My first BMW does not look like the manual says

[HDhandyman]

Thanks for reading my first post. I just purchased a 525i '93 w/ 87,000 miles the other day for 2800 American. I know this is too good to be true. The guy wanted 5,500, but after carfaxing, I discovered that the car had rebuilt title etc. in 95'. So took it to my Euro mechanic who thought that it was in good shape, but not worth the price. He said "if you can get the guy to do it for 3,000 or less then do it". So I presented my investigative conclusions to owner with price point, and success, I now own my first BMW. This is a big step up from my 97 ford escort, the only other car that I have ever owned. Fortunately, my wife and her dad are of German descent and have always driven German, so I think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Now that my intro is out of the way, I'd like to ask some questions. So, the first thing I did was take out my manual and compare it to the engine to try to learn some rudimentary local. Much to my shegrin, the location of coolant was not in the big empty space under the hood where the manual said it should be, but was instead attached to the radiator. Before you ask, yes it's the manual for my car, and yes I've already ordered the Bentley manual. What I want to know is why my mechanic and the guys from valvoline (just a quick fix when I first got the car, okay) didn't flinch? Is this typical? Do things get shifted around in the production line? OR, am I looking at mods from the wreck of '95. If so, what else may be different and why? I can post nice pics if anyone is interested. thanks for all your help!

[Torque]

As far as I know all 525s have the expansion tank attached to the radiator. It is through there that it is checked, added and it is stored there. I know the manual usually covers 3 or 4 models. I don't know how it is with M5s, but you might have been looking at a wrong picture.

[Bill R.]

have it up on the firewall. All the m50's like yours have it on the radiator itself.




Thanks for reading my first post. I just purchased a 525i '93 w/ 87,000 miles the other day for 2800 American. I know this is too good to be true. The guy wanted 5,500, but after carfaxing, I discovered that the car had rebuilt title etc. in 95'. So took it to my Euro mechanic who thought that it was in good shape, but not worth the price. He said "if you can get the guy to do it for 3,000 or less then do it". So I presented my investigative conclusions to owner with price point, and success, I now own my first BMW. This is a big step up from my 97 ford escort, the only other car that I have ever owned. Fortunately, my wife and her dad are of German descent and have always driven German, so I think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Now that my intro is out of the way, I'd like to ask some questions. So, the first thing I did was take out my manual and compare it to the engine to try to learn some rudimentary local. Much to my shegrin, the location of coolant was not in the big empty space under the hood where the manual said it should be, but was instead attached to the radiator. Before you ask, yes it's the manual for my car, and yes I've already ordered the Bentley manual. What I want to know is why my mechanic and the guys from valvoline (just a quick fix when I first got the car, okay) didn't flinch? Is this typical? Do things get shifted around in the production line? OR, am I looking at mods from the wreck of '95. If so, what else may be different and why? I can post nice pics if anyone is interested. thanks for all your help!

[HDhandyman]

have it up on the firewall. All the m50's like yours have it on the radiator itself.
Thanks for your replies. Is this an M50--I thought I read M20, but that's probably just my mistake ( a really stupid one). Any ideas for winter preparation, in order of beginner level to advanced that I might be able to tackle over the next couple of weeks?

[Dave M]

Much to my shegrin, the location of coolant was not in the big empty space under the hood where the manual said it should be, but was instead attached to the radiator. Before you ask, yes it's the manual for my car, and yes I've already ordered the Bentley manual.

93 525 has the M50 engine and all, to my knowledge, also sport a not so reliable radiator with the expension tank inegrated on the drivers side (US) as shown below. The pic is from the bentley manual.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Engine/m50rad.jpg

So far so good, it may have been a great find :)

Keep coming back,

Dave M

[Torque]

Dave, wait! Are you saying some 525s had a radiator with a expansion tank mounted somewhere else ? I have a '90, my dad has a '91 - they both have it along with the rad. And all other 525s I have seen had it like that.

I'm confused now.

