View Full Version : What do you think needs immediate maintenance
First off, I'd like to thank this forum and the people in it for being so helpful and courteous. I'm new to the world of bmw and I've already learned so much.
So my zhp came with a short and informal service record which I'm attaching. What do you think needs to be done immediately to keep the car running reliably. Pretty sure I'm gonna need a new steering coupler, vanos rebuild, new fluids and spark plugs. Also I get a loud almost supercharger whine on cold startups which I've learned may be the idler pulley so that's probably coming in as well. 27773
holyc0w
10-23-2016, 06:29 AM
My steering coupler was fine at 105,000. My vanos seals were also fine at 100,000, but it could be good preventative maintenance. Change of fluids would be recommended along with the fuel filter. Fuel pump may also be coming due. Also, inspect the DISA valve.
Immediately, it looks like the pulley issue should be looked into. It would be a good idea to do all pulleys while in there.
Do you know how old the battery is?
fw_fw
10-23-2016, 06:30 AM
Fairly complete list, besides the VANOS rebuild i would think a DISA rebuild is due as well as shocks/struts.
Was the past maintenance done DIY or at a shop? I never could understand why you do water pump, then a few thousand miles later the thermostat & expansion tank, then a few more thousand the belts & tensioners, etc. You are basically either doing the same labor over and over again, or (even worse) paying someone else the same labor over and over again. Do the whole cooling system at once and due/pay labor once.......
The PO was a BMW technician so he did the maintenance. The battery does also seem to be on the way out as well. I mentioned the steering coupler because I've noticed quite a bit of play in the wheel during hwy driving. My plan was to buy the parts and have an independent shop do the work since I'm a student and don't have tools
holyc0w
10-23-2016, 08:01 AM
I mentioned the steering coupler because I've noticed quite a bit of play in the wheel during hwy driving.
That could also be caused by something else such as tie rods.
That could also be caused by something else such as tie rods.
Really? Thanks for the info. How could I differentiate? Also forgot the mention that the car is now at about 107k miles
holyc0w
10-23-2016, 11:03 AM
How could I differentiate? Also forgot the mention that the car is now at about 107k miles
For tie rods, you would have to jack the car up and check the wheels for any looseness side to side. The coupler would have to be visually inspected. Other than that, I'm not sure.
Pilot05
10-23-2016, 04:00 PM
I'd suggest (unless I missed on list):
spark plugs
radiator hoses,
water pump
radiator
brake fluid flush
ELCID86
10-23-2016, 05:53 PM
Cooling system with expansion tank. I'd skip radiator, do Steering guibo, plugs.
Sent from my iPhone with TaT.
GotZHP
10-23-2016, 06:56 PM
That could also be caused by something else such as tie rods.
This! My car has almost 120,000 and I have a fair amount of play in the oe tie rods. Maybe lower front control arm bushings too while you in there
GotZHP
10-23-2016, 07:19 PM
My steering coupler was fine at 105,000. My vanos seals were also fine at 100,000, but it could be good preventative maintenance. Change of fluids would be recommended along with the fuel filter. Fuel pump may also be coming due. Also, inspect the DISA valve.
Immediately, it looks like the pulley issue should be looked into. It would be a good idea to do all pulleys while in there.
Do you know how old the battery is?
This is recommended at 100,000 miles correct? I just purchased one at 119,000 and was told it was over due
holyc0w
10-23-2016, 07:24 PM
Which one? The fuel pump?
I believe it's more based on time, so mileage may vary. But you're heading right into the danger zone. :cool
While we're on the topic, I have a picture of the parts that the PO gave me with the car. Can you help me ID them. Not the greatest picture ever so I apologize. 27774
Pilot05
10-24-2016, 05:10 AM
I see valve cover gasket, most of CVV, oil filter, cabin air filter, abs module, several coil packs, intake boot, hood latch, oil filter housing gasket, and maybe a BMW coffee mug?
I see valve cover gasket, most of CVV, oil filter, cabin air filter, abs module, several coil packs, intake boot, hood latch, oil filter housing gasket, and maybe a BMW coffee mug?
Haha no coffee mug but it's some cylinder. Thanks for the response though!
GotZHP
10-24-2016, 07:10 PM
27799
There are a few in there that I am unsure but these I do now. You almost have all the CCV parts and just need the oil return to dipstick tube part. 2 out of 6 coils, 4 more for the set but they are the older design. My build thread has comparison to the new style. Do not know what the two silver items are ( canister thing and brick thing). The black part with some silver on the bottom of it may be DME cover? Not sure
GotZHP
10-24-2016, 07:12 PM
I see valve cover gasket, most of CVV, oil filter, cabin air filter, abs module, several coil packs, intake boot, hood latch, oil filter housing gasket, and maybe a BMW coffee mug?
Filter is not the cabin air one. that is really long and not as wide. After market intake filter?
27799
There are a few in there that I am unsure but these I do now. You almost have all the CCV parts and just need the oil return to dipstick tube part. 2 out of 6 coils, 4 more for the set but they are the older design. My build thread has comparison to the new style. Do not know what the two silver items are ( canister thing and brick thing). The black part with some silver on the bottom of it may be DME cover? Not sure
Thank you, I have no clue what the silver canister is but I think the silver box may be a Bluetooth module. Unfortunate I left the parts at my parents so I wont be able to check until December
Filter is not the cabin air one. that is really long and not as wide. After market intake filter?
Possibly, I believe the PO said he put a K&N filter so that may be a factory one
So I bought the recommended spark plugs thanks to you guys and I'm getting them installed , Idler and tensioner pulley replaced, and control arm bushings replaced at an indy. Quoted at $785 (my first BMW maintenance experience = ouch). Hopefully I'll see an improvement and wont have to fork over that much money for awhile. I just need 2 years until graduation lol
BMWCurves
10-27-2016, 01:14 PM
Do you have some free time, a socket wrench, and a few sockets? If so, you can easily do the plugs yourself and save yourself some cash. If you have a few other tools you can knock out the tensioners/pulleys yourself as well.
EDIT: That quote also seems high to me. If it's ~$125/hr for labor, that's still 6+ hours of labor and I wouldn't think it would take an experience mechanic that long to do the maintenance you mentioned.
just under $300 was for the bushings and pulleys alone. I believe he charges $90/hour in labor
Got the car back from the shop and it feels smooth as ever. Guess the spark plugs were originals but this morning upon start I still heard that loud whine which i thought was the pulley. It is louder when I open the hood but can't really locate where its coming from. Again, the only time i hear this sound is during the first start of the day. Could it be the normal fuel pump sound?
BMWCurves
10-30-2016, 05:07 AM
Maybe the secondary air pump?
Sockethead
10-30-2016, 07:55 AM
Check your power steering fluid level. If it's low, the pump will whine until the fluid heats up and expands enough to stop the whining
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