At my last service in Dec 08, the mechanic said the suspension needed an overhaul at the next serviceUnfortunately, was forced to take a trip to Kundang and completely killed the suspension .... so i had the car jacked up to see what needed replacing and found1)Entire suspension had to be replaced2)engine was leaking oil and some other leak at the bottom of the car near the middle sectionWhile fixing those problems found the crankcase breather hose soft and lower arm bushes also on their last leags .....sigh also had the engine degreased to make sure all the leaks were fixedthen suddenly all the brake lights were on all the time (the brake switch had died)Managed to DIY the brake switch so that was only RM40/- for the switch (the only cheap fix so far)While doing the balancing and alignment found the engine leaks were fixed but it appeared that the power steering oil carrier pipes were leaking ......sigh Suddenly the car is not idling properly and the ABS light is on, so sent it in for a check and confirmed1)the 2 power steering oil carrier pipes need to be replaced (only topped up the steering fluid as a temporary measure until i have time to send the car in to change the pipes)2)Front 2 ABS sensors and and ABS pump no signal3)mechanic suspects fuel injectors etc maybe the cause of the high idle (800-1k rpm)4)Also maybe have to change the engine and gearbox mountings .... sighMade an appointment this Saturday at 8.30am to change the oil carrier pipes and check the ABS and rough idle ....... Now so worried about what will go wrong next ..... seems to me, everytime i fix something .... something else starts acting up ..... sigh ..... will it ever end?
Never Ending Story (Nightmare?)
- Thread starter Terri
- Start date
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bro, ever hear about preventive maintenance? The E36 is about 10 to 15 year old. Most of the parts
are due for change even though you dont use them. eg. Rubber hose. The rubber have a shelf life.
Anything that have rubber material will eventually harden and loose its function.
Let me see:- looking into my crystal ball.
1. brake fluids
2. gearbox ATF
3. Engine oil seal.
4. Timing belt if yours is M40
5. water pump
6. radiator and expansion chamber.
better not list anymore or you might just sell your car.
are due for change even though you dont use them. eg. Rubber hose. The rubber have a shelf life.
Anything that have rubber material will eventually harden and loose its function.
Let me see:- looking into my crystal ball.
1. brake fluids
2. gearbox ATF
3. Engine oil seal.
4. Timing belt if yours is M40
5. water pump
6. radiator and expansion chamber.
better not list anymore or you might just sell your car.
Checked with mechanic about brake fluids last saturday - he said it was checked and still good
i am looking into a radiator flush and was thinking about checking the water pump also
Gearbox already overhauled & steering also and the entire air cond system changed to new ......
Suspension was just changed .....
The ABS system was changed by Auto Bavaria once before ... the car was out of warranty then but they changed it for me for free saying that because i didn't use the ABS much the system malfunctioned ....... was very nice of them
Car is a manual M43 engine and uses a timing chain ......
Will check on the engine seals tho... because i don't think those were changed, but so far no more engine oil leaks after the last fix ... touch wood .....
Bought the power steering oil carrier hoses RM70 & RM80 also bought new clips (Total Bill for parts RM157)
Will also be changing the spark plugs back to the original Bosch 2 legged ones RM9 each (Total RM36)
when i checked about vaccum hoses Bavarian Auto said it was RM60 per metre .... errrrr does that mean you buy 1m and cut it?? (saw my mechanic poking at the vaccum hose and found it came in a length to be cut ...... dunno how that works ..... checked the drawings and it showed alot of the same vaccum hoses ... so is it safe to buy 1m of this hose? and then just change them all?)
I want to change what i can, but budget is a factor here because i want to make sure that i revert back to all original parts
i'm only worried some major problem will crop up that will cost thousands to fix..... sigh
i am looking into a radiator flush and was thinking about checking the water pump also
Gearbox already overhauled & steering also and the entire air cond system changed to new ......
Suspension was just changed .....
The ABS system was changed by Auto Bavaria once before ... the car was out of warranty then but they changed it for me for free saying that because i didn't use the ABS much the system malfunctioned ....... was very nice of them
Car is a manual M43 engine and uses a timing chain ......
Will check on the engine seals tho... because i don't think those were changed, but so far no more engine oil leaks after the last fix ... touch wood .....
Bought the power steering oil carrier hoses RM70 & RM80 also bought new clips (Total Bill for parts RM157)
Will also be changing the spark plugs back to the original Bosch 2 legged ones RM9 each (Total RM36)
when i checked about vaccum hoses Bavarian Auto said it was RM60 per metre .... errrrr does that mean you buy 1m and cut it?? (saw my mechanic poking at the vaccum hose and found it came in a length to be cut ...... dunno how that works ..... checked the drawings and it showed alot of the same vaccum hoses ... so is it safe to buy 1m of this hose? and then just change them all?)
I want to change what i can, but budget is a factor here because i want to make sure that i revert back to all original parts
i'm only worried some major problem will crop up that will cost thousands to fix..... sigh
Terri, just watch out for loss of water coolant in the radiator. if you have to top up on a weekly basis, then it time to change the rubber hose and radiator/expansion chamber.
BWM engine have a tendency to overheat due to rapid loss of coolant.
BTW, what year is your car and what is the mileage clocked?
The vacuum hose are prefab. It is not usual to cut from 1 meter of hose.
BWM engine have a tendency to overheat due to rapid loss of coolant.
BTW, what year is your car and what is the mileage clocked?
The vacuum hose are prefab. It is not usual to cut from 1 meter of hose.
Have never had to top up the radiator .....
I think the radiator only gave problems once and that was when a hose broke and the engine died right on the highway but across the road from a car workshop..... was really lucky that time
a mechanic from the shop dashed across the road and managed to get me a hose and topped up the radiator and i was on my way home in no time .......
the radiator was pressure tested about 2 weeks ago when they had to remove it to fix the engine oil leaks.... it was tested after they re connected it and topped it up .......
1995 and mileage around 160-170k
i also thought those vaccum hoses were pre fab ...... but apparently not .......
I think the radiator only gave problems once and that was when a hose broke and the engine died right on the highway but across the road from a car workshop..... was really lucky that time
a mechanic from the shop dashed across the road and managed to get me a hose and topped up the radiator and i was on my way home in no time .......
the radiator was pressure tested about 2 weeks ago when they had to remove it to fix the engine oil leaks.... it was tested after they re connected it and topped it up .......
1995 and mileage around 160-170k
i also thought those vaccum hoses were pre fab ...... but apparently not .......
astroboy
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Car maintenance/repair is a never ending journey, try to enjoy the journey/scenery, rather than looking at it as a nightmare.. all cars have problem through time, some more, some less, even new car also not spared.
The more u fix her, the more u understand her. Good luck!
The more u fix her, the more u understand her. Good luck!
zammie
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Terri, the items you listed so far doesn't sound too expensive? How much you spent for this and previous round of servicing?
Look on the bright side, you can have peace of mind that everything you fixed will not give you further problems for long while! So more peace of mind with every service lo...:top:
Look on the bright side, you can have peace of mind that everything you fixed will not give you further problems for long while! So more peace of mind with every service lo...:top:
hehehe, have had the car since 1995 .... was exclusively maintained at AB for about 6 years then intermittently by AB and my current mechanic till the present date .........
Used Bavian Auto (Sachs mechanic) for the suspension change a couple of weeks ago because my mechanic was too booked to handle it but will be using my own mechanic this saturday as he has agreed to make space for me if i get there really early ......
trust me, the bills i have for the maintanence of this car i think work out to almost as much as i've paid for her when i bought her brand new ....... (14 years worth of bills........)
i admit i've been overcharged like crazy during all that time, except starting from this year .......
my business partner (who knows alittle bit about cars) is helping me to source all the parts myself and i'm already saving a ton of money .... (recession has reduced my spending power and these repairs are coming at a time when i cannot afford them but they have to be done ...... so i'm repairing everything i can, whilst trying to stay within my cash budget)
i love my car and i want her to have the best i can afford .... she has served me well for 14 years and i want her to continue serving me for as long as she possibly can .........
i'm also really grateful to this website and all it's members - scrolling through the old posts for information has helped me alot in looking for options and saving money ......
(Have decided to buy that 1m length of vaccum hose and replace the vaccum control hoses in the engine system ... don't think those were ever changed and must be close to failing by now ....)
Used Bavian Auto (Sachs mechanic) for the suspension change a couple of weeks ago because my mechanic was too booked to handle it but will be using my own mechanic this saturday as he has agreed to make space for me if i get there really early ......
trust me, the bills i have for the maintanence of this car i think work out to almost as much as i've paid for her when i bought her brand new ....... (14 years worth of bills........)
i admit i've been overcharged like crazy during all that time, except starting from this year .......
my business partner (who knows alittle bit about cars) is helping me to source all the parts myself and i'm already saving a ton of money .... (recession has reduced my spending power and these repairs are coming at a time when i cannot afford them but they have to be done ...... so i'm repairing everything i can, whilst trying to stay within my cash budget)
i love my car and i want her to have the best i can afford .... she has served me well for 14 years and i want her to continue serving me for as long as she possibly can .........
i'm also really grateful to this website and all it's members - scrolling through the old posts for information has helped me alot in looking for options and saving money ......
(Have decided to buy that 1m length of vaccum hose and replace the vaccum control hoses in the engine system ... don't think those were ever changed and must be close to failing by now ....)
astroboy
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Trust me! keep the car, even if you have to frequent the junk shops due to budget problems.. That's how I kept my ex-E36 for 3 full years despite jobless.. 
Sold her because need to exchange for 2 cars.. wife need a Kancil and I got a Perdana, more space needed for a new born in the family..
today... still admiring others who drives an E36..
Sold her because need to exchange for 2 cars.. wife need a Kancil and I got a Perdana, more space needed for a new born in the family..
today... still admiring others who drives an E36..
zammie
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astroboy;411171 said:Trust me! keep the car, even if you have to frequent the junk shops due to budget problems.. That's how I kept my ex-E36 for 3 full years despite jobless..
Sold her because need to exchange for 2 cars.. wife need a Kancil and I got a Perdana, more space needed for a new born in the family..
today... still admiring others who drives an E36..
AB - am sure you'll make a comeback soon if not already! The feeling getting behind the wheel of your next UDM will be 'welcome home' :love:
Lee36328
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Terri,
Good to see you are holding on to your e36 which you've had since new.
Seems you are going through some pipes and hose failures. It's just coincidental they are happening at once.
My e36 M52 is going on to 354k km now, and running well.
Almost the entire car is practically new, as in what can be replaced has been replaced, the rest rebuilt, some more than once, adding to the pain/pleasure of owning the car.
Recent major work include the aircond (changing one part brought out failure in another, in the end, I changed everything at one go.)
The car does on average more than 500km on a full tank if everything is running well (
Good to see you are holding on to your e36 which you've had since new.
Seems you are going through some pipes and hose failures. It's just coincidental they are happening at once.
My e36 M52 is going on to 354k km now, and running well.
Almost the entire car is practically new, as in what can be replaced has been replaced, the rest rebuilt, some more than once, adding to the pain/pleasure of owning the car.
Recent major work include the aircond (changing one part brought out failure in another, in the end, I changed everything at one go.)
The car does on average more than 500km on a full tank if everything is running well (
hi terri....
change all the wear and tear parts
and it will be better than all the new cars on the road nowadays
and you have a car that is fun to drive.
btw... M43 manual
that is very cool
if you consider selling it i am willing to buy.
change all the wear and tear parts
and it will be better than all the new cars on the road nowadays
and you have a car that is fun to drive.
btw... M43 manual
that is very cool
if you consider selling it i am willing to buy.
E36 electricals
Good luck to you on the journey.
I went through the same, now is in the Electronics failure stage.
Last night, car refused to start, not even crank, like a dead battery. Battery ok. Almost got slaughtered by a specialist who claimed computer died, bla bla...
later advised by an Engineer (electronic) to try with spare key, car started immediately. Found that the "chip" in the key has died. Never knew of this feature.
Using the spare key now.
Where can i get a new chip and programming for this?
Good luck to you on the journey.
I went through the same, now is in the Electronics failure stage.
