Search found 367 matches

by 528i-1981
Fri Oct 17, 2025 9:53 am
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Engine wants to stall once warm
Replies: 3
Views: 297

Re: Engine wants to stall once warm

My car had vac leaks at the dipstick and the oilpan gasket that caused roughness like you describe, among other symptoms. I found them after I had verified no leaks in any of the hoses. I used a large-diameter length of shrink tubing around the top of the dipstick. The oilpan gasket leak was solved ...
by 528i-1981
Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:47 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Front tire width and clearance
Replies: 14
Views: 117462

Re: Front tire width and clearance

I run Conti DWS06 225/50/16 square on E38 Style 61 wheels which are 16 x 7.5 ET20 with 15mm spacers up front (hat tip patinabeforepolish). At steering lock I get a very little bit of rubbing. Extended lug bolts were needed for the front with the spacers. New stock springs. The handling is to my liki...
by 528i-1981
Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:48 am
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Airco upgrade - questions
Replies: 4
Views: 55160

Re: Airco upgrade - questions

Salut Remco,

I found the Hack Mechanic book "Just Needs a Recharge" VERY helpful when I renovated my A/C system. As Mike said, the system is straightforward. You'll spend most of your time figuring out fittings and hoses and then chasing leaks. It's available on Amazon.fr.
by 528i-1981
Fri Aug 01, 2025 9:15 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Reviving 528i - No Start - Advice Needed
Replies: 6
Views: 24074

Re: Reviving 528i - No Start - Advice Needed

Wow, six bad injectors. That's got to be some kind of Royal Flush statistically. Glad you got it sorted out. Must have felt real good when you got that idle.
by 528i-1981
Fri Aug 01, 2025 8:54 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Re-fitting air conditioning
Replies: 5
Views: 33460

Re: Re-fitting air conditioning

If you don't have Rob Seigel's A/C book, I really recommend it. Unless you have an OEM condenser the bracketry is going to need some work. You'll also not likely reuse an OEM fan - the current draw on an old OEM fan with original bearings is likely to be crazy-high, mine was pulling north of 25 amps...
by 528i-1981
Wed Jun 11, 2025 2:55 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Valve Train Tick
Replies: 9
Views: 31145

Re: Valve Train Tick

My car is back on the road after machining the exhaust manifolds and new gaskets. It sounds better than I could have hoped for. I can't tell you what a relief this is - the clicking was a constant irritant and a constant reminder of something unsolved, and now it's gone. But it's also generally way ...
by 528i-1981
Tue May 13, 2025 7:47 am
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Steering center links
Replies: 9
Views: 32210

Re: Steering center links

Just posted the link to one I saw on eBay in the For Sale section.
by 528i-1981
Tue May 13, 2025 7:45 am
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Strange Stall/ No Start - Overheated coil?
Replies: 24
Views: 613597

Re: Strange Stall/ No Start - Overheated coil?

Is this a car that is new to you? Was it running well in the past for you? I had a similar problem that drove me nuts for years on my E12 that turned out to be a loose oil pan bolt hidden under the cross member, the last place I would have looked for a vacuum leak - and no oil leaks for a clue. As I...
by 528i-1981
Tue May 13, 2025 7:26 am
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: swapping alternator diode rectifier plate
Replies: 7
Views: 15907

Re: swapping alternator diode rectifier plate

Bravo, Robert, your meticulousness is always appreciated. Do you know if this would be the same with the AL41X on the 1979-81? Is that merely a 65-amp variant of the AL46X?
by 528i-1981
Wed May 07, 2025 8:50 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Valve Train Tick
Replies: 9
Views: 31145

Re: Valve Train Tick

dutch wrote: Thu May 01, 2025 1:45 am are you sure you don`t have an exhaust manifold leak?
I wasn't until yesterday. It's an exhaust manifold leak at number 6. Once the manifold is off I can see if it needs resurfacing or if it's just the gasket. I gotta say, that beats knocking rocker shafts off any day.
by 528i-1981
Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:30 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Valve Train Tick
Replies: 9
Views: 31145

Re: Valve Train Tick

I readjusted the valve clearances and checked them twice. The engine sounds like it should ... except for one loud tick. This occurs at all RPMs. It gets a little quieter after warmup. It makes me want it gone even more. There is no obvious wear to any rocker arm or shaft, but a problem can of cours...
by 528i-1981
Tue Apr 29, 2025 12:48 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Steering center links
Replies: 9
Views: 32210

Re: Steering center links

Check with Jim Stansfield at Mesa Performance. I replaced mine last year with an OEM center link and he had a couple aftermarket units available at the time.
by 528i-1981
Sun Apr 20, 2025 3:06 pm
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: New b6 shock issues
Replies: 7
Views: 22184

Re: New b6 shock issues

It looks like they packed the wrong threaded ring with your shocks. The correct size is M48 for E12s. Likely you ordered your set online and the seller doesn't have a stash of spare rings. If a full exchange isn't practical, call Bilstein and ask them for the correct rings. There should be a code st...
by 528i-1981
Sat Apr 19, 2025 10:19 am
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: Valve Train Tick
Replies: 9
Views: 31145

Valve Train Tick

My M30B28 has around 185K on it. I'm the second owner, and the PO (allegedly) had the valve train refreshed at around 90K. I don't know what that work involved, so I have to assume every component is original. I've adjusted the valve clearance before and just did so again. There is a loud tick that ...
by 528i-1981
Thu Apr 17, 2025 7:46 am
Forum: Tech Forum
Topic: swapping alternator diode rectifier plate
Replies: 7
Views: 15907

Re: swapping alternator diode rectifier plate

I think the basic test would probably check output and ripple. I don't know how your voltage delta would translate to the peak-to-peak voltage measured in a ripple test, but it may be just below the threshold or the operator didn't think ripple was excessive. I think the testers at auto-parts stores...