monty23psk

[Gerta318is]

Nice.  You and Simon are my heros.  I can't keep up with you guys and your mechanical ability, but I am trying.  As for me, next year I'm going to do the clutch, clutch line, and all the pedal bushings.  I also plan to swap carpet out and seats (E21 Recaros).

[d.hitchcock]

DOH! Went to post about how nice your seats are and saw I had already mentioned it.

Carry on. Nothing to see here ... :-)

[monty23psk]

Well still busy with new house, kid and work. Havent touched the car since last oil change. Just drive it daily with no issues. Still need to tackle rough idle. But I needed wipers and decided to get the Bosch Evoloution a try. I always liked my wife's newer Volvo ones as they cause pressure across the whole blade and have a nice sweep. These are the same type and from Blunt, ~$10 each. Not the $20 each for the newer Rainx ones. Here is a picture of them. I just washed the car and will wait until the next rainfall to give it a shot.

[monty23psk]

Today I added a second trunk light added LEDs instead of incadescents. Also replaced both lenses and you can see the difference in the clearness of the plastic after 20 years.

New on left (bad picture but you can still see the difference)


Here is the install with both bulbs on. Big difference in lighting. I just quick tap connectors and went to the junkyard to pull the wiring from another e30 so that the wiring color codes are the same.

[monty23psk]

Today I swapped out my FPR due to invalid fuel pressures. Here is pic of old one installed and then the old and new one(blue rings) next to each other. I will clear out the ECU codes and just run it 1 tank full to to see if there are any differences in MPG and running rich issues.



Not best pic as P&S camera not the best.

[M3Philipp]

Was is possible to change it for you, without removing the upper intake?

[monty23psk]

Yes, I was. I just need to remove the plate in towards the front of the  engine to hoist the engine. To lower the FRP from the rail, took a little of time and finally, just needed a very small flathead on each side of the FPR to pry it loose from the fuel rail. Just make sure not to bend the tabs of the fuel rail or you will make it very hard to get the clamp and ring with the FPR secure. The BMW factory manual stated to do it on the car like I did. My idle seems to be gone. I noticed a little fuel on the nipplen I disconnected the vacuum hose. Diaphragm must be toast. This was allowing fuel into the TB and intake side of the issue. MGP was down and causing the running rich issue. Then O2 would sense rich and go into a loop and cause the lumpy idle. I would suggest everyone replace it as mine was 22yrs old. When it comes to wear and tear, the age itself is going to get you. Not sure if the diaphragm is plastic, paper or rubber. 

[M3Philipp]

Thanks.

[monty23psk]

I took the trunk storage tray to prep it for some SEM treatment. Here are some pictures of the before. I have already applied the SEM soap and tomorrow I should give it a few coats of the trim black. I ordered a new battery tray cover as mine was missing a piece of plastic. I hope to have it here by the end of the week. The tray is not on any ETKs even though it has the BMW logo and a part number. The outer wall was pretty warped, which seems normal from looking at most of the pics on the internet for this item. I applied some heat from a heat gun and molded it back to better position. The longest partition on one end had the outer wall coming in so much, I was only able to fit something an inch wide before it started to push the outer wall out. Now it is much better.

[monty23psk]

Treated the storage tray with SEM soap and a few coats for Trim Black. Here is the final result. Key was making sure can and exterior temp was close to 70 degrees. I am now awaiting for the new battery tray cover from Blunt to finish it off. I will post pics of that when the parts get in.

[DesktopDave]

I've heard so many good things about SEM products.  I haven't given them a try yet...but I'm sure I will.

Nice job on the repaint.

[monty23psk]

I've heard so many good things about SEM products.  I haven't given them a try yet...but I'm sure I will.

Nice job on the repaint.

Thanks Dave. Their stuff is really good but like with all cosmetic work, its 90% prep, 10% paint. Make sure you use either solvent to clean/prep for plastic or metal. 

[monty23psk]

While waiting for other parts and while making a trip to Home Depot for a project on the house, I decided to get liners for cabinets as they are padded and have a grip for the inside of my trunk storage tray. I then cut it to the inside shape of all the different sections and now I can have something in there not moving around. Also, it covers up the hole in the middle and they are washable in case something spills. This will protect the tray a little more. I got the black color, but due to texture and flash it looks more gray then it actually is. I might also add it under the tray in between it and the battery tray. Extra protection! I need to see how it handles the heat inside the trunk in the upcoming summer in South Florida.

The product:


Before:


After:

[monty23psk]

I am almost complete with how I want my overall look of my trunk to be. I received my new battery tray cover and mounting clips, thanks Blunt. The current mounting clips have the tab so you can use your fingers and the new ones have a slot for a flathead so they don't stick out as much. This is not an issue for the clip on the top, but the 2 bottoms ones would once in a blue moon, come off due to something hooking on them in my trunk.

Here is the before. It wasnt bad, I just wanted the broken tab on the right near the floor carpet back. Notice the clips


Here is closer look at the 3 new clips on the left and the old ones on the right. These are used for the headlight trim panel also. Might be preferred and easier for others to use your finger to remove versus a flathead screwdriver.


Here is the new cover installed. It does not have a hole in the bottom center to lock the storage tray with it. Better for me.


I then added some of the grip liner under the storage tray to prevent sliding, as with new plastic, everything is smooth and it did slid.


Here are both items together for the finish product. Now off to another idea I had to complete the look of the trunk.


Also, I ordered an AC belt from BMW since it was 885mm in length, versus the standard 890mm we receive when it was ordered. The item did have the BMW logo on it but it was made by ContiTech, which is the same brand as my 890mm belt. I couldn't get the right amount of tension with the longer one as I would have the hex bolt at the bottom of the pulley as tight as possible. I would still see a little wobble on the belt travel and it would be noisy sometimes. So if you want the tighter belt on your m42, the tirck is to get the smaller one from Contitech. The issue is going to be to find it but it should be hard. Just there is no BMW part number to use unless you get the belt directly for BMW.

Here is a pic of it:

[monty23psk]

SEM treatment to rear trunk trim above rear lights. The before and after doesn't show much difference as after picture was taken with no flash but there where too much sunshine. Noticeable in person. Many of the scratches and white scuff marks are gone. Also treated the 4 clips that hold it in place.

Before:


After: