 100% unsafe.

New rubber... especially Michelin Pilot SS.. ESPECIALLY on freaking turbines... ahhh Happy Monday. Subscribed!

[Chivava]

How does the super sport feel, i've been strongly considering buying these whenever I get about to changing my tires.

[NAB]

How does the super sport feel, i've been strongly considering buying these whenever I get about to changing my tires.

They are completely worth it. They are great performance tires and they aren't sketchy in the rain.

[Butler]

New roundels! Wow, such a "little" detail really makes the car look a 1,000,000x better. I also got a new sunroof button panel, which I've been missing completely so it feels nice to close the nasty open gap that I've been staring at in my headliner. Yup, I'm happy.


I hope to see some of you local PNW guys this weekend at the E30Picnic. I'm bringing this boat - say hi if you're there.

[SpecRaceM5]

Keep up the good work!

[Butler]

Keep up the good work!

Thanks Brian!



Pics from Cars n Coffee today.

[e30edward]

Great work! Can't wait to see more!

[91e34M5]

Don't know how I missed it, but I just found this thread. Great work on bringing it back to life. Much respect your way!

[Butler]

Dear S38 owners, I need some help!

I tested the actuator diaphragm that moves the intake manifold flap. Air seems to be flowing right out from the actuator itself when I blow through the hose into the diaphragm, which my gut tells me shouldn't happen but I don't know for sure. I removed the actuator arm from the spring / manifold flap and it did the self test cycle at start up... once. I'll let you guys know if it doesn't do it again with another startup. So I think I have a bad diphragm since the hose has some amount of vacuum coming through it but doesn't appear to have enough vacuum force to pull the spring to activate the flap internal to the manifold.

I'm going to buying another actuator (part number 11611312299) yay nay? Thoughts?









ActuatorRepair-2 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




ActuatorRepair-1 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




The two coolant lines here are in desperate need of replacing!


ActuatorRepair-3 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


New pieces lined up!


ActuatorRepair-4 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




Old vs new.


ActuatorRepair-5 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

[91e34M5]

Dear S38 owners, I need some help!

I tested the actuator diaphragm that moves the intake manifold flap. Air seems to be flowing right out from the actuator itself when I blow through the hose into the diaphragm, which my gut tells me shouldn't happen but I don't know for sure. I removed the actuator arm from the spring / manifold flap and it did the self test cycle at start up... once. I'll let you guys know if it doesn't do it again with another startup. So I think I have a bad diphragm since the hose has some amount of vacuum coming through it but doesn't appear to have enough vacuum force to pull the spring to activate the flap internal to the manifold.

I'm going to buying another actuator (part number 11611312299) yay nay? Thoughts

If your actuator won't hold vacuum, or you can blow through it, then the diaphragm within it is shot. A new actuator is in order.