e39 M5 Fuel Lines And Airbag Recall
Discussion
My M5 is going off for repaint in July so I'm just working through everything that needs doing beforehand.
I've replaced the radiator, PAS cooler, aircon condenser, dryer, all the belts, tensioners and rocker gaskets etc, just a couple of bits left to do.
There are three pipes that run down the N/S of the car, 2 aluminium ones are fuel feed and return, the third is steel and of course it's this one that's rusty, the one that goes to the activated charcoal filter.
Looks like a tank out job which also means exhausts off and prop off so for once I'll get someone else to do it as I don't have a ramp. Has anyone had this done, any idea of how many hours to do it?
I've also decided to finally have the airbag recall done, local dealer want of for a whole day because they say it's a tricky job and needs coding. I've done a few myself at home, when changing steering wheels or after an accident, 20 minute job at most, disconnect the battery before you start, no coding required. Am I missing something?
I've replaced the radiator, PAS cooler, aircon condenser, dryer, all the belts, tensioners and rocker gaskets etc, just a couple of bits left to do.
There are three pipes that run down the N/S of the car, 2 aluminium ones are fuel feed and return, the third is steel and of course it's this one that's rusty, the one that goes to the activated charcoal filter.
Looks like a tank out job which also means exhausts off and prop off so for once I'll get someone else to do it as I don't have a ramp. Has anyone had this done, any idea of how many hours to do it?
I've also decided to finally have the airbag recall done, local dealer want of for a whole day because they say it's a tricky job and needs coding. I've done a few myself at home, when changing steering wheels or after an accident, 20 minute job at most, disconnect the battery before you start, no coding required. Am I missing something?
When mine went in for the recall I waited 30 minutes for them to tell me that it had been checked and that the airbag fitted did not need replacing. They did, however, return my freshly restored car to me with the airbag light on and with a scratch on the steering wheel where they had removed the airbag to check it. The car went straight back into their workshop to determine the reason for the light being on and it was because they had failed to plug the airbag back in before signing off the job and returning the car to me. Seriously. After a bit of back and forth in correspondence I gave up trying to get them to sort out the scratched trim, mainly because I feared what else they would mess up when sorting that out.
I cannot give you advice on the specific time/cost for fuel lines as mine was done as part of more extensive works but if you drop the exhaust, tank, prop and rear subframe, the list of things that you either can or will have to do 'while you're in there' is long. No matter how good you think the body condition is, you WILL have corrosion behind the tank and elsewhere that will need treating and protecting and you'll probably also want to replace anything rubber in the suspension or driveline.
Best advice for anyone having a repaint or bodywork done or looking at the underside of an E39 is to have a fairly large contingency fund...
I cannot give you advice on the specific time/cost for fuel lines as mine was done as part of more extensive works but if you drop the exhaust, tank, prop and rear subframe, the list of things that you either can or will have to do 'while you're in there' is long. No matter how good you think the body condition is, you WILL have corrosion behind the tank and elsewhere that will need treating and protecting and you'll probably also want to replace anything rubber in the suspension or driveline.
Best advice for anyone having a repaint or bodywork done or looking at the underside of an E39 is to have a fairly large contingency fund...
I've spoken to 2 local BMW dealers and they have both been pretty dire. I was at another dealer today, they sent a Service Advisor out to talk to me when I asked exactly what were they going to do. Offered him the registration number but he wasn't interested but went on to tell me how they would take the passenger airbag out to check it which is odd because the recall is for the driver's side. I offered the registration number again but he said it didn't matter because it was the same procedure. I think he was making it up as he went along, I have no confidence in them at all. I'm seriously considering not having the recall done as I think the likelihood of the dealer messing something up is greater than having a problem with the airbag. If they would just give me the airbag I'd be happier doing it myself.
Rust wise I know what you mean, I have a contingency, you don't know what you're going to find, weakest spot being the back end of the sills and inner sills. One side was done couple of years ago and I'm expecting the other side to need doing now. Probably one if not both front wings will need replacing.
I'm buying a big kit from Dinitrol when I get it back from paint.
Rust wise I know what you mean, I have a contingency, you don't know what you're going to find, weakest spot being the back end of the sills and inner sills. One side was done couple of years ago and I'm expecting the other side to need doing now. Probably one if not both front wings will need replacing.
I'm buying a big kit from Dinitrol when I get it back from paint.
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