It's broken :(

[GigaG33k]

Im not a car guy, I have an interest in it and I know how to drive them but I have no time, money, tools, or a space to work in. That given I took the beast to the shop today because my trannie was/is having issues. Sloppy shifting, cant pull out of 1st over 2500 rpm, issues going into any of the other gears unless I rpm match. When the shop called me they told me I need a new trannie and on top of that I also have an oil pan leak, power steering leak (I knew that one), the differential is also leaking and the front suspension is shot. I just paid 4000 for the vehicle a few months ago and everything checked out fine. I really really want to keep this car and am willing to sink some money into it. The question is this. what order should I get things fixed and would it be worth it. it is a daily driver but I wanted to keep the car to learn on also. My brother was going to help me w/ the suspension and and learn with me. would it be cheaper to find my own trannie and have the shop install it? recomendations, comments anything is appreciated.

-christopher

[Febi Guibo]

wow!

ok... take a deep breath and welcome to the wonderful world of older european cars. We're gonna get through this together!!

First thing... do you have anyplace else (parent's home, friends house, etc.) where you can really work on the car? That's a big help.

here's a suggested order of battle:

- take yer car someplace where you can really wash the underside WELL... I say this because the next step is to:

- diagnose where all the leaks are at. If the differential is leaking from the back, that's a relatively easy fix (some hours, some clear silcone, some new fluid)

- The power steering thing may just be leaking from the bottom of the reservoir (the fluid flows down the hose and makes it look like the pump, but its not)

- the issue with the tranny? could be a lot of things... but lets bleed your clutch first, then replace your shifter bushings, etc.

- oil pan leak; upper or lower pans? this issue has been well documented and although it's some work... maybe do last once you have figured out that your tranny is truly *gone*  (I kinda doubt that it is, but with the tranny off you can get to the upper pan bolts)

The real tell-all re: our trannys is 3rd gear. For whatever reason, when third gear goes, that's the synchronizer forks. The good news is that provided you can double clutch, you don't need synchros at all:

- clutch in, shifter into neutral, clutch-out
- clutch in, shifter into gear, clutch out

that it... worst case you double clutch for awhile until you can find a getrag 240/5 from a junkyard.

- the front suspension? well, every person on this board has dealt with it, no big deal.

[mgold]

- diagnose where all the leaks are at. If the differential is leaking from the back, that's a relatively easy fix (some hours, some clear silcone, some new fluid)

Agreed, an easy fix.  Don't forget the paper gasket.

- The power steering thing may just be leaking from the bottom of the reservoir (the fluid flows down the hose and makes it look like the pump, but its not)

But if its the rack (which happened to mine) that can be pricey.  Hopefully its just the typical resevoir/hose leak.

- the issue with the tranny? could be a lot of things... but lets bleed your clutch first, then replace your shifter bushings, etc.

agreed, bleed your clutch and replace the tranny fluid if it hasn't been done in a while.  I bleed my clutch everytime I bleed my brakes as they all share the same resevoir.  For the tranny, make sure to use ATF (Redline D4 for example) not MTL.

- oil pan leak; upper or lower pans? this issue has been well documented and although it's some work... maybe do last once you have figured out that your tranny is truly *gone*  (I kinda doubt that it is, but with the tranny off you can get to the upper pan bolts)

Hopefully its something simple.  Like he said wash everything down and look for the leak.  It could be something as simpleas the issue that plagued FL318is.  Check out this post Oil Leak Persists

- the front suspension? well, every person on this board has dealt with it, no big deal.

I suppose it depends on what's wrong with it.  Front struts, control arms, idler arms.  Different levels of complexity.  Time to do what I did, call up some friends, order pizza and beer and get 'r done.  In all seriousness, its time to get in touch with your local BMWCCA chapter and see if they have some suggestions. They may have a few members willing to help out.

[FL318is]

I am not a mechanic.  I am learning.  If you want some help or someone to stand there and watch let me know.  I will be in Vegas next week.

Also I found a link to customer rated BMW shops.  Do a google search.  Are there any CCAs near you?

[mgold]

Are there any CCAs near you?

Sin City Chapter...http://www.sincitybmwcarclub.com/

[GigaG33k]

Thanks for the support guys, I’m pretty sure the leaks and stuff I can manage. and ill talk to the sincity bmw guys too.

So….Anyone want to sell me a transmission

[Febi Guibo]

honestly, don't sweat the transmission... bleed the clutch and make sure yer slave cylinder isn't leaking... it's a manual tranny... unless the car has been whompusly money-shifted, it doesn't have total catastrophic all-at-once failure... they lead long lives and have lengthy deaths.

You can go a lot of miles double-clutching, tolerating the occaisional grind, etc. It builds character and induces a charming look of panic when yer on dates!

[mgold]

You can go a lot of miles double-clutching, tolerating the occaisional grind, etc. It builds character and induces a charming look of panic when yer on dates!

LOL!!