7Iron - Take 4

[unleashd]

Ever since dropping the 750iL build last year and selling it, I've been searching for another to replace it. Saw this 740i short sport come up for sale last week locally, and ended up buying it. It has its quirks and issues. But, the car drives really nice. My first short sport 7 series. The 30 mile drive home was a good post-purchase shake down. Lots of power. Transmission shifts smooth. It was a bit scary to drive it without the gauges Here's a quick run down on the findings that I am starting with.

- all the gauges are non-functional
- Air Bag light is the only thing lit up on the dash
- headlight comes on, but flickers randomly
- no radio or turn signals
- horn, wipers work
- there’s oil and dirt in the engine compartment. Probably from spills. Did not notice fresh oil like when there’s a leak.
- steering felt very tight for a BMW like when the power steering is not functioning, PO says it’s been tight for many years. I think they maybe due to wrong type of tires. The sizes are correct though.
- well maintained, PO's wife had owned it for 18 years, bought august 4, 2004 from NYC. Came with a folder full of records
- couldn’t see mileage, but he says it was 115k when he saw it before the electrical issues started.
- Carfax service records show that mileage was around 118K at last service
- sunroof opens and closes, no dirt lodged in there, could use some lubrication to move smoothly
- no rust whatsoever underneath except on the tow hitch used for a bike rack. That will come off anyways. Jack points are in good shape
- PO replaced the rear windshield couple of years back
- battery is 2 years old. But dies after 2-3 weeks if not on a trickle charger. Guessing there’s a parasitic draw somewhere.

[clarkitect]

I saw that one too, was super interested but timing and distance would not work right now. Good pick up and I am sure you will get it all sorted. Looking forward to the updates!

[Staszek]

Saw that one as well, I had already bought my sport. Saw this on FB too. Looking forward to following your progress.

[a777fan]

Ooh. Alpine white looks like it has good bones.

Whats with all these shorty sporties popping up within the last couple months? Its almost like we might be having a forum renaissance???

[Smoky540i]

unleashd, that looks super clean. Good find!

I'd be interested in the tow hitch if you decide to remove it. I'd love one for my hopefully dd 740il eventually.

[unleashd]

It is surely coming off. I'll get a picture for you. It is super rusted though. You can have it for the cost of shipping.

unleashd, that looks super clean. Good find!

I'd be interested in the tow hitch if you decide to remove it. I'd love one for my hopefully dd 740il eventually.

[Staszek]

Ooh. Alpine white looks like it has good bones.

Whats with all these shorty sporties popping up within the last couple months? Its almost like we might be having a forum renaissance???

I was thinking the same thing, we have at least 3 or 4 projects going on right now on the board.

[purplecty]

Nice pickup! I am guessing based on the ad mentioning a sunroof leak, your LCM has probably been exposed to the water leaking from the sunroof and has gone bad. Check the passenger front floor for water too.

[unleashd]

Washed the car yesterday. It cleans up well. The wash also confirmed that there's water seeping in through the sunroof. Will keep the car covered until I can get back to work on it next week.




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Qn: Were the rear mud flaps an option/accessory? It has BMW stamped on it, but doesn't look OEM to me and a little out of place on the car.

[Old525i]

Check under the carpet electrical connections. Water sipping through sunroof could be the cause of your electrical gremlins.

[TheAngryBear]

Iirc the mudflaps were a dealer installed option. So OE but not from factory.
I put all 4 on mine to lessen the chips/damage from debris on those panels. Some like it, some don’t.

Qn: did you get that from Kent?


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[unleashd]

Qn: did you get that from Kent?

Yes. I did. Do you know him?

[purplecty]

Super clean! She cleaned up well!

[Btkeenan]

Ooh. Alpine white looks like it has good bones.

Whats with all these shorty sporties popping up within the last couple months? Its almost like we might be having a forum renaissance???

One can hope! Met someone today I sold a nav unit to who happened to be born within a month of myself who has also always wanted an E38 and finally picked up a white on peanut butter 740il.

[unleashd]

Had a few minutes between work meetings yesterday. Took a peek at what I am going to need fixed



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The battery (when measured after the car sat for 3 days) measured only 11.9V. On the bright side, the alternator seems to be doing good.



Looking for suggestions on how to seal the sunroof..

[unleashd]

Carnage under the front passenger seat





Ordered replacement distribution box with fuses from eBay

[CPHES]

Sunroof suggestions - Frankie has a site with some good tips. Timm has good suggestions on height adjustment. FCPEuro has the bmw sunroof grease. I have to get into mine. The seal is 22 years old. E38.org and Bimmerboard have good seal replacement instructions. The seal is a summer job for sure.

Deoxit is a good electrical cleaner. There was an old post with someone that cleaned up one worse than yours. I’ll see if I can find it

[clarkitect]

Exactly as expected. Check to see if sunroof drain lines are clear. May need to drop the headliner and check the drain pipe connections.

[unleashd]

Sunroof suggestions - Frankie has a site with some good tips. Timm has good suggestions on height adjustment. FCPEuro has the bmw sunroof grease. I have to get into mine. The seal is 22 years old. E38.org and Bimmerboard have good seal replacement instructions. The seal is a summer job for sure.

Deoxit is a good electrical cleaner. There was an old post with someone that cleaned up one worse than yours. I’ll see if I can find it

I found Frankie's site and ordered a replacement rubber seal from FCP. I will search Timm's site too.

[purplecty]

Like clarkitect stated. Check the sunroof drains as when they are clogged or become disconnected they dump water into the passenger floor where you see your issue. Drop the headliner and pour some water in to see where the leak is.

[CPHES]

Also…. If the windshield is not original. The drains use the channel above the glass. Bad windshield shops get sealant up there.

[Frankie]

I found Frankie's site...

I'm glad you found my website (for those who missed it: Sunroof Water Leaks). Forum lore says to check sunroof drain lines but, in my experience, those drain lines are typically okay. Its the sunroof track end caps that are the leak source, with support from a leaky perimeter roof seal.

[unleashd]

Posting a prior thread about this vehicle here for future reference.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...i-WATER-DAMAGE

[282hp]

I really hate the chronic sunroof water leak threat on E38.
Has anybody ever just used some method to "permanently" seal the sunroof?
I would be willing to never open the sunroof again if that would solve the problem.
Ideas? Experiences? Colored Gorilla tape?

[unleashd]

I really hate the chronic sunroof water leak threat on E38.
Has anybody ever just used some method to "permanently" seal the sunroof?
I would be willing to never open the sunroof again if that would solve the problem.
Ideas? Experiences? Colored Gorilla tape?

I had a similar situation with my Lexus LX470 with the clogged drain lines. LSS, after clearing the drain lines, I took a piece of vinyl wrap and covered the entire sunroof glass +~3" all around it. Then cut the wrap on the inside to allow viewing through the sunroof window. Sort of created a 5" frame around the glass. To prevent anybody from accidentally opening the sunroof, I disconnected the wiring at the switches. In all my driving over the past 25 years, I haven't opened the sunroof more than 5 times. It is useless to me