Could the intermittent connection be the crank sensor giving the computer an indication that the crank is not turning at all? Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

The camera crew probably got a good laugh out of it. Nice pair of E-30s you have therel. Bob
Forum: Community Forum

Something you may have overlooked in the cooling is the latent heat of transformation...That is why the liquid boils at constant temperature if the pressure is constant. Similar to a boiling pot of water on the stove. It will stay at the same temp until the water is gone. Bob
Forum: Technical Forum

Would not suggest grease. The heat from the sun while parked will make a mess of the grease. The plastic shim idea is a good one. On my Chevy I snipped a piece off the end of a soda straw and squeezed it in. Made a good springy shim. Bob
Forum: Technical Forum

The car should not be run without the battery connected. The alternator will try to maintain too high a voltage and do some damage. A new battery is what is needed. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

The condensor is usually made of aluminum. It can be welded to repair. If it is brass, it can be soldered. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

I suppose a "disassembly" could be done with some machining of the welds but from what my experience with manufacturing that kind of stuff is that it would be less expensive to just take the old ones in need of repair and "exchange" them for new because the cost of disassembly and inspection would exceed the cost of the parts in a new one. One place I used to work wound u
Forum: Technical Forum

I have some Koni shocks (dampers) and have wondered how one rebuilds what appears to be a welded assembly. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

Ok, so maybe I sound like an old curmudgeon. Just seems like something as reliable as a mechanical fan would not be replaced by a bunch of complex electrical stuff that is more likely to cause a problem. My primary job is designing hydraulic equipment and someone is always trying to replace some if with an electric gizmo that costs more and weighs more. The only advantage is that when the
Forum: Technical Forum

Amazing, so much discussion about something hardly needed. My son's E-36 has no fan at all and does not over heat even on a track day. I had a E-30 318 that had a little front damage so removed the fan to keep it out of the radiator. It would only overheat if setting several minutes idling in the drive through line. In normal traffic it was fine. My E-30 325 has a very worn fan clutch th
Forum: Technical Forum

In that era was there a start injector to prime the fuel into the air intake? The thermo time switch to control this injector might not be working. It should spray fuel into the intake manifold to make a rich mixture for starting. Then after a few seconds it should turn off. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

Be sure and fill the new pump with oil before installing it. Even if some of it spills out, it will pick up the oil from the pan a lot faster. I put mine in empty and got no oil pressure for a long time and finally shut off the engine, hopefully before damage. Might even want to remove the spark plugs and crank until you get pressure before running. Getting the pan off requires removing th
Forum: Technical Forum

There seems to be a little more difference in R12 and R134 than you have found. For one thing the pressure switch in the low or evaporator is set at about 25 psi gage on an R12 system. The goal is to prevent the evaporator temp from getting below 38deg F. Below this temperature, ice will form and clog the whole thing. Normally, the servicing of R12 systems looks for the temperature from the A
Forum: Technical Forum

My poor mileage problem a couple of years ago was due to injectors being dirty. Had them cleaned and stopped using the ARCO gas. That helped. A dose of injector cleaner every couple of months since. Like you, I went through a lot of parts before landing on the injectors. It cost about $100 to have them cleaned. I did the exchange in and out myself so saved some on that. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

Maybe that is why mine keeps leaking oil too. Just needs to be threatened with the junk yard. It knows me too well. Had nice weather today for the first time all spring and I almost asked for a kitchen pass to take the long way home from work. So, I humor it and put down a patch of oil dry where I park. Bob in Everett
Forum: Community Forum

That tail light leaking is a good possibility and may explain why my tools are all rusty. I have to clean them and put W-40 on them a couple of times a year. The foam above the tools does get wet and I have found some water in the tool tray. Have not had it dripping out much though. May have to take off the light and put some sealant on it somewhere. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

Heard a rumor today that AIG is where the congress' retirement plan is kept. Not sure if that is accurate. Maybe that is why it got so much bailout money. Bob
Forum: Community Forum

The E-30 is a pretty nice car...I paid almost that much for mine four years ago. Bob in Everett
Forum: Community Forum

I agree with the WD-40 idea. There is likely some lube in there that has oxidized and become too viscous. Some kind of solvent based lube would be good. A silicon spray into the workings where it does not get onto the belt should be helpful. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

One thing you might try is some gas line anti-freeze. There might be some water in your fuel that is picked up when the tank gets low and sloshes around more. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

It appears that they do. Have not been able to find the source. Tried all kinds of things. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

An interface to record data would be really handy for trouble shooting but once the problem is located, probably would just be entertaining. The fuel meter is something I watch a lot and it helps me get great mileage. Just cannot seem to compensate for the cold weather though. The lower the temp, the poorer my mileage. Not sure why. Maybe this computer link could explain why and allow correc
Forum: Technical Forum

I sealed my tail light with black silicon on both sides of the new gasket and still had water. The source was capillary action under the gasket for the lid. I took it off and cleaned out the old sealant and replaced it using some Plumbers putty from the hardware store and most of the water issue went away. The "D" shaped hole being referred to is in the bottom flat area of the well n
Forum: Technical Forum

QuoteEarendil Quotedaniel the last speeding ticket i got was driving over snoqualmie pass i was doing 72 in the 60 zone, going down the pass westward. there was a line of WHP cars waiting to pull people over. since then i have been a saint, though :insert angel emoticon here: My Rule of Thumb: If you're going to speed going over a pass, do it going up hill :-) I'm actually qu
Forum: Technical Forum

Can hardly wait till warm weather to get the hard top off my E-30 and feel the breeze. Bob in Everett
Forum: Community Forum

Lots of small towns in Iowa that are too small for the gang types. Difficult to find anyone who drives a BMW in those places though. Need a Chevy truck. Bob in Everett
Forum: Community Forum

There are a few possibilities but check fuse 17. 30 amps. Might be a relay too. Try switching K7 with somthing else with the same type.like the horn or headlight. Bob in Everett
Forum: Technical Forum

Finally put the new core in the car. Because it is a convertible, had extra braces between the dash and the tranny tunnel. Took the seat out to facilitate the access; glad I did. The old core was leaking/seeping at the end seal on the far end. I would guess it could be crimped tighter and made to work. I might pry the end off and see what it looks like. Corrosion did not seem too evident in
Forum: Technical Forum

Great story. New one on me. Bob in Everett
Forum: Community Forum

If you have and out of balance tire or bent wheel, at some speed the slight force generated by the rotating mass being off center. At some speed it will match the natural frequency of the spring/mass system that is the car and suspension system. You can demonstrate this by using a rubber band and hanging a weight on it. Just bounce it at a slow rate and the weight follows your hand pretty clos
Forum: Technical Forum