Thanks for everyone's help on Chain Tensioner and Guide Replacement......

[rommel]

It took me about 3 days, few hours after each day after work but my E34 is back on the road. Parts replaced: guide, tensioner, ball bearing, front seal, new gaskets, circlips, all belts, thermostat, and coolant. I didn't replace the chain and sprockets beacuase they seemed to be fair. Again, I appreciate the help from all of those who responded to my e-mail. I will now go for the magic 400K miles!!! Only 40K miles to go!!!I also just finished replacement of the differential output seals and fluid replacement. :)

http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/rommel/Tensioner.jpg

[1995 525i]

It took me about 3 days, few hours after each day after work but my E34 is back on the road. Parts replaced: guide, tensioner, ball bearing, front seal, new gaskets, circlips, all belts, thermostat, and coolant. I didn't replace the chain and sprockets beacuase they seemed to be fair. Again, I appreciate the help from all of those who responded to my e-mail. I will now go for the magic 400K miles!!! Only 40K miles to go!!!I also just finished replacement of the differential output seals and fluid replacement. :)

http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/rommel/Tensioner.jpg


Your E34 has over 300 miles on the odometer? Damn! When you bought it how many miles did it have and how much work have you done to it since?

[rommel]

Your E34 has over 300 miles on the odometer? Damn! When you bought it how many miles did it have and how much work have you done to it since?

I have been taking care of this E34 since about 30K miles. It was my boss's car and I drove it frequently. I didn't fully acquire the car until about 2 1/2 years ago. He replaced it with a new 540 and a Z Roadster.

I have a long list of parts replaced that I can remember that I replaced:

Brand New Driveshaft
Brand New Left Half-Shaft
Oil Pan Gasket
Main and Rod Bearings (Only Because I had the Oil Pan Off)
Eccentrics, Nut, Bolt, and Washer
Distributor Cap
Inner Tie Rods
Outer Tie Rods
Lots of Tires
Two Sets of BBS's (First ones hit lenght of 4x4 someone dropped on freeway)
AC Retro, drier, pressure switch, adapters, o-rings, freon
Windshield, shop cracked it replacing wiper blades
Brand New Factory Exhaust not including cat
O2 Sensor
E39 fuel line retro (Warm Start Problems)
Gas tank straps
Valve Cover Gasket
Exhaust Hangers
Diff Seals
Water Pump
Fan Clutch
Resistor Pack for Blower
Bonnet struts
Misc covers under hood
Sachs Kit
JC Chip
Couple of Batteries
Few rotors and pads

I have been saving the parts receipts, 90% from BMA. There are more parts that I did not list. I also always use Mobil 1 15w50 and replace it every 6-8K.
The car uses almost a quart of oil every 8K. I'll try to take pic of car.

Good luck with your E34!!!

[rommel]

http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/rommel/E34.jpg

[1995 525i]

http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/rommel/E34.jpg


That's a nice ride! I still can't believe it has so many miles on the od. I guess that give me hope for mine. I bougth it a few months ago for 6K with 128k on the od. Guy took somewhat good care of it. I havel already dropped 2k into to get it where I think it should be. Hopefully I can add rims and performance parts (like an ETA chip) later. I also want to get the interior re-dyed.

Michael

[rommel]

That's a nice ride! I still can't believe it has so many miles on the od. I guess that give me hope for mine. I bougth it a few months ago for 6K with 128k on the od. Guy took somewhat good care of it. I havel already dropped 2k into to get it where I think it should be. Hopefully I can add rims and performance parts (like an ETA chip) later. I also want to get the interior re-dyed.

Michael

..........It should be similar to my JC(Thanks to you know who). My interior is also OK. Drivers seat is torn. I've got seat covers on it for now. You should not have problems achieving this mileage with proper maintenance. The M30 is a tank!! I've made it home on a 45 minute drive with no fan/alternator belt. Barely made him home with the Battery dying and car running real hot, I'd stop every 15 minutes. Temp was ok once I hit the freeway at speed.

[1995 525i]

..........It should be similar to my JC(Thanks to you know who). My interior is also OK. Drivers seat is torn. I've got seat covers on it for now. You should not have problems achieving this mileage with proper maintenance. The M30 is a tank!! I've made it home on a 45 minute drive with no fan/alternator belt. Barely made him home with the Battery dying and car running real hot, I'd stop every 15 minutes. Temp was ok once I hit the freeway at speed.


Good to know. So far I've replaced the oil and fuuel filters, added new spark plugs, replaced the rear bumper, the sawy bar links and front control arms.
Has the engine serviced too. Drives great although I still get some slight surging under hard acceleration. Other than that I love it.

[632 Regal]

Did you have the odometer stop at 300k as people claim happen?

[rommel]

Good to know. So far I've replaced the oil and fuuel filters, added new spark plugs, replaced the rear bumper, the sawy bar links and front control arms.
Has the engine serviced too. Drives great although I still get some slight surging under hard acceleration. Other than that I love it.

The check valve on my fuel pump went bad and that's why I installed the E39 retro. My fuel pressure checked ok. I have no problems right now. Car runs tight and fast. Knock on wood!!! I've also replace the thrust arms, swar bar links, bushings, plugs and 2nd Sach's clutch kit (200k and 350k) that I forgot to mention above.

[rommel]

Did you have the odometer stop at 300k as people claim happen?

..........when its very cold out but I have a new sending unit to install that I've been sitting on since winter. I'm hoping that the diff fluid changed helped that quarkiness. I used Red Line Racing synthetic gear oil. The odometer hit 300k on the way back from Myrtle Beach to home.(Western Maryland) about 15 months ago.

[1995 525i]

The check valve on my fuel pump went bad and that's why I installed the E39 retro. My fuel pressure checked ok. I have no problems right now. Car runs tight and fast. Knock on wood!!! I've also replace the thrust arms, swar bar links, bushings, plugs and 2nd Sach's clutch kit (200k and 350k) that I forgot to mention above.

I'm afraid to have it looked at 'cause I just don't have the funds to fix it and if I know it needs replacing I'll have to do it. How much does it cost to replace the check valve?

[Hector]

Curious, how did you wind up breaking the crankshaft nut loose?

[rommel]

Curious, how did you wind up breaking the crankshaft nut loose?


..........slightly touching the ac condenser. He also had a short 34mm socket. I got lucky it came off so easily, about 3 good jolts, I was worried. Thanks a lot for your help.

[rommel]

I'm afraid to have it looked at 'cause I just don't have the funds to fix it and if I know it needs replacing I'll have to do it. How much does it cost to replace the check valve?


......I didn't want to spend a couple of hundred on the pump. The retro is very easy to install. The procedures are on Bruno's site. I not sure if this retro will fix your problem. You may have a pressure problem. Have a few drinks and have it checked out. The alcohol may aleviate some of the $$$ pain. Here is a link on the procedure. There are a lot of good info on the site if you're not familiar with it.

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/535ihot_start.asp

[jsvizijr]

Hey rommel...
I have the same year and model. I am going to replace my primary tension piston and spring, any tips? I read somewhere that you may need to remove the head cover and poor some oil into the right side of the head to kind of prime the new parts, any truth to this?

[rommel]

Hey rommel...
I have the same year and model. I am going to replace my primary tension piston and spring, any tips? I read somewhere that you may need to remove the head cover and poor some oil into the right side of the head to kind of prime the new parts, any truth to this?


...Why are you replacing these parts? Mine were ok with my mileage. If you're talking about the piston and spring on the tensioner, be careful of the ball bearing. I fully assembled the unit on the cover and filled it with oil right before installing it on the block. It was a pain in the behind keeping the ball bearing on the spring.