Arma

Yeah. My front sensor was fine so just re-used mine. I bought new rear sensor because I felt so sure it would be worn, but it seemed perfectly fine too. So now I have a spare sensor.

Did a few things today. Despite the pressure test showing no leaks after my crash repair, my radiator decided to start pouring out coolant on Saturday. Luckily I noticed it when examining the engine bay, otherwise I might have had a fried motor right now. Also lucky that I bought a new oem radiator from the US couple weeks ago just in case it was damaged due to crash. Installed the new radiator this morning. Old radiator took like 30 minutes to take out even after all hoses were disconnected etc., because it was re-assembled quite tightly into that space by the other guys. Also did a few other things, see below: Check list completed: Install brand new radiator Install new front brake pads (Hawk HPS) Install new rear brake rotors (OEM) Install new rear brake pads (Hawk HPS 5.0) Replace o-ring on exhaust cam sensor (had an annoying oil leak there for a while, dripping onto lower radiator hose) I was having trouble accessing the 5mm hex bolt for the cam sensor because I'm an idiot. But after the expansion tank and stuff were out for the new radiator, that became easy. It's nice having the new rotors and pads. I've bedded them but they'll need some time before they become firmer I believe - pedal is quite soft atm. One of the dust caps from one of the rear rotors is missing - anyone know where I can get one of these from? I also have some new brake shoes lying around that I wanted to install, but i am too noob and scared to do that. Will take it into a shop in a few weeks or so to get that done. Did a pressure test and there seems to be no coolant leaks. The cam sensor o-ring fixes one of the last 2 minor engine oil leaks I had (there are probably some still hiding and will present themselves in an opportune moment). Pulleys and belts looked in OK condition. So not replacing those yet. Have already done the water pump, radiator hoses and thermostat over the last 12 months. Yes I know I shouldn't have left the calipers hanging Exhaust CPS o-ring was hard and brittle. Oil was definitely leaking through there.

Engine bay is looking very flash now.

That's awesome!

Ok cool, thanks Jason.

Is it recommended to flush with new brake fluid after new pads are installed? What if only the front or only the back pads are changed? Does it matter?

Yeah taking it to shop tomorrow. Possibly get it back by lunch time. I wonder what may have caused the leak. Perhaps a mistake in the installation somewhere, who knows. Oh well, hopefully she's all healthy tomorrow. Here's another vid of the leak in case it helps anyone in the future

Actually kind of glad I decided to change the exhaust cps o-rings yesterday. If not I wouldn't have seen the leak at all, and was supposed to go for a few long drives that afternoon/evening. Possibly saved myself from an overheated motor. ;\

It drips from the same spot beneath the radiator as shown in the video but only when engine is running. As soon as I turn engine on it starts dripping pretty rapidly from that same spot. I suppose the source could be somewhere further up in the radiator, but that would still mean radiator replacement (thankfully I bought a new one from the US when I was importing all my maintenance parts). Can't see anything coming out of the expansion tank or radiator hoses. Are there more potential leak sources in front of the radiator that I can't see?

Manufacture date on currently installed one is 2005. So it's pretty old at the moment lol. I tried looking for any coolant seeping from the sides or expansion tank cap etc. but found nothing. I'd imagine even being over filled the extra would get sent to overflow tank or something? From the looks of it, the leak seems to come some where from the radiator plastic area on the driver side - perhaps a crack? Guess my best bet is to tow it on Monday to workshop and get it checked out unless some e39 god visits me tomorrow and fits my new radiator.

Shoved my camera down there for a peek. Looks like the leak is coming from the radiator (see video). Wouldn't a pressure test have picked this leak up? It's only been like 2 days since i got the car back and have just driven it normally. Probably a total of 40km. Not sure if it's just a coincidence or not that it is time for the radiator to die, right after the repair.

It's dripping from some place further in/under than the hose connector. The lower radiator hose is also brand new as of last week. The repairers pressure tested it and said there were no leaks so no idea where this came from. It was overfilled quite a lot, this is the coolant level when cold:

So, noticed a puddle of coolant in the undercarriage this afternoon. So as usual I will panic and ask 1000 questions. The repairers did overfill the expansion tank by a fair bit, so not sure if this has anything to do with it. I noticed the dripping happens when the engine is running and it seems to be dripping from a point a bit further down and forward from the lower radiator hose. Please refer to the video I took: Is this dripping from the radiator? Could it be just some untightened screw or drain plug or something trivial? Or does it just mean the radiator is stuffed? Is it still safe to drive around the city during the weekend until it can be fixed next week? It is dripping at about 1 drop per 2.5 seconds (ish) Cheers

Do i have to take the expansion tank out to access the 5mm hex bolt for the sensor? Theres like no space to fit anything in there, let alone a 1/4" ratchet

Hey Julian, they are unlikely 5mm+. The tread indicators (3 lines down the center) are around 4mm, one or two of them might be very close to 5. Couple of the very far edges are worn more and slightly less probably ~3-3.5mm. I'll have to check the manufacture date, have not looked. Have used these tires before (different size) and they're pretty quiet and should last a decent while even with that tread imo (unlike some of the cheap brands).

Cool. Once you've decided, just PM me to confirm and I'll take it off trademe. :-)

Bump. $300 takes it

Seen that one around the city a lot too!

I think I'd prefer going in through the low beam bulb hole (i may regret saying this but oh well).. because the thought of putting headlights in the oven doesn't tickle me well.

I *think* the headlight adjusters on my Xenon headlight replacements are broken or not working correctly. The motor seems to work fine cause I see the headlight rise when car is turned on. However, I *think* the low beams are pointing a bit lower than they should be, so something is up. Could it be the sensor? I tried moving the low beam manually with hand and it seems to move easily (which sometimes means adjuster is broken I *think*). I *think* too much, need more answers . Anyway, if they are broken - anyone here do repairs for them? I hear they aren't as straight forward as the pre-facelift ones as these lenses are permanently sealed in. Let me know if you've had anything similar done. Would want to avoid buying brand new Xenons ;-) Cheers

Picked up Bonnie. (Yes my car is named Bonnie.. my other one is named Clyde) Anyway, gave her a good wash, clay bar, polish, wax etc. etc. Installed the new AFE filter. They forgot to hook up my rear parking sensors, so did that. Mechanically seems sound, they did a pressure test, no leaks so far. Did a wheel alignment just in case, since chassis rail was repaired. Anyway, here are some [average] pics (Foglight covers have been blacked out now): My messy garage, where the valet magic happens Here are the Xenons. I think the adjusters are broken... The motor moves the headlight up down automatically, but i think the default position is still kind of angled downwards, more than it should be imo. Who does repairs for this? I don't wanna do it myself. Made a topic here: http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/51140-e39-xenon-headlight-adjuster-repair-who-can-do-it/

Yep! Although last time I ordered the German military plates and got them confiscated. Hopefully the new NZ style ones are more convincing!

Sent order via PM. Have just paid (ASB to ASB so should receive it shortly). Cheers

Very stoked! Hopefully things are running smoothly under the bonnet and I can actually drive it tomorrow. Got my cleaning kit ready to give it a good wax - though I hear it's not a good idea to wax newly repainted cars? (I think they bake it at Prima so perhaps it won't be a problem) One think I might do is move the rego plate further up a little bit so it isn't hovering over the bumper mesh area... just being picky but it's bugging me

Bump. Dropped to $300.