Can you do a real time plot of requested versus actual cam angle I can do that with the foxwell

Sorry, I have not yet downloaded the Foxwell software.

Unfortunately can't find the readiness codes for the e53 in ISTA\D. For the 35d they reside under SCR I believe but for this one it is an enigma. At any rate tomorrow I'll just follow the drive cycle and hopefully it will check out when I get to the VEIP station.

Now no longer chasing a small coolant leak either..... it is coming out with gusto from the side tank seal, top left. At least no more guessing where the leak is.

New radiatior arrived
 

FCP-Euro to the rescue, arrived in less than 48 hours! This should take care of the coolant leak. The few drops here and there morphed into a flood each time I parked the car on my driveway after driving anywhere.

Where was your leak? Radiator tank or core or header plate? I had a crack in the tank and just went and bought a new tank and gasket/crimp band. If yours was the same then rebuilding the radiator will give you a spare or possibly enough resale to cover 50% of the new.

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Leaking at the tank seal.
 

A big leak developed at the driver-side tank seal. In addition, it took some damage from below long ago (looked like previous owner tried to jack it up in the wrong place or something since there was no other injury to the front) and when I pulled it out for the engine work I couldn't believe it hadn't leaked before. When I reinstalled it, it held fine except for a drop a day that was puzzling me, never seen a quick connect leak on these. Last Monday the drop became a gush and clarified the culprit, about 9 months of pressing the vehicle back in to use. If the new radiator also holds up for 17 years then it's all good :-)

Below is the pair of Exxs last monday, note that once the car cooled the leak stopped. Only really seemed to leak when hot.

EDIT: Typing this up reminded me to get a new cap for the expansion tank. Just to be sure as that cap is now about 10 Y.O.

Leak when hot because hot = pressure

Rad out, working on AC pulley
 

Andrew, agreed, when hot there is quite bit of extra pressure but just to be sure I think it is worth replacing the cap.

Today I pulled the radiator out. It looks rather sad at the top end of the side tank. With the radiator removed, I started to look for the source of the broken bearing sounds. I am pretty sure it is the AC pulley, the bearing of which feels very tired. I pulled the A/C clutch off and sprayed penetrating oil. Hope to get the retainer clip and the pulley off tomorrow and, once confirmed the size, then the hunt for a replacement bearing is on. (M539 resto on U-tube has a bit on replacing this bearing and looks doable)

I founds some really negative comments on a different board about this fix but it seems to me that this way is more time efficient. Pulling the compressor is nearly impossible without some major contortions. I wish I had realized this was going to be an issue when I had the engine out! Live and learn. Might take a few days before I have it back together depending how long to get the bearing.