Friends helping friends Thread

[liquidskillz]

So I think I blew the head gasket. Or something. Does white smoke always mean that? Got tricked. Drove it home a few nights ago (cold and raining) did fine. Got towards hot, then it went towards middle. I drove it around a bit and nothing. So I let it sit thinking maybe it was just clogged. So I get bored. Drive it on the freewway and it's staying in the middle. But I'm gettin off the exit. And slowing down and the thing shuts off. White smoke. Not excessive. But didn't smell like anything. Anywho. I sat for a bit. Cranked it and it started right up. No bumps, noises or clanks.


Blah. But I drove it to work, 1 exit. And it did again. Parked it by work and checked on it. Nothing leaking. So anyway. I went to move it like 4 hours later and I noticed a spot of oil on the ground. Fresh. Soooooo I checked it out and it seems it's coming from the oil pan. I couldn't see anything from the block or head. So hope the pressure built up and Just messed up the oil pan

[liquidskillz]

Figured it out. Don't laugh.

But either it was me, or previous owner. But there are two lines that go from the reservoir to the radiator and to let air out. The main one that kept shooting out water/steam was used as a way to let air out. Not to use as pressure to circulate the system. So I plugged up the hose where it was supposed to go. Said fuck it. And went inside for some water


Went back out. And saw LOTS of water under my car. I thought something broke. BUT luckily, it was coming out the drain plug! Which I had taken out two days ago.... Haha

so either it was clogged or there was no pressure. I'm not sure yet. But I know there flow through the block. Just gotta wait till it cools down so I can get a stream of water. Then plug it up and run it for a while.

So. Problem fixed! Now to continue with my 2.7i Turbo build!

[erbillingsley]

So you didn't change the water pump????

[liquidskillz]

I still did. It's a usual problem for my model. But I was testing it and I guess I didn't clamp a hose and it flew off. So I guess it put a bunch of air right back in the system which I'm re bleeding it off of

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I still did. It's a usual problem for my model. But I was testing it and I guess I didn't clamp a hose and it flew off. So I guess it put a bunch of air right back in the system which I'm re bleeding it off of

Turn the heater on

park on an incline

fill the expansion tank

wait for the T stat to open (watch the temp guage and keep it out of the red)

and bleed it until the bubbles go away.

take it for a drive

then bleed it again.

[liquidskillz]

I don't even think the heater works.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I don't even think the heater works.

if its connected...it will trap air

[liquidskillz]

Well I'm pretty much at wits end. I will try above things but I think I should buy another. I was gonna call Tim Knight for some help, and uh, that guy went off on me. Lol. And the only other place I know of is in town. But I dont think she'd make it

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Well I'm pretty much at wits end. I will try above things but I think I should buy another. I was gonna call Tim Knight for some help, and uh, that guy went off on me. Lol. And the only other place I know of is in town. But I dont think she'd make it

what are you going to replace?

[liquidskillz]

replace? i put place?

and there's a few guys selling motors for 400-500 bucks, i wonder if i should just buy a cheap civic for now, strip the e30 and go from scratch. But blitz, if you know of a few things, i'd pay you for your time

reason why tim knight got mad at me was because he thought i wasn't trying to pay him. I asked him how much, he said $75 bucks per hour for house call. I then said 75 bucks? are you sure you're gonna fix.... and he went off saying things like, if you think you cant pay me for my time, then you need to delete my number and never call me back! You have no idea what im doing and blah blah blah, like for 10 min. Then he hung up on me.

I was trying to say, hey, if you come out and i pay you, are you sure you can fix it. But he cut me off too early

so let me know blitz

[newone757]

I have an e39 (2001 540 auto) that refuses to start.

Im not a car guy so Ive tried all the usual things I would, changed the battery, checked fuses in glove box and trunk (and even the ones under the passenger air cabin filter assembly) and still nada. When you turn the key it doesnt even crank, theres still power throughout the car (radio, seats, lights, etc) and the car "thinks" its started up (says fasten seatbelt) but its not. Only thing that happens when you turn it is a small spark noise form the engine bay (1 click) and thats it.


As a last resort to towing it and paying out the nose, I'm posting here for any kind soul who could possibly help me get my baby back on the road.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I have an e39 (2001 540 auto) that refuses to start.

Im not a car guy so Ive tried all the usual things I would, changed the battery, checked fuses in glove box and trunk (and even the ones under the passenger air cabin filter assembly) and still nada. When you turn the key it doesnt even crank, theres still power throughout the car (radio, seats, lights, etc) and the car "thinks" its started up (says fasten seatbelt) but its not. Only thing that happens when you turn it is a small spark noise form the engine bay (1 click) and thats it.


As a last resort to towing it and paying out the nose, I'm posting here for any kind soul who could possibly help me get my baby back on the road.

First suspect would be the starter or the associated relay, then the ignition switch, and last would be if you have any type of BMW or non BMW anti theft system.

[Kunu]

+1 on the starter.

[newone757]

Thanks guys.

So it wouldnt crank at all if it was the starter?

I'm probrobly gonna have to tow it to Bavarian Motor experts tommorow, I hate to because everytime I do its so damn expensive (of course better than the stealer but still)

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Thanks guys.

So it wouldnt crank at all if it was the starter?

I'm probrobly gonna have to tow it to Bavarian Motor experts tommorow, I hate to because everytime I do its so damn expensive (of course better than the stealer but still)

Take it to A&A or Motor Werks

Or have Joe (DVMotorsports) do a house call

[Kunu]

the starter is a DIY. If you can take it out take the starter to checkers they can do a bench test to see if the starter is bad or not. If it is then you only have to buy the starter if its not the starter then you will know when they check it and you have eliminated that from the problem

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

the starter is a DIY. If you can take it out take the starter to checkers they can do a bench test to see if the starter is bad or not. If it is then you only have to buy the starter if its not the starter then you will know when they check it and you have eliminated that from the problem

I would hate to take the starter out and have them tell me its okay and have to put it back in...

You can test a starter on the car with a screw driver and a multimeter.

[newone757]

been doing some more research and looks like it could be too many things. Starter, alternator, solenoid, EWS (might be), the key (unfortunately only have one, so this could be a poss too), ignition switch, etc.

Just gonna have it looked at professionally.

So you think A&A or motor werkes is better than BME?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

been doing some more research and looks like it could be too many things. Starter, alternator, solenoid, EWS (might be), the key (unfortunately only have one, so this could be a poss too), ignition switch, etc.

Just gonna have it looked at professionally.

So you think A&A or motor werkes is better than BME?

I'd rule out the alt.

BME?...Don't get me started

[Mark540i]

So you think A&A or motor werkes is better than BME?

Experience may vary but personally speaking, I prefer A&A.

[Koncdead]

I will be doing my brake job soon. Could I please borrow someones pressure bleeder? Going to be using ate super blue fluid. I would appreciate it.

Please give me a call/text 234-3260
Thanks in advance.

[swiftss13]

Geo aka krisp 8O8 has mine. I wont mind if you borrow it. just pm him.

[Iwantoneofthose]

I would hate to take the starter out and have them tell me its okay and have to put it back in...

You can test a starter on the car with a screw driver and a multimeter.

not intimately familiar with e39s (at least not yet), but do they have a neutral safety switch that could go bad?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

not intimately familiar with e39s (at least not yet), but do they have a neutral safety switch that could go bad?

All autoboxes have one.... when they go bad, you usually can get it towork in neutral or park intermitantly.

[Koncdead]

Geo aka krisp 8O8 has mine. I wont mind if you borrow it. just pm him.

Thanks, I just asked him.