Yuben's 2003 Black Sapphire Metallic E46 330i

[Gizmo]

Yuben suffered a failed water pump just after xmas and Luben went out to give him a hand in diagnosing the issue and helped remove the failed pump. Thank you Luben for helping Yuben out, rep points coming your way. Yuben then had the car towed via the AA to my place as there were a few more things needed besides a new water pump.
Unfortunately the tow truck operator was extremely careless when he towed the car out Yuben's complex and hooked it on the underside rear suspension instead of towing it via the car's tow hook, in the process he damaged the rear bumper! Yuben has contacted the AA about it and they say they will pay for the damages at least.

Damaged bumper.






In the work bay for some TLC.






Thermostat and water pump removed.


Leaking aftermarket thermostat vs new OEM thermostat.


Aftermarket failed pump (bearing failure) vs new aftermarket water pump. Its only temporary until Yuben gets an OEM replacement. The failed GMB pump only lasted about 30 000km. The trucktec pump was supplied by Yuben.


Yuben/Luben used the wrong size tool to remove the tensioner pulley so the bolt got damaged, I found a stronger suitable replacement.


New pump and thermostat in place.


Tappet cover gasket had developed a leak.








Some prepsol and elbow grease.


Gasket came off in 1 piece more or less, was quite crusty though.


Tappet cover also got the elbow grease/prepsol treatment, inside and out.






Engine bay got a cleaning too.

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Also on the to-do list was to replace the 1year old Febi Bilstein FCABs that had failed. New Meyle HD bushes now reside in their place.








All finished. Happy chappy on his way out the door, 'till next time.

 

[Yuben]

Thanks Gizmo for your awesome work as usual
raise:raise:raise:

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Excellent work, Fanatics helping out! Again Gizmo what an immaculate workshop you have there! :coolShake:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

I'm a fan of you're work Gizmo.

If ever I drive my car down you'd be the first one I'd call raise:

 

[sash]

great stuff warren

 

[Luben]

Great stuff Warren. I can't take credit for the bolt though, that's credited to a previous repair job (neither you or me did that).

Yuben, glad u sorted. See ya around.


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[Yuben]

Gizmo I can't believe how bad those Febis were. I got used to driving with a light vague steering. Now the steering is much stiffer and more precise. Meyle HD FTW

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Great stuff Warren. I can't take credit for the bolt though, that's credited to a previous repair job (neither you or me did that).

Yuben, glad u sorted. See ya around.


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Correct Luben. Think it was damaged when I had the pulley failure after all 3 pulleys were changed at 130000km

 

[Doomsdaya]

Awesome stuff guys...

Gizmo I can't believe how bad those Febis were. I got used to driving with a light vague steering. Now the steering is much stiffer and more precise. Meyle HD FTW

My cousin also had Febi Bilstein LCAB's on his 330i which didn't last long either and he's not too happy about it. Yuben, with regards to ride comfort, is there a massive difference between the two or hardly noticeable ?

You mentioned the trucktec waterpump is only a temp solution ? Is it not better than OEM ? Seeing it comes with a metal propeller as opposed to plastic found on OEM pumps.

 

[Gizmo]

The impeller is not the part that fails on these pumps, it's the bearings and bearing seals that fail every time. I have only seen one m50 based pump with a failed impeller blade, it was on my own e36 325i.

 

[Peter@AEW]

I can't take credit for the bolt though,

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Classic

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That motor looks clean.....obviously not maintained at BMWs mandated 25000Km oil change intervals.

 

[Yuben]

Actually Peter it was serviced at BMW till 100000km. Thereafter Gizmo's garage.
Regarding the oil changes, still to the service intervals. The 1st change l did was at 112000km the day after I bought it, thereafter we did the 130000km service according to the indicator, the next one was at 152000km, and the next one is around 174000km according to the service indicator.

The only change we doing next is switching from Castrol Magnatec 5w40 to Liqui Moly 5w30.

I personally don't feel I need to change the oil sooner.

Unless...

 

[RAArmstrong]

I still feel like it's too long... Oil in my car lasts 8000km

 

[H|TM@N]

I would also change oil more often. 25000km is just too long. I would suggest 10000km or once a year.

 

[Yuben]

My car is daily driver. Oil was changed in June 2013, 130000km and at 152000km in May 2014. The next change should be around March 2015.
Judging from the condition from the pics, the oil changes seem to be doing the job, especially From Peters comment.

I was told if you use superior quality oil, which to date, i think have, the oil can last the distance.

 

[Spiro]

with regard to the "BMW Intervals'


BMW TWS and Mag Professional Oil's have additives, to allow a longer retention of Metal, Oil and Petrol deposits in the oil, but still allowing the oil to have it's longevity,

i stand to be corrected in terms of the 25 000km BMW Interval, but yes it seems too long, hence why i do my oil changes every 12 500KM's

My question is why do Manufacturers actually even waste their time grading a oil as "10w60" or "5w30" if we are gonna do a brand war, saying one oil out performs the other...

that's like saying Caltex 95 is better that Sasol 95 ???

we still need to keep in regard that there is a "working" time of the oil as well where the actual chemical composition of Bonding and oil break down level happens,

if we bring the interval of oil change too low, then we are actually allowing more metal to be broken down in the oil bonding process... and this not allowing substantial time for oil to bond to the metal..


guys, this is my 2cents from very little research

when i bought my 320 E46 ( it may be small but it goes ) i phoned castrol to ask what is the difference between a "BMW Branded" and "Retail" and the short answer was additives to allow a similar performance but for a longer retention

so.. back to the Brand question.... i'll stick to Castrol... mainly because

A. i can go to makro and grip 2 5L Gallons... during a special ( about 500 for both )
B. i will use 6L (5.75) for the first change
C. i will have about 4L remaining
D. for the next 2~3 Oil Changes i will only need to buy a 5L and an Oil Filter
E. this will last about 2 Years + - 50 000km's = 4 Oil Changes..
F. My Car has been running castrol for the last 10 Years.. ( 2004 car hey )



please note this is my opinion and it works well for me in terms of a "maintenance cost"


Spiro

:=):

 

[Gizmo]

Spiro, you are aware that BMW have dropped Castrol as their oil supplier? Shell now has the contract, castrol doesn't stand up to the long service intervals that BMW have employed.
Just because Castrol is found absolutely everywhere doesn't mean its the best, it just means they have a good marketing division. I used Castrol for your same reason but now its damn easy to get hold of liqui moly so I made the change and am happy I did considering the castrol horror stories out there.

 

[Ratslaaf]

I also went with Liqui moly. Yes it's double the price of Catrol at Makro, but I do two oil changes a year. R500 extra per year won't kill me. Compare that to what could potentially happen with 'cheap' oils it really is a no brainier, snake oil or not.

@Gizmo, I really should let you service my car rather, 'cause then I get a free engine clean as well:rollsmile:

 

[Yuben]

Spiro I think u r more than entitled to ur opinion on Castrol. I also only ever used Castrol before with no issues.

Will try out Liqui Moly the next time. If it affects my oil consumption, i will revert back to Castrol.

Gizmo, your Touring also looked in excellent condition when u did the tappet cover, and weren't u using Castrol as well?

 

[Gizmo]

Yes I was using castrol on all my cars. I got the touring on 87k and it's now on 118k. I have done 2 oil services on it so far.

 

[Yuben]

How long do u have the Touring?