Xoutpost.com - What did you do to / for your E53 today??

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Installed a new BMW chain tensioner in my 2002 X5 4.4. Easier than I thought. I think it was the original one with 135K miles, so it was due. Sure sounded bad for the first few seconds during initial startup. Now purrs like a kitten.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid (Post 1218208)

I'm finally declaring victory after a two-week bout of my e53 being out of commission. I loaned the vehicle to my youngest (adult) son so he could sell his aging Toyota from college and save up to buy something newer/nicer as both he and his new bride had only beaters to drive.

The saga started when my son called me stranded along E470 in Denver on his way to DIA for a work flight. Based on what he told me (he's a mechanical engineer, but not as experienced with auto mechanics as Dad) I was confident the alternator had died on him. I happened to have a spare H9 battery, so I grabbed it and headed up there (a bit over an hour away) to rescue him. My rescue attempt didn't go as planned, so we ended up towing to my middle son's house in the Denver area. Once there, we got it sorted out and running, so I could drive it home - switching batteries halfway to make it.

Once home in my driveway, I ordered new brushes for the alternator (Valeo 140) and after installing, set out to fire the beast up. It was getting dark, and I had to access the disconnected battery from the back seat since the rear hatch couldn't be opened. Fumbling in the dark, I made a HUGE mistake and connected the battery cables to the wrong posts. Sparks flew and smoke rose from the alternator. I was SOOOO disgusted with myself!

Long story, short... I ordered a used alternator, swapped in the new brushes, tested every fuse and relay in all 3 fuse boxes (75ish?) replacing several that were blown, and I'm happy to say that all is well once again.

Since I had to wait on the used alternator, I decided to go ahead and replace the OFHG since the alternator would be out. I also found the hoses to the PS reservoir were leaking, so I replaced both hoses and the reservoir.

Of course, while I was working on the E53, I gave him his mom's E83 to drive and the TC actuator gear gave up the ghost on him (148K miles, so not unexpected). I don't think he's impressed with his dad's choice of automobile brand!

AM.

AM. Well played sir, now you have some guilt credit with him.... [emoji1787]

We've all had a dreaded car problem when either loaning one or giving someone a ride.

Or when driving your pregnant wife to the hospital in Zamboni mode just after saying... "It's a great car to have with a new baby on the way!" [emoji1787][emoji28][emoji849]

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You just needed to explain you lowered the car for the sake of the shorter people to get in/out easier

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn (Post 1218213)

You just needed to explain you lowered the car for the sake of the shorter people to get in/out easier

So I guess the TV show "Wives with knives" would be interested in my story after that .....?[emoji28]

You should have seen her expression when she asked why I wanted a Man Cave and I told her it was only fair since she had the kitchen. [emoji879]

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i'm surprised you can still type... when are solid foods a possibility again? :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by guntherrex (Post 1218226)

i'm surprised you can still type... when are solid foods a possibility again? :D

Let's just say that as long as my mother in law is alive I am completely safe..... (typing quietly while looking over my shoulder)[emoji1787]

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What did you do to / for your E53 today??

Quote:

Originally Posted by EODguy (Post 1218225)

You should have seen her expression when she asked why I wanted a Man Cave and I told her it was only fair since she had the kitchen.

https://youtu.be/MHxwROC0KPw?t=14

Finally had time to compound the paint.

Hopefully the Solutions Finish Trim Restore works as well as folks say it does. It's really nice seeing the vast amount of trim plastic actually black.

Edit: Will be nice when my new grills come in. The zip ties holding the current ones in are kind of silly.

After all this, the final outstanding item is the headlights. I'm waiting on new lenses from china, then will cut these open and swap out the projectors.

Put in yet another thermostat. Fortunately, the first replacement was purchased from FCP so it's free. I don't understand why these stats don't last longer. It's a Febi/Behr, supposedly OE. Failure mode has always been the same, it gets stuck part way open. Better open than closed, but annoying all the same as it screws up the already poor fuel mileage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn (Post 1218236)

https://youtu.be/MHxwROC0KPw?t=14

Of course I do.

After the 20 year gap surprise baby I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be allowed to use them anymore....[emoji25]

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