Siani

South Island, about an hour out of Christchurch.

That would be the catalytic convertor? Sorry to need it spelt out, but I'm in the dark about mechanical stuff. Is it a big job, will it cost me a lot, as I'm also on a shoe string budget.

Bump. Still don't know. I only know basic car stuff.

Found this recently: http://luuk.xs4all.nl/bmwboeken/Bentley_BM...vice_Manual.pdf Huge 61+MB download, but searchable pdf. I saved a copy to my hard drive.

I had something similar happen, and it turned out the air intake hose was loose. Tightened up, no more trouble.

It should, it did with mine. Quick question, why don't you take the battery out and out it on a charger?

It comes on while driving. That's why I want to know what it means.

Hi, was this question ever answered, as I have the same problem with the same model and year, and would like to have an idea of what it is before being charged an arm and a leg for something when I take it to be looked at.

I asked, and no they didn't.

A little bit of white smoke on acceleration for the first block or so. No leaks under the car; I've got plastic down just in case, but none there. No smell of coolant from the heater. Had the radiator replaced at the beginning of the year and it maybe is related? A small hole in a hose somewhere perhaps?

Ok, was a head gasket that was causing the running problems. Replaced and running nicely, but I'm still losing coolant. Have to top it up a quarter to half a litre or so every couple of days.

Thanks for the link. If you hadn't reposted it, I wouldn't have known to look for it.

Thanks, that's about what they quoted me.

If it is the head gasket, how much should I expect to pay for repair?

Wheel alignment?

Thanks for your suggestions. It takes about 500ml top-up after about 30km travelling (to work and back and a bit of round town) It only disappears after running, not when parked. There is some exhaust smoke as it warms up, more white than blue coloured. I am leaning towards head gasket, with my limited knnowledge, and a bit of googling. I am going to appropriate my husband's explorer, and book the beemer in for some tests. Thanks again.

My '91 525i has been running a bit rough and it is losing coolant, but there don't seem to be any leaks. The oil appears ok with no milkyness, or residue. The coolant is only disappearing after running, there was no loss when it had been parked up for a week. The temperature remains ok. It is chewing through fuel, and pinks and almost back-fires occasionally with acceleration. I had it tuned not long ago, for similar symptoms, and they checked the hoses as I had not long had the radiator replaced. At that time they said the spark plugs were pretty dirty. And that's about all I know about it. Any suggestions? And some recommendations for BMW servicing/repairs in the Chch/Ashburton area would be great too. Thanks.

Mine does that too ('91 525i), ever since I've had it. Had the pads done a couple of times and it still comes up. I just check them regularly and ignore it.

Yes Brent, I think I do. Had a go at soldering it today; my soldering is pretty tidy, but now I have fog light and high beam lights showing on the dash display, even with no key in the ignition, which can't be good, and I have no lights working except for park lights. Apparently there is a further fix involving removing the solder and re-wiring and pinning the relays, but that is probably beyond my skills. And no guarantee it would work anyway, if I've shorted or cooked something. I'll send you an email. Thanks.

Had some intermittent trouble with low beams on my '91 525i, and after a google session, found that it is a mentioned problem and how to fix it on the bmwe34.net site. Requires re-soldering of the relays on the LKM. They say it takes about 30 minutes, with a difficulty of one spanner. Just wondering if anyone here has had this problem, tried the fix, got any tips or suggestions to add? And if I stuff it up, has a LKM they want to sell? TIA

Check also your fusible link also, off the battery, as this can lead to intermittent electrical faults. That was the problem when my windows played up.

Thanks for the replies. :thumb: I've done various bits as needed and I've gone new so far, as I intend to keep it. I was just about to start on saving for a new airconditioning unit when this happened.

Is that about the right price for a new one though? $500?

I have a 1991 525i E34 and on Sunday I had overheating problems. Today I took it to be looked at and was told the radiator was totally had it. What should I expect to pay for a new replacement? The price I was quoted for a new one was around about $500 plus labour. TIA

I had this problem with my 525i, and various other hiccups with the electrics.Did a bit of googling, and it is the fusible link just off the battery. Mine is E34 but I assume it may be similar? This is an E34 fusible link casing. When I checked mine the link was in 2 pieces, causing intermittent problems. Worth checking.