01 E46 330i (MARY)

[Nobz330i]

Valve-stem issue on an M54? That's not common I think. Could it not be something else causing light smoke on start up? If it's the seals you should be getting smoke even when hot when you take off after sitting in traffic for a bit.

I also think so, I “think” it’s because I put too much oil and ever since it hasn’t needed any refill, so I check the dip stick every week just so see any difference and there’s nothing plus it’s still full so I don’t wana add anything Incase it damages something but so far I haven’t seen any smoke on start up so the oil is settling in the way I see it.

 

[Tinuva]

Just out of interest sake, there are 2 oil level sensors.
1 in the sump, only do this with oil service to save some trouble, infact Garage808 gave me discount on the labor because I was doing a service too. Replaced this one last month in my car. It doesn't leave the oil light on, but I had errors for oil temperature when doing readings using PASoft.

There is another one higher up, which is much easier to do.

Could you point out in realoem?


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Sure @AdiS

So the sensor in the sump is 12617508003 and does both level+temperature.

Then there is a oil pressure switch (my bad for calling it a sensor) in the oil filter housing, this is 12618611273, this only only does oil level.

According to Colin at Garage808, the one that usually fail is the one in the sump. It for some reason didn't really left my oil light on, but I did get a thermal reading error logged.

 

[AdiS]

So the sensor in the sump is 12617508003 and does both level+temperature.

Then there is a oil pressure switch (my bad for calling it a sensor) in the oil filter housing, this is 12618611273, this only only does oil level.

According to Colin at Garage808, the one that usually fail is the one in the sump. It for some reason didn't really left my oil light on, but I did get a thermal reading error logged.

Thanks.

Yes, the one in the sump inevitable fails. I just did mine recently.

 

[ecKARd]

Agree.. I would go mtech 1 since that kit was made for the pre facelift.. Only hassle is getting the kit..

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=90615

There's a start?

 

[Nobz330i]

I Came Across This Picture A Few Weeks Back & To Be Honest I’ve Been Thinking About The F/L Conversion Ever Since... My Car Is Literally The Same One On The Left, Even Been Calling Some Scrapyards To Get Prices... It’s Just A Thought For Now But Man I’m Conflicted. Maybe In A Few Years As A Project.

Your Thoughts?

 

[Beemerbro]

From what you describe, I wouldn't change valve stem seals if its just a small bit of smoke in the morning. Mine's done that for yonks now and everything works perfectly.
It's such a beautiful car and the colour's awesome
Bumper re-spray around R2K like Riaad has said.
That mileage 300k is nothing if properly maintained

However, if not already done, get ready for fuel preparation component items to need attention soon- Oxygen sensors, MAF,coils, fuel pump and filter..these can cost a lot
I'd also change oil separator and all vacuum lines ..its not expensive stuff
Take out idle control valve and clean with electrical parts cleaner and make sure its clicking when you shake it. It can jam by now
I see you changed the expansion tank, which is great, but why did you not go the whole hog and change the water pump, pulley and thermostat and coolant temperature sensor, possibly rad as well then your whole cooling system is tops. It's usually the biggest weakness of the E46

Wish you many more miles of pure pleasure with this beast :thumbs:

 

[Tinuva]

Its A LOT of work. More than you think. You going to need a lot of things.


1. FL Bonnet
2. FL Kidneys
3. FL Fenders
4. FL headlights
5. FL indicator lights
6. FL side indicator lights (oh and you need to extend the wiring because the cables will be too short)

Then if you change the bumper, the mounting brackets on the side for it might be different.

That is just the shortlist I came up with from my repairs.

 

[individj]

FL looks much better in my opinion ...do it...even better..do the Ci front

 

[Nobz330i]

From what you describe, I wouldn't change valve stem seals if its just a small bit of smoke in the morning. Mine's done that for yonks now and everything works perfectly.
It's such a beautiful car and the colour's awesome
Bumper re-spray around R2K like Riaad has said.
That mileage 300k is nothing if properly maintained

However, if not already done, get ready for fuel preparation component items to need attention soon- Oxygen sensors, MAF,coils, fuel pump and filter..these can cost a lot
I'd also change oil separator and all vacuum lines ..its not expensive stuff
Take out idle control valve and clean with electrical parts cleaner and make sure its clicking when you shake it. It can jam by now
I see you changed the expansion tank, which is great, but why did you not go the whole hog and change the water pump, pulley and thermostat and coolant temperature sensor, possibly rad as well then your whole cooling system is tops. It's usually the biggest weakness of the E46

Wish you many more miles of pure pleasure with this beast :thumbs:

Hi, thank you for that and yeah the smoke isn’t there anymore been paying attention all the time in the morning and I guess it was just that one occasion.
I’ve changed most of those items but will look into the oil separator.

