5 years later - I'm back, and bringing a hoopty back to glory.
 

5 years ago I sold my '02 4.4 sport because it was getting on a bit and some repairs were coming back around again.

Change of country and a need for a car to occasionally commute, but more for trips etc - and I have picked up a rough '02 4.4 sport. I got it for a nominal sum because it had a number of defects and has been generally unloved. Seems like the previous owner was a keen DIY mechanic, but not a very good one...


What I have done myself so far:

- Heater blower didn't work at all. FSR replaced and now working 100%.

- Fixed brake/tail light out warnings by cleaning corroded tail light contacts and bending them a little.

- Navigation computer wasn't bolted in. Quick trip to the hardware store for the correct bolts and it's now secure.

- Replaced dead battery... Which involved replacing the missing battery hold and vent, excavating a huge number of dropped screws and dirt etc from the deepest recesses. The triangle frame and compressor box had been partially put together incorrectly with about half the required bolts. Whoever was in there last must not have known how it all goes back together so just chucked everything in and closed the cover. This fixed 95% of the clunks and rattles coming from the rear.

- Hatch lid wasn't latching closed, so it was taped shut and constantly gave the "bootlid open" warning. I took the latch apart and found the infamous broken spring. Jimmied the spring bank in place while waiting for a new part to arrive. Hatch now closes and all rattles/clunks are gone!

- Washer fluid was empty and wiper blades perished. All replaced now.


I have also booked into a local independent mechanic in a few days to look into a few things:

- Brakes have been changed, but not the sensors so I still get a "check brake linings message". Hopefully just the sensors need changing and I will be rid of my final BONG! The pedal is a touch soft too, so will get the fluid changed.

- Fix oil leak - not sure where it's coming from, but it's like the Exxon Valdez in my parking spot.

- Engine fan is roaring all the time, probably needs a new viscous clutch

- Whatever else is in danger of imminent disaster

Other than that, I will also think about changing the radio module so I have radio on both sides of the car. Maybe get the interior thoroughly steam cleaned / shampooed. Window tints are faded, so could be changed. Steering wheel stitching is coming undone. The only remote key is also broken, so might get a new one so I can have a working remote :-)

Wish me luck! Feels great to be back in a (slightly busted) E53, and I'm really enjoying working on my little projects.

Welcome back and good on ya for rescuing another E53... :thumbup:

Good luck with it all - hope there's nothing too major lurking in there. :rolleyes:

Oil leak is probably the OFHG. If you don't know what OFHG means GOOGLE it.

Someone came back for seconds I see.

Found a (hopefully) decent independent mechanic. Given what I paid for the car in rough condition, I knew I'd be in for a few repairs at least and budgeted up to $2k. Mechanics estimate has come in close to $3k...

- Front brake disks below minimum thickness
- Front brake hoses perished
- Control arm bushes front and back
- CV boots have been fitted with hose clamps (!) and are leaking badly
- Wrong size idler pulley fitted causing rubbing against the alternator
- Valve cover gaskets leaking
- Coolant leaking from valley pan gasket (dammit)
- Intake boot leaking
- Aftermarket viscous fan clutch has locked up

All in all, more than I was hoping for but not unexpected. Once it's all taken car of I should have a fairly decent runabout!