Last night, car refused to start, not even crank, like a dead battery. Battery ok. Almost got slaughtered by a specialist who claimed computer died, bla bla...
later advised by an Engineer (electronic) to try with spare key, car started immediately. Found that the "chip" in the key has died. Never knew of this feature.
Using the spare key now.
Where can i get a new chip and programming for this?
Thanks for the offer sam, actually, i was going to sell the car and then after looking at the trade in value i was offered for her, i immediately changed my mind and decided to try and bring my car back to the way she was when i first got her ..... (at any rate as close as i can get to that on my budget now.....)
Actually, i changed the suspension with all brand new parts (like Jarrance suggested), except for the front shocks which i used a 2nd hand shock but everything else is new and all parts purchased from BA
Lee, my mechanic's workshop is packed to the max... with alot of million dollar cars like all the BMW's, Ferari's, Lotus, Mercs etc ....sigh ...... his business is very good these days ... it was good even a decade ago but nowadays it's getting harder to get my mechanic to fit me in ......
Ouch Mike ..... i think i'll be there soon .... but right now the hoses are failing i think .....
On Saturday, the steering hoses change went without a hitch ... but when i tried to replace the fuel filter .... ended up also replacing 3 fuel hoses ..... changed the spark plugs and also1 vaccum hose at the FPR
The ABS light refused to come on lol ...... was working perfectly ....
Went to Brothers and hit a bump and the ABS came on again .... sigh .... But i managed to buy Fuel injector cleaner, MAF Cleaner & Brake and Brake Parts cleaner
On sunday at home, when i took out the MAF to clean it, i found 2 more vaccum hoses broken and replaced those, but i cannot find the other 3 vaccum hoses which must also be in similar condition ..... sigh
Also on closer inspection of all the hoses that i can see .... some are in pretty bad condition ...... and most are showing their age .......
Anyone know what hose is wrapped in cloth but also has wire coiled around it? reinforcing it? (the wire is now comming apart from the hose wrapping ..... must replace it soon i think ... but dunno what it is .....)
Yes, i think my car is going to be keeping me very busy for the next few months as i try to get the parts i need and schedule the workshop appointments ....
Was going to change all the brake hoses etc as my next project but i think the radiator hoses etc will need to be done first ....
Thanks alot for all your encouragement and help, knowing that this is a journey that all BMW owners must take means that i'm travelling in good company .......
Actually, i changed the suspension with all brand new parts (like Jarrance suggested), except for the front shocks which i used a 2nd hand shock but everything else is new and all parts purchased from BA
Lee, my mechanic's workshop is packed to the max... with alot of million dollar cars like all the BMW's, Ferari's, Lotus, Mercs etc ....sigh ...... his business is very good these days ... it was good even a decade ago but nowadays it's getting harder to get my mechanic to fit me in ......
Ouch Mike ..... i think i'll be there soon .... but right now the hoses are failing i think .....
On Saturday, the steering hoses change went without a hitch ... but when i tried to replace the fuel filter .... ended up also replacing 3 fuel hoses ..... changed the spark plugs and also1 vaccum hose at the FPR
The ABS light refused to come on lol ...... was working perfectly ....
Went to Brothers and hit a bump and the ABS came on again .... sigh .... But i managed to buy Fuel injector cleaner, MAF Cleaner & Brake and Brake Parts cleaner
On sunday at home, when i took out the MAF to clean it, i found 2 more vaccum hoses broken and replaced those, but i cannot find the other 3 vaccum hoses which must also be in similar condition ..... sigh
Also on closer inspection of all the hoses that i can see .... some are in pretty bad condition ...... and most are showing their age .......
Anyone know what hose is wrapped in cloth but also has wire coiled around it? reinforcing it? (the wire is now comming apart from the hose wrapping ..... must replace it soon i think ... but dunno what it is .....)
Yes, i think my car is going to be keeping me very busy for the next few months as i try to get the parts i need and schedule the workshop appointments ....
Was going to change all the brake hoses etc as my next project but i think the radiator hoses etc will need to be done first ....
Thanks alot for all your encouragement and help, knowing that this is a journey that all BMW owners must take means that i'm travelling in good company .......
