Joining the E46 family

[Mytfine]

Got car back today

R4500 later at silverton... Radiator replaced, along with the top radiator pipe that was leaking.

I bought the expansion tank myself and got them to fit it.

Used the EML scanner to check temps while driving. On the highway gunning it a bit, went up to 105 then almost immediately returns back to 102 and around 98 when coasting. Idle at robots was 105 and fan kicks in, back to 102.

I didn't end up doing the waterpump, it was inspected and found to be 100% but just to be sure, with the next scheduled service I will ask mech to do that anyway. That about sums it up for cooling?

I would have replaced the thermostat and both radiator hoses as well. Check the water level everyday when cold for a couple of weeks and dont overfill the bottle. The float must not stick all the way up.

 

[G10]

I would have replaced the thermostat and both radiator hoses as well. Check the water level everyday when cold for a couple of weeks and dont overfill the bottle. The float must not stick all the way up.

Happy to report that there is no loss of coolant after driving alot and checking when cold.

Previous owner says thermostat was done last year so that is good to know, receipts are surfacing slowly as I complain lol

Took the car on a spirited run to Benoni and back then did some stop and go with robots. Temp was in range and it felt like a new car.

I know many will frown on this but I put in liqui moly motor oil saver before my trip to kzn. Did around 1200km and oil leaks have disappeared, there is no smoke on take off now and when in traffic. It was just a test based on the feedback on the uk forums. Valve stem seals will be done in the next 2 months, but this additive really helped with the smoke/leaks

 

[G10]

Hi Everyone

Haven't posted in a while, wanted to update and get some advice as well.

Valve stem seals were done, no more oil consumption or smoke!
Fuel pump died when driving up from Natal back to Gauteng, replaced that and filter... Wife now refuses to sit in the car, it's been 2 months and she isn't budging with that decision
Crank sensor died, got one from goldwagen and had a ball of a time replacing that one

This week, the right side water hose from the heater valve to the coolant flange tore open, the clips that hold the pipe came out and it was rubbing on the alternator pulley.
Be weary of that stupid plastic coolant flange! It broke as I was trying to remove the pipe, replaced the flange, rerouted the pipe to avoid to keep from pulley, all was good for a few days.



This is how it looks fitted again, started up this morning and heard the belt squealing, then noticed the other pipe (left one) that connects to it was leaking.


here was the leak



There was like a small plastic ring in the quick release connector, I pulled the below out and the pipe was fitting more securely and stopped leaking.

Bled it a bit before I came to work, temps were the usual 105 and thermostat kicked in so at least there are no air pockets.

Opened bonnet when I got to work, there were no leaks on it and the pipe is still snug.

Can anyone tell me if this piece was even necessary? Not sure this is in there as there already was a gasket in the connector.

 

[Ash777]

Hi G10
just curious...why would you sell your golf 6 to buy this car?
Was your can not newer with less issues?

 

[G10]

Hi G10
just curious...why would you sell your golf 6 to buy this car?
Was your can not newer with less issues?

Yep it was newer, similar mileage

I was looking for something bigger and I didn't do enough research on the cars, was in need of a car when the deal I had for another car fell through so I rushed for a car for work.

Now I am paying the price for not doing everything I supposed to with it on time!

Overall it hasn't given me hell, just stuff that needed to be sorted and I delayed a bit.

That left pipe still has a slight drip every 20 - 30 seconds, going to just buy a new pipe and fit it to stop the slow leak.

 

[G10]

So I did some forum browsing and found a post about that coolant flange, that plastic ring also needs to be slotted into the hose along with the o ring.

Took it apart now before I left work, pipe clipped in more securely and bled the car, no leaks at all and pipe is nice and snug.

Learning learning as I go along, I knew vw's inside out and now starting to learn the bmw too!

Not losing hope just yet, car is still gives a very relaxing and enjoyable drive for its age ☺️

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

You've got some serious oil leaks from that engine which you should probably address. That serpentine belt and any other rubber parts including water hoses, electrical connectors, control arm bushes, engine mounts etc. can all be ruined by oil leaks.

 

[G10]

Morning,
Yes that is being fixed today, oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gaskets need to be replaced

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

Morning,
Yes that is being fixed today, oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gaskets need to be replaced

Good thing.

I suggest getting a strong degreaser and slowly cleaning the entire engine, you might even need to get into some of the ancillaries as well.

I had the same on my car and it got into the alternator, damaged the stator and one of the bearings.

 

[G10]

Good thing.

I suggest getting a strong degreaser and slowly cleaning the entire engine, you might even need to get into some of the ancillaries as well.

I had the same on my car and it got into the alternator, damaged the stator and one of the bearings.

Alot of.it was residue from before, the leaks were actually very minimal after I fixed up a bit when I bought it.

But all that should be over now, gaskets done so just the cleaning up checkups, tired today

Good thing.

I suggest getting a strong degreaser and slowly cleaning the entire engine, you might even need to get into some of the ancillaries as well.

I had the same on my car and it got into the alternator, damaged the stator and one of the bearings.

Alot of residue was from when I bought the car, at least things sorted so will do a clean up soon, tired today

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

Good luck with it all. It is a big and tiring job but very satisfying once you see it coming clean though.

 

[G10]

So a little update after all the drama...

Was in a 3 car pile up, close to home, I was in the middle, but luckily minimal damage to cosmetics.

Had to replace expansion tank when I went into front car. Front and back bumpers had some scratches but no dents, will get that sorted out one of the weekends.

Car is basically sorted except the kidney grills, need to source new/used black ones since I'm replacing.

I cleaned up engine as best as I could for now, will do more cleaning this weekend.

Did oil filter and oil cooler gaskets, valve cover gasket, stabilizer rod links and discs/brakes while I was at it. Feels like a brand new car.

No more oil or water leaks cold start issue gone as well.

Smooth and quiet. Did about 1500km so far with no issues or codes popping up on diagnostics.

Averaging around 6l/100km at around 110 -120km/h, I like to cruise with this car.

What is left is the heater valve which I want to try cleaning first, and the shock mountings then I think I'm done for a bit 😁