2003 BMW 530iA Sport Touring (E39)

[tobinen]

Not much progress since last time. The second wiper puller arrived after a balls-up with Hermes which went missing for two weeks, and then it too doesn't extend enough to go over the spindle. The new fan cowl is due next week after ordering last week.

I need something to extend over 40mm so I am considering taking a punt on this which claims 41mm:





I noticed the headlamp seals were crumbling and fortunately I had some in stock left over from the green one. An easy win for a change. Yes the lenses are desperate for a polish.

[tobinen]

The new cowl finally arrived. The usual fiddly struggle but it went in.





I must have pinched a hose when fitting as I now have a leak. New hose 11531438633 ordered. I'll have to redo the whole job again as it's the tank to electric water pump hose. FFS

[tobinen]

The new hose was fitted yesterday and now no leaks. I called in to the garage and asked if they could remove the LH wiper spacer and gratiously he did it while I waited FOC.

The new scuttle panel is in and looks much better but as an idiot I dropped the LH wiper nut and washer down the bulkhead somewhere. I will order these from Cotswold BMW.

Cleaning before fitment.



After I eventually finish this that leaves EML, ABS light and front alignment then I think I will move it on.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

The new hose was fitted yesterday and now no leaks. I called in to the garage and asked if they could remove the LH wiper spacer and gratiously he did it while I waited FOC.

The new scuttle panel is in and looks much better but as an idiot I dropped the LH wiper nut and washer down the bulkhead somewhere. I will order these from Cotswold BMW.

Cleaning before fitment.



After I eventually finish this that leaves EML, ABS light and front alignment then I think I will move it on.

Any pics of the new scuttle and was it OEM?

What made you replace it as a whole and not just the rubber section (which can be bought on eBay FYI)?

[tobinen]

Because I didn't check that it could be bought separately

Yep, it's genuine BMW. I will take some snaps when I finish off the wiper arm.

[Northbrook]

And then sell it? Not really gelled?

[tobinen]

Short answer, no. I am not using it, nor can I see myself using it much in the future. The insurance is due 16 August and I think I will SORN it next month. If I hadn't been made redundant I would probably keep it. Having said that the renewal is £190 so not a lot of money. I have time to ponder though.

[tobinen]

I finished off the cowl after the nut and washer was delivered by Cotswold. They took a week from DE.






I removed the previously fitted DIY breather blank and replaced it with the factory part. I also changed a smaller one but the third one is tricky to reach so yet to do. The EML is still on though.

[tobinen]

A trip over to MyAlloys for a go on its Hunter geometry machine.



We decided to leave any adjustments for now as something is definitely not right with it. The steering can be notchy and it's very heavy. He reported both rear arm upper bushes look poor and cracked. It won't drive in a straight line and skips over medium bumps. I will book it in for a full check over with the garage.



In other news the recent fan coupling has failed as it's always engaged so I will have to claim from ECP.

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

A trip over to MyAlloys for a go on its Hunter geometry machine.



We decided to leave any adjustments for now as something is definitely not right with it. The steering can be notchy and it's very heavy. He reported both rear arm upper bushes look poor and cracked. It won't drive in a straight line and skips over medium bumps. I will book it in for a full check over with the garage.



In other news the recent fan coupling has failed as it's always engaged so I will have to claim from ECP.

Sounds like a full suspension overhaul is needed pal...

What viscous clutch did you go for as well; the Meyle one seems to be good, the Behr from C3BMW too

[tobinen]

I checked the PAS fluid and it's light brown so I wonder if it's cooked?

It's booked in for headlamp lens polishing today so that should tidy up the appearance

[tobinen]

The headlamps are done and much better so some good news for a change. He even knocked off £15 as it took less time than he expected.



My usual garage has a three-week lead time so I have booked in to a new place recommended to me called Fergie's Garage in Thatcham. I popped in for a chat and it's a modern, clean place. The owner has said the head tech will come out with me for a test drive to ascertain the handling and steering issues. It also has a Hunter machine so I didn't have to go over to Basingstoke after all, though MyAlloys didn't charge me, which was nice.

