cleanish_e46

I actually recently changed GP and she's a much better listener, but yeah, frustrating to say the least. Sound advice Olaf!

That's great that you're on top of it Jo, good on you and thanks for the support.

I'll avoid turning this thread into a mental health journal, but I have not had a good time recently! The missus convinced me to go to hospital last week, a place I stubbornly avoid. I ended up staying for a while... Long story short, I had to have surgery to remove my gallbladder, and I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I've been feeling less than well for years, but recently it really ramped up with severe pain in my side. I'd been to my doctor, had all sorts of scans and tests, and it was chalked down to chronic back pain. I was always pumped full of painkillers and sent home, not good for the physical or mental health once they wear off. I'd actually quit my job as a builder, stopped playing sport, stopped surfing, and was worried I'd have to stop working on cars because everything was just getting too painful to do. It basically felt like I couldn't do any of the things I'd worked hard towards and the things I loved doing anymore. The diabetes thing, well, the doctor said I'd put up a hell of a fight and done well to avoid a coma with the blood sugar level I came in with, but my body had just given up, but it can all be managed well now. I'm actually relieved to have a diagnosis, and since the surgery my back pain has all but gone. It's honestly gave me so much hope. It's a six week recovery, with the first two doing very little, something I'm not great at. While I was laid up in bed I came across SOUP Classic Motoring on Youtube: Might be of interest to folk. It's really kept me going, and I'm looking forward to getting back in the shed when I can. The reason I've posted this here is that I've had a lot of support from communities of like-minded folk like Bimmersport, and I just want to thank the people that have reached out, offered to help and everything else. Hopefully I can get Mo on the road for Summer, not much left to do there, and then turn my attention to saving the 325i. Bit to do on that one! Josh

Great service. Contacted Gavin by email, and contactless pick-up available from his store.

Hope so @Ghost Chip fortunately I had covered the block and taped up all electrics as I went. I think the carpets copped the worst of it.

Long story short: a pipe burst at home and for five minutes a lot of water covered everything in the kitchen and garage below. The seats were out, but the passenger footwell was soaking. Carpets had to come out, can't have that foam underneath holding water in the car. . Everywhere is solid, so there's the silver lining.

Cheers @WYZEUP do you know how much a sheet of this goes for?

Seats are out, but yes I think I will remove the sill trims and see how much more I can lift it up. Had a dehumidifier running in the car all day, certainly smells better than it did, but like you say that foam underneath will be difficult to dry. Floor pans look good and solid from what I’ve seen so far so there’s the silver lining.

Long story short: a pipe burst at home and for five minutes a lot of water covered everything in the kitchen and garage below. The passenger footwell is soaking. I guess it got in through the intake vents under the windscreen. Has anyone had success drying the carpet without removing it from the car? The car is on an angle as the front is on jack stands so the water has pooled towards the rear, in the rear passengers footwell. Can I lift the carpet up from the rear to dry it? Just as much as necessary as it’s not all wet. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks for the heads up @dirtydoogle

Where are people getting their steel during lockdown?

Pulled the interior out this afternoon and found a wee hole in front of the driver's seat. Solid everywhere else, just spots of surface rust to be sanded. Will have to strip this back to find out how bad it is, but it's in a relatively flat spot so should be an easy patch.

Cheers for that John, does seem unlikely as you say, but still haven't figured it out to be honest. I'll try that.

Made a start on the rust on the 325i today, we’ll call her Goldie for now. Pretty solid behind the bumper. Not so much beneath the battery. One patch. Two patches. This one is the niggliest. Nothing too horrific though, and everywhere else looks solid.

Got the head back today: Tank cleaned, crack / hardness tested and resurfaced at Engine Specialties in Glenfield.

Not the morning I needed after working on my house yesterday. In the few hours I was away last night, someone broke in and stole all my tools that are worth stealing. Not ideal. Anyway, the 325i. Replaced the leaking fuel hose and while I was under there jacked up the transmission and tightened a loose mount. The sunroof was sealed shut and to be fair to whoever did it, they’ve done a good job of keeping the elements out. Was a bit concerned about what it was going to look like but it’s pretty good. I’m not absolutely sure what’s missing but I know the left and right gates are broken and drive cable is missing so sing out if you know where I might source these. Onto the worst of it now. I started sanding around a couple of holes in the rear valance. Those couple of holes are now several, but I expected that. At least it’s easily accessible and so far I haven’t found any rust anywhere else. Will cut out what’s no good and weld some new stuff in.

I've been having a closer look at this since Project Mo has stalled with the B20 head still at the machine shop. Came across an almost complete factory toolkit and service booklet with stamps from new until about 10,000km ago. Almost everything that appeared to be missing has shown up in the glovebox / footwells / under seats or in the boot. Short of the E30 M3, this is a dream project for me and brings back a lot of memories of watching the British Touring Car Championship with my dad at Silverstone. Just opening the garage door is enough to put a smile on my dial at the moment... IMG-2263.mov

Interesting development today. I have been looking for a manual conversion since I bought the car. Long-term goal was to pair that with a B25, and long long-term goal was a stroker build once my knowledge and pocket allowed. Happened across this old girl a couple of weeks ago. NZ new, factory manual 325i. Needs some interior bits and minor rust patches, but starts and runs well. Expected it to be good for a donor, but after chucking it up on the hoist, she’s really not that bad. Justified the purchase by picking it up for what the engine and box would set me back in this market. Happy days. (Much needed after lockdown). Another one to save!

I reckon that powder is casting sand?!

@Eagle I managed to get the crank bolt off with the old screwdriver on the starter trick and a power bar against some timber. I’m going to clean the block and do the seal at the very least. I’ve ordered the Bentley manual for the E30, but while I’m waiting on that, how do I remove the other bits holding the lower timing chain cover on? I’m unsure if it’s one piece or separate.

A bit more done. Got the crank bolt off by jumping the starter with a screwdriver. Going to clean the block and do the seal while I’m in there. FullSizeRender.mov

Thanks for the heads up mate, have ordered one.

Is this still worth buying if you're running a M20B20 as it doesn't cover the 320i?

Appreciate the advice mate. Cheers

I’ve seen the breaker bar against the chassis rail and starter motor flick method, but everything is off now, all wiring and starter! I don’t have crank bolt tools or an impact that’ll do it unfortunately, what would you recommend @Eagle I’ll have a look at acquiring some! I’m rebuilding the head, haven’t decided how far I’m going with the block yet, wanted to give it a good clean and maybe paint, but the further I get into it the more I want to go through everything. If I take it out, will it be easier to get that bolt off? I guess I could take it somewhere with the means to do the job at least!