Cammsport

What's everyone's consensus on mounting exterior panels? I've used 3M auto tape before but I worry it eats into the paint. I've seen @Olafpost about sealent/windscreen glue. What's everyone's thoughts? I don't want anything too permanent as my mind changes like the weather. Definitely not keen on drilling through the boot lid.

Hi all, I'm after a few tools for N47. I'd hugely appreciate any leads on where I could source/borrow them. -compression testing adapter -leakdown test kit -timing gear tools Thanks in advance!

It seems extremely unlucky to me too. I'm definitely not going to another garage, after receiving thst bill. I would've rather spent that money on a borescope, compression test and leakdown test tools (which I'm now going to do anyway, to double check). Apparently acetone down the cylinders is an old trick to free up seized rings, so that could be a goer too. Don't have much to lose.

Hahaha, anything on the cards at the moment if I can't source a nice N47D20. I've always been loyal to the M52... 🤔 Kidding 👀

8 hrs seems like alot of labour, but I'll take it on the chin and move on I guess! Trying to find a motor and I'll start on the swap as soon as I get the car back.

A BMW/MB/JAG independent in Queenstown

Have had another chat with the workshop. Getting pretty frustrated to put it lightly. I asked what was the compression on the other cylinders. "have only checked #1 and #2, #1 is 250psi and #2 is 150". Compression significantly picked up with abit of oil in the cylinders and then faded again. No air can be heard/felt from tge intake/exhaust manifolds. Apparently to check cylinders 3 & 4 "would be around 3 to 4 hours labour due to access". I asked if they had a boroscope to check inside the bore, "oh yea we might do, I'd have to ask around". I asked if the timing had been checked, "yea that could be another step". He said if the timing was off, he'd expect error codes. They can't see any codes, like i couldn't with ISTA. He's going to get back to me with a full job card of what they've done. I don't know how I'm already $1k+ in the hole for a code readout and for compression testing two cylinders. I've been watching alot of m539 lately and old Streten has definitely given me some motivation. The madman puts himself through alot of pain. I'm considering collecting the vehicle and doing my own analysis. I'd find a leakdown kit and really make sure what was happening on all 4 cylinders. I'd buy a boroscope and check to see what the bores/pistons look like. Then most likely pull the engine, split the block and go from there. Options would be rebuild (if the cylinder walls aren't too damaged) or find an engine to swap out. The N47 is looking hard to find. Either of these options gives me tge chance to replace tge timing gear too. First lemon I've bought. Frustrating, but worse things have happened. Let me know if you have the scoop on an engine!

Long time, no update! Not a Heck of alot to tell on the E30 front. Had a dyno day Aug '21 that was great fun. Was interesting to see what power the M52 put out with 200,000kms on the clock. 122rwkw or 163hp at the wheels. We've recently moved south, so in the mean time the E30 has been put on the back burner (modification wise at least). Recently bought an E87 120d and it's turned out to be a lemon. So the e30 has come to the rescue! Happily carrying out the daily commute around Central Otago. Making some friends at work. And some more E30 goodness (or maybe sadness?) at a museum down here. Cars look to be in a pretty bad way. I don't think the owners realise the fairly recent rise in value of these cars over the last couple of years. Bought a replica Mtech1 spoiler from Mr Bodykits as I have always like the shape. Technically not correct being on a FL E30, but I like it! Only mocked up in the pictures. Need to colour code the forward portion and find a rubber like paint for the rear portion. And then mount it. Probably this weekends job.

Could've been "bad compression, especially on #2", but I'll ring them on Tuesday and go over a few things. Like checking the timing

Not the best news from the mechanic. Compression test shows low numbers on #2 cylinder and a leak down check shows its not from the top end. He thinks because the engine was so sooty, that it could be coked up piston rings that aren't spreading freely. He said if it was his, he'd be replacing the motor. Couple of options. 1)have them investigate further, head off etc and see what the issue is. This will take me further down the rabbit hole with no garunteed fix. 2)have them source a 2nd hand engine and replace it. This'll be very costly I'd imagine but the quickest. 3)i source and swap the engine myself. The cheapest but most time spent. And I worry that its something electrical and the car still doesn't start 😅 Anyone have a N47D20 lying about?

No solution yet @Bronsk. I dropped the car off to a place in Queenstown on 27/08 that specializes in BMW/Jag etc. They called called a couple of days later, and they couldn't figure out why it wouldn't start (partial relief that I didn't miss anything obvious/worry that they won't find the fault). Their next step was to order a special compression tester from BMW in AKL as their one kept getting blown off apparently. His suspicion is that its compression (or lack of) related as it sounds like it is turning over too quickly. Bloody diesels.

Unfortunately not. The plan is to replace the leaky injector and the throttle body that keeps throwing codes (I don't think this will fix it) and if it still won't start, it's getting trailered to an independent euro place in Queenstown. I don't have the space/time/patience to continue fault finding to the point of pulling cam covers to check timing etc. I'll have to suck it up and accept the bill! Support local right... 😅

Does anyone have N47 cam locking tools to check timing?

Target pressure is being struck. Voltage spiking at injectors when turning over.

Yea private sale. And I don't *think* she put me wrong. My friend collected it and had no issue for the couple of days he had it. No chain noise. Quiet as a diesel can be. I'd be interested to hear what a N47 sounds like with the injectors unplugged. I feel like it's cranking fine considering there's nil help from combustion. I'll prep for valve cover off 🤦 Like I said earlier, I don't feel like it's anything catastrophic because it drove 450kms with stops in between, no worries. No laziness to it at all and ran fine. I'm sure it's a sensor/DDE/electrical fault. Whether that's induced by the negative temperatures or pure bad luck, who knows.

Give me some of your motivation Sam 😅 I reckon put the badges on. Doesn't look too much at all!

Service plan for the throttle actuator fault code, assuming it wasn't battery disconnect related.

New Exide Extreme. 750 CCA, 80ah. 14 degrees outside. Ive checked the injectors are getting a signal. Back to the drawing board 😓 20220616_133431.mp4 I got the fault codes below after connecting the battery and firing up ISTA. Weirdly, the 4 bottom codes look to have come up 2kms before it's final rest. The car is currently at 169,178kms and hasn't driven since the start of this saga. I cleared them, disconnected ISTA, ignition off, attempted start of the car, connected ISTA, no fault codes showing now. But still, no start. I'm getting the exclamation mark and CEL when I press the ignition, but no fault codes on ISTA or the OBC (after I cleared them the first time). That throttle body fault is bugging me. I ran through the ISTA diagnostics for it though and it all checked out OK. So maybe it's a battery disconnect/connect thing that upsets it? Unsure where to go from here. Compression check and timing? Biggish jobs with having to remove the injectors and the valve cover (after removing all the stuff on top).

I think a new battery is in order either way. Its almost 10 years old, undersized and negative temperatures. I'll get a new Varta F18 from Battery Town tomorrow. Not a bad innings considering the average lifespan is 5 years according to forums. Doesn't seem to have IBS either. If this honestly fixes it, you'll hear the sigh of relief from your place.

Might have to hold off for the day. That shed would be handy 😅

I'm buying everyone beers if its the battery. Going to get a new battery tomorrow and give it a crack. Wouldn't be the first time I've looked past something so easy.

I'll take a better video of the cranking tomorrow for about 10 seconds. I'll do it from the cabin so you can hear it like-for-like for the daily N47 drivers. Bad compression from a stretched chain is very plausible on these engines. Just to reiterate, I don't think it is the glow plugs. I'll look into the cam timing and compression checks. Thanks for the replies by the way.

Yip tested. Got about 9v. 6ohms across the glow plug itself

No glow plug codes since I removed and tested that 1 and then reset codes.

I could do but the chain must be there for the cams to be turning.