I have removed the seized fan coupling and will collect a new Mahle one tomorrow.

[tobinen]

The new coupling is in and I will road test later. No quibbles from ECP, it refunded the old one at collection so I just paid the difference.

[bolidemichael]

So what's the intention Toby, overhaul or sell?

[TonyRPH]

Does the speedometer still work when the ABS light comes on?

There's a known issue with these where the ABS electronic unit fails intermittently (and then eventually fails permanently) as they get overheated by the proximity to the engine / exhaust manifold.

BBS Reman can repair them, but they are not always repairable (mine wasn't - I had to buy a new one for £350)...

[tobinen]

bolidemichael said:

So what's the intention Toby, overhaul or sell?

I can't sell it as is so it's overhaul/repair then sell. I'll know more after the garage visit.

[tobinen]

TonyRPH said:

Does the speedometer still work when the ABS light comes on?

There's a known issue with these where the ABS electronic unit fails intermittently (and then eventually fails permanently) as they get overheated by the proximity to the engine / exhaust manifold.

BBS Reman can repair them, but they are not always repairable (mine wasn't - I had to buy a new one for £350)...

yes speedo works. I will clean the ABS sensors first when I find a suitable moment. It's already had a second hand pump unit but I thought if that goes then another light comes on, i.e. the holy trinity of ABS pump unit failure. I may be incorrect of course.

Thinking about it I may ask the garage to plug in as I still have the intermittant EML on as well.

[TonyRPH]

tobinen said:

yes speedo works. I will clean the ABS sensors first when I find a suitable moment. It's already had a second hand pump unit but I thought if that goes then another light comes on, i.e. the holy trinity of ABS pump unit failure. I may be incorrect of course.

Yes from memory that's known as the 'ABS trifecta' or something...

tobinen said:

Thinking about it I may ask the garage to plug in as I still have the intermittant EML on as well.

When I had the intermittent EML, it was the PCV plumbing. Most of the pipes had split. I believe it's an inlet manifold off job for access.

How many miles has your car done?

EDIT: Ignore that (miles) I see it's done 138k or so.

[d_a_n1979]

TonyRPH said:

tobinen said:

yes speedo works. I will clean the ABS sensors first when I find a suitable moment. It's already had a second hand pump unit but I thought if that goes then another light comes on, i.e. the holy trinity of ABS pump unit failure. I may be incorrect of course.

Yes from memory that's known as the 'ABS trifecta' or something...

tobinen said:

Thinking about it I may ask the garage to plug in as I still have the intermittant EML on as well.

When I had the intermittent EML, it was the PCV plumbing. Most of the pipes had split. I believe it's an inlet manifold off job for access.

How many miles has your car done?

EDIT: Ignore that (miles) I see it's done 138k or so.

It's not an inlet mani off job; it can be done that way...

But with the inlet mani off; it makes access so much easier and less faff. You can also inspect all the vac lines then for any that have perished & need replacing

Inlet mani gaskets need to be replaced too (Elring)

[d_a_n1979]

tobinen said:

TonyRPH said:

Does the speedometer still work when the ABS light comes on?

There's a known issue with these where the ABS electronic unit fails intermittently (and then eventually fails permanently) as they get overheated by the proximity to the engine / exhaust manifold.

BBS Reman can repair them, but they are not always repairable (mine wasn't - I had to buy a new one for £350)...

yes speedo works. I will clean the ABS sensors first when I find a suitable moment. It's already had a second hand pump unit but I thought if that goes then another light comes on, i.e. the holy trinity of ABS pump unit failure. I may be incorrect of course.

Thinking about it I may ask the garage to plug in as I still have the intermittant EML on as well.

Clean the plug on the ABS sensor too; it can get full of dust and cause some issues.

A good contact cleaner will soon have it ship shape