Easy projects - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**dinan540** · 10-20-2006, 04:37 PM

c1, what engine is in your m5?

**Exilion** · 10-22-2006, 09:26 AM

Ok so I tried some of that clay stuff on the hood of my car. It did make it shiney but unfortunately I dont think there isn't much of the black paint left on the hood anymore. It is smooth as hell in the portion I tried though. I gave up after like 45 min working on the same 24" area with no black paint returning. It was a good idea but it's a few years to late I think.

I have some pics of the hood preclay and the clay I used on this site http://picasaweb.google.com/exilionp...16375681728530

**celsdogg** · 10-22-2006, 11:56 AM

was it the front of the hood, over the driver side headlight that you clayed? looks a bit better, but u may be right, too late. did u try putting that wax in an area where you clayed?

hows the wiring of your headunit goin?

**Exilion** · 10-22-2006, 12:02 PM

That was the preclay an I only worked on the center portion yesterday. It did help a little bit but not enough for me to sit there for hours. As for the head unit I finaly spent the time to get rid of this high pitch whine that you could even hear outside of the car. Turns out the ground wire coming from the stereo was connected directly to some of the speakers. I dont know I'm just as confused as you why it was like that to begin with. I know I need a new stereo because the current one doesnt fit and I didnt find a mount for it, but I'm debating on rewiring and replacing the speakers.

**celsdogg** · 10-22-2006, 12:45 PM

^^^ did your E30 come with the stock factory amp in the trunk?

**Exilion** · 10-22-2006, 01:50 PM

I actualy don't know I haven't bothered to check yet. I'm going to guess that the previous owners might have changed it since they bothered to change out the stereo unit. I'll go ahead and check once it's not raining. It should be on the left side of the trunk right?

**celsdogg** · 10-22-2006, 02:47 PM

yup, foward of the antenna motor.

**Exilion** · 11-19-2006, 02:39 PM

Yeah the previous owner must have gotten rid of it when the replaced the head unit. And sorry for the disappearance my computer died. But yeah so the only thing I've done with my car lately is replace the o2 sensor which made my trip to Richmond alot more enjoyable. Anyway time to catch up on browsing the forums

**celsdogg** · 11-19-2006, 03:27 PM

welcome back!

**mullethunter3** · 11-19-2006, 05:48 PM

Hey, first off, welcome.

Second, my sister just got an 1984 318i E30 (around 200,000 miles... odometer broke). I'm planning on fixing it up for her since she couldn't care less. I'm starting by cleaning out the ICV (and Idle Control Valve) to smooth out the idle. It's pretty rough in the cold mornings. My car is starting to do the same thing, but in an M42, you have to take off the intake manifold and the throttle body to get to it, so maybe over the summer.

Maybe the ICV is a good place to start if it's a bit rough, which, at 200,000+ miles, it should be.

Amanda

**Exilion** · 11-20-2006, 05:11 PM

It's running alot better with the working o2 sensor

but yeah I need to check the ICV because it is pretty rough starting now that it's getting colder now. Thanks for the tip

**celsdogg** · 11-20-2006, 08:38 PM

http://www.unitedbimmer.com/kb-e36-icvcleaning.php

linked for the cleaning instructions. our ICV is much easier to get to, its in the region of the air filter, on the very top

**mullethunter3** · 11-20-2006, 11:47 PM

Lucky!

**Exilion** · 11-21-2006, 07:53 PM

I think I'm gonna replace the vacuum hoses and put in a K&N air filter once I get the time to check the ICV. I'm fairly certain there is a hole in one of the hoses because when the a/c is on the idle problems are amplified. I just watch it go from 750 rpms to 1500 rpms. I'm slowly replacing everything in that car it's been neglected for awhile.

I know it's basic stuff but here's where I'm starting
- Bleed power steering and check fluid levels (been squealing lately)
- Check ICV and replace vacuum hoses
- Adjust valves
- Replace stereo head unit with something that fits, unless one of you knows a place to get some spacers.
- Repaint the hood of the car (well I'm not doing it but it still has to do with the car)

After all that I'd probably add a strut bar and maybe replace the suspension. So far it's been fun working on the car seeing it gradually return to its former glory just hope I don't wreck it before then.

**Dr1ve4fun** · 11-22-2006, 03:32 AM

lol..just don't crash..