charles28

Hmm it can cost me near $200 to do it myself, due to needing 2 packs of oil at $85 each + filter

This place might have them in stock and they are in Dunedin http://www.milland.co.nz/

Welcome, the e39 sure is a nice open road cruiser, am taking mine to Queenstown this week and then to Nelson on the weekend. Out of interest, what sort of fuel economy did you get?

I'll book my 530i in sometime soon (in about 2 weeks), after my road trip to Queenstown and Nelson, it'll need a good clean after that. Will the $249 cover my car for the full groom? being that its a large ish Car. Cheers

Replaced the Thermostat, Waterpump, CCV System (All pipes and the unit) Waterpump bearing was shot, so glad I changed that, thermostat was leaking badly.. as was the sensor on the bottom radiator hose (replaced 0-ring). Scanned for errors before hand. 18 EWS Signal or Camshaft Sensor (MS43) 123 Map Cooling Thermostat Control (Thermostat now replaced) 227 Mixture Deviation Bank 1 228 Mixture Deviation Bank 2 203 Lambda Regulation Bank 2 Post cat 202 Lambda Regulation Bank 1 Post Cat 244 Crankshaft Interval timing 227, 228, 203, 202 I suspect were from the CCV system being shot. (Vacuum Leaks, Valve Cover Gasket Leak etc that's been fixed). Car is running better then it ever has now. The CCV parts were all shot, the CCV unit itself was broken into 2 pieces. Will drive it for a few days and re-scan and see what comes back.

yeah that could be the vanos gasket (Vanos unit to head) that's the issue perhaps. I have a new vanos seal kit I can sell you (I ordered an extra one as it was taking too long to arrive). But you will still need a new vanos gasket and the 2 washers for the vanos oil line (about $10 on ebay all up).

Mines had so many oil leaks its hard to know whats what sometimes hehe. but a lot of mine was due to the CCV Valve, it caused a chain reaction of problems, which started with the valve cover cracking. Its probably a good idea to replace all those bits sometime.

Just did mine, the so called lifetime fluid was black pretty much, but no metal shavings as such, so a good idea to do that. Be sure to use the correct tranny fluid Esso LT 71141 compliant.

Changed Transmission Oil and Filter etc, Lifetime fluid was Black.. but nothing sinister as far as metal shavings etc. Replaced Brake Fluid, who knows when that was last done. Ordered new Oil Separator Valve and all related hoses, Thermostat, water pump. In the next 3 weeks i'm doing a trip to Nelson and Queenstown, so am trying to get the car going 100% The car feels a bit flat power wise, but some of that is thanks to borrowing a mates Manual V8 Holden with about 300kw But considering the Oil Separator and hoses are covered in leaking oil, i'm driving around with a big Vacuum leak, so its probably down on power.. I imagine the CCV failed ages ago, which also caused the problem with the Valve Cover cracking (too much pressure) in a way its lucky the hoses etc are leaking, otherwise my new valve cover could be toast again..

Why not just get yours rebuilt? I got the one in my Golf Rebuilt for $300 ish I think

Maybe the hose from the CCV to the Dipstick Tube, Dipstick Tube O-Ring.. or one of the other useless plastic hoses attached to the CCV (I have been having the same issue). Oil filter housing gasket is another one potentially..

Nice car, i had a 2.5L Turbo version years ago, fantastic car

Cool, yeah its not a really bad leak, just annoying, i want to keep the garage floor clean so the missus doesn't complain

yeah there is, in fact it most likely is that. Am ordering a new O-Ring for the dipstick tube now, but I'll have to try and check those other hoses, they are all made of crap plastic as usual

Oil leaks still an issue. It seems to be leaking around this bit. (Pic from Under Passenger Side of car) Pic from under the bonnet Further up where the oil filter housing etc is is dry and no sign of leakage any more, so at least that job was successful. I assume that part showing in the pic is where the Oil separator and Dipstick tube etc go in to. I suspect pipe 2 or 4, mostly likely 4 is the issue, ie http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT62&mospid=47546&btnr=11_2194&hg=11&fg=15 Interestingly the car has no suction/vacuum , as in if you take off the oil cap and put a plastic bag over it, it doesn't try to suck it in at all. (engine running) If you take the dip stick out and put your thumb on that you can also feel no suction (Engine running of course). This most made me think too. http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/40237-oil-leak-530i-sport-cured-and-big-tip/

One of the next things on the agenda is to fix the front bumper. Crack on the top Crack right at the bottom by the passenger side wheel arch, its not as bad as it looks on this extreme close up though. (Similar size to the other crack really). I have emailed the pics to a plastic welder to find out if its repairable and the cost etc. I will remove the bumper myself and take it there, but will probably touch up the paint myself to save money.

Clocked up 1000k's now since replacing valve cover, vanos seals, oil filter housing gasket etc. During this time the car left a few small spots of oil, gave me various warnings about low oil level, but the oil level is fine, so the sensor must be on its way out, the oil levels still on full 1000k later (I did top it up after replacing vanos seals). Gave the car a quick wash, did some small paint touch ups. recently I removed the M5 Badge and Chrome Strips around the car. So now it looks normal again.

Doh http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/20-saddest-scrappage-scheme-victims-2014-09-30 Was some nice cars

Naa i was too lazy to look, so was going buy sight unseen, but wouldn't have paid much more for it anyway due to not seeing it

They often sell quite cheap, ie 30 mins ago http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=784272213 $1510 I got out bidded and couldn't get back on trademe to out bid the winner (customer)

I'd be interested in your opinion of the E34 540i, since you also have an E39 530i, i've been tempted to look at a cheap one for sale in CHCH

Legally you are not required to do anything, buying old cars comes with risks, as we all know, since many of us have been on the receiving end too and didn't expect the last owner to cough up

Had the check oil level warning yet again, checked oil and its fine..

I'll jack it up on the weekend and go hard with de-greaser and clean it up best I can. I'm please the CCV system appears to be working, as that's an annoying job to do too. I spilt a bit of oil when i removed the vanos bolts (Hex ones), I probably missed some of it when cleaning up.

Yeah there's a little bit of oil around it, not sure that there's enough that its the main issue, but for the sake of $2 its worth trying. I guess some of it could be left over from fixing the other oil leaks too. I'll keep a close eye on the oil level and see what else drops onto the garage floor and where from exactly. I'm fairly certain my valve cover is no longer an issue.