Just bought your non-M E46? Bare essentials maintenance checklist (part #s included)

Originally Posted by dmax

Oh, that reminds me...forgot to mention this.

You can clean a PS reservoir screen, and honestly, I think you'd have to have had espresso ps fluid and seriously decaying hoses to really clog it...but it can be cleaned despite the legend I've read here and passed along. Someone says something believable sounding, written in proper English, and it gets passed along.

Anyway, remove PS reservoir from it's hoses, remove phillips head screw at the bottom of the reservoir, take screw out, take reservoir to a utility sink and rinse out to your heart's content with soap and warm water. Let dry, attach screen back. You can't take the screen out, but you can clean it while it's inside. It will just roll inside sort of. It's a 2" high 'puck.'

Replace gasket on cap, replace hose clamps after maybe trimming 1/2" off each hose. Done

New reservoir is between $14 and $18. Also comes with a new cap and seal. It can be cleaned, but for less than $20, a new one is nice and convenient.

Originally Posted by dmax

Oh, that reminds me...forgot to mention this.

You can clean a PS reservoir screen, and honestly, I think you'd have to have had espresso ps fluid and seriously decaying hoses to really clog it...but it can be cleaned despite the legend I've read here and passed along. Someone says something believable sounding, written in proper English, and it gets passed along.

Anyway, remove PS reservoir from it's hoses, remove phillips head screw at the bottom of the reservoir, take screw out, take reservoir to a utility sink and rinse out to your heart's content with soap and warm water. Let dry, attach screen back. You can't take the screen out, but you can clean it while it's inside. It will just roll inside sort of. It's a 2" high 'puck.'

Replace gasket on cap, replace hose clamps after maybe trimming 1/2" off each hose. Done

Ehhxcellent... thanks dmax. I always wondered if it would be possible to clean.

Originally Posted by Ballistic325

Ehhxcellent... thanks dmax. I always wondered if it would be possible to clean.

Beware, my buddy tried cleaning his and the screw was impossibly tight and he ended up snapping the plastic filter disc. it shattered due to being so old and brittle.

if helpful for someone, i found this video on youtube, you can take it as reference to clean the throttle body

can someone clear up the whole "if you change your ATF, your transmission will fail because it is held together by sludge" myth thing?

im scared :[

hahahahahahaha nice myth!

Yes. I can clear it up. That's a barnyard theory backed by barnyard mechanics. Do not be scared. Which leads me to the famous verse...

"Fear not the replacement of your automatic transmission fluid and filter for it is thy will and thy recommendation of the manufacturer."
-Mango 13:14, New Testament - Bavarian Brothers BMW Club

Replace it, Eclipsor. Nice meeting you at Bimmerfest, too. Didn't know you were in 818. Where at? We have to get together with LiquidDawn and crash some meets.

what i'm referring to:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=595553

I'm in Granada Hills, and me an liquiddawn have crashed a few already, where have you been?

Originally Posted by eclipsor

I'm in Granada Hills, and me an liquiddawn have crashed a few already, where have you been?

I used to attend meets galore 10 years ago then I dropped out. Just got burnt out. Another part of it as I haven't really had the time. But I do now. So next time you guys go, tell liquid to PM or call me and I'll rush out with a box full of fruits.

Take your car to Bjorn. He'll tune your auto trans right up while blindfolded. Ask Liquid who he is.

Originally Posted by dmax

Bible verses now? Just in case it comes up, I started my religion before you did yours! And I bet you don't have a bmw shrine like mine!

Oh, and I'd never let anyone named Bjorn touch my car!

Nope. Not the bible. It's the Bavarian Brotherhood Chronicles AKA BBC. Don't get it twisted, brother. And Bjorn was born in Sweden and is a triple-platinum ASE certified and Bosch-certified. He serviced my friend's wife's automatic 330i and her transmission is running supremely, especially after my software updates. He has all the BMW torque specs written down on his finger and he's never even heard of an impact gun. Go figure.

Can I ask a quick question, how do you tell whether you need to replace your window regulator, or motor, or both?

for my front passenger window, the window works, but it goes up pretty slow and pops a few times, i searched and found out that this mostly means I need a new regulator

as for my back windows, they havent worked at all since i got the car, no movement or sound whatsoever. does this mean they need new motors?

are regulators and motors supposed to be changed at the same time?

thanks, i want to have working windows before my trip to EDC in Vegas ahaha

How about adding capacities for MTF and PS fluid?

