Jawdan

[Jawdan]

Hey guys,

My name is Jordan, I'm 19 and I'm from Aus. I own a 1993 BMW 318i.

What I'm planning on doing with my bimmer:

• Replace the door (the car was reversed through a gate with the door open. No damage to the front panel thankfully)
• Remove a couple of rust spots from the bonnet
• Replace the front badge
• Fix the fuel cap door, (It won't stay closed. As best as I can tell, the clip that allows it to stay secured is pushed in)
• Identify and fix the groaning noise it makes going at low revs <1000, especially around corners! Can feel it vibrating through the steering wheel, but can't identify where it's coming from.
  
• Replace carpet as hole is present in drivers foot well. Carpet is in pretty good condition apart from that.
• Install remote lock
• Fix driver door lock (kinda moot if I install a remote lock.
• Fix AC
• Replace a couple of seals.
• Glue back RHD seal back on from where it has come off slightly. Top.

Any suggestions or points towards threads would be greatly appreciated. Especially with my noise problem.

Cheers,
Jawdan

[DesktopDave]

Welcome to the board!  That's a good car you have there, sounds like you're getting a good start on maintaining it.

I'd recommend checking with a BMW dealer to have any recalls performed.  Your dealer might even provide records if you're extra nice.  Ask them to run the last seven numbers of the VIN for the original "build sheet" (if it's not attached to the bottom of the rear seat); dropping the lower oil pan to be sure the upper bolts are still holding nicely.

Then I'd go find a good indie mechanic to do the hard stuff.  I'm a pretty experienced mechanic but I don't like doing rear bearings, bushings and refrigerant.

Most of the problems you describe are e36 general, I'd suggest hitting a larger board for those answers.  The M42 stuff is what we're here for!

As for the noise; does it only happen when the car is in gear, or in neutral as well?  Only at high torque/low rpm?  Does it only happen when you turn one direction rather than the other?  Try to isolate it.  I'd suggest checking the power steering pump if so equipped. Pull the drive belt off and see if the noise goes away the next drive.  The pumps and racks are infamous for leaking seals and losing fluid.  BMW, fill with ATF, not P/S fluid!

[Jawdan]

Hey, thanks for the welcome.

How do I go about the recalls? Do they perform without cost? Or...? Sorry if that's a dumb question; I'm pretty fresh to the motoring world. And the general world, tbh.

After the original post, I went and checked my power steering fluid. It was almost empty and quite below the required level (didn't even get the dipstick wet).

So I filled it with Dex II ATF, and so far it's running great! Have been checking under the car, and will check the levels of the fluid later. Hopefully it's not leaking!

You did remind me of something else, though, I need to refrigerate and get my AC fixed. Not too pressing right now though; it's winter!

And I'll have to look underneath my rear seat for the build sheet.

Thanks!

[DesktopDave]

I'm not sure how Australia handles these things; in American a safety-related recall has to be performed by a licensed mechanic at no cost to the owner regardless of vehicle age or current owner.  Whether that actually happens in the real world is another issue, but if you ask the right people it'll get done.

Most problems aren't handled be recalls though; they're called Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).  Those are basically tips for mechanics to solve common problems.  I'll see if I can find a site for those.

Off the top of my head, your e36 has one major TSB you should check. There is a drain in the firewall (on the driver's side for you) that tends to fill with debris & flood the air plenum (or scuttle).  Problem is that the DME (Bosch engine computer) sits unprotected there.  So it shorts out & causes no-start situations after heavy rains or (I'm not making this up) car washes.  Cleaning the scuttle & drain tube (it looks like a little elephant trunk) is only a temporary fix.  The OEM cure was to install another drain tube into the firewall.

I find that I use my A/C a lot in the winter to cut down on window fogging.  Mine doesn't work either, so I just keep the windows clean to cut down on that.

[DesktopDave]

NHTSA Recall History
1992:       Airbag contact-ring locking tab can break without warning,  eventually causing broken wiring; airbag would then not deploy in  collision, and indicator would illuminate.    
              1992-93:       Fuel hoses can harden and "set" over time, allowing seepage that could result in fire.    
              1992-95:       Malfunction or failure of cooling system component can result in  significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure.    
              1992-97:       Plastic bushing for cruise-control and throttle cables could  break, causing throttle valve to remain partially open; car might not  decelerate as expected.

[Jawdan]

Hm. I just checked the levels of the PSF and while the level is fine I noticed that it's a greyish-black instead of the pinkish colour. That's not good, is it?

I'll have a look at the drain in the morning when there is light.

Edit: Just one more newb question: the M42 is the engine used in the E30, right? Whereas the E36's use a different engine?

EditII: After a lot of research I've figured that I need to flush the PSR, and possibly replace it. Also, I'm now confused as to whether I should have used dex II or III, as I've found contradictions.