Messages

1

For Sale / 1991 318i for sale northern nj

« on: October 06, 2015, 11:56:41 AM »

Unfortunately I'm selling my beloved M42 that I have had as a daily driver for the last 18 years 😭.  Many wear and tear parts were changed through the years.  I've only used Mobil 1 oil the entire time I have owned the car.  If you ever decide to take a peek under the valve cover you will notice it's almost as clean as the day it was driven off the factory assembly line.  The car has 235,000 miles and runs like a champ.  Believe it or not, the car still has the original air conditioner (it never needed a charge) and it works great!  I'm currently at work, when I get home tonight I will list some of the things I've replaced through the years.  Please text me, I will not accept phone calls!

Asking $4000

Steve
201-962-5028

2

Engine + Driveline / Re: The Little Motor That Won't Stop Breaking [+PICS]

« on: March 25, 2015, 09:21:04 PM »

I've been searching for a nasty oil leak for some time and noticed a tiny hole in my upper timing case    I just removed the valve cover and upper timing case to find the EXACT same thing happen as the original poster fml!  The upper timing chain guide bolt had snapped and the guide spacer had backed out and both bolt and spacer were resting on the upper case, thus creating a hole.  The guide spacer threads are flattened and the threads on the guide where the spacer goes are destroyed as well.  So I tapped the hole for the m6-1.0x45mm bolt that goes into the block...done deal. 

But my question to you gents is...can I, short of buying a new drivers side guide, rethread the spacer from M12x 0.75 to M12x 1.50?  And obviously retap the guide to 1.50 pitch??  Any other ideas?

3

Engine + Driveline / Re: Spark Plug Wires

« on: November 01, 2014, 11:06:47 PM »

I just purchased the COP kit...its cheaper than buying high performance wires and you eliminate them all together!  Done deal.

4

Engine + Driveline / Guibo?

« on: August 22, 2009, 09:03:19 AM »

Yeah I have the same issue.  I noticed the problem only after replacing the center support bearing, but I'm kicking myself for not changing out the guibo.  It looked fine with no sign of cracks so I put it back in.

My best guess is its either the guibo or the half shaft wasn't installed exactly right.

Steve

5

General Topics / Oil suggestions?

« on: July 15, 2009, 08:58:41 AM »

I've used Mobil1 for 12 years and the inside of the motor is very clean.  Good enough for me!

6

Engine + Driveline / Help Installing Thermostat Please.

« on: June 24, 2009, 09:02:55 AM »

Weird, looks like half the thermostat is lodged in there!  I don't know what to say...

7

General Topics / Shot in the dark concerning an ICV.

« on: June 19, 2009, 12:07:49 PM »

I use to clean it once a year until I found out I had a bigger problem that was causing the idle problem, those damn vacuum hoses.  Ever since I fixed the (many) air leaks my problem never returned and the ICV stays clean.

8

Engine + Driveline / engine will turn over but not start

« on: June 18, 2009, 08:23:58 PM »

Yeah replace the vacuum and coolant hoses.  It makes a world of a difference once everything is buttoned up.

I would recommend reading "the mess under the intake" thread because you can eliminate a bunch of hoses/problems.  Much more reliable and a heck of alot of easier to install everything once you have it apart.

9

General Topics / Need opinions from bmw fans

« on: June 16, 2009, 09:20:07 PM »

By the way, both cars are tons of fun!  I own a 91 318i and my bro owns a 90 325i.  The 318i has Bilstein HD and stock springs, rides not too stiff and gets better gas mileage for a commuter car while the 325i has Bilsein sports with h&r springs and it was slightly bumpy but handles very well.  

In a straight line race, from start up to 3rd gear both cars are very close, but once I shift to fourth gear his car begins to take a sh!t on me.  But this was before I chipped it and did all this work to get it running right.


They're both fun in a different way.

10

General Topics / Need opinions from bmw fans

« on: June 16, 2009, 08:39:13 PM »

Mine lasted 185,000 miles, had to replace chain, sprockets, timing chain tensioner, all 4 timing chain guides and all necessary gaskets.  

What ended up happening was the left timing chain guide shattered and then the car sounded like a diesel engine.  The chain and sprockets actually didn't look too bad but changed it since I had it apart.

Also replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets, deleted the TB heater plate, and the list goes on...

11

General Topics / Need opinions from bmw fans

« on: June 16, 2009, 08:02:51 PM »

Miles.

12

General Topics / Need opinions from bmw fans

« on: June 16, 2009, 07:29:58 PM »

I replaced my timing chain at 185,000 but I wouldn't wait that long.  IMO you have some time before you should have to change it.  

I think I paid somewhere around $400 for parts only.  Changed it out myself so I don't know the going rate at a shop.

13

General Topics / Vacuum hose quesion.

« on: June 16, 2009, 06:53:42 PM »

I just completed a +700 mile trip in 9 hrs 45 mins and the car is strong like bull!  Kinda like a cannon ball run, jk.  It runs nice when there are no vacuum leaks   A Valentine 1 helps too

Steve

14

General Topics / Vacuum hose quesion.

« on: June 15, 2009, 12:14:01 PM »

I am using heater hose for vacuum as well and no problems after ~1,500 miles.  

The only thing you may want to watch out for when deleting the TB heater is the hose that connects the black plastic pipe to the head.  Regular heater hose will eventually fail b/c it is temp rated for coolant and this particular section of hose will be close to the block/head, in which temps will be much higher than coolant temps.  I found high temp heater hose at a boating store on the cheap!  

Steve

15

Engine + Driveline / Couple questions after timing chain job

« on: June 08, 2009, 05:33:34 PM »

Hi Guys, gotta couple questions.  I just got done changing out all my vaccum lines,head gasket,timing chain/gears/tensioner, water pump,thermostat, all the gaskets and seals, clutch/PP etc. I know i need a new back but on to the car. The engine starts up fine, runs smooth and has an awesome purring idle. My first issue is that i seem to have lost some low end HP or torque and i am getting worse gas mileage. I was getting about 28mpg and it has gone to about 20-23mpg. I'm sure i got the timing right but i'm wondering if i should play around with the cam to crank timing. How far can i adjust the cam sprockets before i have to worry about hitting valves? Can i use the whole range of adjustment on the cam sprockets slots? I am thinking that the stretched chain i took off had put the timing in some ideal position that i lost when i went to new parts. Any tips?

Also my car has a very light whining sound coming from the top of the engine. Nothing major but i can't remember if that sound was there before. Kind of sounds like a diff whine and it increases pitch when you rev it. It's not an injector click or anything like that. Does your M42 have a light whine?

Thanks,
Glen

The whine is probably a slightly over tightened or brand new belt(s).

When I reinstalled the used chain and tightened everything down I rotated the engine 1-2 times and check that the cams were aligned (w/ cam lock tool).  I had to do that a couple times before I got it just right.  Can't help you with anything else:(

Steve