Then I wouldnt have to do anything other than copy and paste

Originally Posted by eclipsor

Can I ask a quick question, how do you tell whether you need to replace your window regulator, or motor, or both?

for my front passenger window, the window works, but it goes up pretty slow and pops a few times, i searched and found out that this mostly means I need a new regulator

as for my back windows, they havent worked at all since i got the car, no movement or sound whatsoever. does this mean they need new motors?

are regulators and motors supposed to be changed at the same time?

thanks, i want to have working windows before my trip to EDC in Vegas ahaha

Your regulators are shot. All four need replacing. I'll add this to the list.

Originally Posted by AUSS1E

How about adding capacities for MTF and PS fluid?

Then I wouldnt have to do anything other than copy and paste

You fill both 'til they're full. If you're simply evacuating the reservoir, one quart is enough. If doing the whole system, buy two. As far as MTF, two litres should cover it.

Your motor in the window sounds like it's fine.

Also, 3M window weld roll is the stuff used to seal the vapor barrier. One $12 roll should be enough for all your doors...and it's also good for holding nuts and bolts into a socket in a difficult to get spot...like ccv.

Just get the regulator. Use the marks from the original nuts to position the new regulator. If it turns out you don't need it once you open the door up, just return it unopened.

Read a few of the diys...buy some extra door clips...get 10...you'll need them eventually...and you'll need a ziptie or two to effect a repair or to hold the cable down.

Disconnect battery for 5 mins. before if you have an airbag in the door you're working on...and don't forget to position the window so you can get to the clips through the regulator. (You'll figure out what that means soon enough!)

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Your regulators are shot. All four need replacing. I'll add this to the list.



You fill both 'til they're full. If you're simply evacuating the reservoir, one quart is enough. If doing the whole system, buy two. As far as MTF, two litres should cover it.

You must keep your ambers. At the first sign of trouble with your aftermarket lights, any one, any where, you must replace all your lights...every housing, socket, bulb, wiring harness, fuses and relays. Don't think about it, just do it.

Preserve your sanity by not worrying so much about replacing everything...but do enjoy low hanging fruit whenever you can!

Buy Bentley...keep it by your nightstand

Never be seen polishing your wheels in public...that's a private thing that should be kept in your garage.

Originally Posted by dmax

I'm so glad you picked up on this. Was afraid no one would mention it!

You should also, while you're at it, replace all the trim pieces in the car, as they'll eventually crack anyway.

I haven't re-read the original post, but I'm sure Mango was thorough and remembered some other must do things:

Replace your entire interior with leather...for the ladies.

Replace every single bulb in your car so you're starting with a clean slate--only OE bulbs will do.

Re-tinting, every 2-4 months. Don't argue; just do it!

Oh, replace your windshield, it looks horrible, or every 2 years (being generous here!)

You must also buy new headlight lens covers.

You must keep your ambers. At the first sign of trouble with your aftermarket lights, any one, any where, you must replace all your lights...every housing, socket, bulb, wiring harness, fuses and relays. Don't think about it, just do it.

You have to preserve the chrome...magic eraser. Don't spray it; sand it with fine grit sandpaper...embrace it, live it, lick it (HCl is good)

Preserve your rubber pieces with gummi pflege

Preserve your sanity by not worrying so much about replacing everything...but do enjoy low hanging fruit whenever you can!

Coolant flush 3-4 years.

Buy Bentley...keep it by your nightstand

Face Munich at night in your shrine to bmw. Pour LL-01 into a small vial, dip your finger in it, form a roundel on your upper arm and ignite it.

Replace your cabin air filter every 2 weeks, Oil at above 10K miles, coz that's what I do, and windshield wiper inserts on a Tuesday.

Do not wax your car on a saturday or sunday. Wednesdays are great nights to ask your lady to join you in a little under the car fluids' swap.

Never be seen polishing your wheels in public...that's a private thing that should be kept in your garage.

I like you, Dmax, but a little unncessary. Please keep this thread focused as its a "help" thread.

I included many helpful tips in that post, you know, but needed to comment on the prophylactic replacement of window regulators, because I think people here might think that's actually a good idea. My driver's window regulator went out at over 180K miles...and original regulator.

Please tell me you were kidding about the regulators...which is why I kidded back!

I don't doubt you help many behind the scenes as do I...

He said his front windows are popping and the rears dont work at all. He needs four new regulators. No two ways about it.

I missed that part...just checked.

He has one front window that needs a regulator, and we don't know about the rear ones...it could be the 'child safety button' is pressed down...could be bad...and it could be two motors and two regulators back there.

He should start with the simple things first...like press that button.