Funny enough I sent an email to Deago and got a quote for the whole cooling system so I’m going to do a budget and do that before the end of the year.
Thanks for the compliment and advise.

Its A LOT of work. More than you think. You going to need a lot of things.


1. FL Bonnet
2. FL Kidneys
3. FL Fenders
4. FL headlights
5. FL indicator lights
6. FL side indicator lights (oh and you need to extend the wiring because the cables will be too short)

Then if you change the bumper, the mounting brackets on the side for it might be different.

That is just the shortlist I came up with from my repairs.

Yep it really is, been reading up on it and checking these other E46 forums
Is it all DIY or would I need a company to make it look proper?

FL looks much better in my opinion ...do it...even better..do the Ci front

It really does hey, I like the modern look of it. Do you have a pic of a sedan with a CI bumper? Never thought of that before.

 

[individj]

no the whole Ci front...thats what i would do..

 

[Nobz330i]

Mmmm, that would be something.

 

[Tinuva]

Its A LOT of work. More than you think. You going to need a lot of things.


1. FL Bonnet
2. FL Kidneys
3. FL Fenders
4. FL headlights
5. FL indicator lights
6. FL side indicator lights (oh and you need to extend the wiring because the cables will be too short)

Then if you change the bumper, the mounting brackets on the side for it might be different.

That is just the shortlist I came up with from my repairs.

Yep it really is, been reading up on it and checking these other E46 forums
Is it all DIY or would I need a company to make it look proper?

You can DIY all of it. Well at least I did. Only part I didn't do was the painting. Took it to a proper place, who also put everything back together after taking it off for painting.

 

[Nobz330i]

Its A LOT of work. More than you think. You going to need a lot of things.


1. FL Bonnet
2. FL Kidneys
3. FL Fenders
4. FL headlights
5. FL indicator lights
6. FL side indicator lights (oh and you need to extend the wiring because the cables will be too short)

Then if you change the bumper, the mounting brackets on the side for it might be different.

That is just the shortlist I came up with from my repairs.

Yep it really is, been reading up on it and checking these other E46 forums
Is it all DIY or would I need a company to make it look proper?

You can DIY all of it. Well at least I did. Only part I didn't do was the painting. Took it to a proper place, who also put everything back together after taking it off for painting.

You got a thread link I can read up on and see pics ?

 

[Tinuva]

You can take a look at my showroom thread here:
https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=79461&page=5

My car was in an accident, so I had money from the insurance that assisted with buying parts. I didn't go into exact detail of all the parts I bought, but can find the realoem links again of a facelift car to assist with parts you will need.

Currently on the front facelift part is there, still need to post on how I did the rear which was only this month.

 

[Nobz330i]

Just a minor update which was long overdue..

Last year December I ordered cooling system parts from Incomex and redid the whole cooling system and as a first time all went well, crazy thing is that it felt like it had more power after the change and the fuel consumption even became better. The process took about a night and the following morning as I had forgot to order the coolant temp sensor which I had to go buy at GW and the bleeding process went smoothly.


Will add some pics I managed to find.

So in November I ordered this WiFi OBD 2 Scanner for iPhone On AliExpress For R124 Which Got To SA In December But With The Way The Post Office Is Setup I Only Got It Last Week... Anyway What I Want To Say Is This Little Device Is Actually Very Convenient.

You Just Download One Of The Apps It Recommends & Switch On Your WiFi & You Will See It Show The Name Of The Device, Connect & All Is Good.

Thought My Car Had No Faults Since No Lights On The Dash & When I Scanned It 4 Codes Popped Up & I’m Glad I Bought This Because I Know Why My Car Takes A Few Cranks To Start Due To The Camshaft Sensor which I’ll get sorted by the end of the month

The other codes that popped up were: Camshaft Position Sensor
MAF Sensor Dirty Or Faulty
Front Heated Oxygen Sensor
Fuel Level Sensor

So yeah that’s what I got up to last year and this year which wasn’t much, this years goal is to get the suspension fully refreshed, new rear and front bumpers on that Mtech 1 or 2 tip, some new rims for it and make it looking top notch inside and out just to to preserve the look.


Took this picture yesterday evening.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Great work bud!

Really is awesome to see a younger fella taking such good care of a gem of a car like this man! raise:

Also, do love me some 330i e46 pics so keep em coming.
One car I always wanted by never got myself.

 

[K0dAx]

Awesome update!

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[Nobz330i]

Thanks Gent, truly appreciated.

 

[leachieboy]

Well done man. What a sweet ride. Kudos for all the love you’ve put in. Keep them pics coming.


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[Nobz330i]

Appreciation Post