E46 318i cannot start (batt or alternator) and leaking problem

[pantyhoesthief]

Hi, i'm Tim and bought my e46 318i 2003 last november. so far spent money to replace the belt and tensioner and normal service, except this 3 months i seldom drive it. so, i din on/use the car for a week, then ytd night start everything ok. just now thought want go buy makan, suddenly cannot start. check the batt voltage it shows 12, tried to start it shows lower 11.1.-11.6. wonder if any of u experienced it , please advice whether the alternator is dying or the batt kong coz din start for long. how much for battery and what brand to buy?2nd problem, leaking is suddenly becoming bad, i can see oil leaking on the front right of engine, on the left side of engine and of course i tunduk bawah can see some oil leaking towards a pipe (maybe exhaust pipe), what i need to know is, i want to change all the seal and gasket that is leaking or might leak in the future. please can someone roughly qoute me the price and which parts to change so that i dont get cheated.??well all the while the workshop i visit everytime is top speed glenmarie, they charge a bomb for all my previous car but never had a problem for 4-5 years with them, but well if theres a cheaper one with good reputation please recommend them to me.ty to all sifus who reply.

 

[terry8]

Try Mspeed - Ah Wah is very good. To save money sometimes i buy the parts and he install them. He will check your car and tell you what's wrong. If its alternator - can get 2nd hand part.

 

[Jeffry12]

Hi Tim, if u want to purchase 2nd hand alternator, I have original one with me. It was working just fine on my 2005 325i but I changed to a brand new one as I was refurbishing my car to as-new / stock original condition and changed several parts (ignition coil, water pump, MAF unit, Bilstein shocks & springs (lowered) etc etc) even though they were working perfectly. All changed by MSpeed USJ. Condition can be verified by Ah Meng or by any auto electrician.

 

[pantyhoesthief]

Alright thanks guys, Mspeed Ah wah? how do i contact him or his shop at?

 

[Jeffry12]

Tim, I dun know Ah Wah, only Ah Meng (aka Kenny) from MSpeed USJ. Maybe Ah Wah is from another MSpeed? The one I go to is at the industrial area near the Summit in USJ. Just google MSpeed USJ and u can get the address, directions and tel no of the shop. Or u can call Ah Meng at 0136003333.

 

[pantyhoesthief]

ok thanks bro. any idea how long to solve the leaking problem or how much the battery cost? i havent gt time to look at the car also lol

 

[Jeffry12]

To solve leaking problem, just bring to workshop and ask mech to change all seals and gaskets as u mentioned above "that are leaking or will leak in future" - I think that shouldn't be a big problem or cost too much. As for the battery, depends on your DIN rating.. You can check from this forum but I think prices start at RM350.00 for Bosch - RM550 for Delco DIN100.. anyway, just call up any spare parts shop (Bomin, First Division, Suan Huat, Bavarian Auto etc) and they should be able to quote you a price.

 

[pantyhoesthief]

thx bro, turn out the culprit which i thought was a flat batt was wrong, i did not turn on for a week and the batt drained. only cost me 20 to ask mech bring portable charger here to jump. so jeff can suggest which mech is capable of changing the best seals and gaskets, i dont want after done leaking bcoz i know this shop near keramat, near the entrance big shop specialize in merz and bmw, the mech said it takes 1 week and cost around 3800 for all the seals and gaskets. is that true?

 

[Vincent Hor]

In my opinion RM3800 to replace seals is on the high side. You may want to check out & compare the quoation with some of the recommended workshops in this forum. Parts not so costly but it's labour intensive. Depending on what or where it's leaking it should take max 3 - 4 days only.

thx bro, turn out the culprit which i thought was a flat batt was wrong, i did not turn on for a week and the batt drained. only cost me 20 to ask mech bring portable charger here to jump. so jeff can suggest which mech is capable of changing the best seals and gaskets, i dont want after done leaking bcoz i know this shop near keramat, near the entrance big shop specialize in merz and bmw, the mech said it takes 1 week and cost around 3800 for all the seals and gaskets. is that true?

 

[Jeffry12]

Suggest you try out the mechs most frequently recommended in this forum, I believe WP Auto (Albert) is highly recommended and I understand that he will not recommend a replacement if part can still be used/repaired. Personally, I went to MSpeed USJ but Ah Meng has tendency to recommend replacement rather than reuse/repair/service if your objective is trouble free running.. I rather spend the money in one go for a reasonable trouble free period than keep on having to visit the mech every other week to repair/replace wear and tear parts. In fact most of the parts I changed were still in pretty good condition. However since my requirement to Ah Meng was that I did not want to be stranded in the middle of somewhere due to broken down parts or to keep on visiting him, I agreed to change what he recommended. I believe it will also save in overall labour costs too... So, if you want to change all seals, gaskets, recommend you go to MSpeed as I have done it and am happy with the service, quality and expertise and also the charges. You could also call Ah Meng up first for a quote and compare with the others. Also depends where you stay and whether convenient for you..

 

[pantyhoesthief]

ok sure, will visit him next week to get a quotation on the overall price of all seals and gasket replacement.

 

[pantyhoesthief]

In my opinion RM3800 to replace seals is on the high side. You may want to check out & compare the quoation with some of the recommended workshops in this forum. Parts not so costly but it's labour intensive. Depending on what or where it's leaking it should take max 3 - 4 days only.

ok, will do so . thx in advance.