What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

I'm ashamed with myself for this but I need to share.

I have not been checking my oil levels regularly, and as a mechanicaly inclined person who studied it in college, I should know better. My low oil level light came on a couple days ago for a few seconds going around a tight corner and shortly there after went off. I stopped on the way to work today at Auto Zone to check the oil and top off. I pulled the dipstick out and.....it didn't even read on the stick :facepalm.....fml. I went in a bought two quarts of Mobile One 0-40W Full synthetic, and went out and put both in. Checked the dipstick again.....oh dear jesus :eyetwitch still wasn't reading on the dipstick......so I went back in and bought two more quarts. Went back out and put both in, and checked the dip stick and FINALLY back to normal levels........That means my engine only had 3 quarts of oil left....I'm so lucky I didn't have any major issues arise from this. I can not believe I didn't check the oil, and let it get so bad. I treated my girl like crap, and she deserves better. She felt a lot better after making the oil level right. I didn't realise how bad it had gotten. I can assure myself and everyone else that this will not happen again. From now on everytime I get gas the oil levels will be checked. Rain, shine, sleet, and snow no matter what.

I feel so stupid right now.....:asshat

I thought the light came on at 1 quart low?

:dunno

Dang! That is low.

Do you have an oil leak? Or is this a consumption issue?

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Originally Posted by danewilson77

I thought the light came on at 1 quart low?

:dunno

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That's what I thought too, and is why I wasn't as worried about it. I can't believe the light hadn't come on yet, but I shouldn't rely on a light to tell me when I need to add oil. It's my responibility to make sure everything is ok.

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Originally Posted by Dave_B

Dang! That is low.

Do you have an oil leak? Or is this a consumption issue?

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I haven't seen any leaks anywhere. Right now this vehicle is just my DD, granted I drive 76 miles oneway to work. I believe this is a consumption issue.

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Originally Posted by SureShot434

That's what I thought too, and is why I wasn't as worried about it. I can't believe the light hadn't come on yet, but I shouldn't rely on a light to tell me when I need to add oil. It's my responibility to make sure everything is ok.



I haven't seen any leaks anywhere. Right now this vehicle is just my DD, granted I drive 76 miles oneway to work. I believe this is a consumption issue.

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I never noticed any leaks on mine either but, the oil filter housing was leaking as well as my VCG. The OFHG leak was running down the block and back to the transmission and dripping from there. And I never even noticed the first drop. That combined with a bad oil level sensor, and plain stupidity, caused me to burn the rings out of my last engine.

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Originally Posted by Ryans323i

I had no idea you were getting an exhaust too! I wonder if your ZHP exhaust would work on my car?




Oooo, so nice. Really like the brake handle.

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Ryan,
The 330/325 exhaust is different than the 323/328 exhaust. The angle where the exhaust mounts to the outlet end of the exhaust manifold manifold is different between the '99/00 cars and '01/06. You could make it work but would need to cut off the front end of your exhaust connection and have it welded to the front end of Rob's. Most likely would have to cut the front few inches of Rob's exhaust off, mount it to you car, then have someone determine how much of your exhaust needs to be cut off & welded on to make it all fit correctly.

Sounds like some trouble to do this but the result will be worth it. On the 323, the stock exhaust is too restrictive with the stock single piping, the dual pipingZHP exhaust will free it up and move your back pressure convergence point backwards. Moving that convergence point backwards moves the first heat concentration point backwards. And moving the heat away from the engine helps createmore power, you should notice a difference. Good luck with it.

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Originally Posted by BCS_ZHP

Ryan,
The 330/325 exhaust is different than the 323/328 exhaust. The angle where the exhaust mounts to the outlet end of the exhaust manifold manifold is different between the '99/00 cars and '01/06. You could make it work but would need to cut off the front end of your exhaust connection and have it welded to the front end of Rob's. Most likely would have to cut the front few inches of Rob's exhaust off, mount it to you car, then have someone determine how much of your exhaust needs to be cut off & welded on to make it all fit correctly.

Sounds like some trouble to do this but the result will be worth it. On the 323, the stock exhaust is too restrictive with the stock single piping, the dual pipingZHP exhaust will free it up and move your back pressure convergence point backwards. Moving that convergence point backwards moves the first heat concentration point backwards. And moving the heat away from the engine helps createmore power, you should notice a difference. Good luck with it.

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I thought there was something like that... Thanks for the detailed info... Ry, you still have 1st dibs if you still want it

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Originally Posted by danewilson77

Mileage on tires and brand?

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It's my RTAB on that side, after doing research and watching a few YouTube video's, I'm certain of it. The rear end has had this "loose" feeling for sometime, I should have known something bad would come of it...

But to answer you question, I don't think I have 15,000 on that tire, its a Michelin Pilot Super Sport. The other one on the rear had a blow out because it was low on air (nail). This tire has 3 nails on it, its been going low every now and then which is why I was inspecting it (for nails) which is when I saw the belts showing. I need a TPMS system!

I ordered AKG Black RTAB's, new exhaust gaskets (we used RTV when we installed my clutch because I forgot to order them) and a new steering coupler (been on my list for awhile)...

The seeping VCG and squeeky tensioner (not loud today at all, loud yesterday as seen in the video I posted) will have to wait a little longer. I also still have an airbag light on, ugh. Hope the tire will hold out until I can get these parts in and installed, luckily I'll be able to claim the tire as a road-hazard and get one for $35 shipped...

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Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Sounds good, the boots are awesome looking.. Get that thing ready for a possible Mulholland cruise with William on Saturday the 6th???

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GMR > Mulholland Dr

Bruce beat me to the response.

the best way to make it work is to leave the 323 exhaust attached to the downpipes/manifold/cats...then cut the first section pipes before any additional cats or resonators...then cut the zhp exhaust in the same location - install loosely the zhp complete system and then make enough spot welds to hold everything together - then drop the newly attached exhaust system and properly weld all the way around both pipes to close the seams...I have been able to weld the seams completely with the system still on the car...but some folks are leary of this process