Fresh Arizona Garage Find

[tig]

Wd40 is not a great lubricant.

[BRRV]

Wd40 is not a great lubricant.

''
I agree - which is why I use it as a cleaner. Silicone Spray on my mast works pretty well; my mast is worn though, from years of sliding action when dirty. Some people just don't like silicone spray.

The problem with other lubricants is that they attract dust more so than WD40. I've tried a variety of spray lubes, including the PTFE ones; they don't seem to work very well at all - this may just be because of my mast's wear.

Frankly, if you're driving the car every day, then cleaning and lubing the mast is a weekly task, or at least it was (is) for me. I think it was worse in Colorado; but down here in TAAXus it seems that the humidity makes the mast sections stick together even more so.

What do you use cek? Always interested in options.

[tig]

I use silicon. And a switch that turns power to the mast off because I rarely listen to radio.

[Chimi-Changa]

Wd40 is not a great lubricant.

My motorcycle mechanic said it stands for " Will Dry in 40 days"

[Stuboski]

Managed to get the hood buffed out today. I had visions of grandeur this morning in that I would get the hood and front fender done, but then the wife said she could use a little hand with the house work (it is Mother's Day, after all). So my time on the car project got cut in half. Will probably get back at it Monday night.

[Stuboski]

Well here she is! Wrapped everything up just in time for this miserable PA spring weather to break. And yes, it's now sporting the new cat and much-loathed Ireland exhaust. Install went well and I love the sound! I'm just happy to be clocking a few miles on the odometer. Looking forward to the first road trip to PVGP!







After owning and driving several "modern" BMW's, from my wife's X5 to our M3, I now understand what's really going on here. The old adage "less is more" holds so true in the evolution of BMW, and most modern cars. They've totally refined the "driving" out of the "machine".

[wkohler]

What was wrong with the old cat?

[Stuboski]

What was wrong with the old cat?

Was pretty rusted-up. I had a check engine light, so we wanted to put in a new oxygen sensor as well. Once we got the exhaust off, we saw that was rusted through in one spot (I thought I had smelled an exhaust leak). Are these parts worth saving being they are original? Was not sure to scrap or save.

[Stuboski]

In case anybody is interested, here's my list of what was done for the car since she arrived in February:

Exterior/Interior:
Re-sprayed hood, DS front fender, PS passenger door.
Cleaned, polished, waxed rest of original finish.
Had paintless dent repair done on several panels
Fixed dents in lower door trim.
Touched-up original paint as necessary.
New hood roundel
New trunk lid model badge
Replaced missing trunk trim fasteners.
Repaired/resprayed front air dam.
New fog light lenses/bulbs.
New front/rear window trim
New under-hood rubber air vent cover at fire wall.
New windshield wiper blades (the only parts provided by PO ).
Replaced front bumper trim pieces.
Replaced cracked turn signal lens.
New trunk seal

Cleaned entire interior
Cleaned trunk area.
Cleaned engine bay
Lubricated hood and trunk latch
New hood gas struts
Conditioned leather
Installed new odometer gears
Replaced missing ash tray cover


Mechanical:
Style 5 16" wheels with new tires
New (rebuilt) Bosch starter
Full tune-up (plugs, wires, rotor cap, etc.)
Oil change
New air filter
New coolant level sensor
Repaired inoperable interior dome lights and side power mirrors.
New exhaust system, O2 sensor, hanger brackets, etc.
Mark D'Sylva performance chip.
PA State Inspection and emissions.

I'm probably missing a few minor items, but this is as close to the Pebble Beach fairway I plan to take her. I already have one museum piece hanging out in my garage, I don't need another one.

[Ted in T.O.]

In case anybody is interested, here's my list of what was done for the car since she arrived in February:

Exterior/Interior:
Re-sprayed hood, DS front fender, PS passenger door.
Cleaned, polished, waxed rest of original finish.
Had paintless dent repair done on several panels
Fixed dents in lower door trim.
Touched-up original paint as necessary.
New hood roundel
New trunk lid model badge
Replaced missing trunk trim fasteners.
Repaired/resprayed front air dam.
New fog light lenses/bulbs.
New front/rear window trim
New under-hood rubber air vent cover at fire wall.
New windshield wiper blades (the only parts provided by PO ).
Replaced front bumper trim pieces.
Replaced cracked turn signal lens.
New trunk seal

Cleaned entire interior
Cleaned trunk area.
Cleaned engine bay
Lubricated hood and trunk latch
New hood gas struts
Conditioned leather
Installed new odometer gears
Replaced missing ash tray cover


Mechanical:
Style 5 16" wheels with new tires
New (rebuilt) Bosch starter
Full tune-up (plugs, wires, rotor cap, etc.)
Oil change
New air filter
New coolant level sensor
Repaired inoperable interior dome lights and side power mirrors.
New exhaust system, O2 sensor, hanger brackets, etc.
Mark D'Sylva performance chip.
PA State Inspection and emissions.

I'm probably missing a few minor items, but this is as close to the Pebble Beach fairway I plan to take her. I already have one museum piece hanging out in my garage, I don't need another one.

I say Tedfest should be your first appearance with her on the 25th of June.

[LeiseyJr]

What was wrong with the old cat?

Was pretty rusted-up. I had a check engine light, so we wanted to put in a new oxygen sensor as well. Once we got the exhaust off, we saw that was rusted through in one spot (I thought I had smelled an exhaust leak). Are these parts worth saving being they are original? Was not sure to scrap or save.

These cars don't have check engine lights....?

[Stuboski]

In case anybody is interested, here's my list of what was done for the car since she arrived in February:

Exterior/Interior:
Re-sprayed hood, DS front fender, PS passenger door.
Cleaned, polished, waxed rest of original finish.
Had paintless dent repair done on several panels
Fixed dents in lower door trim.
Touched-up original paint as necessary.
New hood roundel
New trunk lid model badge
Replaced missing trunk trim fasteners.
Repaired/resprayed front air dam.
New fog light lenses/bulbs.
New front/rear window trim
New under-hood rubber air vent cover at fire wall.
New windshield wiper blades (the only parts provided by PO ).
Replaced front bumper trim pieces.
Replaced cracked turn signal lens.
New trunk seal

Cleaned entire interior
Cleaned trunk area.
Cleaned engine bay
Lubricated hood and trunk latch
New hood gas struts
Conditioned leather
Installed new odometer gears
Replaced missing ash tray cover


Mechanical:
Style 5 16" wheels with new tires
New (rebuilt) Bosch starter
Full tune-up (plugs, wires, rotor cap, etc.)
Oil change
New air filter
New coolant level sensor
Repaired inoperable interior dome lights and side power mirrors.
New exhaust system, O2 sensor, hanger brackets, etc.
Mark D'Sylva performance chip.
PA State Inspection and emissions.

I'm probably missing a few minor items, but this is as close to the Pebble Beach fairway I plan to take her. I already have one museum piece hanging out in my garage, I don't need another one.

I say Tedfest should be your first appearance with her on the 25th of June.

Very tempting, Ted! I'll bring some Yuengling if something materializes.

[Stuboski]

What was wrong with the old cat?

Was pretty rusted-up. I had a check engine light, so we wanted to put in a new oxygen sensor as well. Once we got the exhaust off, we saw that was rusted through in one spot (I thought I had smelled an exhaust leak). Are these parts worth saving being they are original? Was not sure to scrap or save.

These cars don't have check engine lights....?

What else would a big yellow flashing "CHECK" in the center of the instrument cluster be prompting me to do? Check my underwear? Incidently, it was a vacuum leak caused when we knocked a hose loose doing the tune-up. But it's got the new O2 sensor nonetheless.

[LeiseyJr]

What was wrong with the old cat?

Was pretty rusted-up. I had a check engine light, so we wanted to put in a new oxygen sensor as well. Once we got the exhaust off, we saw that was rusted through in one spot (I thought I had smelled an exhaust leak). Are these parts worth saving being they are original? Was not sure to scrap or save.

These cars don't have check engine lights....?

What else would a big yellow flashing "CHECK" in the center of the instrument cluster be prompting me to do? Check my underwear? Incidently, it was a vacuum leak caused when we knocked a hose loose doing the tune-up. But it's got the new O2 sensor nonetheless.

That "Check" is for the check panel by the sunroof switch. Just lets you know something came on up there.

[wkohler]

The check control panel above the rear view mirror. The system self-tests when you start the car. Put your foot on the brake pedal and the "check" should go away along with the brake lights LED. If it doesn't, you have other issues, which the panel should tell you about.

The only E28 with a check engine light is the '88 528e as it ran a later version of Motronic and the Check Engine light is located in the lower left section of lights and indicators on the cluster.

BTW, I didn't mention it earlier but the car looks very nice in those photos. I'm assuming those were taken before you installed the Ireland exhaust?

[Stuboski]

The check control panel above the rear view mirror. The system self-tests when you start the car. Put your foot on the brake pedal and the "check" should go away along with the brake lights LED. If it doesn't, you have other issues, which the panel should tell you about.

The only E28 with a check engine light is the '88 528e as it ran a later version of Motronic and the Check Engine light is located in the lower left section of lights and indicators on the cluster.

BTW, I didn't mention it earlier but the car looks very nice in those photos. I'm assuming those were taken before you installed the Ireland exhaust?

