Maintenance Time (CA Bushings, VC, 2nd Air Pump)

[RVAzhp]

Front Control Arm bushings- need to be replaced. anyone have and recommendations on how i do this? Turner has them for 1XX in the pair, may just do that.

Valve Cover- best place to buy it? so far i think ECS has the best price i've seen on this. I'm still getting oil in my first cylinder spark plug tube, and after two VCG replacements, it seems the valve cover isn't seating properly, so it's probably warped. gonna buy a new one, get it hydro dipped and then replace it all...again...

Secondary air pump...gonna have to buy this one to clear the code i've had for a year, time to stop putting it off.

lastly- i've been looking at the BMW performance shift knob- 25-110-429-269 anyone have this? thoughts...

calling BMWpartsshop.com right now to see what they can do. he has pretty good reviews from what i can tell.

[danewilson77]

Could go through AutohausAZ, as they are an affiliate of ours.

Or ECSTuning, if they didn't carry one or all parts.

CAB's = Meyle HD
VC profile gasket set = Victor Reinz

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Mtnman]

Pretty sure keith has a diy that I followed posted on the site. I did meyles, and thought they were less than 100 at ecs tuning.

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[danewilson77]

Could go through AutohausAZ, as they are an affiliate of ours.

Or ECSTuning, if they didn't carry one or all parts.

CAB's = Meyle HD
VC profile gasket set = Victor Reinz

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[RVAzhp]

Thanks guys. on their website right now. putting together my wish list..only thing they really have a good price on is the secondary intake pump

[danewilson77]

CABS = http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Suspension/Bushings/ES205223/

$90.00

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/10452_x600.jpg

VCG = http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Gasket/ES10330/

$27.00

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/8186_x600.jpg

Shift knob = http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/25110429269/ES46508/

$94.00

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/79803_x600.jpg

Sec air pump = http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=vaiwxlnscqn0ik55aezf3yji&partnumber=11727553056

$238.00

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/11721435364.jpg

[Mtnman]

Not to go off topic, as I think this is related to his leak problem. What is the preferred method of installing the vcg? Do you place both in the cover, then put the cover on the engine, or do you prefer to put the gasket on the block, then put on the cover? Or, do u put outter gasket in the cover, and inner plug gasket on the block and replace cover. Anyone?

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[RVAzhp]

When i did it. i put the gasket on the VC. put sealant on the back passenger side as recommended and then put the cover with the gasket in it. on the block.

now i'm not sure the order Raceworks (the shop i had re-do my VCG) did it. but i know they also put sealant around the individual spark plug tubes as well.

i believe my Valve cover is warped. I took it back to Raceworks and they checked everything out and re-did the VCG and i'm still getting oil in there. it really can't be coming from anywhere else.

[danewilson77]

Plug gaskets on block. Valve cover gasket on valve cover.

[RVAzhp]

btw. Dane, that secondary Air pump is wrong. i believe post Mid 2003, the part number is 11-72-7-571-589: price at Autohauz is $317.61

[danewilson77]

I was using 2/2003 build date since one wasn't specified.

[RVAzhp]

i'm assuming the CA bushings are the light shutter i feel when braking and steering doesn't feel to be as "tight" as it should.

[danewilson77]

i'm assuming the CA bushings are the light shutter i feel when braking and steering doesn't feel to be as "tight" as it should.

Could be that, and/or tie rod bushings and/or endlinks. Just narrowing it down for ya....hehe.

[RVAzhp]

Shipping Status Qty Item Price
Not yet shipped 1 Meyle HD Control Arm Bushing Kit; Heavy Duty, Front Lower Left/Right Control Arm Bushing Set with... - 2003 BMW 330I $91.72
1 Mann Cabin Air Filter/Pollen Filter; Without Activated Charcoal $15.75
1 Victor Reinz Vacuum Control Valve Gasket $1.22
1 Pierburg Air Pump $317.61

just bought through Autohaus AZ... woohoo...

last oil change i was checking out my tie-rod ends and they looked fine.

Edit: the only thing that makes me mad about any of this. is that damn air pump. but, to be honest...having a CEL for a year is pretty annoying so now this should clear it all! yay.

[RVAzhp]

Dane- may make a trip down to Williamsburg, if you like helping out on Control arm bushings :cheers

i can pay in beer and i'm fairly good company.

[danewilson77]

Yes. Dhu eeet. I am available. We can pull her in the shop and get nasty with her.

[danewilson77]

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/06/73/30


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXoBRKQeT44

Just some light reading / watching till then.....

[RVAzhp]

Seems relatively "easy". btw i bought a new trunk grip/light since one of my license plate bulbs kept on burning out due to corrosion of the ballast. $117 dollars...:( plus i still have to get it painted if i can't ghetto rig the electrical components into my preexisting light rail. This is actually one of the more pressing repairs i have to perform because I don't want to be sitting around getting pulled over for a burnt out license plate bulb.

[danewilson77]

Sux....

[danewilson77]

Could go through AutohausAZ, as they are an affiliate of ours.

Or ECSTuning, if they didn't carry one or all parts.

CAB's = Meyle HD
VC profile gasket set = Victor Reinz

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[JohnnyGraphic]

As far as the valve cover gaskets go, I put the valve cover gasket and the spark plug gasket in the valve cover. They both will fit in there pretty snug.

I only put RTV sealant in the half-moon areas front & rear and where the vanos unit attaches to the front of the engine. I don't believe the instructions say to put RTV sealant in the spark plug gasket area.

Good luck with the repairs!

Johnny

[danewilson77]

You are correct.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[RVAzhp]

As far as the valve cover gaskets go, I put the valve cover gasket and the spark plug gasket in the valve cover. They both will fit in there pretty snug.

I only put RTV sealant in the half-moon areas front & rear and where the vanos unit attaches to the front of the engine. I don't believe the instructions say to put RTV sealant in the spark plug gasket area.

Good luck with the repairs!

Johnny
you are correct it doesn't. This is just something Raceworks said they do to help. i don't believe extra RTV is going to hurt it.

Raceworks website for you guys in Hampton Roads: http://www.racewerks.net/
I had heard nothing but good things about them from my friends who have taken their cars there. i was very pleased with the service they provided me as well.

[RVAzhp]

parts arrive on friday..woohoo!

[llll1l1ll]

I tried to do FCABs on my E30 years ago. I was like 17. Anyway, it did not go well. I will never do that again.

[RVAzhp]

about to start my CAB's the f$#ing secondary pump is replaced and i'm still throwing a code. i guess it's the damn valve now too....

oh well...damnit.

[RVAzhp]

CAB's off...it appears my Oil pan gasket has failed and needs replacing. way too much oil down here...UGH.

[llll1l1ll]

When it rains it pours!

Just take it one thing at a time. If you aren't adding a ton of oil in between oil changes, then you can go a little longer.

[RVAzhp]

after some further research into the issue and following the oil "trail" it's an oil filter housing gasket, and while i'm down there i'm going to do the CCV, which i thought it was at first.

usually put a one or two quarts in between oil changes and sometimes more...this looks to have been going on for some time.