The Bimmer Basement

[grease_monkey]

You sure you bled/burped all the air out? When you say the temp "bounces" it sounds to me like maybe there's still some air in your system? I agree those temps you took seem reasonable and safe.

 

[Megadodo]

I agree that the temps look good, check the gauge multi-plug, the engine earth (again and is there a battery to engine block connection?) and the actual connector for temperature sensor for corrosion and high resistance. Is the sensor making good contact with the head? Is there sealant or teflon sealing tape in the threads? Have you got another gauge you could borrow to try (mine was faulty in my 1602 which gave a high reading, god I miss that car!)?

 

[Mpower5266]

You sure you bled/burped all the air out? When you say the temp "bounces" it sounds to me like maybe there's still some air in your system? I agree those temps you took seem reasonable and safe.

Its been burped several times. I spend every night last week and almost a tank of gas burping it.

I agree that the temps look good, check the gauge multi-plug, the engine earth (again and is there a battery to engine block connection?) and the actual connector for temperature sensor for corrosion and high resistance. Is the sensor making good contact with the head? Is there sealant or teflon sealing tape in the threads? Have you got another gauge you could borrow to try (mine was faulty in my 1602 which gave a high reading, god I miss that car!)?

I cleaned up all of the grounds under the hood, they were a little corroded. Im going to replace the alternator ground because the wiring looked a little iffy but its working great now. Tonight or Saturday Im going to do a DIY I found to replace the gauge cluster ground and that should do the trick. I hope. Its acted the same with two different clusters.

 

[Squankum]

Its been burped several times. I spend every night last week and almost a tank of gas burping it.

I haven't used mine yet, but everybody in GJ raves about the Airlift.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRH5G/?tag=atomicindus08-20


It *****!


_

 

[Mpower5266]

I haven't used mine yet, but everybody in GJ raves about the Airlift.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRH5G/?tag=atomicindus08-20


It *****!


_

I dont think it actually needed to be burped, I was just grasping at straws while trying to get it running cool. I think the issue now is either ground or t stat or both.

 

[Squankum]

I dont think it actually needed to be burped, I was just grasping at straws while trying to get it running cool. I think the issue now is either ground or t stat or both.

Keep an eye on your last thermostat and new one for a little check valve in it for bubbles. If you're dealing with a thermostat without that, do you know the aspirin trick?

Ever do the stovetop test? That's simple fun. Is there anything else you'd raaaaather be doin'... than boilin' your thermostat on a Friday night?



_

 

[madoc1]

when I replace a thermostat I usually drill a 1/8 or so hole in the new one. rarely ever have a air bubble prob... that small a hole doesn't seem to hurt a bit on the warm up.

jim

 

[Bob Heine]

when I replace a thermostat I usually drill a 1/8 or so hole in the new one. rarely ever have a air bubble prob... that small a hole doesn't seem to hurt a bit on the warm up.

jim

Thermostats for the majority of American cars don't come with a housing but many BMW thermostats do. When I owned my Euro-spec 1979 733i I learned that BMW often solves small problems with rather complex (and expensive) solutions. Drilling a hole in this 2002 thermostat is a bit more difficult and is as likely to create a problem as solve one.

 

[THE AM3RICAN]

Wow, such a great thread in so many ways. Loving everything you've done so far, to both the garage and the Bimmers. You're my kind of guy

 

[mlytle]

Just found your garage turned into 02 build thread. Are you active on 2002faq.com?

Marshall
75 M2
97 M3
http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/103584-mlytles-m2-madness/

 

[Mpower5266]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Just found your garage turned into 02 build thread. Are you active on 2002faq.com?

Marshall
75 M2
97 M3
http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/103584-mlytles-m2-madness/

I used to be but I never really think to get on there much anymore. It appears we have similar taste in vehicles as well.

Edit: Im actually going through your thread now, that thing is awesome.

I have a small update from this weekend, I got the trunk parts cleaned up. I still need to button everything up a little nicer and I will probably spray all of it black, but its much cleaner believe it or not.

Then I rewired the license plate light since it was shorting out all of the left lighting on the car.

And my historic tags will now be fully illuminated.

After that, I proceeded to break the side window latch on the passenger side while trying to pop window open. That was a $100 mistake but the next one is on the way.

 

[Mpower5266]

Got a few things done this weekend. I noticed a miss and low idle so I decided to do a quick carb clean up.

That helped the idle and its running a lot better but I decided to go ahead and order a repair kit.

I also swapped the front bumper with one I had laying around, the old rusty one.

While the bumper was off I cleaned up the bumper brackets.

In the sand blaster.

All cleaned up.

Primed and painted.

While the paint was drying I buffed and compounded the front. It was much easier with out the bumper in the way.

