Technical Advice please.

[inkstom]

Alright, I am new to the bimmer scene as well as working on them. If this were a chevy truck I would probably be able to see what was wrong and fix it.

Seeing as how that is not so:
1994 530im

I have a coolant leak that has been slowly dripping away for weeks. Didn't think much of it and this has been going on for about a month. About a week ago, my "coolant level" warning comes on again and the power steering is groaning. There are 2 different fluids that have leaked in my motor box, coolant, and power steering fluid.

I have seen and read most of the water pump replacement threads on a M60 and understand how to replace the water pump, which I ordered and arrived today. The thing I don't understand is are the power steering and the water pump connected? Did they both go out at the same time? Did the strain on the power steering from a slowly seizing water pump cause my power steering system to leak somewhere?

Another thing. Does anyone know of any good BMW repair shops or is there someone in Austin, TX that know's how to do this as inexpensively as possible?

Thanks guys.

P.S. What is self bleeding? Is this what is happening?

[BMWCCA1]

Does anyone know of any good BMW repair shops or is there someone in Austin, TX that know's how to do this as inexpensively as possible?You bet! Terry Sayther Automotive: http://www.terrysaytherauto.com/
You couldn't be in a better place for independent BMW repair. And be sure to say "hello" to my good friends Terry Sayther and Phil Hartman for me, okay?

-(Phil Marx)

[inkstom]

I'll do it if they have better prices than Black Forest.

[shogun]

online parts dealer list
http://home.earthlink.net/~hainesinutah/bmwvendors/
and here you have the drawings and parts list
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?PHPSESSID=2f576ced29477680ec938848d4d39e a1


Did the strain on the power steering from a slowly seizing water pump cause my power steering system to leak somewhere?

Should not happen, normally.

[BillionPa]

the power steering in my car is slowly leaking from the steering box itself. i threw some lucas power steering stop leak in there, and it cleared it up over about 500 miles, but its starting to come back. i will go the cheap way with more stop leak rather than spring a grand of parts and another grand labor to fix the box!

[Kalevera]

i will go the cheap way with more stop leak rather than spring a grand of parts and another grand labor to fix the box!

That's a way to keep the car on the road...phst :p


The M60 V8 cars typically eat power steering hoses because of their proximity to the LH headers. The best way to determine the source of the leak is to clean everything down with brake cleaner, run the car and watch what happens.

A question I have is how it was determined that the water pump is actually bad. Is it weeping coolant? Water pump leaks are typically VERY slow -- and only get noticed when the bearing is bad enough to make a lot of noise and exhibit significant axial play. It's much more likely that one of the radiator's plastic side tanks has a hairline crack, or there's a leaky hose.

Have had professional relationships with both of the aformentioned shops. I think they're reasonable. It's not a chevy, and it does cost good money to have someone else do it for you (if you want it done right). You might want to see if anyone in that area is willing to help you out, I can think of a few people who would be up for the task.

[inkstom]

Well like I said every so often the "Coolant Level" warning would come on so I would add some water. Then the frequency increased to about every other day. Did some research, looked in the motor box, saw a puddle of coolant collecting/leaking steadily onto the plastic catch thing, and traces of it being squirted onto the air cleaner.

That is what made me suspect the water pump. :D

On my chevy it would have been the water pump :D

I still have no idea what to think about the power steering.

I have however heard of Terry Sayther, but heard that he was expensive. Cliche college student, probably shouldn't have bought a car that would be so expensive to repair/or something that I didn't know how to work on. Too late now. Plus I love this car.

Thanks guys.

[Ross]

Two different issues, neither uncommon. Look first at all the P/S hoses.
If you can work on a Chevy truck you can fix these too, just nuts and bolts like the Chevy.

[BMWCCA1]

I have however heard of Terry Sayther, but heard that he was expensive. Cliche college student, probably shouldn't have bought a car that would be so expensive to repair/or something that I didn't know how to work on. Too late now. Plus I love this car.I can't imagine any competent mechanic in the area who specializes in BMWs would be any cheaper than Terry. Terry has th attitude and experience to fix what's wrong with your without rolling you for other work you don't need. If you tell him you're on a budget but need the car, he'll find a way to do it as cheaply as possible without compromising the repair or your car. Have you seen his shop? Do you know of his "hobbies"? He's quite a character and a visit is most likely worth the trip.

