Zitat von E31Gill;79175
I am now working on removing the water pump. Undone everything but the infernal thing won't budge!
Finally figured out what it was. Counted all 6 bolts off - one was off the crank casing. Totally missed one on the pump out...duh. Ah well my excuse is that it was fairly well hidden.
Off to the dealers tomorrow to order all the O-rings.
Zitat von 8Tech;79171Yet another car then with full Main Dealer history and 17 year old fuel filters. Maybe the die-hard "dealer only" serviced owners should take note and consider a decent independant garage, it just proves the dealer only does the easy profit stuff.
Probably done by a 17 year old apprentice who didn't even know it had fuel filters.
8Tech.
Totally agree with you 8Tech, I was in disbelief when I saw the dates. It really makes me wonder how these main dealers justify their prices. In fact my local BMW main dealer admits that the expertise has all gone.
I am now working on removing the water pump. Undone everything but the infernal thing won't budge!
I have just completed a whole host of DIY jobs
Full service
Repairs
A big thank you to GSF for my 10% discount on all my parts from them as I work at Heathrow! I didn’t even know I was entitled to it until I got the counter to pay and the chappy spotted my airside pass still around my neck.
A few little jobs left –
The best and most satisfying part is that these jobs only cost me a few hundred quid in parts and would have run into the thousands at the mercy of the main dealer or garage with all those hours of labour!
I tried an oil filter from ECP and it was a very poor fit. Resorted to binning it and turned to the main dealers who sold me one for £20!!
Ah well, at least I know it's going to fit right.
I am on the hunt for a pair of microfilters. Does anyone know of an alternative source? I tried GSF and was told 'computer says no'
I just overhauled my A/C system which hadn't worked for the duration of my ownership! circa 5 years!!
I first went to a local so called specialist AC place. They connected their recovery system and much to my displeasure there was a huge hissing noise from the condensor. Then the boss came out and said they wont work on this type of BMW and that I should visit the main dealer as my car is too complicated! WTF!???.... I then lived without AC for a few years until now.
New condensor in, I drew vacuum which disappeared as soon as I stopped my vacuum pump. Hissing was still happening from the lower right bumper.
Bumper and inner wheel liner off and I could now see what had happened. The dryer had rotted and rusted through. Not good. I ordered a new one.
Once it arrived dropped the compressor and checked it wasnt seized. It spun OK but there was no oil left inside the unit. I filled it with 180ml of PAG46 which is the correct amount for the whole AC system with the BMW denso compressor. New o-rings lubed in PAG46 were fitted throughout the system (apart from the unreachable evaporator)
Drew vacuum and Hey presto, It held! A week later and the vacuum was still holding strong. Time for a re-gas.
1 - a new Hella condensor (£110ish)
2 - New pattern part dryer specific to the 8 series (£40)
3 - 9 new o-rings (about 60-70p each at my friendly BMW dealership) two on the condensor, two on the compressor, three on the dryer and two on the charge manifold leading the evaporator. There are another two on the evaporator which I could not reach as they are burried under the dashboard.
4 - a 250ml can of PAG 46 and a few cans of R134a (£40)
5 - 6 new M8 bolts - I had loads in my stash (£?)
£200 later and my A/C is ice cold.... Lovely!
Incidently, if your system is left open as long an mine was then its essential to drop the compressor the drain/refill with PAG oil and replace all the reachable o-rings. There is no way near enough PAG in the R134a 'all in one' cans to lube the system correctly. You will find almost all the AC hex bolts seized on and despite copious amounts of WD40, most will round off and be impossible to remove. I had to cut the heads of a few of mine with an angle grinder. Once separated, I used a handheld plumbers butane torch on the threaded portion to break the Alu/Steel bond and then mole grips to remove the rest - The heat did the trick and undid and came off really easily.
I replaced all the 6mm allen bolts with standard hex M8 bolts so that I dont have the same problem next time.
The AC system is not difficult to work on. Anyone who has an old non working system, have a go! its not difficult at all.
Older R12 cars 1992< should convert to R134a with the following shopping list
New o-rings (less than £10)
New dryer (£40)
New Pressure switch (£35)
High and Low R134a adaptor caps (available on ebay)
Completely drain compressor of mineral oil, wash out with spirits and replace with PAG46 oil.
under bonnet R134a retrofit sticker from BMW.
My next job is to replace that infamous fan sword. I replaced the mosfets and its still playing up. If anyone knows of a good source for a sword please let me know.
Another excellent write up. This job is on my short list for this summer. Thanks 8tech
Here's how they look with a polished outer lip. Uber cool, don't you think?
Nice car and in great condition too! is that colour called Barbados Green?
I had this problem in a E39. It was the valve body inside the gearbox which needed overhauling. A complete rebuild is not necessary. A very common problem on E39's. I am sure a quick google will reveal more
Wonderful news. A wrenching partner for you in years to come.
The Maxi Cosi Cabrio fix is a tight squeeze but fits in the back for new borns - 9 months.
Unlikely, as the E38 had the M73 engine and OBDII.
Totally amazing. I am looking forward to see how you tackled the airbag issue. I have been dwelling on something similar for a long time.
I would love to see the reaction on a BMW dealers face if they were to step into your car. the term gobsmacked comes to mind 
Original and beautiful condition. Welcome aboard.
Zitat von Nifty50;69875
To what degree did they inspect the damage to ascertain the level of damage and therefore value?
Cat C if the repair cost exceeds 50% of the value of the vehicle (over 3 years old)
Mine did not work for years. I left my car sitting for a few months and inevitably the battery went flat. After charging the battery, I tried the initialisation and it worked!. Could be that the flat battery removed the initialisation block.
Are you sure you wanna bypass the CSI nose? There is always one available on German ebay for £175. I got one from there a few weeks ago.
Oh no, so sorry to hear of your misfortune. I think you will find that there are most likely a lot less than 500 around.
1046 RHD M70's built worldwide. Say for arguments sake that 80% of these were sold in the UK between 1991 and 1994 that makes 837 sold to the UK market.
The national average lifespan of a car in the UK is 13.5 years. All the M70 850's fall into this category. Lets say that 75% of these have run the end of their designed lifecycle, that leaves just 209 cars left alive. I sure hope your one makes it through. If she makes it, I think this could be an awakening for your car. Add a front spoiler and seeing as the bonnet is being replaced, how about a nice Alpina louvered one?
Zitat von Lloyd;69090Surely worth a dedicated thread?
P.S Just spoke to Seb so i will be mr 850 for the day
Good stuff! I look fwd to the publication of the artical.
I am not sure there would be any real public interest in my ICE mod so not really worthy of a thread of its own. I got a bad reaction over on Bimmerboard. There are so many better and more economical solutions such as TallTony's Car PC, Revtor's Becker GPS and Tread72's Double Din Pioneer. For me it was a project of challenge and desire to have an original BMW navigation unit more than anything else. PM me and I will answer your Q's.
Zitat von Lloyd;69088E31Gill I am interested in your ICE mod do you have move picture and information etc?
As for Seb I have said I can go.
Good to hear that the 850 problem is solved.
I have loads of information - my ICE mod was an uphill struggle. I am happy to answer your questions
Zitat von NickF;69076Yours sounds like a minter compared to mine! My car won "Worst at show" at Gaydon. I didn't realise only 1046 cars came in RHD, i wonder how many are left?
Lol...Far from it. Mine has it faults too. The pictures are deceiving. Far from suitable for Sebs purposes due to the interior modification and Hartge 18's. Number 1008 of 1046 produced courtsey of Mr Jud Spencer.
My best guess is that there are less than half that number still on the road. I wonder if it's possible to check via the DVLA?
