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#1. car "exhales" when shut off - from Zack Steinkamp
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 10:53:03 -0700 (PDT) From: Zack Steinkamp <edsarkiss@yahoo.com> Subject: car "exhales" when shut off the thread about HVAC making noises got me thinking about a noise my car makes when i shut it off. it's an "exhale" type of sound coming from under the hood. i guess i could get off my lazy butt and have someone turn the car off while i put my head in the engine bay, but maybe someone has heard it and knows what it is? it happens maybe 1 second after the engine stops ... it goes "psssssss...". anyone? thanks! zs
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#2. oil cooler mounting - from James Clay
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 13:59:47 -0400 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: oil cooler mounting Someone asked before and I just got a good look at one of the cars on the lift with a US radiator. Basically, a piece of 1/8" aluminum bar can be bent into a nice mounting bracket for the E36 Euro cooler. The US radiator has hooks to accept the bracket. James James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance 540.639.9648
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#3. RE: Vanos - from James Clay
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:02:55 -0400 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: RE: Vanos You should be able to do a quick seat of the pants test. There is a noticeable bump in acceleration when it turns on, about 4k I think stock. I don't have a manual here in the office, but we have never had one stop working - normally the rattle is the sign of death. You could probably check voltage across the plug to make sure it is getting a signal, 12V at 4k or whatever. James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance 540.639.9648
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#4. Re: Auto to Manual conversion - from James Clay
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:06:02 -0400 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: Re: Auto to Manual conversion We have done a bunch of these. Parts are easy. Use a new straight clutch hardline or make a full stainless line. You will need the code from the Bentley to get the wiring right. The car has to start (P and N), and then to make cruise function, it has to be in D and you need to make sure the clutch turns off the cruise. Harnesses are different so it isn't super easy.Maybe we should write a CD and sell it for $100? James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance 540.639.9648
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#5. RE: [E36M3] On Board Computer/Radiator question - from Newman, Christopher
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:00:35 -0400 From: "Newman, Christopher" <CNewman@LSAC.org> Subject: RE: [E36M3] On Board Computer/Radiator question Although the HVAC might cycle at some times and not others, I've pretty much concluded that when I do NOT hear the usual sound, the HVAC controls do NOT work and I get no air from the vents. Regarding the sound from the radiator, it sounded normal. I just wasn't expecting to hear it once the car was totally off. It sounded like a police car or taxi left in park and idling (although in my case the engine was not running), or a home window fan on its highest setting. The car does NOT run hot or overheat. Temperature gauge is straight up or cooler. I've also heard about the plastic impeller issue, and I will take another look for any coolant residue, but I don't recall seeing any. If anyone else cares to comment, please do so. I really appeciate being part of this list. Thanks. > -----Original Message----- > From: Jim Bassett [SMTP:jimbassett@attbi.com] > Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 1:34 PM > To: Newman, Christopher; E36M3 > Subject: RE: [E36M3] On Board Computer/Radiator question > > At 10:14 AM 5/30/03, Newman, Christopher wrote: > > > To clarify, yes, I am referring to the ventilation system (HVAC), > NOT the computer that indicates outside temp, range, consumption. > > What you say is the cycling of vents does make sense, and I have > always taken the sound to be normal. > What's not normal is that I hear it sometimes and not others, so you > might be right that the HVAC control unit is faulty. > > It might be, but I'm pretty sure that the HVAC will cycle at some times > and not others. So hearing it one time and not at another time isn't > necessarily indicative of a problem. > > As far as the fan goes, I am referring to the one behind the > radiator (i.e. it's further away from the front bumper). > I agree there could be some residual motion, but what I saw didn't > look like a fan that was slowly coming to a halt. > It looked like it was still under power, slowly ticking itself > around. > And what really concerned me was the noise coming from the radiator > even after the car was totally off. I have never turned the car off > before and heard > > any noise from under the hood other than crackling due to the engine > cooling off. > > I know it's hard over email, but can you describe the sound? > > In any event, does the car run hot or overheat at all? My only thought is > that there might be a problem with the water pump. I seem to recall that > the plastic-impeller ones were replaced with metal sometime in 1996, so > it's possible that you have a plastic one, and we all know those are prone > to failure quite regularly. > > Check around the radiator & fan to see if there's any dry green-color > residue. If there is, it might be an indication that there is a leak in > the coolant system. > > That's about all I have right now. > > Jim Bassett >
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#6. Re: Group N or other race springs - from KLchmn@aol.com
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:01:48 -0400 From: KLchmn@aol.com Subject: Re: Group N or other race springs H&R makes stock sized race springs in differnt rates. Bimmerhaus sells them -- www.bimmerhaus.com or 866-das-haus. I'm running Group G springs (stiff buggers). Cheers, Kirk Lachman Sin City Chapter '95 M3 #21 I-stock
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#7. Re: GrpN or other race spring rates? - from James Clay
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:08:24 -0400 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: Re: GrpN or other race spring rates? They are getting hard to get (H&R) - I have the last of the ones we use in our Stock class race suspension and no more are being made. There were multiple rates - 100-180N is common, multiply by 5.7 for pounds. I think I stumbled on a crate full of springs originally meant to support the LTW race efforts in the US. I can dig in if there is enough interest. James James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance 540.639.9648
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#8. RE: On Board Computer/Radiator question - from Burgess, Kim L
