hotwire

Have done plenty of R12 - R134 retrofits.

All i have ever done is evacuate the system, fit R134 retrofit adaptor ports (they screw on to the old R12 ports), pressure test, if good then replace the receiver/drier & attached o rings (not all the rest) vac down & regas with R134.  Simple!

May be cheating somewhat but it works fine.

Over the top yes but i can certainly see it selling for over a quarter of his asking

New module or S/H?  New unit unlikely to be faulty

If new - did it initially fix the issue? If not  - it must have been miss diagnosed

If S/H it could still be a faulty unit. They can fail in multiple ways - no fault codes, incorrect code, or a book of incorrect codes. Have seen them all.

Power Stop in Tauranga can test/ repair the modules

13 hours ago, Gabe79 said:

$1500 is blown head gasket territory. 

 

https://www.trademe.co.nz/1427953777

 

Now it’s suspicious. ?

But the owner says it runs & drives well. It can't have a blown head gasket

I'm tempted for shits & giggles. Not that i need another car...

^^^^ Well put, was thinking exactly the same. Sounds like a very dubious service history.

Also - you must have a very understanding mechanic if you can rock up with all the parts & get him to fit them...

Dunno on the Tourings having less appeal or being priced cheaper than the sedan, Decent examples that i have seen have had a premium over a sedan. Even though having a sedan, I think the touring has better lines & is more practical.

^^^^ Well maybe get FCP Euro to work on a PC then 

It certainly doesn't look like a well loved car, condition described as "average" which looks to be that at best.

Gabe - whats the issue with the Msport?

Yes that hose connects to the top centre of the battery case. The hose has a right angle plastic piece that pushes into a hole in the battery case. As above - it is there to vent the battery to outside the car - it should be in place. All DIN batteries come with this port. They come with a bung in the hole, this is taken out & the hose inserted when the battery is installed.

Can't say I have ever seen an E39 leaking water there.

Other modules you mention: The front silver box (blue & white plugs) is the video module - produces TV (well it did) controls screen graphics if no Nav unit is installed, & controls the reverse camera that you are going to fit

Other silver box on the left is the radio tuner & yes the black unit is the amp.

Edit - the white socket is not used unless a Nav unit is in the car. It will be utilised when you fit that camera though:-        The video module functions (apart from reverse camera) all operate from the blue connector.

26 minutes ago, Gabe79 said:

Thanks for that. I might have to get myself a camera.

Easier for the E39 as well - camera clips in - as long as you have factory monitor

On 15/09/2017 at 1:35 PM, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

Started putting things back together again after pulling the head off the race car. Blowing coolant out due to exhaust gases getting in the system, pressure check of head came back good, and a bit of a weld on a corroded wateway should do the trick fingers crossed. Now to get the whole lot back together and adjusted - fun, fun, fun.

Wife's E46 has had the airbags done, but found another couple of issues that need attending to...

And the convertible is still sitting there patiently waiting for some new parts and TLC.

I am beginning to get a bit over all these car problems, they are supposed to be "fun" right??

So you're over car issues. No wonder i have little to no motivation for working on the cars around home. And after all week & virtually 24hr AA duty, that i do have is getting less...

My Karcher is about the same age as your Dynamic & probably the same spec. It too cost $900 from memory. About the same weight too...

I also got one of those dirt blaster attachment nozzles - transforms the machine & hasn't had the original lance on it since.

I have also had it to bits a couple of times over the years, new pump housing at one stage. Has been a great machine though.

Graham - I do recommend you up your budget if you can.

52 minutes ago, Funkyflynz said:

Just changed the oil, the filter was $72 from Repco!  Dang! 

Bet if you price at the steelers here you will find them about 1/2 that price for the genuine one. Adding to - the Repco ones are Ryco & the fit is crap too! Have used them on customers cars.

As Andrew said above - check the flow specs. Cheapy water blasters boast on their pressure output, look at their flow specs & it is minimal.

From memory our old Karcher water blaster is about 9 or 11 (can't recall) L/M. It is years old & was expensive at the time & bought on it's spec.

Pressure is nothing without flow.

Nice write up. I must admit the E60 has grown on me but i still think the E39 can sit amongst any modern car & not look out of place/date.

One comment from the summary above - the E39 steering wheel too has the recirculate button on it.

1 hour ago, Michael. said:

Interior, Idrive was a step backwards far too complicated, now it's dated and annoying to use. The dash board center console is exceptionally boring, has no flow into the lower console, and the  design and the door cards as they droop down doesn't add to a positive ambiance, they give off a rather depressing vibe. The E39 interior is such a nicer place to be, it's like it was designed by people that cared about what they were doing, E60 more so a quick coffee break design. 

Agree with you on this one Michael. Without any bias too...

Do the plastic heater pipes (out of the head) too while you are in there. I have replaced them on cars at work after they have failed.

Had to replace my CCV last year, while doing that i did all the breather pipes, manifold/throttle body seals, above heater pipes & thermostat all as preventative maintenance.

Yes to the E39. Makes the six steering more precise. Dunno on the E60

Failing coils - not necessarily, They can cause many different symptoms.

Have an E39 in at work atm with two intermittent failing coils. The owner swore he had a driveline issue...

Otherwise, because they are like rocking horse sh*t,  if you have a 240 box shaft - you can get it shortened to suit the 260 box in the 325i

From memory they are 37mm shorter - been there done that!

7 hours ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

What are you looking for in a vert that would make it the right car...??

hint, hint, ideas in sig..?

You're not thinking of selling the vert are you Jon? You'll need a new name then 

Seriously, without proper scanning first - you/we are simply guessing.

It may be a seeping head gasket/water into a cylinder

It may be an ign coil

It may (likely} be a sticking lifter

But look guys - it's got a battery! Must be worth the asking price

The Nav unit will be programmed to German,

From memory, go into settings/ press & hold menu button for about 8 seconds. This takes you into service mode. From memory language settings are in there. The Nav unit can hold 3 languages. 

2 hours ago, tawa said:

Great project, and that's some excellent work on the diff! but I've got concerns that welding is not ticking the 'no compromises' boxes. Sticking metal to metal is just one part, the join should be uniform and not create any sharp transitions which will create stress raisers and lead to cracking... Whether it is just academic or actually going to be a potential issue is beyond my experience, I'd suggest you get in touch with your certifier asap.

Yep, without being critical. I too am dubious of the welds - there doesn't look much penetration. Loving what you are doing though...