Messages

1

Engine + Driveline / Re: Questionable profile gasket

« on: August 20, 2013, 04:49:19 AM »

I know for sure mine had been replaced years ago under warranty yet it was pooched out exactly the same way as yours.  I'd bet yours was replaced.  Hard to imagine the original made it 188k without letting go.

Good point.  I checked, and the gasket is bulging on the inside as well as the outside, so perhaps it is just normal appearance for a squashed rubber gasket. The rubber does seem to look to new to be 30 years old. Perhaps I dodged the bullet on this one

2

Engine + Driveline / Re: Questionable profile gasket

« on: August 19, 2013, 01:32:31 PM »

Good points.  The problem is that the car has 188,000 miles, and really sketchy maintenance by the previous owner.  I've replaced most of the rubber parts and gaskets in the engine bay, and almost all were sufficiently dried and worn-out that i suspect they are original.  So I am suspicious of this on this particular car, and don't know how to tell if the gasket is just bulging a little, or about to blow out.  Same issue with the timing chain that led me to this dissection; enough rattle over the past year to make me think I'm just barely on the safe side of a timing-chain issue, so thought I'd replace the timing chain gear before having a meltdown.

3

Engine + Driveline / Questionable profile gasket

« on: August 19, 2013, 09:21:39 AM »

I need help determining if I need to replace my profile gasket.  I have a '91 318is that I bought last year.  I just took off the timing cover to replace the timing chain and guides, and noticed a gasket bulging out from the junction between the head and the block (yellow arrow).


Is this the infamous profile gasket that caused so much trouble?  I have no way of verifying if this has been replaced; is there any way to tell?
Thanks for any suggestions!

4

Engine + Driveline / Driveline vibration

« on: October 28, 2012, 07:21:41 AM »

I've got a weird driveline vibration in our '91 318is.  I can feel it in the seat, not the steering wheel, so I don't think it's steering-related.  It occurs at all speed and rpm, and gets more noticeable at higher speed/rpm.  I've installed new motor mounts, transmission mounts, guibo and center bearing.  I did also recently install a new clutch and flywheel, as well as an oem rear muffler section.

I'm flumoxed.  Suggestions?  Can the oem driveshaft become unbalanced??

5

WTB/WTT / WTB: 6-button clock

« on: July 28, 2012, 02:52:34 PM »

I've got a '91 318is 6-button clock with a delaminating LCD.  I'd like to buy a replacement clock to swap in.  Here's the faceplate:


I'm in upstate NY.

6

Exterior / power antenna help

« on: July 21, 2012, 02:02:01 PM »

I'd like to replace the antenna mast from a very gummed-up power antenna on our '91 318is.  However, the nut at the base of the mast (yellow arrow in pic) is stuck.  It will rotate, but will not come out.  The housing has a lot of white salty precipitate, so I've been soaking the assembly in CLR, which has removed most of the residue, but has not freed up the nut.  The replacement mast includes this nut, which is attached to a barrel with male threads.  I cannot figure out why the nut can turn, but will not back out of the antenna housing.

Any hints or suggestions before I resort to the cut-off wheel?

7

General Topics / Overheating during track sessions

« on: May 20, 2012, 11:59:00 AM »

Looks like Ireland Engineering sells a nice kit with everything you need:
http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/2002-cooling/fan12kit.html

8

General Topics / Overheating during track sessions

« on: May 20, 2012, 06:39:05 AM »

I have a home-brewed setup.  You can get a fan relay, and connect power to the relay, then to the fan.  You can mount the sensor in the radiator, or in an adapter that splices into the line out of the radiator.

9

General Topics / Overheating during track sessions

« on: May 19, 2012, 08:42:49 PM »

I just tracked our m42, and it never got hot on the track.  I would suspect the radiator.  When you are on track at speed, the engine makes a lot of heat.  Normally, there is enough airflow in the radiator to cool the engine.  For example, in my M2 the electric fan never kicks on when on track, since there is so much airflow.  
Ian

10

Engine + Driveline / How do stock motor mounts fail?

« on: May 03, 2012, 09:45:20 AM »

Our '91 318is seems to have a lot more rpm-related chassis vibration than before, it feels similar to when I put urethane motor mounts in another car.  Can motor mounts stiffen up with age, rather than breaking?  There is no engine rock visible.

11

General Topics / Help with axle lock ring

« on: May 01, 2012, 09:13:44 AM »

I've just replace a half-shaft on our '91 318is.  Got the car on the ground, axle bolt torqued, and I'm stumped about installing the lock ring.  What is the secret method of hammering the ring into the depressions without pulling the opposite side free?  I've managed to get the ring hammered into two of the three depressions, but it always pulls free when I go for the third.

12

General Topics / Need part # for drain plug for block

« on: April 30, 2012, 05:01:34 AM »

I belive it is part #5:
 http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_4360&hg=11&fg=10

Thanks!  And, wouldn't you know it, now that I know the part to order, I found the bolt.  I'll give you the credit.

13

General Topics / Need part # for drain plug for block

« on: April 29, 2012, 09:01:03 PM »

I've lost the bolt that acts as a plug in the m42 block for the cooling system.  This is the bolt under the exhaust manifold, at the rear of the block.

I can't find this bolt in realoem to order another, can anyone help with the #?

14

General Topics / Are CV joints directional?

« on: April 22, 2012, 11:42:53 AM »

I just pulled off the inside CV joint of our '91 318is, and noticed that one side has a single groove going around the perimeter of the cylindrical housing, and the other side has two grooves. Also, it seems that I can push the assembly outwards on one side, but not the other.  

Which side of the CV joint should face the diff?

Thanks for any suggestions,
Ian

15

General Topics / Help identifying left-over part

« on: April 04, 2012, 08:30:32 PM »

It looks like you guys are correct.  It also looks like I'll be removing the center console again!
Thanks for your help