Getting Started On Self Maintenance

[offabroadway]

Hey everyone. Funny story. Today my car wouldn't come out of Park for half an hour. Had to have my friend rescue me. Second time he's done this in the last month. I feel stupid about this car.

So, here's the plan. This, by the way, is the car going under half-resto with a possible manual tranny and other goodies. After realizing how deadly shop rates are (I knew this already, but the other driving force behind this is I want to learn to work on the car myself. I don't trust other's easily with my possessions) I'd like to do my service and maintenance myself.

First job, pull and replace timing belt, and accessory drive belts. Second is an oil change.

Are Bentley manuals the best DIY guide out there? Is there a better one for my purposes? And what are the basic tools I'm going to need to work on the car? I'm starting from scratch here... assume I own no tools (I own very little) and what would you suggest?

Thanks for the input.

[ldsbeaker]

The sky is the limit. I'm no expert, for sure, but I'm not afraid to work on my own vehicles. I've done all the maintenance on my E30, and it's pretty straight forward.

I have 3 sources for reference
1. Haynes Manual
2. Bentley Manual
3. BMW Enthusiast's Companion

By far, I would say that the Bentley is the best. Of course, I try and use the internet for stuff as well.

You're going to need a metric socket set for sure. All sizes. (You're going to use 10, 13, 17, 19mm a lot) I have combination wrenches, screwdrivers, and allen (and torx) wrenches. I have some other assorted tools, but you're basically going to have to start with a good set of each of the above. Also, before you go ahead and start on that timing belt, ensure you have something that is thin and large enough to get the fan and clutch off. I'm pretty sure it's a 32 mm nut, and it only needs to be broken loose, it will hand loosen from then on, but if you don't have something to get that off, your maintenance will come to a screeching halt.
Hope this helps.
oh, and about your transmission, did you check your fluid? (I'm sure you did)

[schneider252]

www.E30tech.com
www.r3vlimited.com
www.14.net

[offabroadway]

Yep, checked the fluid. Sat on the hood and talked to it for a while, under my breath, trying to figure out why she'd strand me like that. Then I went back and looked at my shifter control again. The handle came off in my hand, and I looked at it and the linkage inside the stick, and realized it was simple: the pin on the handle hadn't stayed in the linkage. Porbably because the screw from the handle has gone MIA. So I jigged it back on, and she drove beautifully.

Today I'm fixing the handle with a nice new screw. Don't want that happening again.


So, metric sockets, allen wrenches, screwdrivers, and something thin to take the bolts
off the fan. Haynes and Bentley. Got it. Wish me luck.

Hey... wait a sec. Maybe I should warm up by doing the oil first. Simple task right? The car has a FRAM filter on it... I've heard bad things about FRAM filters. Anyone suggest a better make? Thanks.

[bad man working]

Spend the money and by a dealer filter and good oil Castrol or alike it’s false economy to buy cheap bits likewise the timing belt either dearer pert or Gates they make the belts for BMW Make sure you read the instruction carefully for the timing belt because it’s expensive if you get it wrong.
As for tool don’t buy the best and don’t buy the cheapest they’re so good budget tool around now I’m a Brit BMW tech so can’t tell you where to buy I own £25,000.00 worth of tool and still don’t have everything.

To start:
1. 3/8 drive socket set 8-24mm with extensions
2. small ¼ drive socket set 5-10
3. Set screw driver
4. set combination spanner 6-24mm
5. A thin 32mm spanner (fan coupling left hand tread)
6. 1 1/12 lb ball pain hammer
7. set of pliers including side cutters pointy nose and pipe grips

Allen keys and torq bits etc by as you needed i.e. not many torq screws on older cars

If you need any specialist help email me through the site and I’ll do my best

[llll1l1ll]

A set of really strong knuckles.

[nukeduster]

Originally posted by llll1l1ll@Apr 24 2005, 01:34 PM
A set of really strong knuckles.

[snapback]337243[/snapback]

torque wrench and breaker bar. and spend a little extra on your ratchet set, a cheap ratchet in particular can be a PITA to use.

make sure to get deep sockets as well as normal sockets in metric.

a ratcheting screw driver can save alot of grief too.

craftsman tools are good IMO because if you ever break a tool (if you work on cars long enough, trust me, even lifetime warranty tools break) you dont have to send out the tool for replacement like you have to with Snap On. you can just drop by any Sears and they replace it on the spot without a receipt.

[llll1l1ll]

yes i need to make a trip to sears

craftsman ftw!

[Nostaticatall]

" I've heard bad things about FRAM filters. Anyone suggest a better make? Thanks. "

Mann filters .

Napa filters good too.