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 11:26:45 -0700 From: "Burgess, Kim L" <kim.l.burgess@boeing.com> Subject: RE: On Board Computer/Radiator question Christopher - I'd like to add to Jim's response, with regard to the HVAC system, is that I believe the 96 M3 controls have an "AUTO" option for fan control (as I recall) and depending on the ambient temp, compared to the setting of the temp control, the system attempts to correct any discrepant condition as soon as power is supplied - the fan starts to run immediately when power is supplied. Also I believe it is possible for the radiator 'Aux' fan to continue to run after the engine has been shut down, to cool hot fluid in the radiator. KLBurgess 99M3/2
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#9. RE: On Board Computer/Radiator question - from Newman, Christopher
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:58:56 -0400 From: "Newman, Christopher" <CNewman@LSAC.org> Subject: RE: On Board Computer/Radiator question KL: Thank you for your reply. Yes, if I turn the HVAC system on, I believe it will automatically blow more air (higher fan speed) as the temperature discrepancy between inside and outside increases. But my problem is that sometimes the HVAC system comes on properly, and other times the HVAC display is completely blank and does not blow any air at all. If it's relevant, it was probably mid-70 degrees yesterday. Even though the HVAC display was completely blank, it was set at 69 degrees and the air conditioner was off. If by "Aux fan" you mean the small one closer to the front bumper, I guess it's good to know it can possibly continue to run after the engine has been shut down. But even in 90 degree weather I have never heard my radiator or fans making noise after shutting the car off. So I can't figure why mid-70 would cause it. Thanks again. > -----Original Message----- > From: Burgess, Kim L [SMTP:kim.l.burgess@boeing.com] > Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 2:27 PM > To: E36M3 > Cc: jimbassett@attbi.com; CNewman@LSAC.org > Subject: RE: On Board Computer/Radiator question > > Christopher - I'd like to add to Jim's response, with regard to the HVAC > system, is that I believe the 96 M3 controls have an "AUTO" option for fan > control (as I recall) and depending on the ambient temp, compared to the > setting of the temp control, the system attempts to correct any discrepant > condition as soon as power is supplied - the fan starts to run immediately > when power is supplied. > > Also I believe it is possible for the radiator 'Aux' fan to continue to > run after the engine has been shut down, to cool hot fluid in the > radiator. > > KLBurgess > 99M3/2
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#10. RE: [E36M3] Re: GrpN or other race spring rates? - from Murray Roblin
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 12:46:45 -0700 From: "Murray Roblin" <murray@farleyroblin.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Re: GrpN or other race spring rates? re: the strictly german springs - I just returned my set, so another set should be available mid-next week. Murray > -----Original Message----- > From: Ahmad Lutfeali [mailto:m3_racer99@hotmail.com] > Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 8:03 AM > To: E36M3 > Subject: [E36M3] Re: GrpN or other race spring rates? > > > Rob, > > The Group N springs (now discontinued) were > "approximately" 425lbs front > and 675 rears. > > H&R made springs (stiffer than their current > 'Race springs which are > rated at 325F, 515R') for the Group G series as well (also > discontinued). > > There are 2 places that I know you can get > equivalent springs. > > > b) Strictly German was selling LTW springs on > ebay (a week ago). These > are not your regular LTW springs; I believe they > are the PPG springs and > are as similar to the Group Ns. You can pick > them up for under $150. > > Ahmad > > > >
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#11. RE: On Board Computer/Radiator question - from Mike Frank
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Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:51:34 -0500 From: Mike Frank <mfrank28@comcast.net> Subject: RE: On Board Computer/Radiator question Sounds like your digital climate control unit may be starting to go bad. Actually it's most likely just a bad/broken connection, but it's not worth trying to track down and fix, BTDT. They seem to go slowly, then just get worse and worse. Mine started with not coming on with the car (no display, unresponsive), then progressed to doing all types of weird things. And I did hear different underhood noises while it was acting up. I drove with it partially removed so I could slip it out and apply pressure to the large connector on the back to get it working again. Eventually this didn't work anymore. A new unit was just over $200 from the local dealer w/ avg discount. Good Luck, Mike Frank 97 M3 > -------------------- 4 -------------------- > Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 11:23:44 -0400 > From: "Newman, Christopher" <CNewman@LSAC.org> > Subject: On Board Computer/Radiator question > > Good morning, > Normally, whenever I start or turn off my 1996 M3, I hear a sound I > believe to be the On Board Computer booting up or shutting down. > If I hear this sound after starting the car, I can push the "up arrow" > button and the temperature and fan speed lights will come on in > the computer display and air flows from the vents. > However, over the past month or two, when I start the car, I sometimes > hear the sound and sometimes do NOT. When I do NOT hear the sound, if I > push the "up arrow" button, nothing happens. > The computer display is completely blank and NO air flows from the vents. > And if I do NOT hear the sound and then turn the car off, I hear a dull > whirring sound from the engine bay similar to shutting off a vacuum > cleaner. > I'm guessing this whirring sound is from the radiator but I'm not sure. > The temperature gauge behaves normally regardless of whether the OBC is > functioning or not (needle straight up or cooler). Whether I hear the OBC > sound or not seems pretty random, but after a while, I do eventually hear > it and the OBC does function again. From things I've read on this list > and elsewhere, I just figured it was a loose connection or solder joint > issue with the OBC. > > BUT last night, when I turned the car off and removed the key, I did NOT > hear the OBC shut down, nor did I hear the whirring sound, but I > heard the radiator still running. I opened the hood and the fan was not > spinning fast, but was ticking slowly like the second hand of a watch. > I restarted the car, drove around the block, and then shut the car off. > This time the radiator did NOT continue to run. > When I drove the car this morning and then turned it off, the radiator did > NOT continue to run. The OBC and radiator both shut down properly. > > Has anyone else experienced these symptoms ? Are these signs of a pending > radiator problem, or some other problem ? > Any/all comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks.