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c-bass 09-26-2020 11:13 PM

The story of "Swamp Thing"
 
I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to join in on the fun.

Last year I bought an E83 X3 and gave it to the Mrs as her first car and not too long after she realized that it was just a liiiiiiiiiitle bit too small for her to fit a lot of the items she's picking up.

She's in the vintage/antique business and is always stuffing the X3 to the roof with milk cans, wicker furniture etc etc. and it seems like quite a few things are just a couple inches too big to be able to fit.

Now I don't know about you, but to me that sounds like I get to shop for more truck :thumbup:

I was on the hunt for a relatively low KM 6 cylinder facelift model with a working A/C but ever since COVID the prices have gone up and demand has increased to the point where any ads that looked clean were gone within 24 hours.

Around these parts it was the hottest and longest summer that I ever remeber and naturally the A/C doesn't work on the X3 which was definitely putting some pressure on me trying to find her an upgrade.

Another big issue is that I live in the middle of nowhere and it's a couple hours drive to the city so by the time I would see a listing and get a reply from the seller it would usually be "There's a guy coming to look at it".

Finally I find something interesting with a listed phone number and I happen to be going in that direction.

The seller is an older couple and the husband had a stroke 6 months ago which is why they're selling the car, sounds promising.

It's about an hour away from Toronto in Barrie...so I decide to drive up there and check it out.

I had an idea it was going to be a nicer house when I heard "We left the gate open for you"

Impressive Property

https://i.imgur.com/hrLwahN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wu2J57C.jpg

The X....not so much

https://imgur.com/Gz42S0U

https://i.imgur.com/ZxTzQKm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0wfqzCv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/o0uGbj5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/X69gGi9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/krxJX85.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/M8fcHbc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AFk93jG.jpg

timmyc 09-27-2020 12:49 AM

This outta be good.....

c-bass 09-27-2020 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyc (Post 1192144)
This outta be good.....

For who? :D

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:17 AM

The owner and his wife were probably in their late 60s early seventies. They spent the winters in Florida and used to drive the X down there.

2005 M54 3.0 with 218k (pretty low km for these parts) and they're asking $2500.

The old guy tells me there's some noise coming from the back but other than that the car is "very reliable"

When I first pulled up to the house the tailgate was unlocked with a roofing shingle placed in between the hinge. "the battery dies after sitting for a while so we have it disconnected, but it's brand new"...right on

The back is all torn apart, I reconnect the battery and the truck does start right up so I take it for a quick drive.

As the ol' guy told me, it sure is making noise in the back. I can't quite tell if it's the brakes or something else in the rear but everything is rusty and stiff from sitting around.

After the quick drive I give it a bit better look...

A/C does work
windows and doors work
panoramic roof works
Front outer boots are torn
a little "moist" underneath
The brake rotors are a little rusty from sitting and it looks like they might clean up ok but they definitely will need rear pads.

oh and the usual check engine and several other lights are on in the dash.

Also, the carpet is wet, VERY wet. Push your finger and water squirts wet and overall the interior condition is gross.

I told the owner this isn't exactly what I'm looking for and that it clearly needs quite a bit of work. For me this would basically be a parts car and I wouldn't pay more than $1000.

He says he'd like $2000 and I proceed to give him back the key when the wife says "How about $1200?"

So like the dummy I am, I made the deal and had the car towed back to home base.

timmyc 09-27-2020 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192159)
For who? :D

Haha! For those of us who will watch the rise of the Swamp Thing from it's murky depths!:rofl:

timmyc 09-27-2020 11:22 AM

Obviously a dog was in there ruining the leather. The PO of my X did the same but not to the extent of what I can see of your passenger seat. Let me know if you find a way to repair the lifting of the leather where the dogs nails scratched it. I have several I need to try to repair.


From what I have read, the leather has a clear coat on it. I was thinking of dye then some kind of clear coat. Still researching that one.

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:25 AM

Now that this thing was home It was time to get the carpet dried out and the interior cleaned out.

This thing was GROSS!!!

https://i.imgur.com/UqLgqKG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lVJf9yP.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AxA61Ii.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/B6OCcij.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eskJ359.jpg



How in TF does this happen??? :dunno:

https://i.imgur.com/phC1EcX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2cLkxbv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oMFUpyp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0qnCllE.jpg

:wow:

https://i.imgur.com/fZQK0d9.jpg

No that's isn't rice crispies, it's a 1/4" of dead bug carcasses :sick:

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyc (Post 1192162)
Haha! For those of us who will watch the rise of the Swamp Thing from it's murky depths!:rofl:

HA! You got that right

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyc (Post 1192163)
Obviously a dog was in there ruining the leather. The PO of my X did the same but not to the extent of what I can see of your passenger seat. Let me know if you find a way to repair the lifting of the leather where the dogs nails scratched it. I have several I need to try to repair.


From what I have read, the leather has a clear coat on it. I was thinking of dye then some kind of clear coat. Still researching that one.

This was definitely the dog road trip car. Personally I would never be able to drive around with the sound of dog nails on my leather seats.

There's a couple things you can try depending on how bad it is and what result you're ok with.

You can literally use leather glue depending on the damage, but realistically if it's anything deep you have to fill, sand and paint.

I have seen some VERY good results from the kits used here: https://www.leatherxkits.com/

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:50 AM

The interior has to come out to deal with this level nasty

https://i.imgur.com/H1EACQv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TiIjsMN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8TthBDg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5qwfsaV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hS7tA0C.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7ZcGn1i.jpg

A little bit of vacuuming goes a long way!

https://i.imgur.com/tYHQIA5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/x6LUn5R.jpg

The salt we use around here in the winter is BRUTAL on a car interior if you have proper floor mats so I pulled the gas pedal off to try to get that rock salt formation under control

https://i.imgur.com/TP96mSY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cb4h9mL.jpg

timmyc 09-27-2020 11:54 AM

OH. MY. GAWD. You have some work cut out for you, my friend!


The frogs?! WTF?!:bustingup

Hope you got the X for a song......

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyc (Post 1192172)
OH. MY. GAWD. You have some work cut out for you, my friend!


The frogs?! WTF?!:bustingup

Hope you got the X for a song......

I got it for $1200

Yeah I'm not sure wtf is going on with the frogs. Were they stuck in there? Why wouldn't they move if they're going to die??

Happy 09-27-2020 01:02 PM

“SWaMp THiNg”

I love it!

c-bass 09-27-2020 02:46 PM

While I was vacuuming I noticed a couple times if I came close to the end of the carpet at the door jam some visible water would get sucked up. I did mention that the carpet was WET so this didn't surprise me all that much...

However I wasn't expecting what I saw when I took a peek under the carpet

https://i.imgur.com/urtJvv6.jpg

All the low spots in the floor had at least 1/2" of water just sitting there, nevermind the foam being soaked :thumbup:

https://i.imgur.com/xEtmPBj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7P5wVfi.jpg

Investigating a little further, I decided that the only thing that makes sense at this point is to take the carpets out...except that to remove the front carpet in a BMW is ridiculous (other cars I've owned also) and that's NOT the level of commitment I'm willing to get into at this point.

I took out the rear section of the carpet which was completely saturated in water and propped up the front as much as I could

https://i.imgur.com/upnAOP7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tirDQk4.jpg

Well this escalated quickly...




So for the next few days I used a combination of synthetic chamois, sponges and whatever else I could think of blot, squeeze, pinch and absorb all the water I could out of the underside of the carpet, which is obviously the most water retentive material known to man. :rolleyes:

Even after days of the hot sun and all my efforts the underside of the carpet was still damp so I strategically placed several small fans under and left them running.

Now it's time to try and clean this:

https://i.imgur.com/NhaPeT7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HOjdcHg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IVk41c9.jpg

Purplefade 09-27-2020 03:53 PM

OMG - that is almost unbelievable! I say almost because I bought and restored a 1968 Mustang that actually was in a bit worse condition... but come on, at least it was 50+ years old and had been stored in a barn... WOW!

I commend your commitment to getting it road worthy, wish you all of the best luck getting it back together and very much look forward to seeing the final results [emoji106]

With so much water, I’m inclined to say blocked sunroof vents at a minimum and very likely someone (probably) let it sit in the rain with the sunroof open. You might consider cracking the sunroof for some fresh air and setting a 70 liter (basement) dehumidifier in there for a couple of days, you’ll be amazed how much water it will pull out for you, even after you think you got it all.

All in all, for a vehicle that starts and drives, $1200 isn’t a terrible price Soni really don’t think you did toooo bad there.


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Effduration 09-27-2020 03:55 PM

I imagine you are already thinking about the source of the water, but what i would be looking at would be:

-vapor barriers all 4 doors

-both front sunroof drains - don't use compressed air - gently prod and poke with trimmer line - also remove A-pillars and see if drain hose is kinked, which is common.

- the rubber seal that sits on top of the windshield

- the drain holes under the brake reservoir (driver's side) and the Elec box (pass side) under the hood.

timmyc 09-27-2020 06:02 PM

Holy hell, man. Windows must have been left down? Hopefully your electronics are all fine? Would be remarkable if they are.

A white or yellow drill brush and a good carpet cleaning solution should get the carpet decent. The smell? Not sure there...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TriX5 09-27-2020 07:14 PM

Brave, very brave. Generally I find that cars not cared for like that in the interior also have had no maintenance done on the mechanical side. Hope you get lucky but not my cup of tea. Wish you luck!

Effduration 09-27-2020 07:56 PM

what's the story on the hood being a different color?

I must say the condition of that X5 doesn't seem to jive with the appearance of the seller's living arrangement...

c-bass 09-27-2020 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192189)
OMG - that is almost unbelievable! I say almost because I bought and restored a 1968 Mustang that actually was in a bit worse condition... but come on, at least it was 50+ years old and had been stored in a barn... WOW!

I commend your commitment to getting it road worthy, wish you all of the best luck getting it back together and very much look forward to seeing the final results [emoji106]

With so much water, I’m inclined to say blocked sunroof vents at a minimum and very likely someone (probably) let it sit in the rain with the sunroof open. You might consider cracking the sunroof for some fresh air and setting a 70 liter (basement) dehumidifier in there for a couple of days, you’ll be amazed how much water it will pull out for you, even after you think you got it all.

All in all, for a vehicle that starts and drives, $1200 isn’t a terrible price Soni really don’t think you did toooo bad there.


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

I have a soft spot for neglected cars, which is a terrible habit to have, but I totally agree that $1200 for a running and driving "truck" isn't bad by any brand name.

I eventually managed to get everything dry but the dehumidifier is a good idea. I recently purchased a 70 pint for the house.

c-bass 09-27-2020 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyc (Post 1192196)
Holy hell, man. Windows must have been left down? Hopefully your electronics are all fine? Would be remarkable if they are.

A white or yellow drill brush and a good carpet cleaning solution should get the carpet decent. The smell? Not sure there...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the windows being left down is a solid possibility.

I've been to Florida before and I know the rain there is no joke. It wouldn't take long for it to get pretty wet inside, specially if the sunroof was open.

All the electronics seem to work fine, but from my understanding of how rust works, everything is "fine" as long as it stays underwater but as soon as it's exposed to oxygen that's when the rust starts to develop.

However, I do think that if there was any part of the cable that was compromised it probably would have rusty at this point or some crazy electronic gremlins would be present...I guess we'll see what happens

c-bass 09-27-2020 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriX5 (Post 1192197)
Brave, very brave. Generally I find that cars not cared for like that in the interior also have had no maintenance done on the mechanical side. Hope you get lucky but not my cup of tea. Wish you luck!

Stupid decisions aren't brave :D

and there's no shortage of google results that tell you not to buy a BMW never mind a neglected X5 so whatever the end result, I bring it all on myself.

Bdc101 09-27-2020 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192200)
I have a soft spot for neglected cars, which is a terrible habit to have, but I totally agree that $1200 for a running and driving "truck" isn't bad by any brand name.


This is more than a soft spot. You have a problem.


But seriously, good on you for saving an old car. This would have been headed straight to the junkyard if not for people like you.

Happy 09-27-2020 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192201)
I think the windows being left down is a solid possibility.

I've been to Florida before and I know the rain there is no joke. It wouldn't take long for it to get pretty wet inside, specially if the sunroof was open.

All the electronics seem to work fine, but from my understanding of how rust works, everything is "fine" as long as it stays underwater but as soon as it's exposed to oxygen that's when the rust starts to develop.

However, I do think that if there was any part of the cable that was compromised it probably would have rusty at this point or some crazy electronic gremlins would be present...I guess we'll see what happens


Use dielectric grease on all the contact points that you suspect were subjected to moisture.

c-bass 09-27-2020 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration (Post 1192198)
what's the story on the hood being a different color?

I must say the condition of that X5 doesn't seem to jive with the appearance of the seller's living arrangement...

Excellent observation.

The couple was in Florida when he had the stroke and had to head back to Canada right as COVID was happening.

Shortly thereafter they started downsizing which included selling their home and moving in with their daughter and son in law...who clearly have the space.

as far as the the hood goes, the ol' guy specifically said "It's got the two tone hood like a Rolls Royce" uhhhh riiiiiiight, just like it

but realistically the hood is also the reason there's a new headlight on that side and the wonky fender and last but not least

https://i.imgur.com/4DY1dPP.jpg

So clearly it was involved in an accident at some point of it's life.

c-bass 09-27-2020 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdc101 (Post 1192204)
This is more than a soft spot. You have a problem.


But seriously, good on you for saving an old car. This would have been headed straight to the junkyard if not for people like you.

I figured it's got relatively low KM and no rust on anything major so it's definitely got a few years of life in it.

Here in Ontario they use salt on the roads during winter so anything that doesn't have holes in the floor or rocker is a "solid" car :D

c-bass 09-27-2020 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192205)
Use dielectric grease on all the contact points that you suspect were subjected to moisture.

luckily I didn't find anything that was exposed below the water line...feels weird to write "below the water line" in reference to electrical wiring in a car :yikes:

Anything suspicious looking is getting cleaned up and greased before it goes back together.

Fifty150hs 09-27-2020 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192187)
While I was vacuuming I noticed a couple times if I came close to the end of the carpet at the door jam some visible water would get sucked up. I did mention that the carpet was WET so this didn't surprise me all that much...

However I wasn't expecting what I saw when I took a peek under the carpet

https://i.imgur.com/urtJvv6.jpg

All the low spots in the floor had at least 1/2" of water just sitting there, nevermind the foam being soaked :thumbup:

https://i.imgur.com/xEtmPBj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7P5wVfi.jpg

Investigating a little further, I decided that the only thing that makes sense at this point is to take the carpets out...except that to remove the front carpet in a BMW is ridiculous (other cars I've owned also) and that's NOT the level of commitment I'm willing to get into at this point.

I took out the rear section of the carpet which was completely saturated in water and propped up the front as much as I could

https://i.imgur.com/upnAOP7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tirDQk4.jpg

Well this escalated quickly...




So for the next few days I used a combination of synthetic chamois, sponges and whatever else I could think of blot, squeeze, pinch and absorb all the water I could out of the underside of the carpet, which is obviously the most water retentive material known to man. :rolleyes:

Even after days of the hot sun and all my efforts the underside of the carpet was still damp so I strategically placed several small fans under and left them running.

Now it's time to try and clean this:

https://i.imgur.com/NhaPeT7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HOjdcHg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IVk41c9.jpg

Suggest you rent a dehumidifier from a construction equipment rental outfit if there's one near you. Stick it inside for about a week with the drain tube running outside and it will thoroughly dry out the interior relatively quickly. Good luck!

bmw540san 09-27-2020 10:50 PM

I've been messing with BMW's pushing on 20 years now but I haven's seen one in this bad / nasty condition yet.
I understand that $1200 can be considered a deal for this X5 but after seeing all of this, I don't think it's worth it considering the effort it has to be put in.
But that is just my opinion and hats off to PO and I trully hope he gets her back in decent condition.

Effduration 09-27-2020 10:50 PM

Not to add to a big list of to-do items, but you should have a peak under the driver's side plastic under-cladding to see how good the rear brake lines are in that location. It's a big issue with any E53 living in a moisture environment. Mine were rotted.

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:08 PM

Looking at all the rust on the floor and thinking about whatever else could possibly be lurking (I haven't even done a thorough code scan at this point) I started wondering if it's worth getting into this...

I sent a buddy (a fellow enthusiast and also e53 owner) a few pictures of what I was looking at.

Me - "See all that rust? Think I should get into all of this? Sanding and painting?"

Friend - "From the looks of things you're all ready into it, might as well do it right"

Right! A moment of weakness!!

https://i.imgur.com/84tWEQg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4rkKwBg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wFizSjj.jpg

The sanding was a slow and unpleasant process but I got everything cleaned up and ready for paint, but don't hate me...
















































I used the white rust paint I had on hand :D

I KNOW! I KNOW!! But nobody is going to see it!!

Look it's not so bad I promise ;)

https://i.imgur.com/XpXdjP1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NG0nXtb.jpg

When I was painting the floor around area around the gas pedal I noticed that the carpet area was STILL a little wet, so out came the fans again but the rest was ready to be put back together.

https://i.imgur.com/ezahSCH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BwFCN2F.jpg

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw540san (Post 1192214)
I've been messing with BMW's pushing on 20 years now but I haven's seen one in this bad / nasty condition yet.
I understand that $1200 can be considered a deal for this X5 but after seeing all of this, I don't think it's worth it considering the effort it has to be put in.
But that is just my opinion and hats off to PO and I trully hope he gets her back in decent condition.

My backup plan was if it was a total heap I would pull the motor and throw it in my E83 which currently has 375,000 km on it.

Around here a motor with similar mileage that Swampy has would be about $800-1000.

And I totally agree that it probably should be put down, but then you don't get to watch the carnage :D

Tell me with a straight face you don't want to keep watching :wow:

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration (Post 1192215)
Not to add to a big list of to-do items, but you should have a peak under the driver's side plastic under-cladding to see how good the rear brake lines are in that location. It's a big issue with any E53 living in a moisture environment. Mine were rotted.

Will do :thumbup:

bmw540san 09-27-2020 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192218)
My backup plan was if it was a total heap I would pull the motor and throw it in my E83 which currently has 375,000 km on it.

Around here a motor with similar mileage that Swampy has would be about $800-1000.

And I totally agree that it probably should be put down, but then you don't get to watch the carnage :D

Tell me with a straight face you don't want to keep watching :wow:

Don't take me wrong, I'm very interested to see the happy ending. It's just that I've done so much over the years that it literaly pains me knowing how much effort goes in things like this.
And yes, you're right, as a parts car it's defintely worth the $1200.

wpoll 09-28-2020 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw540san (Post 1192214)
... hats off to PO and I trully hope he gets her back in decent condition.

I think you mean OP. The PO needs to be whipped.... ;)

bmw540san 09-28-2020 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1192222)
I think you mean OP. The PO needs to be whipped.... ;)

Correct, lol.
Sadly, for most people car is like an home appliance. Use it till falls appart then get a new one. Or, get a new model every few years because of latest bells and whistles.

c-bass 09-28-2020 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw540san (Post 1192225)
Correct, lol.
Sadly, for most people car is like an home appliance. Use it till falls appart then get a new one. Or, get a new model every few years because of latest bells and whistles.

Yup, I totally agree.

From my experience it seems outside of North America buying and owning a car is still a pretty big deal or an expense big enough where most people are almost forced to take care of their vehicle.

Most countries you need to keep your car in tip top shape and it can't be "too old". The registration, insurance and fuel prices are super high so only those who are really want to own a car will do so.

In Mexico and South America there isn't much of a used car market and new cars are super expensive. The average VW Jetta was a $50k US car down there, so anything that's used is worth MUCH more than it would in the US. Owning a car down there is relatively cheap and the laws are fairly lax so some of the things you see on the road are mind boggling.

Cuba has a fleet of 50s era cars they keep running using mostly their imagination Etc...so while we're looking at Swampy thinking it's had a rough life someone is thinking it's a creampuff compared to what they have available.

Even though I left when I was very young, growing up around people that lived in communist Poland and later on in Mexico it's embedded in me that anything can be fixed and the "That's still good" (aka garbage picking) attitude is very much alive and well in my soul.

Having said that...I do know when to pull the plug (read: still learning) and have VERY limited finances (read: the actual reason behind my "I've learned to pull plug claims") so it's not like I'm going to run up a huge bar tab I'll have a hard time dealing with.

bcredliner 09-29-2020 12:44 PM

It's worth what you are willing to pay so the purchase price was fine. Enjoy!

crystalworks 09-29-2020 03:50 PM

I'm ready to nominate this for greatest transformation from PO to OP in terms of condition for this year. And the work has just started.

I'm like you, have a soft spot for saving things that would ordinarily be considered junkyard material. Good luck, have fun, and slowly bring it back to life so as to not hit the piggy bank too hard all at once. Once bought a 3 series out of a field after it had been sitting for a couple of years. Fun stuff.

bmw540san 09-29-2020 06:03 PM

I totaly agree with c-bass post about different countries and car ownerships in them because I came from one.
I came to US in 1996 as a 23 year old refugee from bloody Yugoslavian war (1991-1995).
Before war Yugoslavia was very stable and good Country to grew up in regardless of fact it was Socialist system.
My father owned 1973 VW Bug for 23 years and that was nothing unusual. Of course we also had the famous "Yugo" although I have to agree it's really big POS, lol.
Anyway, I worked hard and I'm doing well today but I am softened up now and older of course because 20+ years I would go in this project with gusto and now I'm whining how much effort it will take.
So again, my respect to you c-bass and I hope you inhale new life into old girl.

c-bass 09-30-2020 09:41 PM

I tried on 2 separate occasions to poke my way down the sunroof drain tube.

First I tried with a fairly thick piece of string trimmer line which got stuck about a foot into the drain. Working it back and forth for a while I was able to get it about another foot further in but that was as far as it would go.

The next step was to try and go from the bottom up, also a fail.

Next I used a piece of electrical wire that I stripped out of the white sheathing. More rigid but it didn't get any further than the string trimmer line.

I pulled off the A-pillar covers and...


https://i.imgur.com/M9s52sb.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/WGNrKrs.jpg


Which very much explains this

https://i.imgur.com/kymF5Ir.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TYo8BfZ.jpg


I have no idea how the drain tubes could get kinked that bad but there was not a drop of water getting past the bends on either side.

For anyone wondering there is a LOT more stank water stored in that drain than you think and it comes out like a full bladder after a long road trip. Be ready for it, I was not :doh:

So between the car spending time in Florida, the interior marshland aka carpet and the frogs and bugs...Swamp Thing pretty much named itself

Sunroof drains are back to doing what they're supposed to do.

https://i.imgur.com/jgXGYM4.jpg

Purplefade 09-30-2020 11:26 PM

Dear lord, I would say that you found a significant part of tour water problem for sure - those almost absolutely look like someone had been in there before, I just don’t see how those get screwed up to that level without someone LS hands on them..

Nice find! Keep up the great work, slow and steady as you go [emoji106]


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c-bass 10-01-2020 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192341)
Dear lord, I would say that you found a significant part of tour water problem for sure - those almost absolutely look like someone had been in there before, I just don’t see how those get screwed up to that level without someone LS hands on them..

Nice find! Keep up the great work, slow and steady as you go [emoji106]


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That's the only thing I can think of happened, someone must have got in there for whatever reason.

Even if you were after something else, wouldn't you notice something doesn't look right with those tubes? :dunno:

Purplefade 10-01-2020 11:10 AM

That is pretty insane, probably happened as they yanked and pulled and "hammered" the a-pilers back into place, tough from my experience they're just an easy snap... Whoever it was had no idea what they were doing. The good news, as you said a few posts back - at least all of the critical components were above the water line - :D


I think in your case, if there's one close, the local salvage yard would be one of my best friends right now for any of the hard parts you might need, that said, you seem to be getting it sorted just fine - keep up the good work! (at least as long as it makes sense to do so)

c-bass 10-01-2020 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192355)
That is pretty insane, probably happened as they yanked and pulled and "hammered" the a-pilers back into place, tough from my experience they're just an easy snap... Whoever it was had no idea what they were doing. The good news, as you said a few posts back - at least all of the critical components were above the water line - :D


I think in your case, if there's one close, the local salvage yard would be one of my best friends right now for any of the hard parts you might need, that said, you seem to be getting it sorted just fine - keep up the good work! (at least as long as it makes sense to do so)

There's a pic n pull type yard about an hour away from me but they don't have a great selection. Their main location which is about 2 hours away from me and currently has 8 e53s in stock with many more cars with the M54 engine to pick from.

However they do pick 'em clean of all the good stuff pretty quickly and because of the age of these models the parts aren't as fresh as I'd like sometimes.

crystalworks 10-01-2020 12:43 PM

You guys are lucky. Our pnp yards put most BMW's in the "special" section of the yard that costs more to get into and more for parts. Or at least they used to. Haven't been there for 3 or 4 years when I used to pull E30 and E36 parts.

c-bass 10-01-2020 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1192360)
You guys are lucky. Our pnp yards put most BMW's in the "special" section of the yard that costs more to get into and more for parts. Or at least they used to. Haven't been there for 3 or 4 years when I used to pull E30 and E36 parts.

They keep the BMW and Mercedes section right up towards the front so they can keep an eye on it and things go FAST.

Literally within hours of a car arriving at the yard there's people there to cherry pick all the easy to remove and high value parts.d

The older these cars get the less of them you see each year at the yards and statistically it's a front driver's side impact that brings them there so front end parts are particularly hard to source.

Reminds me of a thrift store called Value Village around here. Years ago it was pretty much the go to place for guys needing work clothes. Jeans were $5, T-shirts were $2 etc etc,

Well the hipsters all of a sudden discovered these stores and made them EXTREMELY popular and before long it's not a T-shirt anymore, it's a Polo T-shirt for $15, or Levi's jeans for $20 :rolleyes:

BigBody 10-01-2020 01:33 PM

3M sells a paint/rust removal disk at home depot. I use it on the wheel hubs when changing rotors & on the grill to clean off caked on grease & what not. Would be much easier then sanding by hand.

As for the project, i think its great. $1200 to have some fun & a working BMW sounds great to me. I don't spend money on my car because it makes sense (because frankly it makes no sense with the value of these cars). I spend money on the car because I enjoy wrenching on it, modding it & driving it.

c-bass 10-01-2020 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBody (Post 1192362)
3M sells a paint/rust removal disk at home depot. I use it on the wheel hubs when changing rotors & on the grill to clean off caked on grease & what not. Would be much easier then sanding by hand.

As for the project, i think its great. $1200 to have some fun & a working BMW sounds great to me. I don't spend money on my car because it makes sense (because frankly it makes no sense with the value of these cars). I spend money on the car because I enjoy wrenching on it, modding it & driving it.

If you're talking about those black webbed looking discs I discovered them a few years ago and you're right. They're absolutely incredible for paint/rust removal compared to sandpaper.

I started to enjoy wrenching a lot more as soon as I had a backup car. The usual routine of having to scramble to get things working again before I had to be back at work was a lot of stress at times.

But even when I had a perfectly working car I would have the door panels ripped apart for stereo upgrades or putting in LED lights or who knows what else catches my attention. And then of course we have my detailing habit, literally polishing turds :D

BigBody 10-02-2020 11:34 AM

Yes precisely that disc. Its awesome :)

Agree with you on your other points as well. Frankly, i think driving an E53 requires owning a backup car :rofl:

crystalworks 10-02-2020 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBody (Post 1192388)
Frankly, i think driving an E53 requires owning a backup BMW or two :rofl:

FTFY ;)

The wife and I feel naked when below 3 BMW's in the driveway. Currently there are 5. :bustingup At least 2 will be ready to go at any one time. :D

Effduration 10-02-2020 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBody (Post 1192388)
Frankly, i think driving an E53 requires owning a backup car :rofl:

Absolutely....I have five BMW's with the M54 engine, including 2 E53's.

I think an E53 almost requires a back-up E53...It sure is handy having a few around. A couple of times recently I wasn't sure of a fuse layout behind glovebox or the routing of a vent hose in the engine, so I just walked over to other X5 and had a look.

EODguy 10-02-2020 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1192389)
FTFY ;)



The wife and I feel naked when below 3 BMW's in the driveway. Currently there are 5. :bustingup At least 2 will be ready to go at any one time. :D

But the real question is.....

Does your wife know that there are 5 BMW's?[emoji848]

Just asking in case you fall into the pool with that concrete cooler![emoji1787][emoji1787]

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c-bass 10-03-2020 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBody (Post 1192388)
Yes precisely that disc. Its awesome :)

Agree with you on your other points as well. Frankly, i think driving an E53 requires owning a backup car :rofl:

I think BMW ownership in general calls for a backup car :D

I've been told on a couple separate occasions by the tow truck drivers around here (as I'm getting a tow myself) "Oh yeah we get BMW and Mercedes all the time!"

Purplefade 10-03-2020 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1192389)
FTFY ;)



At least 2 will be ready to go at any one time. :D


Im crying, that is funny as hell! 🤣

My wife continues to tell me that I can never get another BMW - ever! And I keep telling her good luck with that. I honestly think I’ll keep my 05 forever and probably add a 2013 5.0i to my collection at some point... yea, I know that have their issue... but EVERY BMW I’ve ever owned, starting with my old 318 has had issues.

But damn they are fun to drive!




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c-bass 10-03-2020 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1192389)
FTFY ;)

The wife and I feel naked when below 3 BMW's in the driveway. Currently there are 5. :bustingup At least 2 will be ready to go at any one time. :D


Samesies!!!

I try to have 3 on the ready:

His, Hers and a backup so he stops taking hers :D

current driveway situation

https://i.imgur.com/xGDCjJY.jpg


Also...I bought another X5 a week after Swampy :dunno::yikes:

I'm trying to get caught up with posts here before I get going on the black one...but guess who's been taking up my time the last few days

Sometimes I seriously ask myself why I like BMWs....overengineeredgermanmoneydrainingsunofagru mblegrumble

But when they do work....ooooohhhhhh soooooooo niiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!!!!!!

c-bass 10-03-2020 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192463)
Im crying, that is funny as hell! 🤣

My wife continues to tell me that I can never get another BMW - ever! And I keep telling her good luck with that. I honestly think I’ll keep my 05 forever and probably add a 2013 5.0i to my collection at some point... yea, I know that have their issue... but EVERY BMW I’ve ever owned, starting with my old 318 has had issues.

But damn they are fun to drive
!




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LITERALLY just finished typing that :D

The wife and I both have our "habits" so neither one of us can point the finger at the other without torching ourselves. There's a certain comfort in that...

c-bass 10-03-2020 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration (Post 1192391)
Absolutely....I have five BMW's with the M54 engine, including 2 E53's.

I think an E53 almost requires a back-up E53...It sure is handy having a few around. A couple of times recently I wasn't sure of a fuse layout behind glovebox or the routing of a vent hose in the engine, so I just walked over to other X5 and had a look.

I had an M54 then I went N52 (07 X3) it didn't take long before I realized that M54 is a much better choice for me and currently own:

02 330Ci Convertible
04 325i Wagon
04 X3 3.0
04 X5 3.0
05 X5 3.0
07 X3 3.0 (N52) and now a parts car

Sometimes life gets in the way of wrenching and it sure is nice to be able to look at the "other" one and see where hoses/wiring/bolts/etc are supposed to be if a few days have gone by. I try to remember to take pictures as I go along but there's been many an occasion that the one thing I need to get a good look at isn't clearly visible :rolleyes:

c-bass 10-04-2020 02:25 PM

It took me about a week or so to clean and FULLY dry out the carpet.

I used a combination of Super Clean at 5:1 and a set of Amazon drill brushes for the bulk of the carpet cleaning and aside from one stain that is exactly under the passenger seat everything else came out.

All of the removable carpeted panels were also scrubbed clean as well as the plastic trim pieces with Super Clean at 10:1.

I normally use Lexol to deal with the leather, but these seats were filthy and the Lexol cleaner wasn't very effective so everything was scrubbed clean with Super Clean 10:1 and then followed up with Lexol leather conditioner.

Now that it's all said and done, I can't figure out what the hell I did with the progress pictures I took with the carpet out. That's why I get for trying to "organize". Maybe they'll turn up, but until they do here's some pictures of everything back together.

The lighter spots is the sunlight

https://i.imgur.com/IrYBiXn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2dHNDZN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AcSv7wl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/t1EL8eo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rbMCEHS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hNjsHeC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GiWw6LF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nMH0h9J.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/szPscX2.jpg

Happy 10-04-2020 02:28 PM

Night and day! [emoji106][emoji106]

Purplefade 10-04-2020 02:35 PM

Truly amazing difference, nice work! Now just touch those seat track bolt heads with some black paint and you’re golden [emoji16]


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c-bass 10-04-2020 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192520)
Truly amazing difference, nice work! Now just touch those seat track bolt heads with some black paint and you’re golden [emoji16]


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Now that you mention it...

I did sand all the rust on the bottom of the rails but since I had to move the seat forward to get at the bolts in the back to remove it I was only able to sand and paint a small section of the top and was supposed to clean up the rest once I had power to the seat again. Thanks for reminding me

https://i.imgur.com/6OTymHN.jpg

I used some nail polish since that's all I had on hand. It's not pretty but it won't rust

crystalworks 10-04-2020 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192519)
Night and day! [emoji106][emoji106]

x2!

Very nice work c-bass. :thumbup: This is the our first step in any used BMW purchase. A full deep cleaning. The wife usually has me pull the seats, door cards, and interior trims and take them to the living room where she goes to town on them with Tuff Stuff, Lexol cleaner, and BMW conditioner. Only had to pull carpets once, usually she shampoos them in the car.

I like your driveway. Looks VERY familiar. :bustingup

Keep bringing that one back. You're doing the Lord's work.

Purplefade 10-04-2020 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192522)
Now that you mention it...



I did sand all the rust on the bottom of the rails but since I had to move the seat forward to get at the bolts in the back to remove it I was only able to sand and paint a small section of the top and was supposed to clean up the rest once I had power to the seat again. Thanks for reminding me



https://i.imgur.com/6OTymHN.jpg



I used some nail polish since that's all I had on hand. It's not pretty but it won't rust



Too funny man! I was just bustin on you a little bit [emoji16] - X is looking amazing! I love seeing it brought back to life - not sure what exactly it is about these, but I have a real soft spot for the E63 chassis and the E70 5.0i, specifically from 2011 to 2013 with the M package... That WILL be my next X5 and I plan to overhaul it completely, bumper to bumper!

Keep up the amazing work [emoji106]. (Love those seat bolts 🤪)


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timmyc 10-04-2020 04:23 PM

Looks AMAZING! Too bad the scratches on the seats from the dog are so prominent. I'm watching to see what you come up with there so I can fix mine!

Fifty150hs 10-04-2020 08:46 PM

Wow! Amazing!

c-bass 10-04-2020 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyc (Post 1192536)
Looks AMAZING! Too bad the scratches on the seats from the dog are so prominent. I'm watching to see what you come up with there so I can fix mine!

I don't think I'll be fixing these seats because the driver's cushion has been flattened on the door side and I can get better seats for $35 at the pick and pull yard so it wouldn't even be worth it on the material at that price.

c-bass 10-04-2020 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192525)
Too funny man! I was just bustin on you a little bit [emoji16] - X is looking amazing! I love seeing it brought back to life - not sure what exactly it is about these, but I have a real soft spot for the E63 chassis and the E70 5.0i, specifically from 2011 to 2013 with the M package... That WILL be my next X5 and I plan to overhaul it completely, bumper to bumper!

Keep up the amazing work [emoji106]. (Love those seat bolts 🤪)


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I've had my eye on the E70 platform but the newer engines scare me a bit with their parts pricing and I had a bad experience with the N52 platform first time around. So I decided to get my feet wet with the E53 platform first.

Purplefade 10-04-2020 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192567)
I've had my eye on the E70 platform but the newer engines scare me a bit with their parts pricing and I had a bad experience with the N52 platform first time around. So I decided to get my feet wet with the E53 platform first.



Solid choice, not toooo pricey to work on and parts are still pretty much readily available and yes... the E70 with its overly hot engine bay concerns me a bit too, but I’m actually planning on replacing all the rubber lines with braided stainless and (probably) upgrading the turbos, down pipes and definitely the turbo blankets and cold air intakes - may even run a secondary (not BMW) high flow water pump for the intercoolers and I have a buddy of mine who’s into metal fab so we’re talking about mocking up an aluminum “ram air” if you will, to move air through the intercoolers and out of the engine bay more efficiently.

As my wife tells me, “keep dreaming” and I keep telling her, “it’s not if, it’s when” [emoji16]

Looking forward to the pics of yours backing out of the driveway on its maiden, restored to health, voyage [emoji106]


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guntherrex 10-05-2020 03:09 AM

can't believe that's the same car! Hope the mechanical bits prove reliable too!

c-bass 10-07-2020 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guntherrex (Post 1192579)
can't believe that's the same car! Hope the mechanical bits prove reliable too!

Me too!

The previous owner did mention they just drove to Florida and in March he had a stroke. So it made a Florida trip just before I got it, that's gotta count for something.

c-bass 10-07-2020 01:34 PM

I did a quick scan with ISTA the other day and found no less than 45 error codes

https://i.imgur.com/4zG2JZm.jpg

However, I'm not overly concerned because I also found this under the hood

https://i.imgur.com/TR3FjpA.jpg

This is one of my favorite things to see when a BMW isn't behaving. Yes I did say favorite. Why? Having a torn intake boot can trigger all kinds of errors and is cheap and easy to fix.

Also the inside of that intake looks like a coal miner's lungs :wow:

Found the lower part of the filter housing is cracked. Booooo!!!

https://i.imgur.com/CVtdDPy.jpg

and I found this hose partially tucked behind the front bumper cover poking out. Looks like it's coming from the washer fluid so I'm guessing headlight sprayer?

https://i.imgur.com/XZ3JGyh.jpg

Happy 10-07-2020 03:39 PM

The story of "Swamp Thing"
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192757)
Also the inside of that intake looks like a coal miner's lungs :wow:

LoL..!

Quote:

Found the lower part of the filter housing is cracked. Booooo!!!
Afe cold air intake time!

c-bass 10-08-2020 05:29 PM

some parts have started coming in

https://i.imgur.com/Lk8XCrn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kHEnqLG.jpg

Intake boot has been replaced

https://i.imgur.com/81Nn3Gc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ffT1Hi1.jpg

Cleared the codes and test drive time. I need to get a better idea what was making all the noise when I took it for a spin the day I bought it.

I'm guessing brakes or rear wheel bearing...or maybe a combination of both :rolleyes:

Happy 10-08-2020 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192832)
some parts have started coming in.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/afe-cold-ai...AAAOSwP4ldgPc5

c-bass 10-08-2020 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192837)

As nice as that filter setup is, by the time you do the exchange rate, shipping, taxes and duties It's going to be over $400 for me and there's no way I'd pay that kind of money for basically a cone air filter.

Don't get me wrong I'd throw that in Swampy in a minute if I got one for my birthday...which happens to be on March 8;)

c-bass 10-08-2020 10:22 PM

I drove around the block a couple times and noticed Swampy sounds like a vacuum cleaner under the hood and had a better look.

Fan clutch is shot and I couldn't help notice how close the fan blades are coming to the valve cover

https://i.imgur.com/0l1yd0d.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/crPrx8P.jpg

I'm thinking that maybe the water pump shaft or pulley is bent slightly?

Valve cover has a slight leak at the usual spot

https://i.imgur.com/39rrF9V.jpg

Vanos oil feed line is "sweating" a little bit

https://i.imgur.com/eVOpJ4h.jpg

My helper took a look in the back but didn't have anything to report.

https://i.imgur.com/lQXQpc1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3yFi7wJ.jpg

I'll pop the back wheels off and see what's going on back there tomorrow

Happy 10-08-2020 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192844)
As nice as that filter setup is, by the time you do the exchange rate, shipping, taxes and duties It's going to be over $400 for me and there's no way I'd pay that kind of money for basically a cone air filter.

Don't get me wrong I'd throw that in Swampy in a minute if I got one for my birthday...which happens to be on March 8;)


Whata..Bummer!

Ok, I hope you get a second hand air box, that is reliable, and cheap!

Although, those cracks peculiar as they may be, will not purpose any threat to your M54.

TriX5 10-08-2020 10:48 PM

White glove service! Great help... :-)

Purplefade 10-08-2020 11:14 PM

I have to say, on the air box, if you can’t find an inexpensive replacement, that may be “fixable”. I think I might be inclined to measure the gap between those ribs, since it primarily runs down one section, setup a little clamping jig and two part epoxy a “splint” to the outside of the box. Before I clamped it in the jig I’d use the epoxy to set the crack and then fill in any gaps with a 1 minute hardening adhesive like the instant grab products that come in a caulk tub. Light sand and a quick coat of black paint and I think that box may be back in service - obviously with a deep clean and degrease first [emoji16]. If you were concerned about integrity, you could heat abs plastic, mold it to the inside, down the side and along the bottom, and epoxy a “splint” inside too.

Just a thought if you don’t find one quick.


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wpoll 10-09-2020 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192849)
Whata..Bummer!

Ok, I hope you get a second hand air box, that is reliable, and cheap!

Although, those cracks peculiar as they may be, will not purpose any threat to your M54.

Not so peculiar when you note the left fender impact... ;)

c-bass 10-09-2020 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192855)
I have to say, on the air box, if you can’t find an inexpensive replacement, that may be “fixable”. I think I might be inclined to measure the gap between those ribs, since it primarily runs down one section, setup a little clamping jig and two part epoxy a “splint” to the outside of the box. Before I clamped it in the jig I’d use the epoxy to set the crack and then fill in any gaps with a 1 minute hardening adhesive like the instant grab products that come in a caulk tub. Light sand and a quick coat of black paint and I think that box may be back in service - obviously with a deep clean and degrease first [emoji16]. If you were concerned about integrity, you could heat abs plastic, mold it to the inside, down the side and along the bottom, and epoxy a “splint” inside too.

Just a thought if you don’t find one quick.


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Ahhh I didn't even think of using the putty :thumbup:

I'll see if I can't score an airbox from the pic n pull yard, failing that we'll get our adhesive toolkit out and see how big of a mess we can make

Happy 10-09-2020 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1192860)
Not so peculiar when you note the left fender impact... ;)


I see.. I was curious how it was damaged.

c-bass 10-09-2020 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192872)
I see.. I was curious how it was damaged.

In one of the first posts you'll notice the hood is darker grey, the inside driver's fender has evidence of some hammering and the driver's headlight has clear a clear lens so that has definitely been replaced.

There's minor things off that I'm noticing like wiring looms not being clipped into the fender holes, the hose to the headlight washer etc,.

My guess is that someone was involved in a light accident, probably their fault and took it upon themselves to fix things as cheap as possible.

If you went through the insurance and a real body shop there's no way they wouldn't paint the hood.

Happy 10-09-2020 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192845)
My helper took a look in the back but didn't have anything to report.

https://i.imgur.com/lQXQpc1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3yFi7wJ.jpg

I love your helper!

c-bass 10-10-2020 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192878)
I love your helper!

Thanks

His name is Sox and he's a 2 year old male feral cat that decided to force his way into our house when he was a kitten riddled with fleas, ticks and generally in pretty rough shape.

Now we're buds and he's always hanging out when I'm wrenching :thumbup:

c-bass 10-10-2020 08:43 PM

I did some investigating in the rear to try and find the source of the noise I've been hearing.

The brakes are worn but don't look terrible. Still some pad left and no grooves on the rotor.

https://i.imgur.com/PORsISq.jpg

Who doesn't use a vented rotor anyway??

https://i.imgur.com/VpLoTvu.jpg

The spring looks like it's been changed recently. The paint is fresh and so is the sticker.

https://i.imgur.com/yHpLbw5.jpg

This brake line however looks like it's ready to go

https://i.imgur.com/4XEfJqe.jpg

I realize now looking on the big monitor the picture sucks but think flaky like an old croissant

Also I tried to see if I could get the rear wheel to move any while I had the tire on, but either the bearing is fine or I'm not strong enough to manhandle it

Happy 10-10-2020 09:07 PM

The story of "Swamp Thing"
 
This E53 is really a Swamp Thing!

You and your helper will clean her up!

[emoji106]

c-bass 10-10-2020 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192917)
This E53 is really a Swamp Thing!

You and your helper will clean her up!

Sadly this is pretty much on par for vehicles this age that have lived on salty winter roads

Happy 10-10-2020 09:16 PM

I have seen posts here, that suggest replacing brake lines exposed to salt. Especially one in particular underneath, in the rear.

Purplefade 10-10-2020 09:18 PM

Yep, those brake lines will go at the least opportune time and leave you either stranded or praying you stop... ask me how I know... best to be proactive on those for sure [emoji106]

All in all a pretty straight forward job.

To your helper, that’s how we came upon our second dog, opened the door one morning to get an amazon package and zoom!, in she came! We searched and searched the neighborhood, put up pictures, you name it, now, three years later she’s part of the family and follows me from the family room to the garage to my office... I feel sometimes like I have a growth [emoji16]


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Happy 10-10-2020 10:38 PM

Here is a pic of mine.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c9a9e32b8d.jpg

In his mind though.. He thinks I am the helper.

Effduration 10-11-2020 05:41 AM

If you open the brake system to replace those rear hoses (rubber/steel), you might as well have a look at the steel brake lines that run under the driver's side. They are likely rotted as well. Look at CN90's brake line DIY

c-bass 10-11-2020 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1192920)
Yep, those brake lines will go at the least opportune time and leave you either stranded or praying you stop... ask me how I know... best to be proactive on those for sure [emoji106]

All in all a pretty straight forward job.

To your helper, that’s how we came upon our second dog, opened the door one morning to get an amazon package and zoom!, in she came! We searched and searched the neighborhood, put up pictures, you name it, now, three years later she’s part of the family and follows me from the family room to the garage to my office... I feel sometimes like I have a growth [emoji16]


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Happened to me one day with a Ford Excursion I used to own.

Coming off the highway exit ramp foot went to the floor, I managed to get it slowed down enough to be able to take the ramp and turn into a nearby mall parking lot.

The brake line split about a half inch and would squirt an ounce of fluid each time I stepped on the brake.

[Excessive cat information to follow below]

We have a house in the country and one spring the local feral cats had several litters of kittens at the same time so there were 12 kittens running all over the property. The Mrs found great homes for 9 of them and the ones remaining well, you can't just send them back.

We had two cats in the house at the time and weren't looking for more. One was a kitten from the year before that was left for dead by the mom because it was so sickly. Of course the Mrs. nursed it back to health and she took to the indoor life quite well. The other was an older cat she's had for years.

At the end of the day we'd try to get the two cats in the house before the freaks come out at night, and Sox used to time it so that he'd run in the house and hide hoping he wouldn't get kicked out. The Mrs. didn't want him in there because he had fleas, tics etc, etc,. but eventually he managed to evade her for a night, which he parlayed into a full time position.

So now we have a Total of 4 :dunno:

c-bass 10-11-2020 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1192925)
Here is a pic of mine.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c9a9e32b8d.jpg

In his mind though.. He thinks I am the helper.

It's ok, I regularly get manipulated by these turds :D

Cool color/striping what's his name?

Happy 10-11-2020 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192933)
It's ok, I regularly get manipulated by these turds :D

Cool color/striping what's his name?


His name is Romeo, and he is a Snow Bengal. His cognitive function is relative to a human toddler. He keeps me very busy. [emoji51]

c-bass 10-26-2020 11:57 AM

Let's get caught up with some updates, but first

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT...DON'T EVER BUY PARTS FROM PARTSAVATAR.CA

Sooooo....the last couple weeks have been very frustrating for me. I am currently being outsmarted by the "good" vehicle I bought the wife while I got Swampy on her feet and that has backfired to epic proportions. (I will be starting a new thread about those issues)

We left off with some rusty brake lines so I ordered the parts and figured a few days later I should have them. Enter partsavatar.ca

I usually get my parts from Rockauto and ever since they figured out how to deal with the border crossing extortion (read: duties, taxes, and misc fees) it's been pretty much my go to place. I thought that ordering "local" without having to deal with borders should get my parts to me faster and boy was I wrong. I don't want to get into all the details but let's just say this is one of those times I should have checked the google reviews.

Anyway horrible customer service and I'll never do business with them again. Steer clear of them.

After I ordered the brake parts I turned my attention to the fan clutch/water pump situation. Luckily I had a water pump sitting on the shelf and I found a guy online selling a new fan and clutch for $40. Sweet!

The drain on the rad was being stubborn but finally cooperated and much like the last 3 BMWs I've had to do this on the coolant was nasty and green.

https://i.imgur.com/mwBrKrp.jpg

Every time I have to remove a fan clutch it's always a pain in the ass for me so I was sort of ready for that, however while trying to get it off my cheapo Amazon fan clutch wrench stretched out and would just spin around the nut :rolleyes:

Prime shipping got a new tool to me the next day and I spent a couple days off and on trying to get the fan off, but failed.

so it's time for the 50's kid super secret option 3, doing it the long way.

Move the fan shroud over and try to remove the fan blades first

https://i.imgur.com/QoPyz1C.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EoRA2Qn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/R7KrPOn.jpg

Success!

Next up is to remove the bolts from the water pump pulley. I happened to notice that one of the bolts wasn't even in all the way and the rest were just a little bit above finger tight. :dunno:

https://i.imgur.com/yUWlPOJ.jpg

Next up is to undo the water pump bolts and get the pump out. The pump didn't want to come out but a few wacks with a 2x4 changed it's mind.

https://i.imgur.com/xuaYOhy.jpg

The bearing on the pump feels really good, but the o-ring was shot and looks like it was possibly slightly leaking already.

https://i.imgur.com/V5Y60lh.jpg

For the replacement I went with a Saleri brand and metal impeller

https://i.imgur.com/ZIQBUD3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iNLjw0w.jpg

New water pump is installed

https://i.imgur.com/LGlcWuB.jpg

So after I got the new pump installed I realized my old water pump pulley is being held captive by the seized fan clutch. :banghead:

I also completely neglected to acknowledge that I should probably replace the idler and tensioner pulley. Which of course sound like skateboard wheels :rolleyes:

Guess I'll be ordering some more parts and waiting...but hey, at least the water pump is in and I didn't make things worse. I'll take that as a victory for now.

crystalworks 10-26-2020 12:03 PM

Nice work. M54 cooling systems are always "fun."

That looks like a composite impeller on that new Saleri water pump though. Not that its a problem. All the metal impeller ones I've seen were bright silver metal.

c-bass 10-26-2020 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1193769)
Nice work. M54 cooling systems are always "fun."

That looks like a composite impeller on that new Saleri water pump though. Not that its a problem. All the metal impeller ones I've seen were bright silver metal.

I know what you mean, I've only seen the shiny metal impellers myself and I don't know for sure, but it sounds metal-y when I tapped on it.

Maybe it's some metal "composite" :dunno: but it definitely feels and sounds different than the plastic that came out of there.

Happy 10-26-2020 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1193769)
Nice work. M54 cooling systems are always "fun."

That looks like a composite impeller on that new Saleri water pump though. Not that its a problem. All the metal impeller ones I've seen were bright silver metal.


My metal water pump impeller is as Crystal described.

C’mon Swampy! Go with the flow! LoL...

c-bass 10-26-2020 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1193772)
My metal water pump impeller is as Crystal described.

C’mon Swampy! Go with the flow! LoL...

That's not the way things go for "us" :D

But either way I'm not really worried about it.

I think the "composites" nowadays seem to be more durable than they were 20 years ago. New technology sometimes takes a few years to mature, and other times it takes a few years to realize we've made a horrible mistake. lol

c-bass 10-28-2020 12:21 PM

Since my water pump pulley is currently being held captive I was thinking that I might as well get myself a new water pump pulley and noticed there's an aluminum option.

Naturally the aluminum option isn't available local so that means a next week parts delivery.

A - Go with a new composite pulley
B - Get the aluminum pulley
C - Use the old one

What say you?

EODguy 10-28-2020 12:24 PM

Of you're going to drive her hard aluminum is the way to go IMO.[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

Fifty150hs 10-28-2020 04:08 PM

Agree with EOD. If you're not, plastic is fine. I've got 256,000 miles on my plastic one and it is still in good condition. Of course, now I've probably jinxed myself.

c-bass 10-30-2020 01:49 PM

The URO water pump was on sale on Amazon so I picked one of those up. It was $7 more than the plastic aftermarket and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

c-bass 10-30-2020 02:06 PM

The rest of my brake parts order finally came in so I'll get started on the driver's side while we wait for the coolant parts.

https://i.imgur.com/cI33qAx.jpg

We got some new front brake hoses as wel as the rear Left and Right brake hoses.

I bought a set of Centric semi-metallic rear pads but unfortunately the front pads have been out of stock for weeks so I settled on a front set of Raybestos. I normally like to keep my front and rear pads the same brand, but that's just OCD talking. I'm sure I'll manage.

https://i.imgur.com/pzBGVBM.jpg

I was pleasantly surprised to find the e-brake pads and hardware in much better condition than I'm used to dealing with, so a little bit of wire brush action around the hub and we're ready to reassemble.

https://i.imgur.com/QuyIWHd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LxUvV1n.jpg

The caliper bracket was looking like it's been at the bottom of the ocean so I cleaned it up with one of those 3m discs and a wire brush.

https://i.imgur.com/lvnFazG.jpg

In case anyone forgot, here's a little before and after of the caliper "restoration"

https://i.imgur.com/VpLoTvu.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZWm52k7.jpg

MUCH better looking.

Slider pins have been cleaned and lubed. The new pads are in with a healthy amount of brake grease everywhere necessary and we're reassembled.

https://i.imgur.com/dhvfzA7.jpg

bmw540san 10-31-2020 09:21 AM

Damn, "bottom of the ocean" is understatement.
Great work!

Purplefade 10-31-2020 10:11 AM

Now that you have them cleaned up, you should grab some severe duty primer and some POR-15, color of your choice, and paint them with a few coats. Goes a looong way in future rust prevention. - And looks good too - [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Purplecty 10-31-2020 11:09 AM

Some good content here! Subscribed!

TriX5 11-01-2020 12:47 PM

I said brave at the beginning and still feel that way, but you have shown a lot of patience, persistence and wherewithal in cleaning it up. Great job. Second on putting some paint on the calipers now that you came this far. :-) Congrats!

c-bass 11-02-2020 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194009)
Now that you have them cleaned up, you should grab some severe duty primer and some POR-15, color of your choice, and paint them with a few coats. Goes a looong way in future rust prevention. - And looks good too - [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

You know...I've just never really been happy with the results

Over the years I've tried all types of paint and techniques. Primer, no primer, duplicolor caliper paint, regular spray paint, high temp, POR15 etc, etc, and I've just never had anything last longer than a year before it started to show rust again.

I've tried with new brake calipers, cleaned them THOROUGHLY, primed and painted with days to cure and with old stuff and I seem to get the same results. :dunno:

I don't know if it's driving in the salt, the heat cycling of the calipers or if I suck at painting brakes, but at this point I consider it a waste of time and money for any daily driver I own.

Maybe if I had M calipers or something cool to look at but factory calipers on a 3.0 are not real head turners :D

c-bass 11-02-2020 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriX5 (Post 1194047)
I said brave at the beginning and still feel that way, but you have shown a lot of patience, persistence and wherewithal in cleaning it up. Great job. Second on putting some paint on the calipers now that you came this far. :-) Congrats!

I appreciate the kind words but if you don't believe me you can ask the wife...patience is not a word that applies to me

The whole cleanup didn't take more than 10 minutes and it involved some brute force, hammering and the right tool that did most of the work.

Maybe if there's any interest I'll do a quick video of the process for the other side and you'll see how QUICK and easy it is.

Purplefade 11-02-2020 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194118)
You know...I've just never really been happy with the results

Over the years I've tried all types of paint and techniques. Primer, no primer, duplicolor caliper paint, regular spray paint, high temp, POR15 etc, etc, and I've just never had anything last longer than a year before it started to show rust again.

I've tried with new brake calipers, cleaned them THOROUGHLY, primed and painted with days to cure and with old stuff and I seem to get the same results. :dunno:

I don't know if it's driving in the salt, the heat cycling of the calipers or if I suck at painting brakes, but at this point I consider it a waste of time and money for any daily driver I own.

Maybe if I had M calipers or something cool to look at but factory calipers on a 3.0 are not real head turners :D


I would say that I've always had pretty good luck with mine, but to your point, I probably only put about 6000 miles a year or so on mine... Though I do drive it year round, rain, sleet, snow, salt and sun, I usually do 3 coats of primer followed by 3 coats of paint and a high temp sealer and always, always wash the calipers and wheels specifically when I give her a bath. I usually re-coat mine every 3 years, which sounds about right, I've owned her for 9 years and they've been a few different colors now :bustingup My wife just told me she liked the new blue the best, must mean something as she's never said a word about them in the past...


That said, as you say, keep them clean and serviced regularly and it really doesn't matter :thumbup:


Nice work on swampy by the way - I am still highly jealous... if I ever retire my E53 for my E70, I will DEFINITELY do the FMU kit on the E53!

c-bass 11-02-2020 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194120)
I would say that I've always had pretty good luck with mine, but to your point, I probably only put about 6000 miles a year or so on mine... Though I do drive it year round, rain, sleet, snow, salt and sun, I usually do 3 coats of primer followed by 3 coats of paint and a high temp sealer and always, always wash the calipers and wheels specifically when I give her a bath. I usually re-coat mine every 3 years, which sounds about right, I've owned her for 9 years and they've been a few different colors now :bustingup My wife just told me she liked the new blue the best, must mean something as she's never said a word about them in the past...


That said, as you say, keep them clean and serviced regularly and it really doesn't matter :thumbup:


Nice work on swampy by the way - I am still highly jealous... if I ever retire my E53 for my E70, I will DEFINITELY do the FMU kit on the E53!

What kind of paint are you using? is it a caliper paint kit?

Purplefade 11-02-2020 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194121)
What kind of paint are you using? is it a caliper paint kit?


I use 3 coats of Rust Bullet primer:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I do 1 coat, wait 20 minutes and apply coat 2, then I wait about 40/45 minutes and do coat 3.


Let that sit for 24 hours and then use POR-15 caliper paint to paint them out.


For the POR-15 I do the initial coat, wait about 30 minutes and apply coat 2, then I let them dry completely (about 4 hours) and do coat 3.


Let them sit for 24 hours and then I use VHT spray on sealer as my final coat - I'm usually lazy by this point and only do 1 "heavy" coat of the clear coat.


Let it dry overnight and bolt everything back on the next morning.

c-bass 11-02-2020 05:47 PM

New parts have arrived!

We got an INA idler pulley and tensioner pulley, the URO aluminum water pump pulley and a new drive belt that I had in inventory.

https://i.imgur.com/XykLmsW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FssmF58.jpg

"Lifetime" warranty on the URO water pump pulley was nice

https://i.imgur.com/FN4la1a.jpg

But the quality of the finishing was NOT nice at all

https://i.imgur.com/6GXNvWt.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WpKoBi8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/miODnhT.jpg

I thought about returning the pulley but wasn't sure if I was going to trade up or down so I guess it's getting installed

Interesting side note. The INA bearings were made in Slovakia which was also the case with my Continental branded pulleys I replaced in my e46 waqon. The INA pulleys are $16 on rockauto Continental is $45. Only difference I could see was the name on the packaging :rolleyes:

https://i.imgur.com/eIqUhTY.jpg

The new parts are Sox approved :thumbup:

https://i.imgur.com/27P3SNo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KsMnfAQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/x6dZIUR.jpg

I installed the water pump pulley with a little bit of blue loctite since I found a couple of the bolts were loose and you're not supposed to crank them on there.

Matter of fact...I think I use blue loctite on pretty much everything

https://i.imgur.com/0egSsNj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MHAPYSP.jpg

That continental drive belt has a more aggressive looking thread pattern than most off road tires :D

Purplecty 11-02-2020 06:01 PM

I only buy parts from fcp euro which includes lifetime warranty on all parts. I am not a fan of uro parts from all of the quality issues I have read about....

c-bass 11-02-2020 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplecty (Post 1194127)
I only buy parts from fcp euro which includes lifetime warranty on all parts. I am not a fan of uro parts from all of the quality issues I have read about....

Yeah I have read many quality issues with URO parts, however an aluminum pulley is a pretty safe bet I would say.

fcp euro is great...if you live in the US

The minute you have to ship things across the border there's places locally that I can find things cheaper. No they won't have a lifetime warranty but I'm used to getting shafted living in Canada.

And just in case someone is thinking it...the "free" healthcare is something that looks good on paper but in practice is not really working as it should and hasn't for a long time. I want my free shipping!! :D

Fifty150hs 11-03-2020 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194119)
I appreciate the kind words but if you don't believe me you can ask the wife...patience is not a word that applies to me

The whole cleanup didn't take more than 10 minutes and it involved some brute force, hammering and the right tool that did most of the work.

Maybe if there's any interest I'll do a quick video of the process for the other side and you'll see how QUICK and easy it is.

I think I know how you did it. It's how I did mine. Wire wheel in a die grinder.

I'm with you on the painting. Used the Duplicolor caliper paint and it sucks. Doesn't hold up worth a damn. Chips and scratches very easily. Going to give G2 a shot next time since it's a two part. Hopefully it will hold up better.

c-bass 11-03-2020 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs (Post 1194194)
I think I know how you did it. It's how I did mine. Wire wheel in a die grinder.

I'm with you on the painting. Used the Duplicolor caliper paint and it sucks. Doesn't hold up worth a damn. Chips and scratches very easily. Going to give G2 a shot next time since it's a two part. Hopefully it will hold up better.

I first used a combination of a small hammer and large screwdriver. Bang bang chisel chisel will knock most of the loose stuff off.

The secret weapon, which I believe Purplecty mentioned earlier in the thread, is the 3M Rust and Paint removal disc. It is made of this black webbing type material that makes a wire brush look like a wet paper towel

This is it here

https://i.imgur.com/w8zU4Sr.jpg

I found the purple one lasts considerably longer than the black material.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Pro-G...1-PG/202940537

Those discs are a little bit flexible so you can push them into contours and such.

Also, you don't need to worry about metal wires flying off which is the reason I'm a strong supporter of wearing eye protection. :wow:

Whatever I couldn't get with the 3m disc I finished off with wire brushes but that was a small portion.

I like to keep a few of the half way worn down discs since the diameter is smaller I can wedge it in even more spots

Fifty150hs 11-03-2020 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194204)
I first used a combination of a small hammer and large screwdriver. Bang bang chisel chisel will knock most of the loose stuff off.

The secret weapon, which I believe Purplecty mentioned earlier in the thread, is the 3M Rust and Paint removal disc. It is made of this black webbing type material that makes a wire brush look like a wet paper towel

This is it here

https://i.imgur.com/w8zU4Sr.jpg

I found the purple one lasts considerably longer than the black material.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Pro-G...1-PG/202940537

Those discs are a little bit flexible so you can push them into contours and such.

Also, you don't need to worry about metal wires flying off which is the reason I'm a strong supporter of wearing eye protection. :wow:

Whatever I couldn't get with the 3m disc I finished off with wire brushes but that was a small portion.

I like to keep a few of the half way worn down discs since the diameter is smaller I can wedge it in even more spots

I'll have to give those a try. I have another set of calipers I'm going to rebuild and try the G2 paint.

crystalworks 11-04-2020 12:31 AM

I've had good results with VHT ceramic paint. 4+ years on one vehicle (so far) and 3 years on another (so far). The paint holds up well. I wash it every car wash and have touched up one or two chips with a small brush since originally painting them in March '16.

I've heard good things about G2 as well, but no personal experience with it.

https://i370.photobucket.com/albums/...rakes%2007.jpg

https://i370.photobucket.com/albums/...rakes%2013.jpg

timmyc 11-04-2020 10:07 AM

For you fellas that have to deal with rust and want to take it off easily, you can use phosphoric acid. It is used as a metal prep before you paint and takes the hard work out of removing the rust from components. Local hardware stores should carry it.

I'm looking at you, C-bass. Those pulleys in your engine bay look like they would eat belts in a hurry!

c-bass 11-07-2020 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyc (Post 1194231)
For you fellas that have to deal with rust and want to take it off easily, you can use phosphoric acid. It is used as a metal prep before you paint and takes the hard work out of removing the rust from components. Local hardware stores should carry it.

I'm looking at you, C-bass. Those pulleys in your engine bay look like they would eat belts in a hurry!

I've used phosphoric, oxalic, sulphuric/muriatic and for the most part I find it a pain in the ass to deal with and it takes long.

This isn't a complete restoration project and I'm more so looking to clean things up a little bit. Like I said 10 minutes worth of work to clean them up to more than satisfactory for me.

I'm going for the "patina" finish :D

Also, I'm not sure what you're seeing with my belt eating pulleys but aside from the usual surface rust on the face (yes the alternator one looks extra coral-y) the actual belt contact area of the pulley is nice and smooth :dunno: Am I missing something?

c-bass 11-07-2020 08:24 PM

I had a quick pop in to the pic n save yard looking for a couple parts. I needed a window regulator and was trying to hunt down an air box that isn't cracked.

It's VERY rare to see convertibles

https://i.imgur.com/UGMsXBu.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nHX6ek1.jpg

Not sure what they were after here...but I'm guessing they go it

https://i.imgur.com/KZtpaVf.jpg

Here's our window regulator donor

https://i.imgur.com/7OARGzf.jpg

I found an X5 with the factory subwoofer and was planning on scooping it up but they wanted $40 for it and I didn't feel it was worth that kind of money. That will probably prove to me a mistake later on, but at the time I wasn't that interested.

https://i.imgur.com/NmzTADI.jpg


The BIG score, and totally unexpected..

https://i.imgur.com/Y9WDwOV.jpg

Full set of factory winter mats!! WOOOT!! WOOOT!!! Just what swampy needs after all that carpet cleaning. SCORE!!!

I ended up with a window regulator (which happened to be recently replaced so it was much newer than 2006) The floor mats, a cam position sensor and a couple pieces of interior trim for $63.

https://i.imgur.com/avzJ0u2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/S5WjsWL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UzQelO6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YlKu2r7.jpg

Who would have though that floor mats would make me so happy

Purplefade 11-07-2020 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194380)
Full set of factory winter mats!! WOOOT!! WOOOT!!! Just what swampy needs after all that carpet cleaning. SCORE!!!

Who would have though that floor mats would make me so happy


Brother that thing is looking amazing! Super nice job on getting the bits and pieces all back together!

And... it’s always the little, unexpected things that being is the most joy [emoji38]. Nice find on those mats!




Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

c-bass 11-08-2020 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194385)
Brother that thing is looking amazing! Super nice job on getting the bits and pieces all back together!

And... it’s always the little, unexpected things that being is the most joy [emoji38]. Nice find on those mats!




Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Little unexpected things you say??


:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire
:pullhair::pullhair::pullhair::pullhair:


https://i.imgur.com/U1n3n9z.jpg


:wow::wow::wow::wow:


https://i.imgur.com/sOtFhys.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/BHDQN2M.jpg


:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:
:strut::strut::strut::strut:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

c-bass 11-08-2020 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1194219)
I've had good results with VHT ceramic paint. 4+ years on one vehicle (so far) and 3 years on another (so far). The paint holds up well. I wash it every car wash and have touched up one or two chips with a small brush since originally painting them in March '16.

I've heard good things about G2 as well, but no personal experience with it.

https://i370.photobucket.com/albums/...rakes%2007.jpg

https://i370.photobucket.com/albums/...rakes%2013.jpg

Those came out sweeeet!!

If I was to give painting calipers another try I would probably like to start off with something new if not in MUCH better condition than what I have to work with.

Maybe I can just clear coat them and go for the "rat rod" look?

Purplefade 11-08-2020 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194411)
Little unexpected things you say??





:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

:pullhair::pullhair::pullhair::pullhair:





https://i.imgur.com/U1n3n9z.jpg





:wow::wow::wow::wow:





https://i.imgur.com/sOtFhys.jpg





https://i.imgur.com/BHDQN2M.jpg





:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

:strut::strut::strut::strut:

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:



Oh man! You had to buy lock grommets too... I broke one of mine, or it was broken, when I did my passenger door carrier. Looked them up on FCP and found those little suckers for $21 a piece!!! What!!!$21 bucks! Ended up finding them for $4 on an old Bav Auto link, FCP didn’t match them... but they did end up coming down to $10 a piece, which still blew my mind for that tiny little piece of plastic [emoji50]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

c-bass 11-08-2020 02:01 PM

I found a guy on Kijiji selling a new fan clutch and fan, and seeing that a used fan clutch (if you can find one) at the pic n pull yard is $23 let's see what $40 gets me. :popcorn:

The fan clutch is a "Topaz" brand which as per usual has reviews ranging from works 100% OEM to this fan clutch burned my car down.


https://i.imgur.com/NHxiZHb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/v2CvIQ7.jpg


Fan is the ever popular for all the wrong reasons URO brand.


https://i.imgur.com/5HHYDYN.jpg


Looks like the fan definitely made some contact with the shroud but the OEM fan blades weren't damaged or were replaced.


https://i.imgur.com/Mzp76L6.jpg


I was having a hard time holding the fan shroud and trying to screw the fan clutch of and couldn't quite figure it out for a minute....

Oh....right....


https://i.imgur.com/B71smIx.jpg


OEM


https://i.imgur.com/PxoXxwm.jpg


URO


https://i.imgur.com/ZgNC1TY.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/M9tGodE.jpg


So I'm hoping this fan is NOT for the 3.0 M54 and maybe the 8s?? Who knows? I did a quick google and couldn't find anything to do with the number on the URO fan and I lost interest since it won't fit anway.


So back to the OEM fan we go


https://i.imgur.com/naH2rmW.jpg


Also since I kept looking at it I decided to give the alternator a quick clean


https://i.imgur.com/iWkzMuA.jpg


Better :thumbup:


https://i.imgur.com/O81GrBi.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/2a7QtC9.jpg

c-bass 11-08-2020 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194416)
Oh man! You had to buy lock grommets too... I broke one of mine, or it was broken, when I did my passenger door carrier. Looked them up on FCP and found those little suckers for $21 a piece!!! What!!!$21 bucks! Ended up finding them for $4 on an old Bav Auto link, FCP didn’t match them... but they did end up coming down to $10 a piece, which still blew my mind for that tiny little piece of plastic [emoji50]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

HOW MUCH?!?!?!?

I took it off the door I poached the window regulator from.

I guess I'll be pulling them off every door I see from here on in :D

crystalworks 11-08-2020 02:15 PM

Great work here Cbass. Love resto, to daily status, builds. Especially with how nice budget restos can turnout. Hah, even more gratifying when starting with a complete turd.

I once bought an 87 e30 325 out of a field. Brought it back from the dead and it became my wife's daily for 2 years. Bought it for $800, sold for $5000. Enjoyed it for 7 years I think. Now, I did spend $2000 on a fairly decent paint job so I probably had a total of around $5000 in the car. That math works out as far as I'm concerned.

c-bass 11-09-2020 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1194419)
Great work here Cbass. Love resto, to daily status, builds. Especially with how nice budget restos can turnout. Hah, even more gratifying when starting with a complete turd.

I once bought an 87 e30 325 out of a field. Brought it back from the dead and it became my wife's daily for 2 years. Bought it for $800, sold for $5000. Enjoyed it for 7 years I think. Now, I did spend $2000 on a fairly decent paint job so I probably had a total of around $5000 in the car. That math works out as far as I'm concerned.

Not that long ago I had a pretty fancy newer vehicle that seemed to break down more than I would have liked for something 4 years old.

The break down items were usually starting from $800 and up and eventually it needed a transmission which would set me back a few grand.

Life at that time was a cruel bitch and read straight out of your grandfather's playbook: "I would get up at a 5am to walk 3km uphill in the snow etc etc"

Worst part was the truck as a non runner was worth about 7k and I owed 14 on it so I had to do the walk of shame for months before I got enough money to fix the transmission and sell the thing.

Point of the story is that I will NEVER allow myself to be held hostage via finances for a car.

If any one of my current fleet acts too much out of line I feel no way about pulling the plates off and parting them out. I think the fleet knows this and for the most part behaves...except for Black Bastard, but he's new and doesn't know what could possibly await.

Now math works out in my favor a lot more when I'm buying beaters :D

crystalworks 11-09-2020 12:09 PM

^I hear that c-bass. We've bought 3 brand new cars and that was enough to learn that lesson. $500+ car payments are for the birds and at times felt like anchors. Plus if you get tired of them, you can't sell/trade, at least not for the first 2 years because you're almost always upside down. That's life though right? You learn as you go.

Keep up the good work. Enjoying watching it progress.

c-bass 11-09-2020 12:34 PM

I decided I might as well swap the expansion tank for one I recently bought as the status of the one in Swampy is unknown.

https://i.imgur.com/maS9epX.jpg


"German" parts aren't what they used to be :rolleyes:


https://i.imgur.com/cWiCuEG.jpg


I was thinking of replacing the transmission thermostat at the bottom of the expansion tank and wanted to poach the one I recently replaced from the parts e83. Well I ended up destroying it trying to remove it but I had a brand new one in inventory.

However since I managed to pull off the expansion tank WITHOUT breaking the one in Swampy I decided to leave it in there and just replace the tank.


https://i.imgur.com/pddsnjF.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/DDbF921.jpg


I got the fan/clutch back together and the blades have the proper clearence from the motor now.


https://i.imgur.com/M2bdIpb.jpg


I did notice that one side of the radiator is missing the rubber screw thingy that holds it in place. I should have one around somewhere, now all I have to do is find it.

https://i.imgur.com/nQKOiBq.jpg


After replacing the expansion tank I was going through making sure everything is buttoned up and tight and I couldn't find the wiring for the low coolant warning sensor.

No trace of it. It doesn't look like anything has been cut off from any wiring harnesses and I didn't notice anything tucked away anywhere.

No light on the dash either :dunno:

Stupid question...does the X5 not have that connector?? I don't see it


https://i.imgur.com/Vs1cxeZ.jpg

Happy 11-09-2020 12:59 PM

The story of "Swamp Thing"
 
Keep a close eye on Chinese made expansion tanks. Don’t let the Behr name fool you.

EODguy 11-09-2020 01:03 PM

Did you replace the o-rings on the transmission cooler? They cost $1.29 each but the headache of removing everything later seems a lot higher... I recommend you get an extra set because it's easy to mash the little flanges on install due to wobbling them in (don't ask[emoji28])

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

c-bass 11-09-2020 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1194462)
Keep a close eye on Chinese made expansion tanks. Don’t let the Behr name fool you.

Oh I'm not fooled at all

This is also why many times I buy the Chinese made things right out of the starting gate and cut the middleman out. I don't need the premium sticker on the same turd I can get for 1/3 of the price.

c-bass 11-09-2020 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EODguy (Post 1194463)
Did you replace the o-rings on the transmission cooler? They cost $1.29 each but the headache of removing everything later seems a lot higher... I recommend you get an extra set because it's easy to mash the little flanges on install due to wobbling them in (don't ask[emoji28])

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

I didn't remove the transmission cooler and those o-rings are I think $6-7 a piece last time I checked a couple years ago.

I tried to order them from the an aftermarket o-ring supplier but finding the exact size and material was difficult and required placing an order of 1000.

wpoll 11-09-2020 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194460)
...

After replacing the expansion tank I was going through making sure everything is buttoned up and tight and I couldn't find the wiring for the low coolant warning sensor.

No trace of it. It doesn't look like anything has been cut off from any wiring harnesses and I didn't notice anything tucked away anywhere.

No light on the dash either :dunno:

Stupid question...does the X5 not have that connector?? I don't see it

...

I think it depends on the cluster. Low cluster has no low coolant warning, only the high cluster. What cluster has yours got?

oldskewel 11-09-2020 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1194469)
I think it depends on the cluster. Low cluster has no low coolant warning, only the high cluster. What cluster has yours got?

That fits with my understanding too. :thumbup:

My 2001 3.0i with high cluster does have the wiring and connector, and will give a text warning message on the cluster.

I believe the low cluster cars do not even have the wiring and connector. Definitely not a light or text warning message.

Digging deeper into my memory, and not so sure about ...
So with some cars not having a way to connect to the level sensor in the expansion tank, they could (and I think originally did, at least) sell two different types of tanks - those with sensors and those without. Then it got complicated - some Chinese tanks having the sensor but wired wrong, some with no sensor when they should have one, etc. I never got burned by this (have a BMW tank), but read about it.

So if your car did not come with a high cluster, you won't have a connector, and don't need to worry about a wrong tank. If you do have a high cluster, be on alert for getting a sensorless tank.

For at least as much as you ever wanted to know about the coolant level sensor:
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...l-message.html

post #16 there reveals the answer to the mystery.

c-bass 11-11-2020 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1194469)
I think it depends on the cluster. Low cluster has no low coolant warning, only the high cluster. What cluster has yours got?

Seems I have the low cluster and not supposed to have the low coolant warning. :dunno:

Not having a low coolant warning on these BMW cooling systems makes about as much sense as their cup holder design

So how would one know if your coolant is low? I have to check it live a savage??

c-bass 11-11-2020 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldskewel (Post 1194472)
That fits with my understanding too. :thumbup:

My 2001 3.0i with high cluster does have the wiring and connector, and will give a text warning message on the cluster.

I believe the low cluster cars do not even have the wiring and connector. Definitely not a light or text warning message.

Digging deeper into my memory, and not so sure about ...
So with some cars not having a way to connect to the level sensor in the expansion tank, they could (and I think originally did, at least) sell two different types of tanks - those with sensors and those without. Then it got complicated - some Chinese tanks having the sensor but wired wrong, some with no sensor when they should have one, etc. I never got burned by this (have a BMW tank), but read about it.

So if your car did not come with a high cluster, you won't have a connector, and don't need to worry about a wrong tank. If you do have a high cluster, be on alert for getting a sensorless tank.

For at least as much as you ever wanted to know about the coolant level sensor:
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...l-message.html

post #16 there reveals the answer to the mystery.

I guess for the time being I won't worry about the consequences of having no warning light and a plastic cooling system :confused:

Curiosity is killing me as to why the sensor was done away with after years of the design being around already. Oooohhh the mysteries of life

c-bass 11-11-2020 01:49 PM

Since I've been spending time in, around and under the engine bay I had enough the dirt, grime and oil on everything that I touched and I've also wanted to try out the scrubbing bubbles vs my usual routine.

Let's get to it


https://i.imgur.com/ITcA7ga.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/483NnUH.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/dkJLdtK.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/MFLqfD3.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/z5fRlCk.jpg


I'm going to try the knock off scrubbing bubbles from the Dollar Tree


https://i.imgur.com/luMrEVw.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/QHhCdGj.jpg


I let it sit for 10 minutes and rinsed it thoroughly with a hose


https://i.imgur.com/XkzYU6B.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/3rIl3K7.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/K3xuKcE.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/akLCTGs.jpg


Meh, I wasn't impressed at all with the results. There was still a noticeable layer of film and grease after rinsing.


My usual routine is Super Clean at 4:1 or 2:1 depending on how heavy the grime is. Since I already had some 4:1 mixed up I sprayed everything down again, let it sit for a couple minutes and then lightly went over a couple areas with my large detailing brush.


https://i.imgur.com/eUpoyWH.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/bI2Cp4O.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/fwIqbv2.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ZZXnrxS.jpg


MUCH better. No film at all and even the hard to reach areas that I didn't feel like sticking my arm into (like in and around the DISA and throttle body) come out very respectable with a couple rounds of Super Clean from a spray bottle.


So either the actual Scrubbing Bubbles is a much better product than the Dollar Tree stuff I used or it's more for light duty and maintenance cleaning as opposed to dealing with a really grimy engine bay :dunno:

Anyway, I top it all off with my secret sauce to get rid of the chalkboard finish that Super Clean leaves on the rubber and plastic.


https://i.imgur.com/B5m057A.jpg


Decent results for 20 min of work :thumbup:

Happy 11-11-2020 04:00 PM

Swampy..? Is that yooou..?

Fifty150hs 11-11-2020 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194554)
Since I've been spending time in, around and under the engine bay I had enough the dirt, grime and oil on everything that I touched and I've also wanted to try out the scrubbing bubbles vs my usual routine.

Let's get to it


https://i.imgur.com/ITcA7ga.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/483NnUH.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/dkJLdtK.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/MFLqfD3.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/z5fRlCk.jpg


I'm going to try the knock off scrubbing bubbles from the Dollar Tree


https://i.imgur.com/luMrEVw.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/QHhCdGj.jpg


I let it sit for 10 minutes and rinsed it thoroughly with a hose


https://i.imgur.com/XkzYU6B.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/3rIl3K7.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/K3xuKcE.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/akLCTGs.jpg


Meh, I wasn't impressed at all with the results. There was still a noticeable layer of film and grease after rinsing.


My usual routine is Super Clean at 4:1 or 2:1 depending on how heavy the grime is. Since I already had some 4:1 mixed up I sprayed everything down again, let it sit for a couple minutes and then lightly went over a couple areas with my large detailing brush.


https://i.imgur.com/eUpoyWH.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/bI2Cp4O.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/fwIqbv2.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ZZXnrxS.jpg


MUCH better. No film at all and even the hard to reach areas that I didn't feel like sticking my arm into (like in and around the DISA and throttle body) come out very respectable with a couple rounds of Super Clean from a spray bottle.


So either the actual Scrubbing Bubbles is a much better product than the Dollar Tree stuff I used or it's more for light duty and maintenance cleaning as opposed to dealing with a really grimy engine bay :dunno:

Anyway, I top it all off with my secret sauce to get rid of the chalkboard finish that Super Clean leaves on the rubber and plastic.


https://i.imgur.com/B5m057A.jpg


Decent results for 20 min of work :thumbup:

The scrubbing bubbles are good for maintenance cleaning, not heavy cleaning as you discovered. After cleaning with scrubbing bubbles I go over everything with 303 protectant. It makes it look nice and it seems easier to clean the next time.

c-bass 11-13-2020 01:07 PM

So last week I blew my back out trying...TRYING to tear a piece of cardboard so I wouldn't get brake fluid all over the place.

While I was laying around waiting for my spinal cord to fuse back together, I managed to do several cycles of the cooling system flush with distilled water. If I'm going to be as useful as a wet towel, might as well be lying under the car pretending I'm still a capable man.

I think this last drain and flush cycle might be the last one before a final fill with coolant, she's looking pretty clear.


https://i.imgur.com/CjZLiZp.jpg


I'm about 5 gallons into the flush.

c-bass 11-13-2020 01:19 PM

Since math isn't my forte we'll talk this filling it back with coolant thing out loud together.

From my understanding the stock cooling system capacity on the e53 3.0 is just shy of 8L correct?

So if the capacity is 8L and I drain 4L I would need to add 4L of concentrated coolant and the mix would be approximately 50/50 and the difference I would top up with mixed coolant, right?

However, the average draining I'm getting about 3 liters coming out. So if the capacity is 8L, and I drain out 3 liters of coolant that leaves us with 5L of distilled water in the cooling system. uhhhhh help??

Should I just force 4L out and make my life easier?

Last time I did this was a couple years ago and it seems I forgot how it is supposed to go.

Purplefade 11-13-2020 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194689)
Since math isn't my forte we'll talk this filling it back with coolant thing out loud together.

From my understanding the stock cooling system capacity on the e53 3.0 is just shy of 8L correct?

So if the capacity is 8L and I drain 4L I would need to add 4L of concentrated coolant and the mix would be approximately 50/50 and the difference I would top up with mixed coolant, right?

However, the average draining I'm getting about 3 liters coming out. So if the capacity is 8L, and I drain out 3 liters of coolant that leaves us with 5L of distilled water in the cooling system. uhhhhh help??

Should I just force 4L out and make my life easier?

Last time I did this was a couple years ago and it seems I forgot how it is supposed to go.




Well, if you figure there are still 5L in there, even dumping 3L of concentrate won't get you to 50/50 so in order to get to 50/50, you will have to get 1 additional liter out of there somehow, my suggestion, pop the lower hose just loose and wiggle it around to drain that additional liter so that you can dump 4L of concentrate in for your final 50/50 mixture. Assuming she holds 8L of course.

c-bass 11-13-2020 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194693)
Well, if you figure there are still 5L in there, even dumping 3L of concentrate won't get you to 50/50 so in order to get to 50/50, you will have to get 1 additional liter out of there somehow, my suggestion, pop the lower hose just loose and wiggle it around to drain that additional liter so that you can dump 4L of concentrate in for your final 50/50 mixture. Assuming she holds 8L of course.

It holds 7.something liters. Less than 8 so I'll make sure to force out 4L of water

Purplefade 11-13-2020 07:43 PM

In all honesty, unless your OCD would keep you from sleeping at night, you’re probably ok to pour in 3L of concentrate and call it good, you’d be like 56/44. And distilled water shouldn’t be corrosive.. That said, if it’s a real stresser, run her for a minute to circulate and drain a half liter and pop in another half liter of concentrate [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

c-bass 11-14-2020 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194730)
In all honesty, unless your OCD would keep you from sleeping at night, you’re probably ok to pour in 3L of concentrate and call it good, you’d be like 56/44. And distilled water shouldn’t be corrosive.. That said, if it’s a real stresser, run her for a minute to circulate and drain a half liter and pop in another half liter of concentrate [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Judging by the sadness that poured out you're totally right. Swampy hasn't seen a proper coolant mixture best case scenario in years.

I'll try to get the 4L out because why not right? I pulled a car out of a swamp and now the carpets are clean but I won't go to the effort here??

c-bass 11-14-2020 12:02 PM

As I was cleaning stuff up I noticed this number scratched into a few of the plastic pieces and figured it must have been from the scrap yard or something along those lines.


https://i.imgur.com/I7NnbPB.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ckVScF6.jpg


But then I noticed it was on a bunch of random things that wouldn't have been affected by the driver's impact


https://i.imgur.com/bsCB4YG.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/gkineW5.jpg


Then I realized it was the same number that was etched into the glass and it was EVERYWHERE


https://i.imgur.com/F1eACYR.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/2XJ5ffZ.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/FY41owA.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/akAO4yr.jpg


MAF and the Intake elbow?????


https://i.imgur.com/RHAMAe9.jpg


I remember back in the day when they were pushing that glass etching crap because "no thieves will replace the glass in a stolen vehicle" blah blah blah

The part they don't mention is nobody in Yemen cares their stolen car has numbers matching glass :nanana:

I have NEVER seen anything even remotely close to this level of "detail" to scribe the number on random plastic engine components.

So many questions: How long did this all take?
Did you pay to have this etching done?
How much more of these numbers will I find??
Did they scribe the inner bearing race on the rear wheels??
Where the hell were they parking this thing????

Happy 11-14-2020 01:04 PM

Interesting indeed. [emoji848]

Purplefade 11-14-2020 01:26 PM

That is curious and with every number being the same, you are very likely correct in assuming it isn’t a salvage number - had they been random, I might have argued they were. Possibly an inspection number from assembly? Maybe everything was binned and to ensure it made it on the correct car the other components were scribed to the number on the window??

Curious indeed!!

And good call on getting that last liter out, just makes sense to do it right when you’ve already brought it this far! [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

c-bass 11-14-2020 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194761)
That is curious and with every number being the same, you are very likely correct in assuming it isn’t a salvage number - had they been random, I might have argued they were. Possibly an inspection number from assembly? Maybe everything was binned and to ensure it made it on the correct car the other components were scribed to the number on the window??

Curious indeed!!

And good call on getting that last liter out, just makes sense to do it right when you’ve already brought it this far! [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

I doubt it, it totally looks like it was scratched on by hand.

If it was a factory thing I would hope they'd use a stencil or something like that.

c-bass 11-14-2020 02:32 PM

Made some progress on the passenger side rear brakes


https://i.imgur.com/5E7LIJu.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/mRzYFKt.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/3d5c8ru.jpg


Caliper Before


https://i.imgur.com/r2z5oPZ.jpg


and after a quick cleanup


https://i.imgur.com/WJHZnf9.jpg


I decided to replace the rubber boots that the slide pins sit in since they came with the rear pads but I noticed that the caps didn't sit in there very tight.


https://i.imgur.com/M6EVhrk.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/tq5M4mt.jpg


That little gap you see was enough to have the cap rattling freely and I imagine it would either drive me crazy trying to figure out what the new noise is, or it would shake itself loose so I used the old OEM caps that seemed to fit in there tighter.


Everything put back together


https://i.imgur.com/yWnLvj2.jpg


I replaced the brake wear sensor but the old one was still ok. We'll keep that as a spare.


https://i.imgur.com/kK0LA0B.jpg


Wanna see something scary??


https://i.imgur.com/wHTY36z.jpg


:wow::wow::wow::wow::wow::wow:


https://i.imgur.com/cwNRmWD.jpg


That should slide right out if need be right??

PLEASE DON'T BE BAD REAR BEARING, PLEASE DON'T BE BAD

c-bass 11-14-2020 02:38 PM

I hate to admit it but round one of trying to remove the rear brake hoses was EASILY won by the fittings.

These bastards on seized on there good with years of swamp water fusing them with rust.


https://i.imgur.com/asCbsmW.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/fMowVUA.jpg



Before I get the propane torch out for round 2, I figure it won't hurt to confirm.

looking at the fitting we're going COUNTER CLOCKWISE to remove correct?

Will I need to hold it on the back side also?

Purplefade 11-14-2020 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194762)
I doubt it, it totally looks like it was scratched on by hand.



If it was a factory thing I would hope they'd use a stencil or something like that.



Strange that it is etched in to the glass to though... makes it feel like it was done early on, but I guess maybe it all came off the same salvage donor? Again, odd that it’s etched into the glass again then hand scribed on so much else... weird.

Would be curious to hear of you ever figure that out.


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

c-bass 11-14-2020 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1194767)
Strange that it is etched in to the glass to though... makes it feel like it was done early on, but I guess maybe it all came off the same salvage donor? Again, odd that it’s etched into the glass again then hand scribed on so much else... weird.

Would be curious to hear of you ever figure that out.


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

$10 says it's this product and propaganda that swayed the original owner.

See the letter and number stencils. You put that on the glass, spread the etching paste and now your car will never be stolen :rolleyes:

I remember seeing all the infomercials when I was a kid. It was one of those super duper need to have if you're a car owner type products, like Slick50.

https://i.imgur.com/2h0NTru.jpg

Purplefade 11-14-2020 06:29 PM

Ahhhh and he went on to “pencil” it on everything else because of extreme paranoia, that actually makes total sense [emoji106]

I actually remember those! We had places around here that would actually mask and “sandblast” that in to the glass! Yep [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Happy 11-14-2020 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194768)
$10 says it's this product and propaganda that swayed the original owner.

See the letter and number stencils. You put that on the glass, spread the etching paste and now your car will never be stolen :rolleyes:

I remember seeing all the infomercials when I was a kid. It was one of those super duper need to have if you're a car owner type products, like Slick50.

https://i.imgur.com/2h0NTru.jpg


Hey! Good thing! Because, when Swampy is all cleaned up, he/she will be a diamond again! [emoji6]

c-bass 11-20-2020 02:30 PM

Update...

EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES

GODDAM BRAKE LINE SEIZED EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES

EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES


EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES SET THIS GODDAM CAR ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Purplefade 11-20-2020 03:51 PM

ROFL!! So.... tell us how you really feel [emoji12]


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

crystalworks 11-20-2020 05:39 PM

LoL! Can't wait till the next update to see what new damage the previous owner's neglect caused that has been discovered.

Happy 11-20-2020 11:53 PM

SWaMP-Ehhhh.... DiD’nT I say,! PLaY NiCE!

Effduration 11-21-2020 10:17 AM

Also interested in hearing about your brake lines, But it can't be THAT bad...replace the rubber/steel lines at ea wheel, and if the steel lines underneath are rotted out (likely) replace it all with Ni-Copp lines and a decent quality bubble flaring tool.

c-bass 11-21-2020 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration (Post 1195075)
Also interested in hearing about your brake lines, But it can't be THAT bad...replace the rubber/steel lines at ea wheel, and if the steel lines underneath are rotted out (likely) replace it all with Ni-Copp lines and a decent quality bubble flaring tool.

HhahahahahahaHahah

"replace the rubber/steel lines" You have to get them off first!!!!

If you've been following our journey you might have noticed a little extra rust here and there on Swampy

bcredliner 11-21-2020 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1195055)
Update...

EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES

GODDAM BRAKE LINE SEIZED EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES

EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES


EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES EXPLETIVES SET THIS GODDAM CAR ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EXPLETIVE!!!

c-bass 11-21-2020 02:57 PM

Update...

This last week has been a pain in the ass!! The fleet is turning on me, I don't know if they're all upset about the weather just like a I am but 3 out of 4 vehicles are acting like...well...typical BMWs actually, so nothing to be surprised about and EXACTLY the reason I have backups.

I'm getting ready to put away the convertible and was getting the wagon ready and putting in new spark plugs seems to have made it angry and have a really time starting when cold.

I had someone interested in buying the roof rack off the e83 I'm parting out and the back crossbar came out without a big fight...but the front seems to have stripped out and turning the allen screw doesn't move anything. So now that's stuck on there :rolleyes: if anyone knows what the hell to do about that feel free to chime in.

and now back to our regularly scheduled program:


Narrator: When we last left off our hero was battling the evil forces of CORROSION...DUN DUN DUUUUUUNNNNNN!!!!!


https://i.imgur.com/fZaOEta.jpg


The usual routine of soaking in PB Blaster didn't help AT ALL to loosen the fitting and the last thing I want to do is strip out the nut and have to deal with replacing the hard line so easy does it...but how does one do it easy when the solution is clearly brute force???

Wise grips fail, adjustable wrench fail, this fail! that fail! everywhere a fail! fail!!!!

I had flare nut wrenches for stubborn brake lines. I had a 10mm and a 12mm...guess which one I need for the job :rolleyes:

So it was time to....BRING OUT THE GIMP!!! I mean HEAT!! BRING OUT THE HEAT!!!

BUT WAIT??? Where the hell is the nozzle??? Of course it's at the house that I'm NOT working at...so instead of buying a nozzle I'll wait a couple days when we need to go to the country house.

Narrator: Our hero knew in the back of his head that finding this nozzle at the country house was not going to be an easy task as the last time he could remember using it was that really cold winter a couple years ago when the water lines froze. The weather has been unusually nice these last few days but instead of taking advantage of it...I guess we'll wait? Ooooookay :dunno:



Several days go by and finally I make it out to the country house. By now it's back to seasonal temperatures and today it just happens to start blowing some serious wind and snowing. After several solid hours of searching all over the place and just as I was going to give up, the nozzle appears from underneath a pile of rags. SCORE!!!!

Oh wait...did I mention there was 2 propane nozzle options at the house. One was the good one and the other was essentially a giant lighter. No torch...just a flame. Remind me again why I kept that one?? Right...cause I was gonna fix it one of these days....IDIOT!

So guess what? We're back to having to buy a propane nozzle! Exactly what I opted out of doing in the first place :banghead:

Amazon Prime to the rescue! "If you order within the next 1hour and 23 minutes you will receive this item tomorrow" Ok, tomorrow it is Amazon.

Shortly after placing order - Amazon: "Ooohhhh did we say tomorrow?? Yeah, sorry we meant 2 days. You'll get your item Thursday"

:rant::rant::rant::rant::rant:


Let's get Lit!!!!


https://i.imgur.com/pqBHnFu.jpg


A little bit of heat did nothing...

More heat started burning off all the PB Blaster, which then caught fire and suddenly we had a little situation to deal with. PRO TIP: Try to remember you're holding a lit propane torch with your left hand as you're using your right hand to deal with the current...situation :wow:

Now that the fire was out...well I guess we do it all over again right?

More heat...nothing

MORE HEAT

We already established that I didn't have the correct 11mm flare nut wrench, but I did have a regular ol' wrench from this "fancy" new kit I bought recently.

MOOOOOORE HEEEEEEEEAAAAATT

I'm putting enough force on this 11mm wrench that I'm noticing the jaw start opening/deforming getting ready to strip and ruin life as we know it. I know we really want a flare nut wrench on there, but COME ON!! The heat should have more than made up for it no?? NO???

At this point I'm getting SUPER frustrated (Hulk want to smash) came close to setting Swampy on fire twice and losing daylight quickly. I start going over the usual emotional roller coaster: Why did I decided to do this myself?? What in the hell appeals to me about wrenching on my own cars?? Why does the world hate me one seized fastener at a time? WAAAHHH WAAAAAAHH WAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

Now I've learned from experience over the years (read: making things worse) to walk away and regroup. Seeing as I was alone at the house I didn't have anyone to bitch to so I went for a walk.

On the way back I'm trying to decide if I'm calling it a day or if I should drive to get a "better" wrench which will be at least an hour round trip aka night time. I'm heavily leaning on calling it a night but as I'm approaching the house I see my neighbor washing his car.

"Hey man, what are the odds you have an 11mm flare nut wrench??" I ask.

He goes rooting through his toolbox and produces an 11mm box wrench, same brand and looks the same as the one I have...or does it???


https://i.imgur.com/Z7Kcgz9.jpg


My wrench is on the left side and his on the right. Both made by mastercraft but his is definitely a different generation of tool and also has the word "professional" clearly letting me know I'm obviously an amateur.

You'll notice in the jaw area in particular there is quite a bit more meat and since we're now in the PRO leagues well...ahh screw it let's give it one last try no?

MOOOOOOORE FIYAH!!!!!!!!!!! (and a pro wrench)

This time around I grabbed a couple of roofing shingles that blew off in a recent wind storm and placed them as a fire protectant right between the fitting and the plastic vent tube thing right above and let 'er rip.

Next thing you know...the roofing shingles are on fire and I'm doing the slap dance to put that fire out. PRO TIP: DON'T USE ROOFING SHINGLES!!! It's paper coated in tar. Tar burns. Funny how quickly the science comes back to me riiiiight after I do some stupid shit :D

Also...as you're stomping out the burning shingles, you will learn the hot tar sticks to your shoe or the driveway.

In all the excitement I almost forgot about the fitting which has been cooling off slowly, right let's give that a try with the PRO wrench and DUMMY!!! Make sure you don't strip anything!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDD

BAM!!!! IT LET GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRO TIP: Just because you're all excited doesn't mean the fitting magically cooled off in the last 3 seconds...so don't touch it! Just saying. And no I didn't get burned, as soon as I heard the rubber coating on my gloves start to sizzle I let go :D

So one side let go...do I push my luck and try the other side????

Narrator: Will our hero go double or nothing and try the other side? Will there be as much unexpected fire as the first side?? Stay tuned to our next exciting episode and watch from the safety of your screen as....THE FIRE RETURNS!!! DUUN DUUUUN DUUUUUUUUUNN!!!!!!!!

c-bass 11-21-2020 05:14 PM

Alright fine, we won't keep anyone in suspense. I rolled the dice and decided to give the passenger side a try before we lost daylight and still had the PRO wrench in hand.

Medium heat
no fires
and the fitting let go with about half as much effort. SWEET!!


https://i.imgur.com/CLeMhlO.jpg


BEHOLD!!!!!! THIS IS WHAT VICTORY LOOKS LIKE!!!


https://i.imgur.com/VoefeNP.jpg


Effduration, THIS is why something simple like undoing a fitting becomes a project.


https://i.imgur.com/J3BOdsZ.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/T7kWgle.jpg


About 3 or 4 of the threads on that fitting where in the crustacean zone fusing the two together pretty good. One thing that does make it much easier is the design of the brake hose has this star interlocking thing that prevents it from spinning as you apply force.

There's been a couple times I've mangled a brake line trying to get it loose because the other side wasn't held down properly, spun around and caved in on itself.

Unfortunately my picture taking was lacking some because of gloves/fire/brake fluid but I managed to get both brake lines back in.

The fitment of these Raybestos hoses was pretty good. The one hose needed a slight bend to get it to sit in the plastic guide thing but overall I'm satisfied with the quality.


https://i.imgur.com/umV7LGa.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ApH6sIq.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/1GJy5Gw.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/uLR9Ons.jpg


and juuuuuuuuuuuuuuust as I thought I was wrapping up on the passenger side I couldn't seem to get the fluid to stop dripping. New copper washer on both sides so what gives?

I took off the hose and looking at one of the washers I noticed something that looked off. Hmmm


One side of the washer


https://i.imgur.com/jTWd9mK.jpg


The other side


https://i.imgur.com/O1J0PQj.jpg


Grrrr....I guess you gotta double and triple check everything nowadays because made in China :rolleyes:


The old copper washer didn't look too bad so I cleaned it up a bit and threw it back in there. Brakes weren't leaking with the old washer so it has to be better than the new extra leaky one right?


Everything is back together and after bleeding the rear, the brakes should be a done deal.

Purplefade 11-21-2020 05:54 PM

That is REAL pretty now :thumbup: Shit ton of work I can only imagine, but the result is totally worth it - and, well, you'll have brakes that you can count on now :rofl:

Happy 11-21-2020 11:00 PM

That Swampy is one tough cookie!

crystalworks 11-22-2020 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1195098)
Update...

This last week has been a pain in the ass!! The fleet is turning on me, I don't know if they're all upset about the weather just like a I am but 3 out of 4 vehicles are acting like...well...typical BMWs actually, so nothing to be surprised about and EXACTLY the reason I have backups........

Narrator: Will our hero go double or nothing and try the other side? Will there be as much unexpected fire as the first side?? Stay tuned to our next exciting episode and watch from the safety of your screen as....THE FIRE RETURNS!!! DUUN DUUUUN DUUUUUUUUUNN!!!!!!!!

Looks like Propellerhead has got a little competition. He's our resident yarn spinner, but you sir have some talent as well. I was riveted. The ups, the downs, the downs, the downs, and the UP! :thumbup:

guntherrex 11-23-2020 04:14 AM

hehehe, keep up the good work! and remember, it can't be tight if it's a liquid! ;)

c-bass 12-07-2020 06:28 PM

We'll start off this round of the shenanigans on a positive note

For the last couple months I've been cleaning the headliner a little here and there. Yes, the last couple months.

I'm a little....particular let's call it, about the cleanliness of my vehicles and for anyone that's been following the progress here you might remember Swampy needed quite a bit of work. I managed to get everything to the point where if I dropped any food item on the bare carpet I wouldn't hesitate on picking it up and eating it but there was always a dark cloud hanging over my head.


https://i.imgur.com/TYo8BfZ.jpg


Cleaning a carpet is easy. You get a bottle of some chemical with the skeleton hand on the label, pour it out on the carpet and go at it with a heavy duty brush attached to a drill or use a power washer.

Headliner and particularly old headliner is a bastard to clean. There needs to be a fine balancing act of moisture, but not too much moisture and agitation...but not too much. Delicate, tedious and overhead. My favorite! :rolleyes:

I did some reading and found a number of people suggested a product called Folex for headliners in particular. I've never heard of before so I looked into it and it seems to be a general purpose fabric/carpet cleaner that was easily available to me, in a big bottle and cheap.

And so I began the process of spraying some Folex on a microfiber towel, rub rub rub, wipe off with a clean microfiber and wait for it to dry. I would spend about 10-15 minutes at a time before things would be too saturated for me to continue and I would go at it every few days.

A little bit too moist and the headliner would start to become detached from the foam and the same would happen if I rubbed too hard. At some point I realized that the back part that's sagging will definitely be more than enough reason for me to redo everything, but that's not going to happen until the weather gets better.

Also I was curious how clean I would be able to get this thing so lets have a look.


BEFORE


https://i.imgur.com/7vopZfZ.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/jAmdvlt.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/tfLljyf.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/5BM6WdX.jpg


AFTER


https://i.imgur.com/Ph8kAWP.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/lpQcIC4.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/HPMhOx1.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ACKDUCL.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Ph8kAWP.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/0W4BfwC.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Ke69zpR.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ZQ4UKEP.jpg


It no longer looks like a pissed on mattress in an alleyway above my head :thumbup:

Fifty150hs 12-07-2020 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1195758)
We'll start off this round of the shenanigans on a positive note

For the last couple months I've been cleaning the headliner a little here and there. Yes, the last couple months.

I'm a little....particular let's call it, about the cleanliness of my vehicles and for anyone that's been following the progress here you might remember Swampy needed quite a bit of work. I managed to get everything to the point where if I dropped any food item on the bare carpet I wouldn't hesitate on picking it up and eating it but there was always a dark cloud hanging over my head.


https://i.imgur.com/TYo8BfZ.jpg


Cleaning a carpet is easy. You get a bottle of some chemical with the skeleton hand on the label, pour it out on the carpet and go at it with a heavy duty brush attached to a drill or use a power washer.

Headliner and particularly old headliner is a bastard to clean. There needs to be a fine balancing act of moisture, but not too much moisture and agitation...but not too much. Delicate, tedious and overhead. My favorite! :rolleyes:

I did some reading and found a number of people suggested a product called Folex for headliners in particular. I've never heard of before so I looked into it and it seems to be a general purpose fabric/carpet cleaner that was easily available to me, in a big bottle and cheap.

And so I began the process of spraying some Folex on a microfiber towel, rub rub rub, wipe off with a clean microfiber and wait for it to dry. I would spend about 10-15 minutes at a time before things would be too saturated for me to continue and I would go at it every few days.

A little bit too moist and the headliner would start to become detached from the foam and the same would happen if I rubbed too hard. At some point I realized that the back part that's sagging will definitely be more than enough reason for me to redo everything, but that's not going to happen until the weather gets better.

Also I was curious how clean I would be able to get this thing so lets have a look.


BEFORE


https://i.imgur.com/7vopZfZ.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/jAmdvlt.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/tfLljyf.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/5BM6WdX.jpg


AFTER


https://i.imgur.com/Ph8kAWP.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/lpQcIC4.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/HPMhOx1.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ACKDUCL.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Ph8kAWP.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/0W4BfwC.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Ke69zpR.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ZQ4UKEP.jpg


It no longer looks like a pissed on mattress in an alleyway above my head :thumbup:

Wow! Nice work! :thumbup:

Happy 12-07-2020 10:00 PM

Seriously! I have not been successful in cleaning headliners to this day!

c-bass 12-07-2020 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs (Post 1195764)
Wow! Nice work! :thumbup:

Thanks,

Usually I can get a headliner looking brand new with light duty cleaning but
this was the first time I've had to deal with stains that were caused by soaking through the headliner.

Overall I'd say I put about 4 hours into it and I wasn't able to put more than 10-15 minutes in at a time because of the saturation of the fabric.

You can see there's still a few smaller bubbles here and there. I can "iron" those out with my hand for the most part with very light and even pressure. if I push even slightly too much it leaves tracks like you're driving through snow.

c-bass 12-07-2020 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy (Post 1195768)
Seriously! I have not been successful in cleaning headliners to this day!

This was my greatest success so far but I'll probably end up regluing it or maybe upgrading to something fancier because I haven't been able to get that sag out of the back. It will only take a few weeks (Maybe days) after I start daily driving before it drives me crazy :D

TriX5 12-08-2020 12:06 PM

Few things keep me awake at night but, definitely, a sagging headliner would be one of them.... :-) The M539 restorations youtuber did a nice video about re-covering a 750i headliner in alcantara. Worth a look if that's the way you might go. His headliner had let go almost completely.

Personally I'd try the recyclers for a full set of black items.

c-bass 12-08-2020 12:16 PM

Here I was thinking that the next step will be to quickly bleed the brakes and get Swampy stopping since replacing the rear brake lines, but I came outside one day and noticed this


https://i.imgur.com/sTiN9Hk.jpg


The picture might not be the best at showing the drop of brake fluid that was hanging right on the bottom of the hose but it was there ready to join the rest of his droplet friends running down the tire and forming a puddle on the driveway.

I checked the passenger side and sure enough it's also dripping.

So the brakes are still leaking...WTF?!?!?

Upon further inspection it seems that the copper washer that came with the Raybestos brake lines are larger than what was in there before.

I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture but the brake line has this recessed area that the washer is supposed to sit in. The included washers were overlapping the recessed part and from the looks of things wouldn't seal properly.


https://i.imgur.com/5dn18o4.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/AgoZj8J.jpg



I got lucky and happened to find an assorted pack of copper washers at the local hardware store that had the size I need.


https://i.imgur.com/3Jzr8sK.jpg


Got the new washers in there, tightened everything up, cleaned it all out with brake cleaner and waited until the next day.

I'm happy to report there was NO more dripping the next day so I can finally move on to the next step and get the bleeding done.

Normally I do it old school with two people but I moved recently and don't have a helper I can call on around here. I looked into the bleeding procedure with INPA and watched a couple videos of people getting it done by themselves so I figure I'll give that a try first and see how we do.

And right about here is where things start going downhill again.

I wake up the next morning and I'm looking at this:


https://i.imgur.com/r3LImdn.jpg


So that will put the brake bleeding on hold until it melts

3 days later I'm in the truck with my INPA laptop and can't find any of the menus that are supposed to be there. Come to find out that the latest and greatest version (I believe 5.02?? maybe) of INPA does NOT have the brake bleeding procedure for the E53 :rolleyes: BOOOOOOOO!!!

ISTA does have a brake bleeding procedure but it's not the same as what I saw with INPA and it tells you right off the bat you need two people. I guess we'll see about that soon enough.

I connect a little 5amp charger to the battery, fire up ISTA and start triggering the ABS pump to get it to bleed.

Bleed here, bleed there and about the 4th time around the ABS pump isn't triggering anymore, just making a click and that's it.

As it turns out the battery went dead and 5amps is NOT enough to keep the system going while everything else was going on.

Back on the battery charger it goes...

c-bass 12-08-2020 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriX5 (Post 1195796)
Few things keep me awake at night but, definitely, a sagging headliner would be one of them.... :-) The M539 restorations youtuber did a nice video about re-covering a 750i headliner in alcantara. Worth a look if that's the way you might go. His headliner had let go almost completely.

Personally I'd try the recyclers for a full set of black items.

My first thought was to get a headliner from the scrap yard but it would be a little challenging to find one in good condition. Usually people beat up the interiors tearing out other parts or when the tow truck drivers throw in the bumpers or whatever damage was caused during the crash.

Also since there's usually broken windows involved weather will get in there and make a mess

crystalworks 12-08-2020 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriX5 (Post 1195796)
Few things keep me awake at night but, definitely, a sagging headliner would be one of them.... :-)

Same. One of the first things I took care of on the wagon after rescuing it. I did all the pillars and lower parts but had a local auto upholstery shop wrap the headliner. Cost was reasonable at $350 including material.

https://i.postimg.cc/hjTp94Cw/IMG-20201003-135143.jpg

Nice work on Swampy cbass. It's a lot of work, but definitely rewarding when it's done.

c-bass 12-14-2020 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1195803)
Same. One of the first things I took care of on the wagon after rescuing it. I did all the pillars and lower parts but had a local auto upholstery shop wrap the headliner. Cost was reasonable at $350 including material.

https://i.postimg.cc/hjTp94Cw/IMG-20201003-135143.jpg

Nice work on Swampy cbass. It's a lot of work, but definitely rewarding when it's done.

That headliner looks awesome.

A thought crossed my mind during one of the cleaning sessions. If you wrap the front A pillar panels with Alcantara would that affect the airbag deploying properly?

crystalworks 12-14-2020 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1196119)
That headliner looks awesome.

A thought crossed my mind during one of the cleaning sessions. If you wrap the front A pillar panels with Alcantara would that affect the airbag deploying properly?

Thanks! Until I v8 swap it, the interior is my favorite part of our wagon.


I hope I never have to find out. But the e60 m5 has suede pillars so I'm assuming it's okay. I'm guessing the force of the air bags overcomes most fabrics.

Fifty150hs 12-14-2020 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1196119)
That headliner looks awesome.

A thought crossed my mind during one of the cleaning sessions. If you wrap the front A pillar panels with Alcantara would that affect the airbag deploying properly?

It shouldn't. I think the pillar covers just pop off when the bag blows. At least that's how it appears. Wrapping them shouldn't have an effect.

Purplefade 12-14-2020 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs (Post 1196135)
It shouldn't. I think the pillar covers just pop off when the bag blows. At least that's how it appears. Wrapping them shouldn't have an effect.


Yep - that's exactly how it happens, the a-pillar actually gets blown "towards the center of the windshield" and the airbag bursts towards the occupant. If it isn't physically broken in the accident the a-pillar can be snapped right back on... for all practical purposes.


Yea... don't ask me how I know that...

c-bass 12-17-2020 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1196142)
Yep - that's exactly how it happens, the a-pillar actually gets blown "towards the center of the windshield" and the airbag bursts towards the occupant. If it isn't physically broken in the accident the a-pillar can be snapped right back on... for all practical purposes.


Yea... don't ask me how I know that...

Thanks for the info.

having removed the A pillars a couple times I can't imagine the lower part by the dash coming off clean. It always puts up a fight trying to remove it.

c-bass 12-17-2020 06:36 PM

Ugh...remember the picture of the snow?? That should have been a little clue for me...but nooooooooo

So guess who's an idiot and forgot the cooling system was still filled with distilled water :doh:

Walking past Swampy yesterday and I saw a little trail of wet underneath the front passenger side and INSTANTLY I realized what I did (or didn't do).

I panicked and opened up the expansion tank to a bunch of slush but the level stick thingy was still bobbing up and down...albeit reluctantly.

I started her up to get things warmed up and about 10-15 min later the temp gauge was pointing straight up.

I opened up the radiator drain and the water started dribbling out slowly so I blew into the expansion tank and dislodged something letting it flow freely.

Unfortunately we were on our way to run some errands just before I noticed all this and by the time I got back


https://i.imgur.com/yI00BhA.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/LYB5F2p.jpg


The little dribble was coming from the temp sensor on the lower rad hose so I'm guessing it was frozen enough to push the sensor out slightly.

Currently the coolant hoses going to the heater core are frozen solid and there is no give at all when I try to squeeze them.

The weather is supposed to warm up a bit in the next day so hopefully it will thaw out the hoses enough to circulate.

Man....what a dumbass move

Purplefade 12-17-2020 07:56 PM

Dude, at least you caught it before catastrophe happened that is awesome [emoji106]

I watched a technician drain the oil and pull the filter from a new formula 1 firebird back in the day, take a phone call, walk away from the car and then proceed to lock up the engine when he came back, lowered the rack, pulled it out into the parking lot and give the owner the keys back...

Owner walked out, started the car, looked at it funny for a minute and then drove away. He made it less than a mile before it seized up. Cost the company north of $10K to put a new engine in the car.

c-bass 12-17-2020 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1196380)
Dude, at least you caught it before catastrophe happened that is awesome [emoji106]

I watched a technician drain the oil and pull the filter from a new formula 1 firebird back in the day, take a phone call, walk away from the car and then proceed to lock up the engine when he came back, lowered the rack, pulled it out into the parking lot and give the owner the keys back...

Owner walked out, started the car, looked at it funny for a minute and then drove away. He made it less than a mile before it seized up. Cost the company north of $10K to put a new engine in the car.

I know myself fairly well so I make sure to build in a fail safe (or two) depending on the level of potential damage at hand. Many of my projects involve heading back to the store, or waiting on parts etc and sometimes I miss something.

The frozen puck in the drain pan was right at 3 liters so I'm hoping that would give everything enough room to expand and not crack anything.

Hopefully it will thaw out in the next couple days so I can get the coolant in there.

Now that I'm thinking about it, what would happen if I start the engine and something like a hose or the heater core is frozen to the point where fluid won't circulate?

Would the water pump be able to create enough pressure somehow that it would burst a hose or do some other damage?

Purplefade 12-17-2020 10:02 PM

I might pull the lower hose and heat up the radiator real good to empty it, you could also cycle the engine a few times, let it run until the temp gauge moves a bit and then shut off and let residual heat start to melt out what might be in the block, then “rinse and repeat”. I don’t think the pump would generate enough pressure to blow a hose, car shouldn’t get hot enough to do that.


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

c-bass 12-17-2020 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1196384)
I might pull the lower hose and heat up the radiator real good to empty it, you could also cycle the engine a few times, let it run until the temp gauge moves a bit and then shut off and let residual heat start to melt out what might be in the block, then “rinse and repeat”. I don’t think the pump would generate enough pressure to blow a hose, car shouldn’t get hot enough to do that.


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

The radiator is definitely empty.

What I'm concerned with is if I fill the system back up again and then start the car, what happens when the water pump starts going? Its going to push the non frozen fluid right? But to where?

What about the electric aux water pump? If the fluid is frozen and the pump tries to run won't it burn out or snap something?

Purplefade 12-17-2020 10:24 PM

The water pump I wouldn’t sweat, but the aux pump is a valid concern. Maybe reach under the hood and unplug it for the moment until the engine heats up and you see flow at the expansion tank.

You figure IF there is ice in the block, or even slush doe that matter, it will offset the temperature of the engine for quit a while, as the block heats up the slush will thaw and you should be good to go. Once you have flow, just plug the aux back in.


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c-bass 12-18-2020 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplefade (Post 1196386)
The water pump I wouldn’t sweat, but the aux pump is a valid concern. Maybe reach under the hood and unplug it for the moment until the engine heats up and you see flow at the expansion tank.

You figure IF there is ice in the block, or even slush doe that matter, it will offset the temperature of the engine for quit a while, as the block heats up the slush will thaw and you should be good to go. Once you have flow, just plug the aux back in.


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Ok I'll unplug the aux pump but other than that we're not worried about the water flow? Or lack thereof?

Purplefade 12-18-2020 12:11 AM

Nope, the water in the engine will be cold enough to offset any overheating, just keep an eye om the temp gauge and as it starts to go up, I'd shut it off somewhere before it gets to operating temperature and let the rest melt off. May even stick a large insulated blanket under the hood before I closed it to trap heat and help thaw things out. As long as it gets warm enough to open the thermostat and the bottom hose is loose, you should get good drainage. Again, just keep an eye on the gauge and shut her down BEFORE its to operating temp, assuming some rise after shut off as the engine drains down. May be "safer" to do it in waves, warm it up a little, let it drain, gauge drops, warm it up a little, let it drain - all based on your comfort.

Purplefade 12-18-2020 12:12 AM

Optimistically it isn't as frozen as you think and as soon as you start it, it begins to drain :thumbup:

Fifty150hs 12-18-2020 12:17 AM

Got an electric blanket? Throw it over the engine and turn it on. Close the hood and give it a few hours. You only have to get the block up a little above freezing for the ice to melt.

c-bass 12-18-2020 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs (Post 1196394)
Got an electric blanket? Throw it over the engine and turn it on. Close the hood and give it a few hours. You only have to get the block up a little above freezing for the ice to melt.

I was thinking about using an electric blanket but management will not allow domestic items to be used as car accessories.

If I lived closer to the city I would hit up my friend for one of those kerosene flame throwers they use when they pour concrete in the winter but it's a 3 hour drive one way and that thing won't fit in the convertible so that's not going to happen.

I just checked the weather and they claim it will be above freezing for the next 3-4 days so I guess we wait.


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