NEWBIE (dumbass) questions

[cappy]

Boys and girls:

Just picked up my first bimmer. 1990 535 auto. 120,000 miles. Driven by a little old lady (close to Pasadena :). I'm new to this maintenance biz, but I am learning quickly.

The care was freaking filthy - the engine needs a good steam cleaning, I'm told. Interior has been mostly taken care of by me.

My question(s) are - what do I do now? It has a rough idle which is not surprising since she probably never drove over 40mph. I've taken it into the 5500 rpm range, but it still feels rough. I use 91 here in LA. The air filter was just changed, as was the oil.

My first thought is to throw some injector cleaner into the tank next fill-up - Ventil Sauber seems like the popular choice but would others (STP, etc) work? Also, I'm thinking the spark plugs might need changing or adjusting - is that something a newbie like me can do?

What else, fellas? :p

[dave b]

Yup. The plugs are easy, and the injection cleaner works fine.

Since you're in Pasadena, you're close to two great options:

1) To do it yourself, BMA is in Glendale and has the parts you'll need
2) A great independent garage is BMC in Burbank. I've had major repairs done there and several tune-ups. I would actually swing your car by there and have them take a stab at it.

Good luck

[Unregistered]

Boys and girls:

Just picked up my first bimmer. 1990 535 auto. 120,000 miles. Driven by a little old lady (close to Pasadena :). I'm new to this maintenance biz, but I am learning quickly.

The care was freaking filthy - the engine needs a good steam cleaning, I'm told. Interior has been mostly taken care of by me.

My question(s) are - what do I do now? It has a rough idle which is not surprising since she probably never drove over 40mph. I've taken it into the 5500 rpm range, but it still feels rough. I use 91 here in LA. The air filter was just changed, as was the oil.

My first thought is to throw some injector cleaner into the tank next fill-up - Ventil Sauber seems like the popular choice but would others (STP, etc) work? Also, I'm thinking the spark plugs might need changing or adjusting - is that something a newbie like me can do?

What else, fellas? :p

[cappy]

Why not steam clean? What's the alternative?

[califblue]

go to BMA ((888) BMA-3911 or (888) 262-3911) and buy 6 Regular Bosch W8LCR Gap: 0.7-0.8 mm (0.028-0.032 in)(On the 535i, set them slightly larger to 0.86-0.91mm (0.034-0.036in to help improve the idle.)
you can use Chevron Techron( buy it a Kragen or Costco) on a half of tank of gas ( full strength :D )

[califblue]

just mix in a spray bottle 50/50 water and new Dawn dish washing liquid soap ( the original blue formula) and use a stiff bristled paint brush ( 2" ones work great) and spray it on and scrub the gunk away. go over everything twice and rinse...it's that easy :p

P.S. Start at the top and work down

[Bill R.]

http://www.bimmernut.com/%7Ebillr/images/Steam1.jpg

[cappy]

Are there any areas I should stay away from in the cleaning process? Or places to be careful of, wires/cables/belts to avoid, etc. - that sort of thing?

Thanks guys - this site is great.

[Bill R.]

http://www.bimmernut.com/%7Ebillr/images/steam2.jpg

[Unregistered]

Why not steam clean? What's the alternative?

[eric5150]

I just picked up my 1991 535iA - I'm right over in Monrovia. Cool.

[Tiger]

Engine are exposed to elements 24 hours a day... including water. So washing with water is not a bad thing... just that you have to dry the engine as soon as you are done washing it. Compressed air are nice but if you don't have it... then take the car out to highway 50MPH or more for 10 minutes or so... engine hot and lots of airforce will get the engine dry.

[Tiger]

Steam is not a normal element so I would not use it... probably would do damage. Pressure washer? it is fine as long as you know what you are doing and where you are shooting but best bet is not to use it if your engine is not that dirty... dirty mean cruds of grease everywhere... not likely to be found on BMWs.

[632 Regal]

yep I powerwashed mine at the car wash around the steering and side frame areas, turned out great. That was before I read all this stuff about airbag sensors and water getting in the harnesses and stuff. now I'm kinda leary about that whole shindig and probably wont tell anyone I did that unless I have problems or something.

:D