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#1. Re: [E36M3] check coolant message - from Ron & Brenya B.
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Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:09:06 -0600 From: "Ron & Brenya B." <rbuchals@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] check coolant message I agree with Mark that this is definitely an electrical problem, and not a head gasket problem. The coolant level is measured by a float-type sensor in the bottom of the coolant overflow reservoir. A closed contact indicates that the float is at the proper level. I haven't dissected a coolant level sensor, but I suspect that it contains a reed switch and the float has a small magnet in it. When the float (and magnet) is in the proper level position, the reed switch is closed. When the float level drops such that the magnet is no longer in proximity of the reed switch, the reed switch opens up and the "Check Coolant Level" message is reported on the OBC. As a test, if you remove the connector from the coolant level sensor and jumper the two pins together, it will simulate the float being at the 'proper' level, and the "Check Coolant Level" message should disappear. You may need to cycle the ignition switch off and on to clear a latched "Coolant Level" message. If the coolant level message does not disappear, you have an electrical problem with the wiring. If the coolant level message does disappear, and you can see that the coolant level in the overflow tank is at the correct level, then you should suspect the coolant level sensor. I just checked this out on my car, and everything that I reported above was witnessed. On my E34, I get a nearly continuous "Check Coolant Level" message on the OBC, even though the coolant level sensor was changed a few months ago. It's a wiring problem that I will be tackling shortly. Hope this helps. -rb >Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:51:48 -0500 >From: Mark D <mdlkml@atari-source.com> >Subject: Re: [E36M3] check coolant message > >On Mon, 2006-03-13 at 16:02 -0600, M540 wrote: > > Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:01:22 -0500 > > From: "M540" <m540@bellsouth.net> > > Subject: Re: [E36M3] check coolant message > > > > > > --------------------<snip>--------------------------- > > Air bubbles. > > > > The head gasket leak causes bubbles and pressurization into the cooling > > system. Conversely some coolant is burned off. The reading could be >caused > > by oil in the coolant changing conductivity, air bubbles passing by the > > sensor, or coolant being burned off to the point where the level really >is > > low. Think of the coolant exchanging with the cylinder only, nothing > > touching the oil passageways. Once you mix in oil, you get the >milkshake > > oil and sometimes oil in your coolant - until that point the symptoms >are as > > listed above - the symptoms listed above are only the beginning and are > > probably a VERY small leak on the compression stroke. > > --------------------<snip>--------------------------- > > > > This is really odd to me. The number of people reporting the same thing > > (and all clearly more knowledgeable than myself regarding this car) >makes me > > very inclined to believe this, but it doesn't make sense to me. I have >a > > coolant sensor in front of me and it looks like the inside of a toilet: >a > > cheap crappy float. I had assumed it used a magnet or something to >control > > a sensor which was sealed inside the column the float surrounded. Is >this > > wrong? I just can't see how pressure, bubbles, or conductivity would >affect > > this thing. Bubbles could certainly get caught on the float and push it >up, > > but that wouldn't give me a "check coolant" message. As it stands, I'm > > getting one with six inches of coolant above my new sensor in my new >tank > > and no foaming. It sounds like others might be in the same boat. > > > > I definitely will keep an eye out for other signs of a failed head >gasket, > > but I'm just having trouble pinning the coolant light on that. What am >I > > missing here? > >Wiring issues perhaps? > >The best I can figure is that oil or fuel in the antifreeze perhaps >corrodes the sensor? It's kind of a tough one, and I'm only reporting >symptoms. The check coolant level error wasn't a part of my head gasket >trauma. > >Thanks, >Mark
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#2. Re: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs - from Theodore Serbinski
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Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:17:27 -0500 From: "Theodore Serbinski" <stanson@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs On 3/21/06, ROWERS41@aol.com <ROWERS41@aol.com> wrote: > I am planning on changing plugs on one stock 97 M3 US motor and one 97 OBDI > conversion motor. Any ideas? Check the Spark Plug chart: http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/sparkplugchart.jpg I tried the NGK ones before, they didn't last too long. I'm using the Bosch FGR8KQE (superceded the FGR8KQC) and no complaints at all. I have a 97 as well. > Fredericksburg, VA > rowers41@aol.com Cheers! My parents live in Stafford and I'm currently in DC. ted
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#3. NGK Iridium Plugs - from Robert Manger
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Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:21:31 -0500 From: Robert Manger <Robert_Manger@Mastercard.com> Subject: NGK Iridium Plugs Steve, I've have those (NGK IX Iridium) in my car for the past 2 years < 10k miles and have liked them, they were bought for the use on the track and haven't had any issues with them. I need to pull them to see what they look like from a wear perspective, but the car fires right up no sputtering of hunting idle. rob From: ROWERS41@aol.com Subject: NGK Iridium Plugs Has anyone here used the NGK IX Iridium spark plug (bkr6eix)? If so, good/bad/any opinion? If not, how about the NGK multi ground (bkr6equp)? I am planning on changing plugs on one stock 97 M3 US motor and one 97 OBDI conversion motor. Any ideas? Steve Fredericksburg, VA rowers41@aol.com ----------------------------------------- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This e-mail message and any attachments are only for the use of the intended recipient and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, distribution or other use of this e-mail message or attachments is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail message in error, please delete and notify the sender immediately. Thank you.
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#4. RE: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs - from Paul L Fisher
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Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:26:26 -0600 From: "Paul L Fisher" <bmw@paul-fisher.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs Use what BMW recommended. There is no benefit to 'better' spark plugs except to the bottom line of the company that manufactures them. Paul L Fisher 2000 540i E39 M62TU 2000 M Roadster E36/7 S52 1989 325iX E30 M20 Elkhorn, WI -----Original Message----- From: ROWERS41@aol.com [mailto:ROWERS41@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:42 PM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:32:41 EST From: ROWERS41@aol.com Subject: NGK Iridium Plugs Has anyone here used the NGK IX Iridium spark plug (bkr6eix)? If so, good/bad/any opinion? If not, how about the NGK multi ground (bkr6equp)? I am planning on changing plugs on one stock 97 M3 US motor and one 97 OBDI conversion motor. Any ideas? Steve Fredericksburg, VA rowers41@aol.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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#5. Re: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs - from Evan Bradford
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Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 11:58:25 -0800 (PST) From: Evan Bradford <evbrad2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs I second the Bosch FGR8KQE. Recently replaced my plugs with these...all is well. Theodore Serbinski <stanson@gmail.com> wrote: Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:17:27 -0500 From: "Theodore Serbinski" Subject: Re: [E36M3] NGK Iridium Plugs On 3/21/06, ROWERS41@aol.com wrote: > I am planning on changing plugs on one stock 97 M3 US motor and one 97 OBDI > conversion motor. Any ideas? Check the Spark Plug chart: http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/sparkplugchart.jpg I tried the NGK ones before, they didn't last too long. I'm using the Bosch FGR8KQE (superceded the FGR8KQC) and no complaints at all. I have a 97 as well. > Fredericksburg, VA > rowers41@aol.com Cheers! My parents live in Stafford and I'm currently in DC. ted ************************************************* 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 ************************************************* --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.
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#6. noises after short shifter install - from Tom Yee
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Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:32:25 -0500 From: "Tom Yee" <tomgsr@hotmail.com> Subject: noises after short shifter install <html><div style='background-color:'><DIV> <DIV class=RTE>Aficianados:</DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>I just had the Autosolutions ultra shift kit installed (by my mechanic). Feels very solid and precise and short (although I went with the 25-30% reduction, not the 40% kit). However, I am noticing some different sounds than before, stuff that might be normal (?) after installing a kit.</DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>I definitely hear the starter a bit louder and the gearbox whine a bit more. The sounds are coming from the front of the console area, ahead of (toward the front of the car from) the shifter itself, and underneath the console. On quick inspection, the two levels of insulation/rubber isolation dampers around the shift lever appear intact. </DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>Any thoughts? Is this to be expected? It isn't obnoxious, just different from what I was used to hearing.</DIV> <DIV class=RTE> </DIV> <DIV class=RTE>Regards,</DIV> <DIV class=RTE>Tom Yee</DIV> <DIV class=RTE>97 M3/4</DIV> <DIV class=RTE>88 M3</DIV></DIV></div></html>
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#7. RE: [e36m3] [E36M3] noises after short shifter install - from Marco
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Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:45:25 -0800 From: "Marco" <m3driver@iname.com> Subject: RE: [e36m3] [E36M3] noises after short shifter install IIRC there is/was some sound deadening material on the underside of the tranny tunnel. Maybe your mech removed it to get more room to work. that is the only thing I can think of. Marco -----Original Message----- From: Tom Yee [mailto:tomgsr@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 2:42 PM To: E36M3 Subject: [e36m3] [E36M3] noises after short shifter install Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:32:25 -0500 From: "Tom Yee" Subject: noises after short shifter install Aficianados: I just had the Autosolutions ultra shift kit installed (by my mechanic). Feels very solid and precise and short (although I went with the 25-30% reduction, not the 40% kit). However, I am noticing some different sounds than before, stuff that might be normal (?) after installing a kit. I definitely hear the starter a bit louder and the gearbox whine a bit more. The sounds are coming from the front of the console area, ahead of (toward the front of the car from) the shifter itself, and underneath the console. On quick inspection, the two levels of insulation/rubber isolation dampers around the shift lever appear intact. Any thoughts? Is this to be expected? It isn't obnoxious, just different from what I was used to hearing. Regards, Tom Yee 97 M3/4 88 M3 ************************************************* 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. obdii scanner - from scampbel_imap
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Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 06:26:48 -0500 From: scampbel_imap <scampbel@mitre.org> Subject: obdii scanner It is time for me to upgrade my obdii scanner from an ease hand held unit to a PC laptop based system. The two front runners at this time are from autoenginuity or autotap. I want GM , HONDA and of course BMW advanced diagnostics but only GM seems to be commonly available. The autoenginuity system with GM advanced is $400 and the autotap version is $300. Any suggestions for other systems to look at or experience with either of these two products? Steve
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#9. need article on 5th gear detent fix - from gary.preece@insightbb.com
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Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:14:25 +0000 From: gary.preece@insightbb.com Subject: need article on 5th gear detent fix Hey Guys, After moving I cannot find the Roundel with the article to fix my tranny. Could someone send it please? Thanks. Gary Lou., KY
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#10. Re: [E36M3] need article on 5th gear detent fix - from Carlos.F.Lopez@jci.com
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Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:56:02 -0500 From: Carlos.F.Lopez@jci.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] need article on 5th gear detent fix I sent Gary the pdf file so he doesn't receive it 13 times. :-) -Carlos 98 M3 still needs to do the fix