F25 X3 35i N55 - Self Service

[PLV]

I have Ista-d and can help you read the codes if you want.

Thanks a mil for the offer man. I really appreciate it!

I just got a reply from them:

"Dear Peter,

Please try and pop in on Saturday I will get Tony to check quickly for you "

So it looks like they will at least do a quick check.

If for some reason they get a bit difficult about this again come Saturday, then I may just take you up on your offer.

Thanks man!

:thumbs:

 

[khumalbs]

Hey guys!

So, I took the X3 in for a oil change, but decided on doing the rest of the service myself (it's out of motorplan), which I will do shortly.

Just wondering if there is anything particularly tricky or that I should watch out for when I do this? I haven't tried messing with the N55 as yet...

Basically, will be looking to do the following as per the notes:
- Plugs (apparently needs a special thinner tool)
- Air filter
- Micro/cabin filter
- General check

Brakes were done recently, and the Oil filter/Oil just been done by BMW JSN (who were fantastic by the way - exceptional service received)...

Any things to look out for/tips would be appreciated.

Thanks guys...

Pete
:ty:

- Wheel alignment, balancing and shock absorber test.
- When last was the fuel filter changed?
- If the car has more than 100 000km on the clock you can look at changing some fluids as preventative maintenance - brake fluid flush, power steering fluid flush, Diff oil replace, gearbox service @ ZF - the list goes on...
- You mention the brakes have been done; are you referring to pads or disks or both. If its only pads, be sure to also inspect the disk wear.
- Also be sure to inspect your suspension. I am not too clued up on the X3, but you can use this video as a very basic reference of what to look for:

If i am not mistaken the fuel filter is not a service item. For the spark plugs you definitely need the thin walled spark plug socket. It can be a very hard find. I generally do my own brakes and oil.

 

[PLV]

VALVE COVER GASKET DIY...

Yip, a bit of occasional smoke, and oil dripping along the driver's side of the engine bay, and it meant it was time for a valve cover gasket replacement...

This took me quite a while to do... as I really took my time, and wanted to make sure that everything was put back 100% in place and in good condition...

Anyway... next up is the before shot... a few in-between shots... and then the final all together and "no faults" shot... and she drives like a dream and no oil nor smoke!

:smilebounce:

The 5 & 6 look a bit worse for wear - they obviously get more water spray because the plastic cover doesn't go all the way to the back..

Little bit of soot build up on the inside...

And all done!

 

[PLV]

Hey guys... so a bit of an update...

The radiator has started with a bit of a leak. As it was a small leak (from the lower left plastic portion) I decided to give the Liqui-Moly radiator leak prevention stuff a try. That lasted a good few weeks, but she dropped a small amount of coolant again last week.

So off to Clinton and Nathan she went at MMS Auto to have that all sorted... and to be re-christened "El Mexicano"...


Interestingly she has had a change in spec since the original radiator, with the new radiator having one of the tubes removed and blanked out (which created some confusion initially thinking that BMW was providing the wrong part).

She is now back an all sorted! Thanks guys!

Will upload a few pics later...

 

[AshG108]

Hey guys... so a bit of an update...

The radiator has started with a bit of a leak. As it was a small leak (from the lower left plastic portion) I decided to give the Liqui-Moly radiator leak prevention stuff a try. That lasted a good few weeks, but she dropped a small amount of coolant again last week.

So off to Clinton and Nathan she went at MMS Auto to have that all sorted... and to be re-christened "El Mexicano"...


Interestingly she has had a change in spec since the original radiator, with the new radiator having one of the tubes removed and blanked out (which created some confusion initially thinking that BMW was providing the wrong part).

She is now back an all sorted! Thanks guys!

Will upload a few pics later...

Thats awesome Pieter, 
I had all my gaskets completed recently as well and I can also see a bit of coolant leaking too. 
It will go in to get pressure tested and find the leak and then replacement as well.
One thing I did figure though is once the gaskets are done, the engine feels so much more solid afterwards....I felt it become more vocal on the exhaust side of things, more consistent burbles than before the Tappet Cover, OFHG and Main seals were done.

Enjoy bud!

:bravo: