New guy, first Bimmer and happens to be a ZHP. Upstate, SC

[Dave_B]

And so it begins...



Parts will be here Thursday. This is just prep and time savings.

[Dave_B]

How do you guys NOT get showered with coolant when draining the block?

I thought, I'll be creative and use my tubing from my wet vac. No brainer, right?

WRONG.

Parts should be here tomorrow. Def have the 2 idler/tensioner near alternator are def. bad with bearing noise that I had been hearing at start up.

[wertyu78]

How do you guys NOT get showered with coolant when draining the block?

I thought, I'll be creative and use my tubing from my wet vac. No brainer, right?

WRONG.

Parts should be here tomorrow. Def have the 2 idler/tensioner near alternator are def. bad with bearing noise that I had been hearing at start up.

Awesome! Cannot wait until you get it all caught up on maintenance! Then you can start modifying!

[Dave_B]

Cooling system refresh now completed.

WOW, what a chore! Much worse than working on Honda's that I'm used to, but a great learning experience.

Lessons learned, that #%)(&#%&#$ heater hose at the back of the head near the firewall can suck it. (1.5 hours spent on this ALONE!!!!)

Having good variety of tools certainly helps

All in all, I'm happy. No leaks and bled the system a few times to get the air out and the heat works just fine.

Next up, oil leaks/seals/gaskets, Vanos rebuild of seals and Anti-rattle kit, trans fluid refill, diff refill.

And the wife gave me an early Valentines present... Aux port cable. :P

[aurelius]

Also, my car ALWAYS beeps with the drivers door open when the key is out of it. No clue why. Key? Yep, it's shot. I'm going to be ordering a new one, then cutting this one open and replacing the VL-2020 battery and hoping for the best. Worst case it's a good manual second key for the wife.
Any thoughts on those gents?

With any suspected key issues, it's worth having a look around this guy's site, especially the "wall of shame." http://www.bmwgm5.com/

Optional:
Trans thermostat (17111437362)

Looks like you figured this out but the part noted above is only for models with automatic transmission.

On the topic of cooling systems, another (kinda pricey but nice) part I added to my own list is the new aluminum 1.2 bar ET cap from German Auto Solutions. As noted elsewhere, those guys also have a CCV solution in the works, therefore you may want to hold off on that until they start selling whatever it is they're working on. Their DISA repair kit is also excellent and worth doing. At your mileage and if the DISA appears to be original, consider their "Gold" version.

[Dave_B]

Thanks for the info Aurelius. I'll definitely look into those.

I too think the constant beeping is key related especially since my key is dead.

What is a 1.2 bar ET cap? Sounds boost related LOL since it says bar. I'm assuming it's not and more related to the CCV?

[danewilson77]

Cooling system refresh now completed.

WOW, what a chore! Much worse than working on Honda's that I'm used to, but a great learning experience.

Lessons learned, that #%)(&#%&#$ heater hose at the back of the head near the firewall can suck it. (1.5 hours spent on this ALONE!!!!)

Having good variety of tools certainly helps

All in all, I'm happy. No leaks and bled the system a few times to get the air out and the heat works just fine.

Next up, oil leaks/seals/gaskets, Vanos rebuild of seals and Anti-rattle kit, trans fluid refill, diff refill.

And the wife gave me an early Valentines present... Aux port cable. :P

Well done.

[WOLFN8TR]

What is a 1.2 bar ET cap? Sounds boost related LOL since it says bar. I'm assuming it's not and more related to the CCV?

http://germanautosolutions.com/bmw_s...12_bar_cap.php

[aurelius]

Cooling system refresh now completed.

Lessons learned, that #%)(&#%&#$ heater hose at the back of the head near the firewall can suck it. (1.5 hours spent on this ALONE!!!!)

How was the condition of that particular hose upon removal? Was it the source of your leak? Asking because I've never heard of replacing that hose in the E46 on a preventive basis. Being rubber and getting old, of course it wouldn't hurt (the car) to do so although it seems the personal pain threshold was well exceeded.

[Imola.ZHP]

I bought that hose when I did my overhaul... It didn't get replaced...