All finished up.

Also while working on the carb I accidentally fixed the temp gauge. The battery ground strap was arcing out on the alternator lead, as soon as I zip tied that up out of way the temp gauge worked perfectly.

I also took it out for a cruise today and shot some pics with my buddy's rabbit.

 

[Squankum]

Yeah yeah, nice '02, now tell me more about that Rabbit!

Is it just stock? It sure is nice and clean and well-preserved. My GTI was built in the same factory, but has lived a hard life, cosmetically, since I bought it in 1985.


Regarding your idle, have you put a vacuum gauge on it yet?

_

 

[Mpower5266]

Yeah yeah, nice '02, now tell me more about that Rabbit!

Is it just stock? It sure is nice and clean and well-preserved. My GTI was built in the same factory, but has lived a hard life, cosmetically, since I bought it in 1985.


Regarding your idle, have you put a vacuum gauge on it yet?

_

The idle is fine now. I think there was just some gunk in the carb, stupid ethanol. As for the rabbit, it's mostly stock. But it has a 2.0l 16 Valve swap.


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[dubber]

Great shot with that mk1. Wow.

 

[BlackheartMotors]

Definitely loving what you've done from start to finish. Great use of the space and great cars too

 

[GDPossehl]

The idle is fine now. I think there was just some gunk in the carb, stupid ethanol.

I don't mean to throw this thread too off track or start a debate, but would ethanol have caused gunk in the carb? I would have thought the opposite. From what I understand Ethanol promotes corrosion of parts and is a higher concentration in the "cleaners" such as Seafoam.

 

[brettd85]

I don't mean to throw this thread too off track or start a debate, but would ethanol have caused gunk in the carb? I would have thought the opposite. From what I understand Ethanol promotes corrosion of parts and is a higher concentration in the "cleaners" such as Seafoam.

I think ethanol eats up rubber fuel lines and that then gunks up carbs.

 

[Mpower5266]

I haven't done much to the car or the basement as of late. I got a radiator installed and flushed and bled the brakes on my M3. The little harbor freight vacuum bleeder actually works quite well. The 2002 still wasn't idling to my liking so I decided to yank the carb and do a full rebuild. Parts are on the way. I did however get bored tonight and I decided to clean up the gauge cluster. Since I fixed the wonky water temp issue I'll be putting the original cluster back in.



It certainly needed a clean up. It was pretty dusty inside.







Proof that every inch of these cars can and will rust. This ring holds the glass in the cluster. It will be sanded and painted this weekend.



I also cleaned and spray painted the inside of the housing back to a gloss white. Over the years they yellow. This combined with the new bulbs will really help properly light the gauges.



That's all for tonight but I'm sure I will have more updates this weekend.

 

[Mpower5266]

I finished up the cluster over the last few days.

I sanded and painted the rings that hold the glass in and the trim rings on the outside of the cluster. The glass rings were sprayed black on the side that faced out.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

White on the inside of the cluster to reflect light better, painting and taping these were pretty much all I accomplished saturday and sunday. I ***** waiting on paint to dry so you can tape it up and paint it again.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

Once I finished all the painting, I installed the glass and hold down rings.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

Made sure all the gauges were nice and clean. I dusted them with my air compressor and turned the pressure down with an inline regulator.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

All the gauges mounted and my add on grounds installed. I probably dont need them anymore since I fixed the cluster ground issue by zip tying the battery ground out of the way, but it was already run so why not.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

New bulbs installed.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

All back together.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

And what I am sure you really want to see, all lit up. Sorry for the phone pics, the car is stored in our hanger about 15 minutes from the house. I wanted to see them lit up so I bolted out of door at 9:30 last night to go hook them up and forgot my camera.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

 

[Water Boy]

Love it

 

[mustangmike6996]

Awesome build for the car(s) and garage!

 

[Mpower5266]

Thanks guys. It's been a while since I have up dated anything in this thread. I'm hopefully putting a new carb in the 02 tomorrow so I can start driving/fixing it more. I also changed the trans and diff fluids in the m3. In fact to do the diff I had to "make" a new tool.



I have also noticed that as of late when I am working on my bench I quickly run out of room so today at lowes inspiration struck. I built a shelf.



I have so much room for activities now.



Also this weekend I plan on replacing my little tool box with a 44" hf bottom box, I turn 32 on Tuesday and my amazing parents are giving me one as a gift. I can't wait.


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[Mpower5266]

I have hours of organizing to do.




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[dubber]

Nice addition, and great pic btw.

 

[Mpower5266]

Thanks, I cant wait to start filling it up.

 

[Squankum]

HF can help you fill that thing, too!

I'd put the top chest on it -- even if it won't look good -- and free up more bench space.

