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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Tinuva's facelifted Alpine White E46 330i
- Thread starter Tinuva
- Start date
raise:
Either this is the luckiest E46 330i, or I was stupid and missed a few things checking out the car before I bought it.
Last week thought something was up with the running temperature of the car, also noticed it doesnt heat the cabin with climate control, and some gunk on the exhaust when doing the butterfly golf tee mod.
So bought OBDFusion and logged a trip. Engine was running at max 75 degrees, mostly 71-72 degrees celsius.
Booked the car in to replace the following:
- Thermostat
- Expanstion Tank
- Expansion Tank cap
- Waterpump (not needed, only really before 160k but whatevs)
Turns out, this car was still running its original Expansion tank from 2001 ! :skit:
Colin from Garage808 couldn't figure out why the previous Thermostat caused the car to run cold, because it seems 100% fine, except it wasn't fine for some reason. Either way I asked to replace it regardless of whether it looked functioning after taking it out or not.
Anyways, car feel much better now that its not running rich anymore. Pretty much only things that left for cooling system overhaul is the radiator. The hoses all feel fairly new still.
Since previous post, also did the following:
- Found the reason for cruise control not working. Previous owner replaced input cylinder with OEM one that doesn't take clutch switch
- Re-attached the moonshade properly so I can move it freely when sunroof is open or closed, the proper way. Looks like sunroof was fixed in the past, but moonshade not put back the correct way.
- Gave the car a nice wash and polish, still need to think what is best for the leather inside.
- Recoded some options on the light switch module
- Butterfly tee mod
Last week thought something was up with the running temperature of the car, also noticed it doesnt heat the cabin with climate control, and some gunk on the exhaust when doing the butterfly golf tee mod.
So bought OBDFusion and logged a trip. Engine was running at max 75 degrees, mostly 71-72 degrees celsius.
Booked the car in to replace the following:
- Thermostat
- Expanstion Tank
- Expansion Tank cap
- Waterpump (not needed, only really before 160k but whatevs)
Turns out, this car was still running its original Expansion tank from 2001 ! :skit:
Colin from Garage808 couldn't figure out why the previous Thermostat caused the car to run cold, because it seems 100% fine, except it wasn't fine for some reason. Either way I asked to replace it regardless of whether it looked functioning after taking it out or not.
Anyways, car feel much better now that its not running rich anymore. Pretty much only things that left for cooling system overhaul is the radiator. The hoses all feel fairly new still.
Since previous post, also did the following:
- Found the reason for cruise control not working. Previous owner replaced input cylinder with OEM one that doesn't take clutch switch
- Re-attached the moonshade properly so I can move it freely when sunroof is open or closed, the proper way. Looks like sunroof was fixed in the past, but moonshade not put back the correct way.
- Gave the car a nice wash and polish, still need to think what is best for the leather inside.
- Recoded some options on the light switch module
- Butterfly tee mod
Leon said:
Thats the silver 330i I believe? (since photos in your showroom thread is broken)
Didn't see much of it, but I did see it standing there in the garage on Wednesday I believe when I booked mine in.
But yes, Garage808 does great work always. They have been taking care of my 318 for the last 2 years, always have really good advice even when its something where they don't do the work.
I started noticing an oil smell after a long drive, when the car is idling when coming to stand still.
Investigated a bit further and found oil started leaking out the valve cover gasket, and what would happen is, eventually this would drip on to the exhaust (headers?) causing the smallest oil smoke only visible if the bonnet is open.
At this point I didn't know what oil was used by the previous owner's mechanic, and the oil level was getting to the bottom side on the oil stick. Bottom mark that is.
So booked the car in for a service at Garage808 and also asked them to do the valve cover gasket. They also did a complete checkup and the only other items mentioned that I need to do soon is the diff bushes.
While the cover was off, Colin mentioned its one of the cleanest M54 engines he has seen and took the following photos.
Investigated a bit further and found oil started leaking out the valve cover gasket, and what would happen is, eventually this would drip on to the exhaust (headers?) causing the smallest oil smoke only visible if the bonnet is open.
At this point I didn't know what oil was used by the previous owner's mechanic, and the oil level was getting to the bottom side on the oil stick. Bottom mark that is.
So booked the car in for a service at Garage808 and also asked them to do the valve cover gasket. They also did a complete checkup and the only other items mentioned that I need to do soon is the diff bushes.
While the cover was off, Colin mentioned its one of the cleanest M54 engines he has seen and took the following photos.
Randy ///M
///Member
Congrats Buddy ,
Still Good Mileage for the age
Many Happy Miles
Still Good Mileage for the age
Many Happy Miles
Fordkoppie
///Member
Serg_ZA said:
Agreed. Looks brand new inside.
Looks like the previous owner luckily didn't follow the stupid 25k service intervals
Fordkoppie said:
This car is very lucky in that regard at least. There are other damage however that I will need to repair or replace parts. More on that for another day.
For now, I will keep oil changes to just below the 10k mark, which is where I like it.
I had these rims standing in the garage for the last few months, and it was time they had to go on. Rims was bought 22 June so I was itching for a while to get them on.
ps. I know the car is dirty, Cape Town water situation and all I try not to wash too regularly, but it will get a proper cleaning this Saturday before the tunnel run on Sunday.
Before:
After:
I then realized after the fact that wheels were turned slightly, so took another photo this morning after parking at work:
