Today I did something to my car (volume 2)

wotzgoingon · 29-08-2019 10:14PM

Carpentry wrote: »

325i ?

I realized that after I posted. There is a 3.2 e46 with the cc I posted.

keano25 · 29-08-2019 11:29PM

nogoodnamesleft wrote: »

I wish,

Ya going for the 535d myself next.. fingers crossed. Have had 3 520d's now..

Alanstrainor · 30-08-2019 02:22PM

Thinking of buying this as a replacement jack. The 2 I have now are absolute cheapies, bought for peanuts so I'm looking for something more substantial and easier to use:

https://www.halfords.ie/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/trolley-jacks/halfords-advanced-2-tonne-low-profile-trolley-jack

This will be used in the driveway, and stored in the garage which opens out into the drive. Mine drawback is the weight of the thing which is 30kg+. But I suppose if I want a sturdy jack, it's going to weigh a tonne, that's unavoidable. And sure it's on wheels.

wotzgoingon · 30-08-2019 02:42PM

The two trolley jacks I have at the minute are cheapies also that do not lift high enough. I used a piece of timber a few times to gain extra height until one day it slipped and nearly destroyed my side skirt. I just gave the side skirt a wack and the clips re-engaged but if you know where to look it is not 100% right.

Interslice · 30-08-2019 03:10PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Thinking of buying this as a replacement jack. The 2 I have now are absolute cheapies, bought for peanuts so I'm looking for something more substantial and easier to use:

https://www.halfords.ie/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/trolley-jacks/halfords-advanced-2-tonne-low-profile-trolley-jack

This will be used in the driveway, and stored in the garage which opens out into the drive. Mine drawback is the weight of the thing which is 30kg+. But I suppose if I want a sturdy jack, it's going to weigh a tonne, that's unavoidable. And sure it's on wheels.

Must do the same at some stage. The lidl special i have neither gets in low nor goes high.

Alanstrainor · 30-08-2019 03:49PM

Interslice wrote: »

Must do the same at some stage. The lidl special i have neither gets in low nor goes high.

Yep. My lidl special still works, about 6 years after I bought it. But I have the same problem, not low enough, not high enough. I think I'll do it then. I've been doing a lot of jobs of late so having an easy/quick jack that is stable is worth the 144 quid (minus 10%).

Truckermal · 30-08-2019 06:13PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Yep. My lidl special still works, about 6 years after I bought it. But I have the same problem, not low enough, not high enough. I think I'll do it then. I've been doing a lot of jobs of late so having an easy/quick jack that is stable is worth the 144 quid (minus 10%).

I've a spare space saver from the GS if you want it BTW..

Alanstrainor · 30-08-2019 06:29PM

Truckermal wrote: »

I've a spare space saver from the GS if you want it BTW..

Cheers man! Mine does have a space saver in the boot, so all good there. (Might actually take a closer look at it though!)

Truckermal · 30-08-2019 06:31PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Cheers man! Mine does have a space saver in the boot, so all good there. (Might actually take a closer look at it though!)

I bought a full size wheel for mine and it fitted in the well I couldn't stand the thought of that awful yellow wheel on should I have got a puncture...

cletus · 31-08-2019 04:18PM

Today I

- replaced front and rear discs and pads
- replaced front fog light bulb
- replaced jubilee clip around nearside CV boot
- repaired headlamp lugs with an epoxy thing I picked up in the motor factors

All on the wife's Grand Scenic

Alanstrainor · 31-08-2019 05:59PM

In the last couple of weeks (week and a half ish) I've done a few bits and bobs to the new is250.

Oil and filter change: Oil came out of it thick as tar, not impressed. I was suspicious of this when I was looking at the oil on the dip stick, but it was worse than I thought when I emptied it. I reckon I'll do another oil and filter change in a few months as a way of flushing it.

Intake pipe upgrade: There's an air pipe from the airbox to the throttle body and on new gs models there's a 'sound creator' air pipe installed. This is a modified intake pipe with what I can only describe as a horn pointing towards the cabin. There's a diaphragm inside that opens over 3,000rpm and blasts lovely intake noise into the cabin. It's amazing, the noise makes it sound like something way bigger and faster than it is. All of this came from a random ebay find, these parts are almost impossible to get so it was a really lucky one. And an OEM Lexus part too.

Rear brake pads: The rear pads were almost worn to the metal. So this was the first job I did. Not too bad, although I did make a mess of the fitting kit when removing the pads on the first side. So had to order a new metal retaining clip which was annoying.

NEXT UP:

1. Idler pulley and belt replacement. There's a bit of noise from the aux belts. Ordered a new idler pulley and belt, so I'll pull off the old belt and see what's what with the rest of the pulleys and change the idler while I'm there.

2. PCV: Super easy valve to change on these engines, no reason for changing it really. It's cheap and easily done so why not.

3. Spark plugs. Who knows if these have ever been done, so I've ordered 6 to pop in. Quite an annoying job to do, as access is limited. So quite a lot has to come off the top of the engine to get access.

And to top it off I just bought the new jack. It's amazing, hard to believe just how high it lifts compared to the old ones. And seems much sturdier and easier to use. Should make it easier for me to actually do these jobs.

Alanstrainor · 01-09-2019 07:23PM

Annddddd aux belt changed with idler pulley. Old belt looked old enough so good to swap that out. Old pulley was actually perfectly fine. But swapped out regardless. It does run nice and sweet now. I do have to remind myself that it's a V6 and not a lovely balanced I6 that I'm used to.

And the new jack was amazing. Lifted the car effortlessly and the process was much quicker and easier than before. No more will I be unwilling to do jobs based on the time it'll take me to get it in the air.

job seeker · 01-09-2019 09:41PM

I always thought this was a neat job!

I started by taking off the black panel

Removing wheel arch trim and front bumper: Pull wheel arch trim (carefully) towards you.

Remove phillips head screw located under the wheel arch trim, which hold on the bumper just below the wing and pull bumper forward!

Perspex boy is held in with two 10mm bolts and four push-release clips!

Old and new

reinstall the black plastic!

by Ah here! Do not talk bull!, on Flickr

And done!

Install of the new grille is literally the previous steps in reverse!

I was hoping to get it washed as well, but it rained all day unfortunately!

Alanstrainor · 01-09-2019 11:13PM

job seeker wrote: »

I always thought this was a neat job!

I started by taking off the black panel

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48660748028_7879d0441d.jpg

Removing wheel arch trim and front bumper: Pull wheel arch trip (carefully) towards you.

Remove phillips head screw located under the wheel arch trim, which hold on the bumper just below the wing and pull bumper forward!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48660692758_4a7a1c7c31.jpg

Perspex boy is held in with two 10mm bolts and four push-release clips!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48661180142_0ab92b1b88.jpg

Old and new

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48661384047_c6333929a7.jpg

reinstall the black plastic!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48661179727_8419fd1414.jpg
by Ah here! Do not talk bull!, on Flickr

And done!

Install of the new grille is literally the previous steps in reverse!

I was hoping to get it washed as well, but it rained all day unfortunately!

Now that is a lovely update, looks much better.

job seeker · 01-09-2019 11:49PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Now that is a lovely update, looks much better.

Cheers Alan! Not near as advanced as a lot of the work that goes on here, but any excuse for a spot of photography! :pac:

Alanstrainor · 02-09-2019 12:15AM

job seeker wrote: »

Cheers Alan! Not near as advanced as a lot of the work that goes on here, but any excuse for a spot of photography! :pac:

Ha! But so many of the jobs on here are about as difficult as all the messing about getting that grill replaced.

Interslice · 02-09-2019 02:08PM

Thought that is250 was an inline 6 aswell. Interesting! You should idle it for 5 minutes with this in the oil and drain it out. Pulls out all the build up stuck to the internals.

Alanstrainor · 02-09-2019 02:19PM

Interslice wrote: »

Thought that is250 was an inline 6 aswell. Interesting! You should idle it for 5 minutes with this in the oil and drain it out. Pulls out all the build up stuck to the internals.

I've always been a bit wary of these products to be honest. As far as I can tell there's nothing wrong with the engine so I'd rather not go too hard at it to fix a non problem. It's more that I'm very picky, and in my time with the e46 the oil has always been very fresh, so seeing oil in that condition come out was a bit of shock. I couple more changes and it should be grand I reckon.

I'm going through that phase of doing any jobs I can think of at the minute, there's a bit of a rattle over bumps, I have some suspicion over the rear top mount on the drivers side. Might do some investigating this evening.

cletus · 02-09-2019 03:36PM

You know what they say, if it ain’t broke, fix it ‘till it is...

dodzy · 02-09-2019 05:43PM

Off with the old....

And on with the new....

Next....swap out the chrome kidney grills for matt black.

Alanstrainor · 02-09-2019 06:25PM

Where did you get the plates? Need to do mine as well. I think Eire plates is who I used years back.

Truckermal · 02-09-2019 06:41PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Where did you get the plates? Need to do mine as well. I think Eire plates is who I used years back.

Eire plates are still there!

wotzgoingon · 02-09-2019 06:53PM

Those engine flush/cleaners can clean gunk that was helping the engine prevent leaks, especially on old engines or so I read anyway. I also heard it from that lunatic Scotty Kilmer.

dodzy · 02-09-2019 07:01PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Where did you get the plates? Need to do mine as well. I think Eire plates is who I used years back.

Parts for cars, Blanchardstown. On my doorstep so handier than online. As trucker says, eireplates still around.

Interslice · 02-09-2019 07:03PM

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Those engine flush/cleaners can clean gunk that was helping the engine prevent leaks, especially on old engines or so I read anyway. I also heard it from that lunatic Scotty Kilmer.

I used it on a 30 year old engine. No leaks since. If there is gunk sealing your engine there is usually a slow leak there. Id rather it out than in anway.

colm_mcm · 02-09-2019 10:15PM

job seeker wrote: »

I always thought this was a neat job!

I started by taking off the black panel

Removing wheel arch trim and front bumper: Pull wheel arch trim (carefully) towards you.

Remove phillips head screw located under the wheel arch trim, which hold on the bumper just below the wing and pull bumper forward!

Perspex boy is held in with two 10mm bolts and four push-release clips!

Old and new

reinstall the black plastic!

by Ah here! Do not talk bull!, on Flickr

And done!

Install of the new grille is literally the previous steps in reverse!

I was hoping to get it washed as well, but it rained all day unfortunately!

Great mod, really freshens them up. Might as well get the facelift rear indicators while you’re at it!

That car has turned out great.

Alanstrainor · 03-09-2019 01:12PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I'm going through that phase of doing any jobs I can think of at the minute, there's a bit of a rattle over bumps, I have some suspicion over the rear top mount on the drivers side. Might do some investigating this evening.

Not the top mount, all good there. Honestly I think it could be the boot liner, or jack/first aid kit/random shite in the boot. I'll empty everything and go for a drive to see tonight.

dodzy · 03-09-2019 01:44PM

Well....I didn't actually do it!

Just got a call from Joe Duffy - left the car in this morning for the infamous EGR Cooler recall. About 10 of us there for the same reason at the same time. All processed within the hour. Just got a call to say that the EGR cooler end is fine but they are changing the AC condenser and re-priming the system. (Another recall item he pointed out when the reg was tapped in). I mentioned that I had to get the system recharged approx 3mths ago and after 12 weeks it's effectiveness was not as good as it should have been. So new condenser going in has saved me probably the best part of €800 for OEM unit supply & fit. Happy days:)

Sound lad to deal with also. Very professional setup & a cracking showroom.

deandean · 03-09-2019 11:33PM

My new Michelin tyre picked up a huge Spax screw. Grrr.
I bought a tyre plug repair kit from Amazon, a good quality one with all the toys.
I pulled out the screw, reamed the hole in the tyre and plugged it with the tyre still on the car. It took ten minutes. The tyre only lost 7PSI as I made the repair!
The plug kits are brill. Saved me a half day in time, etc. And easy to use.

Tails142 · 04-09-2019 05:04AM

Hmmmm don't know if I'd trust plugging my own tyre, I suppose if it holds it holds, but I've be thinking at least the tyre fitter has a bit of experience and knows what to look out for if there's an underlying problem.

Today I did something to my car (volume 2)

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