monty23psk

[monty23psk]

So I decided to change something in the trunk to clean it up and match everything in black. The rear tail light panel that hold all the bulbs is a ugly gray that doesn't match anything in the trunk. Also with over 20 years of use, it is all scuffed and scratched. I decided to give it the SEM treatment to clean it up. Here is the driver side:

Old installed:


Comparising old vs. new:


New one installed (direct flash lightens the battery cover and storage tray, all match in person):

[Gerta318is]

Very nice!  I might have to do that to mine as they look like crap.  You wouldn't happen to have those part numbers handy for the battery hold down clips would you?  I'm working on putting together the last little bits from Blunt including some missing cruise control stuff.

[monty23psk]

thanks and sure, here it is: 51471945266

[monty23psk]

My car jack and tire choke had some rust on it. Mostly at the bottom of the car jack and since the tire jack is under it in the trunk, the rust surface rust started to build up on it. Who knows in the past before I owned it, water would get into this area at the bottom and the car jack would just sit in a little puddle of water. No leaks since I have owned it but the damage was already done. I decided to give it the POR-15 treatment which I have already used it. Here are a few pics of the before.





Then after the treatment. I used the gloss black paint as I was not going to paint the whole car jack so I wanted to match as much as possible. This should now keep it protected for a very long long time. I highly recommend POR-15.

[monty23psk]

I decided to smoke my rear tail lights.I would love the MHWs, but too expensive right now for me.  I got a pair of OEM ones in much better condition on one of the forums. I then cleaned them and took a picture of them.




I then did some research on bet way to do this. I bought some wet sand paper, in different fine grades, 1000 through 2000, and did some wet sanding. I used VHT nightshades paint and bought clear. I wanted to give it a light smoke. I ending up giving the lights two light coats. Since I masked the surrounding areas with blue tape, I decided to do the same with the reverse light. In the end, the reverse light got one coat and the rest 2 coats. I applied the clear which in my opinion was not the best application of it. Either temp/humidity was not right or it needed more coats or a thicker coat. A little more wet sand and then finished with some polish. The pictures are not the best as it was 1pm outside when I took the picture, so it was very sunny with the sun right above and I cast a little shadow in the middle towards the bottom but also makes it look extra glossy. Much better in person.




I need to take a picture of it on the car during the day. I will do it when I get home from work and will post it. Here they are on the car at night with the reverse lights on.  Smoked on the left.  Not a difference in the light output from what I saw.  The only difference is the turn signal, but it is minor.

[DesktopDave]

That looks great.  You really put a lot of time into this car - 13 pages of updates?!?  Thanks for taking the time to share it all!

Since I'm such a nebby little beotch, what's in the little Cisco package?   

[monty23psk]

That looks great.  You really put a lot of time into this car - 13 pages of updates?!?  Thanks for taking the time to share it all!

Since I'm such a nebby little beotch, what's in the little Cisco package?   

Thanks. Regarding the Cisco logo, it is a bag that folds down to something that is 5x5, and has a button to keep it closed. Never has used it but fits perfect. I dont have the triangle that is suppose to go there and I have a better shot of using the bag than the triangle. I keep it there in case I ever need a bag for an emergency or something.  I got it at one of their events. I am a network engineer by day....lol

[monty23psk]

Here is the promised picture of the car during the day. The light shows just fine with the tint. It is already a little hazy due to dirt on the car. Yes yes yes, car needs a polish...lol.

[monty23psk]

Moved on to my next project. My car for the last year has only had the driver side wiper working. The passenger stud for the arm was stripped but with the nut held tight it still worked, I removed it to fix the missing grommet. Since then, I've been lucky it has been working on the driver side. I got an OEM new linkage for $75 on eBay. They normally go for $150+ new from BMW, my cost. I know I got a steal. I will post a pic once I install it and the process. Before I do, I wanted to refresh the windshield washer system.

I have the older tank with out the sensor, which is stock on the m42 318is. They are NLA and I don't want to buy the new one and plug it, at least not yet. I decided to clean it with chlorine and hot water from reading many DYIs online. In the end, it is cleaner, but still with light yellow tint. Nothing will beat new plastic.

