Hey guys,
For the past few weeks I've been having trouble starting my E39.
The car eventually starts but after several attempts.
Does this indicate a bad starter?
Thank you in advance,
siny528i
BMW CCA 434493
From the sound of it the starter is spinning slowly and not engaging the flywheel.
Be sure your battery is fully charged and all the connections are tight before condemning the starter.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
It can be done from underneath but still no fun. Removing the manifold will make it a bunch easier but also opens another can-0-worms. If removing the intake it would be wise to then change all the hoses and pipes down there along with the oil vapor separator.
There is an alignment dowel on the bellhousing that inserts into the nose of the starter that is known to get corroded so it is sometimes a bit of a struggle to pull the starter away from the bellhousing. A bit of penetrating oil and some wiggling help. All a bunch easier without the intake in the way.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
I was having the same problem intermittently. removed and cleaned the corroded electrical contacts on the starter motor and it's been fine since. I even bought a brand new starter motor solenoid thinking it was the issue (which usually is if the motor is spinning freely) but it wasn't so I ended up wasting my money lol. maybe you have the same problem.
Yeah, most likely. Believe it or not, most of the time, with this (specifically) or any other car I own, it's a waste of money. I guess because of overkill as a result of lack of knowledge or desire of peace of mind...
I hope you and your loved ones, my friend, are all Ok after all the horrible events that happened in your country...
BMW CCA 434493
BMW CCA 434493
Use a scotchbrite or a green meanie like you scrub pans with. Nothing more abrasive of you can change the shape of the flange and end up with an exhaust leak. If the head is aluminum you can also use scotchbrite but go light on the pressure. You can also get scotchbrite in different grits on 1, 2, and 3 inch ROLOC's that can be used in a die grinder making cleanup a lot easier.
For the wire.. use either electrical tape (as a last resort) as it has insulating value built in, or better use heat shrink. Heat shrink is cheap, available everywhere, and easy to use. You can even use it on several single wires and then use a bigger piece and put all the single wires in it.. makes for a clean repair. Most people use a butane lighter to shrink it.. I use a small heat gun. A flame can shrink the tubing unevenly leaving some really thin, some thick, and down the road it could be a problem.. and hot air is a lot less likely to catch fire to flammable liquids than flame..
- - - Updated - - -
These are the ROLOC heads I was talking about. But I've also started using these.. much better in several ways.. and also ROLOC which makes them convenient. THey come in more grit sizes too.
A great ending is all you'll see..
__________________________________________________ _____________
Reference this video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHmmBFsBkI
Looking for an E39 belly pan , passenger front inner fender liner …
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
Yeah , I don't really agree with using the 1/4" socket .
What IS needed is an E12 narrow style wrench or ratcheting wrench , at least that is what I had to use to fit in such a tight space .
But , the starter is able to be pulled out between the firewall - TOP SIDE / out from the top of the engine .
Last edited by Jason5driver; 03-24-2023 at 04:06 PM.
Looking for an E39 belly pan , passenger front inner fender liner …
I used 3/8" E12 star socket, swivel adapter and 1/2" breaker bar to break them AND 10 mm 12 point ratcheting wrench to finish untighten.
It was relatively easy. I would recommend doing this job from TOP.
Do not remove manifold with brackets like one of YT videos suggested. Leave brackets on but just unscrew and remove manifold from them.
Plus I had to change Oil Separator and two hoses connected to it.
Last edited by siny528i; 03-22-2023 at 02:32 PM.
BMW CCA 434493
Hey guys,
Friend of mine who is a mechanic advised me to check the Fly Wheel for damage which I did not.
He said that usually this can be done with a large screwdriver.
What do you think about it?
BMW CCA 434493
If the new starter engages every time and it isn't making bad noises don't worry about it, the flywheel (ring gear) is fine.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
What you are being cautioned about is wear to the teeth on ring gear(flywheel)the starter engages. If yours was clashing previously the teeth may be damaged.
If so that's a transmission out project. Unless yours was grinding badly while attempting to engage or had been doing this for a LONG time I'd not worry much.
Nothing you can do with a screwdriver except try to turn the engine over one tooth at a time, a good way to break a screwdriver.
If you are concerned put a 22mm wrench on the crank bolt and roll it over that way, clockwise. With the starter removed you will see the gear teeth.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
No need to remove any belts. Facing the front of the engine it turns clockwise.
My $.02
Doing this is a waste of time. If the flywheel gear is fubar the trans needs to come out. Easier to just install the starter (done, right?) and try it. Disable the fuel pump by removing the fuse or relay before cranking if you have dismantled the intake area so it won't try to run. Or easier yet just jump the solenoid.
I just watched again the video clip attached to your original post. If this happened a few times you're fine. Test the starter if you like but i wouldn't worry about the flywheel.
Last edited by ross1; 03-24-2023 at 05:41 PM.
If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue
Bookmarks