Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[mlin32]

I am with Rocket on that....If that car has a proper dipstick for the tranny (I am guessing it doesn't?) I bet that fluid looks brown and smells burnt. For what it's worth, why wouldn't you change it to be certain anyway? Especially if your going to drive the car like that. Plus, 65K isn't exactly fresh fluid...

It is rare that I drive the 325i like that anymore, just given its age and I don't want to exacerbate the slight leak from the engine oil pan gasket (it's very slight). It sees sustained autobahn driving (2750-3500 1/min in 6th), but I am gentle when asking it to climb the mountain range on the main roads.

Looking back at the records, I think I had the shop change the ATF as a drain & refill only; the price I paid couldn't have included the transmission oil pan- the filter is integrated.

For now, nothing I will do unless this recurs. I was probably even harder on the GM 5-speed on my prior X3 for the 285k I had it, although that engine had a bit less torque (240 Nm).

[blur911]

^ so, why doesn't your BMW have a standard tranny?

Were you feeling older when you bought it? 

[84im]

A couple of days ago I decided to swap out my stock rocker arms on my dune buggy's engine for a set of high lift rockers I've had in storage.
I've never done a rocker upgrade before, so I watched a couple of You Tube videos on the swap and then gave it a go. 
Everything seemed to line up properly, and it looked like I wouldn't have to shorten the push rods (thankfully).

After the install I put a big wrench on the crank pulley bolt and rotated the engine through its full cycle a couple of times.
That's when I hear a 'clunk' sound in the engine.

That can't be good.

I took off the valve covers, unbolted the newly installed ratio rockers, and pulled out the steel push rods.  Four out of the eight were bent.
Damn. 
So much for me thinking my old push rods would not need shortening. 

Yesterday I pulled the engine, loaded it into the back of our old Chevy Tracker, and took it to a shop in town that still specializes in working on air cooled engines.

[mlin32]

^ so, why doesn't your BMW have a standard tranny?

Were you feeling older when you bought it? 

Was bought as a used car (Jahreswagen) for originally my mother. She can't drive 3 pedals. I've tried to teach her on multiple occasions, but she just won't have it.

Trust me, the 325i would be so much better with the manual gearbox. I would if I could.

[aquadorhj]

Switched out winter tires on my vw.  One of the all season was completely out of air.   Held air fine when i put it away last year so i dont know how that happened.   Filled it up with air and it seems to be holding fine.  Maybe the bead isnt completely sealed and not under pressure?

[Bubba]

I took the Mazda's alloys to Winnipeg Wheel Works to have the curb rash repaired and then refinished.  Saw them this morning and they look fabulous.  Can't wait to put them on the car in about a month.

[rrocket]

I was a bit busy today doing some small stuff on the cars.

One of IQs rear license plate bulbs was out. Inspection revealed a crack. I was able to source aftermarket lenses with an LED array built into it. A pair cost less than a single OEM, so I bought those. They are VERY bright!

I then replaced all marker and interior 168 bulbs with LEDs.

Then I replaced her fog lights with those new LED yellow bulbs. They are beautifully made and even come with an allen wrench to rotate the whole assembly so the array sits in the orientation you want. Nice!

I also put the same set in my LS. I've included a video so you can see what they look like from inside the car. Oh...and I included some gratuitous engine noise for you guys!

Video https://youtu.be/t7PPYRtH1aY

[Bubba]

I was a bit busy today doing some small stuff on the cars.

One of IQs rear license plate bulbs was out. Inspection revealed a crack. I was able to source aftermarket lenses with an LED array built into it. A pair cost less than a single OEM, so I bought those. They are VERY bright!

I then replaced all marker and interior 168 bulbs with LEDs.

Then I replaced her fog lights with those new LED yellow bulbs. They are beautifully made and even come with an allen wrench to rotate the whole assembly so the array sits in the orientation you want. Nice!

I also put the same set in my LS. I've included a video so you can see what they look like from inside the car. Oh...and I included some gratuitous engine noise for you guys!

Video https://youtu.be/t7PPYRtH1aY

Gratuitous engine noise! Sweeeeet. 

[RX7heaven]

I tightened belts for both Subaru alternators not long after replacing them. Do all drive belts stretch These cars have an alternator adjuster bolt instead of a tensioning pulley.

[blur911]

I tightened belts for both Subaru alternators not long after replacing them. Do all drive belts stretch

How do you tighten a serpentine belt that has a tensioner?

[aquadorhj]

Confirmed one of my bridgestone all season is leaking 8 lbs of air a day.  I dont see anything obvious so im gonna drop it off at costco for inspection on the tire.

[HeliDriver]

Confirmed one of my bridgestone all season is leaking 8 lbs of air a day.  I dont see anything obvious so im gonna drop it off at costco for inspection on the tire.

How about the valve core? Maybe spray a bit of soapy water on there and look for bubbles.

If so, it's cheap and easy to tighten and/or replace. Could save you the hassle of a Costco trip.

[aquadorhj]

Good call on the valve stem.  Just checked.  Not leaking from there as far as i can see.

[84im]

I tightened belts for both Subaru alternators not long after replacing them. Do all drive belts stretch

How do you tighten a serpentine belt that has a tensioner?

I'm wondering this too.

[Arthur Dent]

Swapped out the winter tires on the Mazda. I don't know what Mazda makes their brake pads from but at 80k they still look almost new.

[quadzilla]

I don't know what Mazda makes their brake pads from but at 80k they still look almost new.

I did 150K (6-wagon) and 125K (P5) on my Mazdas. Don't know how much further they would have gone as I the leases ended.

I'm now at 201K on my original front brakes with the GTI.

[Scaerio]

I was a bit busy today doing some small stuff on the cars.

One of IQs rear license plate bulbs was out. Inspection revealed a crack. I was able to source aftermarket lenses with an LED array built into it. A pair cost less than a single OEM, so I bought those. They are VERY bright!

The first gen IS was a styling masterpiece -- and then there's that awesome instrument cluster straight out of a Swiss watchmaker's workshop.  Every IS since has just gotten fattter and uglier...

[ktm525]

Those original IS gauges were great.

I installed a new water pump, belts and idler pulley today on the LR4.  Surprisingly not to complicated. This  Land Rover is somewhat easy to wrench on.

[Gurgie]

Took the Thule off on Saturday afternoon, was getting sick of the noise up there & was only me & my boys heading to Tremblant on Sunday, so plenty of room for the skis with the one seat folded. HUGE improvement in gas mileage, averaged 9.3 for the trip there & back 

[Firm]

Those original IS gauges were great.

I installed a new water pump, belts and idler pulley today on the LR4.  Surprisingly not to complicated. This  Land Rover is somewhat easy to wrench on.

Nice work! I assume the LR4 accident damage is repaired?