BMW e36 320i first car project

[ahmadbila]

what is the love of clean wheels? - My E320 has blackened dirty wheels most of the time - the only time they are clean is when I hose them down with water when Im washing the car at home (which is once a month or so) - otherwise they remain authentically Deutsche brake dust type jenyan itemm

The brakes on my mercedes are "throw out the anchor" strong - they need to be because I use the car for travelling long distances.

Nice! btw, I have found that the brake fluid is kinda black. it doesnt look right. Should i get it changed? are there any benefits of doing so or consequences of skipping?

Edit: Ooopss... You touched the same topic in ur next post. Just read that. Yes it was just a pad slapping job, nothing else. Most mechanics here don't ever suggest things like that to people, specially not to older car owners.
I decided about the pad change myself, it wasnt a suggestion from the mechanic. so i cannot blame him but still. Do let me know what ever else i should get done on the brakes.

[ahmadbila]

WoW.. Love it mate!
Such a small "mod / upgrade", yet such a big impact!

Thanks! Instrument cluster being exactly in front of the driver all the times, makes a lot of impact if its working well and is well lit. Thankfully it is, now.

[bym007]

Nice! btw, I have found that the brake fluid is kinda black. it doesnt look right. Should i get it changed? are there any benefits of doing so or consequences of skipping?

Edit: Ooopss... You touched the same topic in ur next post. Just read that. Yes it was just a pad slapping job, nothing else. Most mechanics here don't ever suggest things like that to people, specially not to older car owners.
I decided about the pad change myself, it wasnt a suggestion from the mechanic. so i cannot blame him but still. Do let me know what ever else i should get done on the brakes.

Brake fluid should be "flushed" and filled every 2 years or 40,000 km at most. The reason is because this particular viscosity of oil is good at absorbing moisture. So the oil does not function properly, and it is also a cause for developing rust and leaks in the system. By the way, it is a cheap job. You will probably need 1-2 liters of brake oil (mine takes Dot 4), but the mistri ustaad should flush the existing oil out of the system, before refilling. Needless to say, this also improves the braking performance.

[ahmadbila]

@ahmadbila : good to see you back with a new and detailed thread on PWs and congratulations on your first car project! It was enjoyable going over the thread in one go and was also a fun way to learn new things about a car I too have admired for long. Thanks and best wishes, k

Thank you Sir. Appreciate your kind words. and yes fixing the car in steps is the most fun way to learn about it. This particular one is even considered as the best first car to start having fun with.

[ahmadbila]

Brake fluid should be "flushed" and filled every 2 years or 40,000 km at most. The reason is because this particular viscosity of oil is good at absorbing moisture. So the oil does not function properly, and it is also a cause for developing rust and leaks in the system. By the way, it is a cheap job. You will probably need 1-2 liters of brake oil (mine takes Dot 4), but the mistri ustaad should flush the existing oil out of the system, before refilling. Needless to say, this also improves the braking performance.

Yes, moisture in the system is one think i ve heard about. My concerns are that the mechanic might not be able to properly bleed and refill the system. I don't want air bubbles in it may be i ll do this as a DIY as well.

[bym007]

Yes, moisture in the system is one think i ve heard about. My concerns are that the mechanic might not be able to properly bleed and refill the system. I don't want air bubbles in it may be i ll do this as a DIY as well.

To bleed brakes, I heard there is some tool. Although I had my brakes bled last month, I was not there, so I didnt see the tool or process.

Check out my BMW E60 ride thread.

[ahmadbila]

To bleed brakes, I heard there is some tool. Although I had my brakes bled last month, I was not there, so I didnt see the tool or process.

Check out my BMW E60 ride thread.

That's the problem. may be the tool is specific to these old models and most mechanics don't have these tools. just like OBD1. anyways, i will check for sure. 1 more thing to go in my to-do list

[bym007]

That's the problem. may be the tool is specific to these old models and most mechanics don't have these tools. just like OBD1. anyways, i will check for sure. 1 more thing to go in my to-do list

Check it to make sure, but AFAIK there is a universal bleeding tool.

Check out my BMW E60 ride thread.

[ahmadbila]

Okay guys, the most important DIY comes up ahead. Head lights cleaning job. They had a lot of dust inside them.

These are Euro spec ones with projector lamp inside them. These should have a razor sharp cut of line but mind didn't.

[ahmadbila]

[ahmadbila]

[ahmadbila]

[ahmadbila]

[ahmadbila]

Taking off the generator cooling duct and the plastic radiator covering.

[ahmadbila]

4 nuts undone and out come the headlight. I love the simplicity of this car!

[ahmadbila]

The head light is two parts coming together to make the entire unit .Super easy to take apart. Just push five clips and pull apart.

[ahmadbila]

[ahmadbila]

The inside lenses.

[ahmadbila]

The rubber seal around the perimeter was damaged/deshaped in certain places and that allowed moisture and dirt to get inside. I couldn't change it but it will take years to accumulate the same amount of dirt inside it again.

[ahmadbila]

Cleaned the reflectors very carefully