[HDhandyman]

Thanks for reading my first post. I just purchased a 525i '93 w/ 87,000 miles the other day for 2800 American. I know this is too good to be true. The guy wanted 5,500, but after carfaxing, I discovered that the car had rebuilt title etc. in 95'. So took it to my Euro mechanic who thought that it was in good shape, but not worth the price. He said "if you can get the guy to do it for 3,000 or less then do it". So I presented my investigative conclusions to owner with price point, and success, I now own my first BMW. This is a big step up from my 97 ford escort, the only other car that I have ever owned. Fortunately, my wife and her dad are of German descent and have always driven German, so I think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Now that my intro is out of the way, I'd like to ask some questions. So, the first thing I did was take out my manual and compare it to the engine to try to learn some rudimentary local. Much to my shegrin, the location of coolant was not in the big empty space under the hood where the manual said it should be, but was instead attached to the radiator. Before you ask, yes it's the manual for my car, and yes I've already ordered the Bentley manual. What I want to know is why my mechanic and the guys from valvoline (just a quick fix when I first got the car, okay) didn't flinch? Is this typical? Do things get shifted around in the production line? OR, am I looking at mods from the wreck of '95. If so, what else may be different and why? I can post nice pics if anyone is interested. thanks for all your help!

So I've got this really nice garage, but can't seem to find torque wrench and some of the other tools listed in various sources. Maybe I just don't know what they are, or they're not here. In either case, does someone have links to info on nice tools that I'll need along the way so that I can compare to see whatI have , and what I need--thanks

[dacoyote]

93 525 has the M50 engine and all, to my knowledge, also sport a not so reliable radiator with the expension tank inegrated on the drivers side (US) as shown below. The pic is from the bentley manual.

............

So far so good, it may have been a great find :)

Keep coming back,

Dave M

lol... had it a day and we already got screen shots of it posted... I think a new hobby would be to create one from just screen shots...

-Charles

[Dave M]

Dave, wait! Are you saying some 525s had a radiator with a expansion tank mounted somewhere else ? I have a '90, my dad has a '91 - they both have it along with the rad. And all other 525s I have seen had it like that.

I'm confused now.

Oops, sorry if my post implied otherwise. The rads are identical for both M20 and M50.

Dave M

[Dave M]

lol... had it a day and we already got screen shots of it posted... I think a new hobby would be to create one from just screen shots...

-Charles

Uhh....... how'd that get in there? I just thought about it and the URL popped into the post :)

Dangerous,

Dave M

[uscharalph]

So I've got this really nice garage, but can't seem to find torque wrench and some of the other tools listed in various sources. Maybe I just don't know what they are, or they're not here. In either case, does someone have links to info on nice tools that I'll need along the way so that I can compare to see whatI have , and what I need--thanks
Welcome! Learn to use the search function.

[RobPatt]

Between this forum, the bentley's and www.bmwe34.net you're all set.
Happy Motoring
Rob - '93 525ia @137K miles and no end in sight. :-)

[Kalevera]

One thing to do in preparation for "winter" (I mean, seriously -- what kind of winter do you guys have down there in Lexington? :) ) is to carefully go over the cooling system, all vacuum lines, and the fuel lines. As people start turning on the heat after not touching it for 6 months (okay...5 months), the auxiliary water pump (a plastic encased motor that moves coolant through the heater core while the car idles) can develop leaks. You'll also want to inspect the thermostat housing and water pump. Both elements can be made of or include plastic parts, which can cause serious problems. Depending on your outlook, you'll want to replace both with their metal counterparts.

A tuneup is useful, but may not be necessary. It helps to have someone who knows go over the thing and point out any potential issues (your mechanic who did the prepurchase?)

Welcome!

Best, whit

[Gayle]

Welcome! Learn to use the search function.


I agree with Ralph but I'll have mercy on you. Here you go.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=13855&page=1&pp=10

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=14685&highlight=sears


Welcome.

[HDhandyman]

Just looking over the manual--Whoa! looks like I have pretty much every thing I need in Pop's garage. Thanks to all for the welcome and the advice. It's funny, as I read, I get the impression that the computer a.k.a. diagnostic sensors, etc., will be the easiest thing for me to work on. It's all the metal, gaskets, fluid, etc. that bothers me--funny huh? Still, it's gonna be a hell of a lot nicer to work on this car (with room to move) than on my wife's 73 Super Beetle. Can't wait to get started--thanks again!

[Springfield1952]

HDhandyman, where are you located and what kind of tools are you talking about? Do you just need a basic set of tools for routine maintenance on the BMW or are you looking for a listing of special tools that you'll need for more advanced repair?

Curt.