Makes sense, there was one of those overhead check lights on, I think for a brake light or something. The coolant indicator was also on until I replaced the sensor. So I once again stand corrected on that. And thanks for the nice compliments, I'm a proud E28 owner! Have gotten a lot of nice compliments on it from folks around town as well. And yes, I didn't post the ass end of the car with its' new tailpipes yet. I'll be sure to get those up for you!

[wkohler]

A note on the coolant level sensor, you need to use the original nut or it won't seal. The replacements don't have the same thread pitch.

[Ted in T.O.]

How is your fan clutch?

[Stuboski]

A note on the coolant level sensor, you need to use the original nut or it won't seal. The replacements don't have the same thread pitch.

Thanks, will take a look at that. I'm sure I pitched (no pun intended) the original one already, so I'll have to source that nut through the forum if I see any leakage.

[Stuboski]

How is your fan clutch?

Seems to work fine. I've heard it cycle on when the engine is hot and I just have the car sitting there idling. My temp gauge is always on the cool side of the range. I know preventative maintenance is big on BMW's, and cooling systems are not one of their historical strong points. What's the rule of thumb for replacement on the fan clutch/water pump/expansion tank/etc.?

[John in VA]

I know preventative maintenance is big on BMW's, and cooling systems are not one of their historical strong points. What's the rule of thumb for replacement on the fan clutch/water pump/expansion tank/etc.?

This is the case for cooling systems comprised of mostly plastic pieces - E36, 39, 46, etc.
Many here have cooling systems with original 30 year-old parts.

[JLav211]

Is this carpeted piece still available from the dealer? Mine is long gone.

[Stuboski]

Well, I did something I had wanted to do since wrapping up the bulk of my project a few weeks ago. I sat down Sunday night and wrote the PO a nice 3-page letter.

I thanked him for honestly representing the car when I had bought it from him largely sight-unseen. Sure there was more work there than I had bargained for, but I feel the foundation of the car was as-promised. I also detailed to him everything I've done with the car, and included some photos of it all shined-up with the upgraded wheels and exhaust. I let him know how much I've enjoyed working on the car, and how much I enjoy driving it. I also promised him I would pass this car into similar good hands should I ever choose to sell it.

This car was with he and his family for 28 years, so I figured there must be some sentimental attachment there. Hopefully seeing his old car again brings a smile to his face.

[John in VA]

Is this carpeted piece still available from the dealer? Mine is long gone.

Doubtful. It's more like a jute carpet padding - you might find something very similar at the carpet shop, or ask for it from someone parting car out.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTOMOTIVE-JUTE ... 0885845814

[wkohler]

Well, I did something I had wanted to do since wrapping up the bulk of my project a few weeks ago. I sat down Sunday night and wrote the PO a nice 3-page letter.

I thanked him for honestly representing the car when I had bought it from him largely sight-unseen. Sure there was more work there than I had bargained for, but I feel the foundation of the car was as-promised. I also detailed to him everything I've done with the car, and included some photos of it all shined-up with the upgraded wheels and exhaust. I let him know how much I've enjoyed working on the car, and how much I enjoy driving it. I also promised him I would pass this car into similar good hands should I ever choose to sell it.

This car was with he and his family for 28 years, so I figured there must be some sentimental attachment there. Hopefully seeing his old car again brings a smile to his face.

Nice move. Old people eat that stuff up.

[e28Sean]

That is one shockingly clean looking e28. Nice score, dude.

[Blue Shadow]

The cat has real value in the precious metal content, at least a c-note.

If that is on agreed value insurance, be sure to value it properly. With the Cars For Sale filling up with Wanted ads these cars are going up in value and yours has been treated much better than immortal's M535i he wants to flip without any investment. Nice refurb on that ride. Drag if over sometime for us to have a look. Maybe we get the nearby E28er together this summer.

[Ted in T.O.]

The cat has real value in the precious metal content, at least a c-note.

If that is on agreed value insurance, be sure to value it properly. With the Cars For Sale filling up with Wanted ads these cars are going up in value and yours has been treated much better than immortal's M535i he wants to flip without any investment. Nice refurb on that ride. Drag if over sometime for us to have a look. Maybe we get the nearby E28er together this summer.

You need to get out more with your cars Keith. Your 7 needs to be seen by Rodney. I'll buy the white E28 off of you if your not driving it.

[George Hanson]

How about some current pictures? Please include some pics of the interior...

[Stuboski]

The cat has real value in the precious metal content, at least a c-note.

If that is on agreed value insurance, be sure to value it properly. With the Cars For Sale filling up with Wanted ads these cars are going up in value and yours has been treated much better than immortal's M535i he wants to flip without any investment. Nice refurb on that ride. Drag if over sometime for us to have a look. Maybe we get the nearby E28er together this summer.

Most definitely, where are you located?