See if these links are available to you. Let me know if you can't access them:
Terry's shop in Roundel (http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Arrrgh_Matey&Template=/bmwcca/roundel/archive/2005/02/article2.cfm)

La Carrera Panamericana (http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Hasta_Triunfo_Amigo)
Here's a snap-shot of just a small part of his storage there:
http://www.bmwcca.org/members/am/bmwcca/roundel/archive/2005/02/images/Article2_b.jpg

[inkstom]

Shoot, thats not too far from my house, I stop by Terry's tomorrow.


My next question, if there are so many of you in Texas, why not have a get together of some kind? All the yankees do it :D

[632 Regal]

you guys aint yankees is why it dont happen :D

spend a little time and read up/inspect your car, if you can work on a chevy this car is easier and cheaper to do (with the right part connections) dont let it intimidate you cause its built easier and easier to work on than a chevy (most things). thats what I first realized when I dove into it.




My next question, if there are so many of you in Texas, why not have a get together of some kind? All the yankees do it :D

[inkstom]

Thank you for the confidence inspiring advice. Thats exactly what I needed.

[inkstom]

Well I tried and utterly failed to install the water pump myself, and took it to Terry's. I was kind of disappointed, and kind of not.

He is a really nice guy, and seems honest after doing some research, but he quoted me at like 600 for installing a water pump (that I provided) and thermostat and housing.

Then he furthered it by saying that the power steering pump and high pressure hose was out too and that it would cost about 1200 in total with parts.

Then he said that the master cylinder was failing as well and would cost about 350 for the master cylinder alone.

Overall today has been more of a rough day then not.

Does anyone know where to get the high pressure house for less than 80 shipped, or a PS pump, or master cylinder for cheap?

grr

[632 Regal]

nothing negitive intended but why did you join this forum? almost all of us break out the wrenches and that pump replacement costs us zero when we supply the parts by doing it ourselves :D

I get my stuff from bmaparts, they ship fast and the prices are good. If you have part numbers for what you need you can google them for a better price but you dont know shipping time.

break out the wrenches boss.

[inkstom]

I joined this forum to learn, not to **** up a foreign ass car that I am too poor to fix if I mess it up. Obviously if it costs 600 to get nothing done, then he's an idiot and an ******* thanks for the referral.

Heh, and that guy. Calls me this morning and practically makes fun of me, doesn't fix my water pump, charges me 600, then wants to charge me some more to finsh the job. I came to pick it up, its still in pieces. Waste of time.

[Kalevera]

Alright, let's talk about what went RIGHT and not how bad of a day it was --
how far into the job did you get?

Do you have the bentley manual? It can be a lifesaver.

Next time you get stuck, take pictures, get on the forum, and post them. Sometimes it can get frustrating, and it sometimes takes a little time to get a good answer, but we always find solutions.

When I first started working on cars, I'd always get this knot in my stomach because I spent a lot of time thinking about what could happen if I broke it, couldn't get it back together, or otherwise messed it up further than it already was. Admittedly, that sometimes happened, but it was a totally irrational fear, and I always found a way to fix whatever I broke in the process of learning. If this happened to you and caused you to call a shop, get a little confidence in your skills and realize that you _can_ fix it. Like I said earlier in this thread, there are people in the area who I am sure are willing to help you learn how to do this stuff, you just have to find them.

In terms of parts -- I have a few used V8 master cylinders. PM me if interested.

[genphreak]

Yea, bud, hey ask for help if you need it. First you need the Bently, it gives you step by steps on everything. Get the parts, use the online reference www.realoem.com (http://www.realoem.com) and get your parts form BMA, asking their advice (they know e34s) and will give you the right bits.

Getting someone to do it is always expensive as they are not just helping you out, they are earning a living you can't begrudge them that. A 15 year old car will cost you time (and some money) esp if you don't want to DIY.

Get familiar with the wrench, research it and share your experiences... that way you will reap the benefits and enjoy life with your new 4-wheeled friend.

Never fight your bimmer btw, for some of us it is a commitment as serious as many treat a marriage. You have to help her in sickness, health and general old-age (as much as she might still look so sweet, remember her age before you attempt anything difficult for her) ;)

[632 Regal]

nothing personal but with 600 bucks you can equip you with all the tools needed to do almost everything ever required on you E34 and an air compressor and air tools to go with it if you shop carefully.

anytime you go to an Indy you will pay, and pay big unless your very well off. We are here to help every step of the way. If that Terry guy didnt do anything then why pay the ****er? A job done is a job done not turn a bolt and say you owe me at least 600 and I wont finish.

theres more to the story here and I would appreciate seeing the whole story.

why did you pay? and what problem did you have with the waterpump? I did this myself and it wasnt an easy job but wasnt really hard either.