Just got my first Bimmer

[statik]

Hey All, just got a E36 328is. I met a couple of guys last Friday night Merivale / Medowlands. Chromius (Adam) is a good friend of mine, he was the one who got me into BMWs.

I'm taking the car to Duss tomorrow to have the tie rod assemblies replaced (needed for the safety), as well as a few other bushings. My only remaining issue before the safety is the the SRS light being on. After lots of investiagation it turns out that I am missing part of the passenger occupancy sensor under the passenger seat. I'm supposed to have a little black box that goes between the sensor and the wiring harness of the car, its missing so the SRS light stays on. Ive priced it out at Ottos ($190), so I'm thinking I might just disable the dash light for the safety, since I'll have to pay to have the SRS light reset after I replace the part.

Love the car so far, Its my first rear wheel drive car, and its so sweet. I'll never be able to go back.

Scott

[ecuconnection]

welcome!! sick ride !! good luck with the safety

[Jamil20]

Nice looking E36.

Hope you get the thing safetied soon so you can it on the road. Just a suggestion, I think clear lights look the best on silver cars.

[carjoe]

Looks great! Welcome!

[Nascar318is]

Welcome! Nice Ride! Another one to cruise with us in the fall!

[statik]

Sounds like fun. I've had the work done, getting the safety completed tomorrow then I'll be good to go. Started doing the maintenance now (oil, plugs, and coolant flush). Still lots on the to-do list.

Scott

[Nascar318is]

Right on. Now I'm wondering if Adam mentioned all the problems that E36's have..

Put this on your to do list, make sure you have a metal water pump. Common failure!!

[Michel]

I think all 328's came with metal propellor water pumps^. Correct me if im wrongg.

Really nice car by the way!

[statik]

I finally got the SRS light out without replacing the passenger occupancy detector, I posted a how to in he E36 tech section.

Link

Scott

[jeffrie]

Originally Posted by Michel

I think all 328's came with metal propellor water pumps^. Correct me if im wrongg.

Really nice car by the way!

No the 328's have the "other" plastic WP.
The ones that do not break.
Unfortunatly just as prone to the exploding fan (and everything in it's path) issues. May want to look into the Fan delete mod.
Hope your starter has been changed already.

Sure you researched and know how the E36 328 is a pretty issue free car and well if FI is in the future, 500 HP is easy to get out of that engine.

Nice clean ride, any plans for it's future?

[statik]

Originally Posted by jeffrie

Nice clean ride, any plans for it's future?

First is Drive shaft center bearing/flex plate replacement, at the same time I'm going to add a short throw (shifter bushings are in bad shape right now). Not sure for after that, I'm going to need tires next year, I have 245s on the back so its not going to be cheap.

Scott

[statik]

Originally Posted by Michel

I think all 328's came with metal propellor water pumps^. Correct me if im wrongg.

Really nice car by the way!

Well it turns out it doesn't have the good water pump impeller. I was heading out for the first time after getting my safety, feeling great, driving on the 417 up the hill out of Kanata. I looked down and saw the temp. gauge light on. I shut down the engine and coasted all the way off an onramp, I wasn't far from home so I got it back over the course of an evening, driving 1KM at a time so the things didn't get to hot. I think I caught it fast enough not to cause any damage. I took out the rad, thermostat and water pump. It turns out the plastic impepeller was in two pieces and no longer attached to the pump. The new one comes in this week, ordering from bavauto, going down to ogdensburg to pick up the order.

Hoping to have it back together before next weekend. Sucks to see the new car off the road so soon...

[chromius]

Originally Posted by statik

Well it turns out it doesn't have the good water pump impeller. I was heading out for the first time after getting my safety, feeling great, driving on the 417 up the hill out of Kanata. I looked down and saw the temp. gauge light on. I shut down the engine and coasted all the way off an onramp, I wasn't far from home so I got it back over the course of an evening, driving 1KM at a time so the things didn't get to hot. I think I caught it fast enough not to cause any damage. I took out the rad, thermostat and water pump. It turns out the plastic impepeller was in two pieces and no longer attached to the pump. The new one comes in this week, ordering from bavauto, going down to ogdensburg to pick up the order.

Hoping to have it back together before next weekend. Sucks to see the new car off the road so soon...

Don't forget to check that oil closely for signs of coolant...It still concerns me that the coolant was back-flowing out the tank...because if the impeller was completely disconnected then there would be no way for the coolant to flow, in which case something else would have to have been pressurizing the system, just make sure it's not the HG.

[statik]

Originally Posted by chromius

Don't forget to check that oil closely for signs of coolant...It still concerns me that the coolant was back-flowing out the tank...because if the impeller was completely disconnected then there would be no way for the coolant to flow, in which case something else would have to have been pressurizing the system, just make sure it's not the HG.

I took a good look at it and didn't see any sign of coolant, it wasn't cloudy or frothy so hopefully all is good.

[Jamil20]

Excellent. When I had initially read your post, the thought came to mind to just rewire the thing to think the sensor was there.

But you said you were going to try taking the bulb out, which might have been the easier thing to try, but you said that didn't work.