Before:


After:


I then recieved a few goodies from BMW. I already had the new cap, with is nice a black and like the newer cars. I decided on the BMW pump as the aftermarket ones do not last as long. My old one was aftermarket and the casing on top, cracked plug the venting holes were also leaking and rusted. Basically it leaked anytime it was activated. I never got water up to the check valve or very little before it would hit the nozzles. Included was also a new grommet for the pump, cheap and for piece of mind. Lastly a new strainer. I also got OEM washer hose. Guess what, it is thing 4.6mm and black. Nothing like the clear etched white tubing.  I still need to get a more hose for the check valve/nozzle area.

Pics of new parts:


new BMW pump and old aftermarket pump(blue):


new white strainer:



All together:




If weather permits, I will change out the check valve as it was leaking all the water once I activated the pump.  Glad I ordered one ahead of time.

[DesktopDave]

That's some gourmet action there, I haven't seen one that clean since about 1990, LOL.  I wasn't aware that the tank is NLA, that's a bummer.

[monty23psk]

I finally got to install the 4-pintle Bosch 556 injectors. They came re-conditioned as I didnt want to take any chances on used ones. I also cleaned the lower intake manifold, from fly-by oil. I guess maybe I need a oil catch can as other have installed. I also replaced the upper/lower gaskets, which I got from BMW, as they were the same price for me as aftermarket ones, while I ordered some BMW dealer only items for another project. Very nice quality on the gasket but unless you get them same price, the aftermarket ones are fine. Lastly replaced two small fuel hoses under manifolds as a precaution. I did have my current stock injector cleaned at a Bosch authorized center about 6 years ago. I need to clear the ECU next to make sure it re-maps everything after the new changes. I will then run a couple of tanks and see how the my MPG is reacting and more importantly how my idle is doing. Still looking at my running rich issue. After this it could be fuel pump replacement, o2 swap or examine timing again. Besides idle, the car runs great and only on idle without AC does it seem to go into the rich loop. I did find two of the lower intake manifold nuts on, finger tight. Maybe this was causing the vacuum leak/running rich issue. More to come in the next 2 weeks. On to the pictures:

New parts all from BMW:


All intakes removed, at least the new head from almost 3 years ago is still shiny from the engine maintaining I do. Also noticed one of the newly installed valve cover bolt orings is missing. Can't believe I missed it. Will have to find the missing one or order a new one on next order.


New lower gasket installed:


How all injectors looked even though inside the cap where it shoots our the fuel it was clean:


Not best view of inside lower manifold. Cleaned with toothbrush and simple green:


New injectors installed, using old retaining clips on both sides of injector:


Lower manifold and upper manifold gasket installed:

[monty23psk]

Still on the windshield wiper system....My linkage is old and worn when it comes to the splines where the wiper arms connect to the linkage. Actually the passenger side does not turn unless I over-tighten the nut but after some time, it goes back to not working. At least my driver side works and gets through me if it is raining for the last year. I did get a new OEM linkage which I got lucky with purchase on ebay. New I can get them for ~$150. I got this one for $75 online. Used ones go for around $50.



I have had it a while but since on this project, I decided to swap it out. Not a fun job since the AC box is in the way. I eventually go it out as there is one real way to get it in and out and just takes a lot of wiggling the linkage unit to get it right.

I did replace the fresh air blower about 3 years ago with a new one but never cleaned the area. Here is 20+ years of grime in the area:




I then got the old linkage out with was rusting away in the middle. Here it is on the bottom with the motor still attached and the new one above it.



Here is the new linkage with the motor installed and the motor cover cleaned back together:



I have the new linkage installed. About to finish with AC box install. I just need a few parts for the linkage/wiper arm area. I need driver side grommet with I bought less than a year ago for the passenger side. Since it is rubber, it waste away and I would get wobbly arms since the linkage arm was not fix going through the body of the car where the arms connect. I will post more pics of the final install once I receive the parts next week. Thanks Blunt...

[keflaman]

My hat is off to you for pulling that wiper assembly. I hate those things!

[DesktopDave]

My hat is off to you for pulling that wiper assembly. I hate those things!

+1 on that - that wiper linkage R&R has to be the 3rd worst job on an E30...I'd say rear subframe bushings or rear wheel bearings top the list.

Great work as usual, BTW!  I was unaware that linkages are still available from BMW.

[monty23psk]

Yes they are. I have done the rear subframe bushings and since I have the tool, the wiper linkage is worst. I have done a lot of things on the car and confirm that it is a top 3 worst thing to do. If AC box is out, then it would be a snap. I would recommend checking the linkage if doing a AC box removal just to get it while in there.  I still haven't done a wheel bearing on this car but have done an e28 before and not fun.