Messages

1

Electrical / Radio & Clock stay on after car is turned off

« on: September 06, 2011, 09:02:30 AM »

I have a very clean 1991 318is. Just recently, the non-stock radio and clock stay on even after I have turned off the engine and removed the key. Both items have turned off with the turn of the key for the past 4-5years. Since they are staying on, subsequently my battery died and had to be replaced this past weekend. I have checked the fuse box, all seems ok. Where else should I check?

2

General Topics / calibrating head lights

« on: November 07, 2008, 10:58:56 AM »

Does anyone have a process of how to calibrate the head lights as well as the fog lights? Mine just do not seem to be pointing the best possible way. Thanks

3

General Topics / catalytic converter question

« on: August 26, 2008, 01:35:48 AM »

I own a 91 318is that I have done a lot of work to. I've replaced or touched almost every thing on this car, from front grille, radiator, engine, suspension, interior, paint, rims, steering wheel, etc. There is a Mark D chip and about 90,000 on this engine. I run 91 octane. The wires and plugs are less than a year old. I put a new universal Cat on the car in March of '07. By Febuary of this year the Cat had a hole in it and the warrenty covered it. Now 6 months later, it is making the same noise it did back in Febuary. This seems to happen when I take long road trips, say longer than 2 1/2 hours on the road at one time. This time of course the warrenty is over. What would cause the cat to get a hole in it, or maybe burn a hole? There is also glass pack between the cat and the muffler. I have not run over anything that would hit it. The brackets and so for under the car are all in good shape.  The o2 sensor is about 8 months old, OEM. Could it be a cheap universal cat? I bought a supersprint muffler a few months ago and now is a good time to put it on, but I do not want to run into the same problem I have now. Any tips would be greatly appriciated.

4

General Topics / My quest so far... is there still hope?

« on: July 21, 2008, 11:25:48 AM »

I saw this add in the Los Angeles craigslist. Perhaps it is still for sale.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/car/758277521.html

good luck.

5

General Topics / Friction time.

« on: April 11, 2008, 10:54:46 AM »

I just replaced my brakes recently as well. I choose the ATE Premium rotors with Mintex Red pads, steel brake lines and blue brake fluid. The ATE rotors are just slightly more expensive than other rotors. So far so good, the system works really well. No squeaking and not very much dust.

6

General Topics / Bimmerfest '08

« on: March 17, 2008, 09:26:55 AM »

Here is a fun event on May 3rd in Santa Barbara, Ca. Many many cars and vendors will be there...................

https://eventreg.bimmerfest.com/

7

General Topics / Answers needed...

« on: February 03, 2008, 10:31:07 PM »

While I commend the rear seat upgrade, I do not recommend leather die. As said before, it weares off and after a short while, it looks cheep because of the wear.  
Just as a note, I had a problem with the rear seat upgrade. As I would look over my right shoulder to change lanes, the rear right head rest would be in my line of sight.  I hope that helps. Best of luck.

8

General Topics / Front Bumper Question

« on: October 29, 2007, 09:40:26 PM »

If you are referring to the 2 black plastic strips that are approxiatly 3 1/2 feet in length and go through the center of the front bumper, where the turn signal lights are, then their numbers are 51 11 1 971 615, and 51 11 1 971 616. I believe they are called the front impact strips. I bought mine new from Bavarian Auto Recycling, 1-800-726-4269 for $35.84 each. I hope this helps.

9

General Topics / Stereo Speakers 5 1/4

« on: September 28, 2007, 10:45:11 AM »

I have actually just purchased the Infinity Reference 5010cs from Crunchfield and they should get to me soon hopefully. Will keep you updated.

10

General Topics / Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems

« on: September 13, 2007, 01:01:07 AM »

Well I had to go and check my car. Yes in fact there is a spacer on the collum. However, acording to the diagram item #4, the spacer is 14mm thick/deep/wide. Mine is a little more than 10mm. I do not think that this spacer is something average Joe would change or even know about. Could there be different sizes depending on the individual car? If in fact 14mm is the correct size, then perhaps changing mine to a 14mm would work and the steering wheel would fit properally. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

11

General Topics / Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems

« on: September 13, 2007, 12:01:40 AM »

Ahhhhhhhhh, so working from the bottom up, it would go the 14mm ring, the M Tech wheel, some sort of spacer - don't know how thick, then the washer followed by the lock nut. Do you know how thick the spacer should be? Thanks again for you help.  It is beginning to make sense.

12

General Topics / Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems

« on: September 12, 2007, 11:06:24 PM »

I do not believe there was/is a spacer that came stock on the car.  When I took of the original/airbag wheel, I just unscrewed the lock nut, took off the washer and pulled off the steering wheel. There was no spacer behind the wheel. Should there be?

13

General Topics / Mtech II Steering Wheel instal problems

« on: September 12, 2007, 07:44:43 PM »

So I am all excited to put on my M tech II steering wheel. I had heard that I need a spacer because the wheel sits too far down the shaft and the locking nut will not reach it. So I got a 3/4' steel spacer, placed the steering wheel on the shaft, put the spacer on,(fit perfectly), then the washer followed by the locking nut. Great. Fits fine. THEN as I turn the wheel, the white plastic pin that sticks out from the collum in between the rear of the steering wheel and the collum, ( it is the white pin that needs to be pushed in so the steering collum locking mechanism will release ) is getting caught and not unlocking!!!!!!!!! Does anyone have any words of wisdom to get around this and make the steering wheel work?

14

General Topics / New seal for sunroof

« on: August 31, 2007, 02:19:31 PM »

So, I am 98.5% complete on restoring my '91 318is. Got the car back from the paint shop and noticed that due to the wet sanding and so forth, the sunroof seal is shot. I have been using cars at the junk yards as tests and found that I can take off the seal without removing the sunroof itself. Putting on a new one is a different story I think. Has anyone replaced the seal and does the whole sunroof system have to be taken apart? Any words of advice.........Thanks

15

General Topics / Vin numbers on Engine Block?

« on: August 11, 2007, 01:46:03 PM »

I have recently purchased a 1991 m42 complete engine from a mechanic who claims there is only 75,000 miles on it; came from a wrecked car. I believe him and have done all the new part swaps, i.e water pump, thermostat, hoses etc. It runs great. However, is there a number somewhere on the block that could be used to get a history of the engine?