silly76

Hey Everyone, Thought we would update this as to what happened as what we thought was wrong ... was infact not ... and it was a surprise to learn what was wrong .. and have my baby all back up and running like a dream in 2 hours!! Thanks heaps to Guido and the boys at BM Workshop. So, were on our way to see Glenn at Botany about getting a diagnostic done because the engine was missing intermittently and the engine management light was on. On the motorway the temperature gauge shot right up in the red and even the bright red light came on ... luckily no one next to me in the lane so I was able to pull off straight away and stop the car. Looking at the engine, it didn't look like it was overheated, and given the problems we were having, we thought something big might have happened. We opened the bonnet and put up the heater to helped cool down the engine, and yes it worked, but pulling the radiator cap off showed absolutely no water! Now, we don't neglect our cars, owning Bentley manuals for each of them, and we went up north two weekends ago and checked everything prior. All ok. Had it towed back to Guidos and totally upset about the whole ordeal we waited around to see if they thought there was anything major. Luckily, we weren't driving while the light was on for a long time and the motor wasn't hot so it didn't quite seem like a ''head gasket'' type issue. On needed to assess the car and get it comfortable one of the boys poured water into the radiator .... and hello ... out it came in a gush ... ???? Yes, apparently after so long expansion tanks can crack and your water slowly seeps out into the big wide world .... f$#% .... so it wasn't bad for a one reaon, being we pulled over straight away, let the car cool down using the heater, and the car was doing all the right things in terms of the engine management system .. but it does show you that even though the engine light is for emission control, it can actually mean a bit more than that. So, as soon as it was missing I should have dianosed it straight away on the tester ... and check the waters a lot more as the cars get older because these are quite frequent (2-3 years) as they are only plastic and your warning lights for water leaks probably doesn't take this into account. Apparently no metal ones sold for my particular model. Now even though it was gushing out at BM Workshop, it might not have been gushing before but with winter on you just don't realise. No warning at all on the expansion tank. So there you go, a few lessons learned. My car is back on the road and I'm happy. Not too much cost either which was good. Thanks for all the advice guys, we really appreciate the comments you guys make with ideas on what it could have been. Happy Driving Silvana and Brendan

I'm guessing the best thing to do it get it diagnostic test on the car ... we are in Central Auckland so if there is anyone close who has what is needed to do this then let me know. Glenn, I wouldn't be able to get it out East today ... do you have a diagnostic tester?

Hey Everyone, Couple of questions: 1. On my dashboard cluster, lower left hand side, a symbol what looks like a engine, has appeared. I have checked in the Bentley manual and it says to "check engine etc" ... does anyone have an idea as to what things might need to be checked when they say this? 2. Two days ago my engine started to idle funny. We think the miss could be a plug- place to start - but does anyone know how we can check what the fault may be? We have an Ohm Meter and the Bentley manual but were hoping to get a few ideas as to maybe where to start? Look forward to hearing what might be wrong with my baby :-( Silvana and Brendan

Your 5 year old tells people that BMW's ARE the best car in the world and anything else is just crap ...

Excellent, thanks for the reply. Will delete them now.

Hey Guys and Gals, I wasn't too sure where to mention this but over the last week or two I have been getting some personal messages sent to me through bimmersport from Deleted Members. I haven't really looked at them because the Member name comes up as Deleted Member and was wondering if these messages are "bugs" themselves. Has anyone else got these or had these before? Silvana

Excellent, thanks very much. Will check them out. Silvana

Hey Everyone, You may already know, or not know, that the E30 touring that we are reconditioning will hopefully be coming home shortly The engine is ready to go back in and while Brendan does that I want to find out about sprucing the rest of it up. There are M3 leather seats already in the front, and we have some leather already purchased, but does anyone know a place, that is reasonable in price and trustworthy, where we can get the back seats done? Appreciate the help Silvana

Not that I know of anyway its still cheaper than what we pay here would like to know if there are other good sites that people have used

Just had a look pretty good parts prices presume in US$ ? Didnt have a price for the cooler

Having priced up parts here in Auckland it seems that there are substantial price differences if ordering from overseas.Granted some of these appear to be aftermarket but still the price difference is huge. I'm looking at Pelican parts in the states for say an oil cooler, Here best I can do is about $700 bucks plus the rest of the bits you need,whereas I can get one shipped in 12 days for half that cost including shipping. The site seems good but am aware that its for US spec cars. Any comment?What do others do to get new bits? thanks

I agree with you. Look at the kms for the big ticket items that may start to need replacing, but I've driven cars that are well over 100kms, e.g. Rapala's E30 touring and damn it is just great. Up North, down South, it just drives so well. Depending on how a car has been looked after it can go for a long time.

hahahaha

Yeah, just posted them up now. Still getting use to entering stuff into the forums!!! Yes, can't have too many beemas I totally agree .... but we can't move house at the moment and we aren't too keen on keeping them on the road. Hopefully it will go to a good owner.

Hey Everyone, Sadly I am parting with my E46 Sedan due to my new love with the BMW Tourings Prior to putting it on TradeMe I thought I would let all the genuine BMW lovers have a look at it first. Will have it on here until Sunday night, Monday it will go up on TradeMe. Details as follows: 1999 Motorsport 323i Sedan Silver in colour 122643kms Steptronic Sunroof Motorsport mags Full black leather interior Excellent body condition Seat heaters (front ones only) Ski Bag Serviced by BMWorkshop and Centreline Suspension. I brought this car about a year and a half ago and the reason for buying this one in particular was that no one had played around with it and therefore everything was original. I then had the ability to spend money on it and bring it up to scratch as well as make the car my own. Following items are all new: V-Belt Belt Tensioner Mulibelts Belt Tensioner Pulley Expansion Tank Trans Thermostat Radiator Assy Wat Pump O-Ring Oil Filter Washer Pump, Bush and Jet Brake pads and rotors for all four wheels Front suspension arms Rear bushes Front wheel bearings Money spent thus far was to pretty much bring it up to scratch. I didn't quite start making it my own as once I started driving Rapala's E30 Touring around ... well the rest is history ... I bought an E46 Touring!!! Having a little boy it has been a lot more practical for us and sadly the Sedan was the one that had to go as we just can't have four Beemas in the drive :-( The car itself is just gorgeous and drives well. We have taken it up North and down South a number of times and it just loves the open road as most Beemas do. If you have any questions just let me know. Asking Price $20,000. Ph:021 277 1595