E46 parts & maintenance

[Fred Kong]

Preparing for the wear and tear

Came back from Malacca to JB last evening, was doing average 130km/h even though it was raining cats and dogs. Ist time doing such constant speed in heavy rain but my 318i (2002) did not disappoint me in any aspect. Brakes, ABS , traction control, steering feel and was given middle finger by some sillypore cars for tailgating and overtaking him. Ends up heavy Jam just 8 km before Kulai due to Lorry over turning. 1,5 hours trip became 2.5 hours trip.

Today a few thing happen.

1) EML light is up. 1 hour ago ( searching thru the forum, could be caused by heavy rain )
2) Alternator very very noisy ( only when air-con is on ) . But been a while, vincent top power claims it abt to go replacement new 4k, 2nd hand 1.8 k I think. So need opinion. Air con also like not cold enough.
3) When Breaking, steering vibrates very hard on most road surface only.

Also told me that my gear box got problem but don't feel anything wrong with it. Can anybody advice on tell tale sign ??

 

[Blue Coupe]

Phew!... at last!!! now is 3.09am.. It takes me 2 days to finish 63 pages and 621 msgs... Very educative though... After all the notes I took now I got a few questions...

1. My 318ci 2.0 2004 was bought in Aug 2007... The milage is abt 19K.. I am was then a very proud owner of a almost a new car... but then some people told me that the meter must already been tempered... Can the meter be tempered? If so can it be reversed? Because this will effect my ATF changing calculation?

2. Why is everybody changing the expansion tank? Despite the ones which is crack or damage of cause.... Do I need to change mine?

3. Iridium and platinum spark plugs... sound so tempting.... sure like to change those... What is the original made of?

Sorry guys for the questions coz this is my first beemer and I am very scared!!!

 

[nikrazali]

Oil leak

(11/10/2007)
chrome roof moulding rm1330/pair(inner power jln Ipoh)
install rm30
total rm1360

parts changed e46 318i19/10/2007)
4lit engine oil Castrol 5w40 rm160
1pc oil filter rm42
1 bottle fuel cleaner rm42
2 pcs 'U' seal rm84
1 pc timing cover gasket rm115
1 pc oil pan gasket rm98
1 pc crankshaft oil seal rm52
1 pc flywheel oil seal rm85
1 pc oil cooler gasket rm16
1 pc bush rm60
1 pc connector rm58
1 pc cooler joint rm165
1 pc water pump rm225
1 pc thermostat cover rm260
1 pc cooler hose rm105
1 litre auto oil rm48
1 bot radiator coolant rm45

To check engine oil leaks, to remove and install engine assy, to renew timing cover gasket, 'U' seal, oil pan gasket, crankshaft oil seal, flywheel seal, water pump, thermostat cover, cooler hose and cooler joint. Lub service, RM650
refill air-cond gas rm80

Total rm2390

today 20/10/2007
1pc camshaft sensor rm330
total rm330

 

[polluxcapella]

I am looking at installing K&N air intake system on my E46 318i.
Appreciate comments / recommendations from those who have gone thro that road. Was it worth the $? How much did it cost?

Saw online store (in US) selling complete K&N intake system (DIY Kit) for only about U$170+ shipping. Wander how much is the tax if I buy online. Shipping would cost about U$50.
Thank you.

 

[Sushi69]

E46 2000

Got my UDM about 4 months ago E46 2000 60km only CKD, so far did my normal service.. Changed oil, oil filter.. Checked underneath, no leaks Need some info..
1. Is it good to change ATF ...
2. Is is good to do a flush before changing ATF...
3. When I first start the car in the morning, have to let the engine warm up for about 5 min, if not when I drive off the gear does not change from 1 to 2 immediately, only after about 200meters does it change.. If I let it warm up, the gear changes like normal.. ( is this happening because its a 7 years old car or do I need t get something changed.... )
4. Only problem so far is that there is a slight leak from the back mirror. Shop said RM 380 to remove the back wind screen, re-seal and install back. If wind screen cracked, then hv to change that as well.
-- currently I have used a seal to stop the leak. Has anybody else experienced this...

Pls help.....

 

[Mouse]

Got my UDM about 4 months ago E46 2000 60km only CKD, so far did my normal service.. Changed oil, oil filter.. Checked underneath, no leaks Need some info..
1. Is it good to change ATF ...
2. Is is good to do a flush before changing ATF...
3. When I first start the car in the morning, have to let the engine warm up for about 5 min, if not when I drive off the gear does not change from 1 to 2 immediately, only after about 200meters does it change.. If I let it warm up, the gear changes like normal.. ( is this happening because its a 7 years old car or do I need t get something changed.... )
4. Only problem so far is that there is a slight leak from the back mirror. Shop said RM 380 to remove the back wind screen, re-seal and install back. If wind screen cracked, then hv to change that as well.
-- currently I have used a seal to stop the leak. Has anybody else experienced this...

Pls help.....

bro, u posted in the wrong section, anyway, i will recommend u to flush and refill with new ATF coz your mileage is only 60K, its a good time to flush. remember to only use ESSO LT 71141. your third question is "normal'......alot of our forumer have the same behavior, your gear will only shift to 2nd gear when u r 1/4 mark from your coolant temperature. i also not sure what is the reason.

 

[Fred Kong]

Ok, Its the Eccentric Cam sensor that is damaged. Also the valve motor. The bills are as follow.

Top Power at Pasir Pelangi ( JB)

Eccentric Cam Sensor 1300
Top up engine oil 60
2nd hand Valve motor 280
labor 110

Total 1750

Also, the front wheel Bush is abt time and also 1 more pair of sensor that links to the exhaust manifold or oulet. estimate will cost another 1.5 K.

As to the gear shift issue while engine is cool. Its actually problem with gear box. Better take good care of your gear box.

 

[moriz]

Hi Fred,

Did the alternator problem got sorted? Was the noise due to your alternator as Im suffering the same problem.

They quoted a brand new one for RM2.3K and a recon unit for RM950.

 

[Sushi69]

E46 2000

Thanks for the advice... learning something new everyday..
next project is flush and atf change....

bro, u posted in the wrong section, anyway, i will recommend u to flush and refill with new ATF coz your mileage is only 60K, its a good time to flush. remember to only use ESSO LT 71141. your third question is "normal'......alot of our forumer have the same behavior, your gear will only shift to 2nd gear when u r 1/4 mark from your coolant temperature. i also not sure what is the reason.

 

[Fred Kong]

Now having problem with air-con too, how and where did you get yours done ?

 

[Fred Kong]

I am not sure abt the actual problem, what puzzle me is

1) When Air con is off, no noise
2) Air Con on, noise is in but air con is not cold now unless I lower the temp. to 16C .

Price, I am not too sure yet but I will ask when I see Vincent next week.

 

[tank34]

Hey Fred, am getting the exact same problem. Car is E46 325i 2003 model. Condition is tip top with the exception of this puzzling "noise". My initial suspect was one of the tensioner pulleys which was replaced anyways but problem not resolved. Can imagine it being the "Alternator" because the noise goes away when the air-cond is turned off.

Air-cond temperature is fine, but it probably needs a servicing soon.

 

[rozaini1]

I own 320i E46, and I'm having some problem with the aircond. The aircond has been on and off. To explain it further, once i started the engine, the aircond was working ok, but sometimes, it does not start and there was no air coming out of the aircond vent, and sometimes after a while, the aircond came back to normal. Kindly assist if anybody is having this same problem, and I truly appreciate your advice. I hope members can also propose BMW aircond specialist for me. Thanks

 

[Azmankhairul]

I had the same problrm before with my E46 325I. Went for a service. The problem was the aircon thermometer contol. zreplace that at RM295. it was working very well since then. The specialist said quite a common problem for E46.
For the noise, the blower fan was not balance since 1 fin on one side was broken. Replace the blower Fan c/w motor at RM650.

 

[nikrazali]

e46 318i
change lower arm bush rm 600 superpro
balancing+alignment rm 82
adjust rear chamber rm 60

done at tyrezone ss24 pj

 

[jasonnn]

Just serviced the car.

E46 325i

2 btls 4x litre Castrol Fully Synthetic Engine oil - 10w 60 = RM 145/each
Original Oil Filter - RM 30
Jurid Front brake pads = RM 170
Bosch Spark Plugs x 6 = RM 90
Original Left Hand side rear window arm = RM 450

Total = RM 1030

Is the engine oil ok?? thought of using Mobil 1..

 

[rakish_sanusi]

so, bottom line figures? how much u spent?

 

[rakish_sanusi]

Just serviced the car.

E46 325i

2 btls 4x litre Castrol Fully Synthetic Engine oil - 10w 60 = RM 145/each
Original Oil Filter - RM 30
Jurid Front brake pads = RM 170
Bosch Spark Plugs x 6 = RM 90
Original Left Hand side rear window arm = RM 450

Total = RM 1030

Is the engine oil ok?? thought of using Mobil 1..

suggested to use castrol fully syn EDGE 5W/40 = RM130/..

 

[jasonnn]

suggested to use castrol fully syn EDGE 5W/40 = RM130/..

really??
so the oil i use, will it damage the engine? as it is 10w/60
what are the effects?

 

[rakish_sanusi]

agree used castrol coz it recomended by bmw