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#1. Re: [E36M3] Quick Bilstein Sport review, and a cooling - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 01:35:47 -0800 From: Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Quick Bilstein Sport review, and a cooling radiator-cap question At 12:11 AM 1/22/2006, Scott wrote: >..Now to the radiator cap question. > >I've replaced the radiator (OEM), thermostat and hoses. Did this about 1k-mi >ago. Tonight was the first time I've really driven it hard since. > >After I got home I noticed that some coolant had spewed around the radiator >cap, even though it was on there nice and snug. My question is: do these >typically go bad, or do you think something else is going on? They can (I've replaced caps on both cars). The other issue it might be is the expansion tank itself. The neck where the cap goes has been known to get out-of-round and thus not seal too well (BTDT on the M3). Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP
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#2. Re: Radiator Cap Question - from scrowl@austin.rr.com
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 07:52:31 -0600 From: scrowl@austin.rr.com Subject: Re: Radiator Cap Question I had a similar problem last summer - low coolant light came on OBC. I noticed coolant stains, but could not trace to its origin. A local shop did a pressure check, but still no leak. Then they tested the radiator cap. That was the problem. Steve > I've replaced the radiator (OEM), thermostat and hoses. Did this > about 1k-mi > ago. Tonight was the first time I've really driven it hard since. > > After I got home I noticed that some coolant had spewed around the > radiatorcap, even though it was on there nice and snug. My question > is: do these > typically go bad, or do you think something else is going on? > > Thanks, > Scott. > '97 M3/2
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#3. Koni selling matching springs?? - from Mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 09:22:32 EST From: Mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Koni selling matching springs?? Group, Anyone know more about this? I got an email from Koni-na last week about offering springs that match their many different dampers. Sounds interesting. Could this be a partnership between them and say Eibach???? Regards, Bob Gill 97 ///M3 coupe (sponsored by WCC, JT Designs, & BimmerWorld) Philly Region SCCA 2005 Philly Region BSP Champion
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#4. Re: Quick Bilstein Sport review - from david kroth
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 06:22:41 -0800 (PST) From: david kroth <david_kroth@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Quick Bilstein Sport review > First, I haven't seen a review of the Bilstein > Sports w/the new front > perch/bumpstops here. I put new Bilsteins on this past spring and posted a couple comments. > Everything fit like factory, though the > lowered front perches bring > the perch *really* close to the tire. No contact no > foul. Hmmm. I read a lot about the Bilsteins (and Konis) before buying but I don't recall anything about lowered spring perches. Can you elaborate with any further information you have on this? > Oh, and ride height was definitely raised by at > least 1/2". That's a lot. I recall other posts about increased ride height with the Bilsteins. I acutally measured my ride height before and one week after install. Front was identical, rear was +1/8". Maybe your car needs to settle a little. http://www.bmw-m.net/Digest/Archive_2005_05_digest_4270-4314/digest4295.htm#8 David Kroth david_kroth@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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#5. Re: [E36M3] Quick Bilstein Sport review, and a cooling radiator-cap question - from Jamie Howton
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 09:02:06 -0600 From: Jamie Howton <jhowton@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Quick Bilstein Sport review, and a cooling radiator-cap question > After I got home I noticed that some coolant had spewed around the radiator > cap, even though it was on there nice and snug. My question is: do these > typically go bad, or do you think something else is going on? In general, the cooling system fill cap is the pressure relief valve for the cooling system. If the system was slightly over-filled, the excess would leak out of the cap. If the system was leaking pressure from somewhere else (headgasket, water pump, hose, etc.) and the cooling system wasn't completely pressurizing then the coolant would boil and it would also come out of the cooling system cap. This later scenario would be accompanied by the temp gauge being in the red zone, and the coolant wouldn't come out gently, it would spray everywhere. I suppose the cap could also be not functioning within its design parameters and allowing coolant to leak when it shouldn't. My guess is that they aren't more than $50 at the dealer if you want some peace of mind. I would just keep an eye on the coolant level and as long as it is staying at the full mark when it is cold I think you are OK. If you are having a hard time determining what the level is, it helps to put a flashlight in the fill hole, then you can see the coolant level through the side of the tank. Regards -- Jamie Howton 2000 M5 1995 M3 Hampshire, IL
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#6. RE: [E36M3] Re: Quick Bilstein Sport review - from S Stiles
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 11:30:31 -0800 From: "S Stiles" <stiles_s@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Re: Quick Bilstein Sport review Didn't see your review -- thanks for the link. How do you like the setup after you've lived w/it for a while? I notice the biggest raise in the rear. Where the rear tires were tucked under the fenders w/the stock shocks, there is some clearance now. As you note, I'm sure it'll settle a bit. I have <100mi on the setup now. As far as the lowered spring perch, I could have sworn I read something on this list posted by Turner about the adjusted spring perch. Anybody else remember this? Scott. > Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 08:31:31 -0600> From: david_kroth@yahoo.com> To: e36m3@bmw-m.net> Subject: [E36M3] Re: Quick Bilstein Sport review> > Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 06:22:41 -0800 (PST)> From: david kroth > Subject: Re: Quick Bilstein Sport review> > >> First, I haven't seen a review of the Bilstein>> Sports w/the new front>> perch/bumpstops here.> > I put new Bilsteins on this past spring and posted> a couple comments.> >> Everything fit like factory, though the>> lowered front perches bring>> the perch *really* close to the tire. No contact no>> foul.> > Hmmm. I read a lot about the Bilsteins (and Konis)> before> buying but I don't recall anything about lowered> spring perches.> Can you elaborate with any further information you> have on> this?> >> Oh, and ride height was definitely raised by at>> least 1/2". > > That's a lot. I recall other posts about increased> ride> height with the Bilsteins. I acutally measured my> ride height> before and one week after install. Front was> identical, rear> was +1/8". Maybe your car needs to settle a little.> > http://www.bmw-m.net/Digest/Archive_2005_05_digest_4270-4314/digest4295.htm#8> > > > David Kroth> david_kroth@yahoo.com> > __________________________________________________> Do You Yahoo!?> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > > *************************************************> Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors:> > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com> Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com> Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com> Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com> Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com> Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com> > DIGEST INFORMATION:> http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm> *************************************************> >
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#7. RE: Re: [E36M3] cooling radiator-cap question - from S Stiles
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 11:33:59 -0800 From: "S Stiles" <stiles_s@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: Re: [E36M3] cooling radiator-cap question Thanks all for the thoughts on the cooling issue. I'm hoping it's the cap, not too worried if it's the expansion tank, and really freaked if it turns out to be the head gasket :) I'll start debugging from the cheapest solution and work upward. A couple things that I think are related: 1) it was a bit overfilled 2) this is the first time the car has run at full operating temps since who knows when. The thermostat was really bad, and I'm sure the P/O drove it this way for quite a while. Thanks again, Scott. > Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 09:11:29 -0600> From: jhowton@gmail.com> To: e36m3@bmw-m.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Quick Bilstein Sport review, and a cooling radiator-cap question> > Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 09:02:06 -0600> From: Jamie Howton > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Quick Bilstein Sport review, and a cooling radiator-cap question> >> After I got home I noticed that some coolant had spewed around the radiator>> cap, even though it was on there nice and snug.. My question is: do these>> typically go bad, or do you think something else is going on?> > In general, the cooling system fill cap is the pressure relief valve> for the cooling system.> > If the system was slightly over-filled, the excess would leak out of the cap.> > If the system was leaking pressure from somewhere else (headgasket,> water pump, hose, etc.) and the cooling system wasn't completely> pressurizing then the coolant would boil and it would also come out of> the cooling system cap. This later scenario would be accompanied by> the temp gauge being in the red zone, and the coolant wouldn't come> out gently, it would spray everywhere.> > I suppose the cap could also be not functioning within its design> parameters and allowing coolant to leak when it shouldn't. My guess> is that they aren't more than $50 at the dealer if you want some peace> of mind.> > I would just keep an eye on the coolant level and as long as it is> staying at the full mark when it is cold I think you are OK. If you> are having a hard time determining what the level is, it helps to put> a flashlight in the fill hole, then you can see the coolant level> through the side of the tank.> > Regards> > --> Jamie Howton> 2000 M5> 1995 M3> Hampshire, IL> > > *************************************************> Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors:> > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com> Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com> Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com> Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com> Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com> Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com> > DIGEST INFORMATION:> http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm> *************************************************> >
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#8. Re: Incorrect Check Coolant Message - from M540
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 13:41:25 -0500 From: "M540" <m540@bellsouth.net> Subject: Re: Incorrect Check Coolant Message I thought I had this one nailed hanks to Rick and Marco's suggestion to check the plug. The plastic plug housing that plugs into the coolant sensor is just a clamshell case that houses two rubber-clad female plug sockets. Both of these sockets on my car were so loose that any connection they were making must have been intermittent at best. I squeezed the heck out of them with needle-nosed pliers to reduce their diameter a bit and they now fit snugly on the new sensor. Unfortunately the message is still there. I'm going to look at replacing this whole plug when I locate a replacement since I question how good the connections are inside of the inner plugs, but others with this problem might want to start in the same place. I doubt many of these plugs fit well. Thanks for the help, I'll report back if I manage to kill this message, Kevin -------------------- 7 -------------------- Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 14:36:05 -0800 (PST) From: Shane Kleinpeter <sak335@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Incorrect Check Coolant Message >Our 1995 M3 has a near-constant check coolant message, despite >having plenty of coolant. I recently replaced the float sensor >in the bottom of the coolant tank, but this did not correct the >error. Can anyone point me towards other possible places I >might find the problem? Somehow I find comfort in the fact that I'm not the only one! This has been driving me nuts for weeks. I'm going to do continuity checks this weekend...but I think my problem lies in the connector. Will report back if I find anything, hope that if the others get motivated they will do the same. Shane K.
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#9. Finned Diff Covers - from Mark Dadgar
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Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:55:32 -0800 From: Mark Dadgar <mark@pdc-racing.net> Subject: Finned Diff Covers Just a quick note to let everyone know that my local race shop, TC Design, is now producing very high quality finned diff covers for E36 cars. It's a really, really beautiful piece: http://www.tcdesignfab.com/e36diffcover.htm Available from the usual suspects. FYI. - Mark E36 325is JP #117, finned diff cover and interior net pending ----- mark@pdc-racing.net Check out my JustRacing Home Page at: http://www.justracing.com/homepage/mdadgar
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#10. Re: Tthermostat - what temp rating am I looking for? - from James Clay
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Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 03:58:58 -0500 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: Re: Tthermostat - what temp rating am I looking for? Cooler engine is better to a point. A colder thermostat will help you run there. 80 is typical for a dual use car, 71 is fine for a track car. Looking for 160-180C water temps optimally, you can tape the opening on a track car below that - which probably won't happen with a stockish radiator. http://www.nexternal.com/bimmerworl/Product731 James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com http://www.bimmerworldracing.com http://www.powerflexusa.com Engineered BMW Performance 877.639.9648