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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 208 of 275

#2063 of 2734 1995 540i skip and whining by bsmart

Jan 15, 2008 (4:29 pm)

1995 540i 140000 miles.
Starting skipping or rough idle at start and idle, upon increase in speed the skip goes away, and then sometimes it stops at idle but not for long.
Have had the gasket replaced 2 years ago that lets oil on the spark plugs (sorry, don't the correct term). Removed and replaced the spark plugs without sign of oil this time.
Also had it put on the computer at BMW, nothing showed up. The check engine light flickers at times, does not stay on long enough to capture code.
 Any suggestions, could it be a vacuum leak?
 
2. Upon putting key in the ignition and turning, there is a whining noise in the engine that continues 5-10 mins. then stops.
 
Thanks for any help you may have.

#2064 of 2734 Re: 1990 BMW 535i, Battery/Fuse Trouble? [bgdell1] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Jan 16, 2008 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: bgdell1 (Jan 14, 2008 8:05 pm)
I think you have bad battery cable connections/corrosion/tightness or funky jumper cables.

#2065 of 2734 Temperature Gauge Question by milner007

Jan 22, 2008 (6:38 pm)

Hey all- I have a 2000 528i- sp, pp, manual. Since it has gotten kind of cold here (in the 30's and 40's) I have noticed that the temp gauge never gets to the mid point unless the car sits for a long time. Once I start driving it drops to right above the quarter hash mark. I have had the car since its birth and it has always warmed up to the halfway mark and stayed there regardless of the outside temperature. IIs this a cause for concern? I'm taking a 200 mile road trip tomorrow and want to make sure this is not a problem. No check engine light or any other warning has come on. Thanks for your help.

#2066 of 2734 Re: Temperature Gauge Question [milner007] by roadburner

Jan 22, 2008 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: milner007 (Jan 22, 2008 6:38 pm)
I have noticed that the temp gauge never gets to the mid point unless the car sits for a long time. Once I start driving it drops to right above the quarter hash mark.
 
It's a failed thermostat, a very common problem for a 530i of that age. Make sure that you -or whoever does the job- replaces the plastic thermostat housing while you are at it. It's cheap insurance.
 
I'm taking a 200 mile road trip tomorrow and want to make sure this is not a problem.
 
It may run a tad rich, but you aren't going to damage your car. That said, I'd fix it at your earliest convenience.
 
No check engine light or any other warning has come on.
 
That's not unusual; when the thermostat on my 528i died it didn't activate the CEL either.

#2067 of 2734 Re: Temperature Gauge Question [roadburner] by milner007

Jan 23, 2008 (8:41 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 22, 2008 6:58 pm)
Roadburner- thanks for the info! Glad to know it won't hurt the car.

#2068 of 2734 Re: Temperature Gauge Question [milner007] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Jan 23, 2008 (10:09 am)

Replying to: milner007 (Jan 23, 2008 8:41 am)
If your car has high mileage you'd best watch your cooling system on any E39. Examine the thermostat housing for corrosion and have your shop check the radiator upper neck, the water pump and the cooling fan clutch. About 80K is the magic number to get proactive on this car.

#2069 of 2734 Re: Temperature Gauge Question [Mr_Shiftright] by andys120

Jan 24, 2008 (7:14 am)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Jan 23, 2008 10:09 am)
E39s are famous for radiator failures. Shifty and R'burner have some good suggestions about areas to check out. I had no cooling problems up to 100K but
I decided to take the advice of the Indie specialist that does my car and do a prophylactic replacement of the radiator and expansion tank.
 
It's not that expensive and should help you enjoy your car for many more miles.

#2070 of 2734 Re: Temperature Gauge Question [andys120] by roadburner

Jan 24, 2008 (9:43 am)

Replying to: andys120 (Jan 24, 2008 7:14 am)
I'd just add that it has been my experience that in a six cylinder E39 the water pump will last 60K miles and the radiator will make it to at least 100K. The V8 cars are the ones that kill the radiators at 70K. In any event, there are now all metal radiators, and beefed up water pumps that essentially cure both problems. Needless to say, they are somewhat more expensive than the OEM parts. If I had an E39 with over 60K on the clock I'd probably go with the upgraded parts if I was keeping the car for the long haul(200K or more) or the car was going to see HPDE use.

#2071 of 2734 Re: Temperature Gauge Question [roadburner] by ny540i6

Jan 24, 2008 (10:15 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 24, 2008 9:43 am)
On my E39 540 I now have around 140K on the clock. I replaced the radiator around 80K, and since I was doing that, I replaced just about all the cooling system - water pump, thermostat, hoses, and the damn cheap expansion tank. I'm about to look at that stuff again, as soon as it gets warmer, and I am seriously tempted by a radiator that is more art than science - It is a gorgeous piece from Zionsville- www.zionsvilleautosport.com. if you want to see it. Only problems are that it costs way more than a stocker, and it is the kind of thing that means I am committing to the car for at least another 100K. Of course, if I do that, then I believe that I'd have to go with a much higher flow water pump etc etc.

#2072 of 2734 Re: Temperature Gauge Question [ny540i6] by roadburner

Jan 24, 2008 (11:19 am)

Replying to: ny540i6 (Jan 24, 2008 10:15 am)
Yes, the Zionsville radiator was the one that I was referring to. It's a very nice piece of work if you are planning to keep your car for the long haul.

Messages Page 208 of 275

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