After you disassembled that hex bit/socket, did you put the scrap of hex bit into a box end wrench? Is there just no clearance? What's the slot? How did you cut it all up?

 

[Mpower5266]

HF can help you fill that thing, too!



I'd put the top chest on it -- even if it won't look good -- and free up more bench space.



After you disassembled that hex bit/socket, did you put the scrap of hex bit into a box end wrench? Is there just no clearance? What's the slot? How did you cut it all up?

I put it in a smaller 3/8 drive 14mm socket. The slot was an accident, the angle grinder got away from me. Haha


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[Squankum]

Ah. I was vaguely aware of people spending real money on things like this, and was wondering, how weird is this situation?!

 

[Mpower5266]

Ah. I was vaguely aware of people spending real money on things like this, and was wondering, how weird is this situation?!

Before I change the diff fluid again, I'll probably buy something like that.


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[Squankum]

Can't you make one using the stub you just chopped? You could buy a Great Neck or similar "eh" quality combo wrench from AutoZone, and if you want the box end to not be at an angle to the handle, put the handle in a vise and beat on it with a large hammer and make it bend into an offset box wrench. Drill and tap for wee set screw to hold the hex in the box end and you've just saved $50-$60.

 

[Mpower5266]

Can't you make one using the stub you just chopped? You could buy a Great Neck or similar "eh" quality combo wrench from AutoZone, and if you want the box end to not be at an angle to the handle, put the handle in a vise and beat on it with a large hammer and make it bend into an offset box wrench. Drill and tap for wee set screw to hold the hex in the box end and you've just saved $50-$60.

I guess I could. Maybe tack weld it in or something.


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[Squankum]

I just realized, safety wire would be fine! As long as it's within the perimeter of the box wrench, when time comes to apply force, everything will be A-OK. All you need is something to keep it from falling out of the box. (Or maybe goober it up with JB Weld, don't know.)

 

[Mpower5266]

I just realized, safety wire would be fine! As long as it's within the perimeter of the box wrench, when time comes to apply force, everything will be A-OK. All you need is something to keep it from falling out of the box. (Or maybe goober it up with JB Weld, don't know.)

Working in aviation I have tons of safety wire, I need to play around with it.

I also started organizing a little tonight.



I need to come up with something better for the wrenches.




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[Squankum]

Oh, yes. That is a serious lack of density with the wrenches there.

If you plan on picking up the whole set and carrying them across the shop or into the driveway, then the Ernst gripper kind is nice. I bought a bunch of them and eventually realized I didn't care too much about that option. They'd be nice for a wall mounting. They keep them secure, but on the other hand, I wouldn't carry the Ernst Gripper through the junkyard, either, that'd be a job for a tool roll.

I bought a set of Craftsman Professional wrenches on ebay and they came with a black SK rack that i do like a lot. They have better wrench density than the Enrnst gripper type.

Pictured below (grainy photos, like the sasquatch), on the left, various racks sold by SK, two of them looking very Ernsty, one like the one I wound up with. The other pic, the one i wound up with with that purchase, which they may not sell anymore.

The Ernst grippers do give you the option of setting the wrenches on top of the notches, for very fast access, or pushing them down into the soft grooves, depending on your transport needs, or the depth of your drawer.

You can paw the Ernsts at Northern Tool, last I looked.

You could also just build something with a back saw or coping saw and some bits o' wood.

 

[Squankum]

Pic 2. The one I like by SK.

Oh, and I say from experience: Those Hansen-style socket racks could be better in the density of storage aspect, but I don't care, I LOVE them! So fast to get at and fast to put back.

Now where are your impact sockets?

 

[Squankum]

Back to your drain plug tool. How about set screws? I found that small ones are easily found on amazon. Apparently, they're used for R/C hobbies.

An example:

http://amzn.com/B0014UNEWG

You'd want longer, and I found longer last night, but don't have the link right now. I bet a local hobby shop would let you see a good variety.

Also, of course,

http://www.mcmaster.com/#set-screws/=ykaa79


Now, you might also need to buy a 3mm x 0.5 tap, but here at GJ, that's not a bug, that's a feature!

 

[Mpower5266]

My impacts are at my folks, I dont have a decent air compressor right now so they just stay out there. I ordered these.

 

[Squankum]

I'd put the top chest on it -- even if it won't look good -- and free up more bench space.

I take that back! The top of that HF chest is a form of bench space. No gain.

 

[Mpower5266]

I take that back! The top of that HF chest is a form of bench space. No gain.

Exactly. I was working on the 2002 a little last night and it was nice having a little extra bench space just to my right. If I end up needing more space I would probably just get another bottom box or two and rework my bench to fit them in.