E46 engine DIY's

[Pho3niX90]

Hey guys.

Just need to get some basic DIY's that can be done, I know about the vanos, the pcv valve, and recently how to clean the DISA valve.
Who can contribute to this thread? Even if it's just cleaning out the throttle body? Think this could help most ppl including myself to keep their E46 running at optimum performance and reliability.

Would be great if there could be some indications, for example:

Estimate cost:
Estimate time required:
Items needed:

ect..

Thanks guys

 

[KSINGH]

great idea but would probably be better to have individual DIY's to keep it clean and organised. been drafting one for the valve cover gasket replacement.

lets see how it develops :thumbs:

 

[Pho3niX90]

great idea but would probably be better to have individual DIY's to keep it clean and organised. been drafting one for the valve cover gasket replacement.

lets see how it develops :thumbs:

Agreed, but maybe if we could link it then to the individual DIY threads? Just so that we do not have to search lost and old DIY's?

 

[moranor@axis]

start separate threads I will add to the Vanos section :rollsmile:

 

[Pho3niX90]

So what are the recommended DIY's anyway.

What I want to do the weekend is

Clean DISA valve
Remove CDV
Make sure all mountings are properly tightened

What else is basically similar diys that I could do?


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[Pfw28]

Lubricate all the little lever locks and hinges This is often the most neglected diy of all. You could also make a day of cleaning all the electrical connectors. Preventative maintenance, but you'll be amazed at what you discover(a squirt of contact cleaner, followed by a squirt of Q20 or such into each opened plug).

 

[moranor@axis]

Pho3niX90 when last was the cooling system looked at?

 

[Pho3niX90]

Lubricate all the little lever locks and hinges This is often the most neglected diy of all. You could also make a day of cleaning all the electrical connectors. Preventative maintenance, but you'll be amazed at what you discover(a squirt of contact cleaner, followed by a squirt of Q20 or such into each opened plug).

Thanks, didn't even think of this

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Pho3niX90 when last was the cooling system looked at?

To be honest, I have no idea, I haven't checked it and doubt that the former owner of the vehicle checked it.

Is there a DIY to inspect the cooling system?

 

[moranor@axis]

basic rule with the cooling is if you dont know rather change it...
start separate sections for each so we can add to them if we start putting up links here it will turn into a mess...

 

[Sankekur]

Problem is that there is not a lot of DIY'ers on this forum (or at least not ones that post their work) If you are looking for DIY's it is often better to search a bit wider, ie forums like e46fanatics, bimmersforums and DTMpower have a lot of DIY's, if it has been DIY'ed before most of the time you will find the DIY there.
Also if might be a good idea to invest in a Bentley service manual, you can also download the BMW TIS (technical instruction system) or there is http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/ which is the online version of the BMW TIS.
Note that the TIS is not very beginner friendly.

The key to successful DIY'ing is to use as many resources as you can to familiarise yourself with the work and parts that will be required.

 

[moranor@axis]

Sank I agree... but we can start threads and post links to DIYs to make them easy to find

 

[Sankekur]

True, but this has been tried in the past and it never really took off, and that was back when DIY'ing was a bit more active that it is now. This actually where the DIY section comes in....but it is rarely used.

Personally for me a google search still remains the best way to find DIY's

 

[Philip Foglar]

I posted an E90 N52 Vanos solenoid cleaning DIY - not very much interest, maybe someone will find it useful one day...

 

[Kish2604]

Not very useful Philip? I studied your DIY thoroughly before I tackled my vanos seals DIY, believe me it felt good to know that there was someone with an SA telephone number I could reach out to if I ran into any trouble..

THe DIY inspires other to try and do the same and their on and provide feedback on the process...lets try and keep it up..

 

[moranor@axis]

philip next time post it in the TLGP section then you will get 10 people arguing with you about the results till it turns ugly and the thread get locked... it will probably hit 15 pages with well over 1000 views :roflol:

seriously though i think the problem is there are not many members yet that would DIY an e90 yet so well done you a pioneer :rollsmile: if someone posts up an e36 DIY it gets lots off people talking because they being worked on my fanatics...