What did you do to/for your 1er today?

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Went over to Ernie Bello Motorsports in West Palm Beach and got new suspension installed today.

This is what it looks like when you are about to install the Ohlins R&T kit in your 135i. Pic of the adjusters in the trunk area, yes! And of course ya gotta include a before & after

The ride home was a quick 45 min. drive but the difference is staggering. Far superior at FL highway speeds. Firmer yet also smoother. On/off ramps at speed accelerating with no concerns. I read other posts that said confidence inspiring and I have to agree. Planted & accurate.

Looks great.
Went with Swifts and Konis myself. Was thinking hard on the Ohlins, and often wish I had gone that route. ( Mostly when I carry passengers.)

Did someone respray the Mini while you were away?

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Looks great.

Did someone respray the Mini while you were away?

Thanks tjswarbrick. It took me a while to choose. IÂ’d considered the BMW PS, TKC Single Action and the Ohlins.

Oh and the Mini is the same. ItÂ’s just raining in the after pic. The before was two weeks ago when it was sunny.

[rowsdower]

I started the valve cover gasket job, but realized my E8 socket is too wide to get the fastener under the valvetronic motor (3/8" drive, I'll need 1/4"). So while Amazon ships a set of 1/4" E sockets, I did the OFHG and accessory belt. Yet another week without being able to drive the 1'er!

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by rowsdower

I started the valve cover gasket job, but realized my E8 socket is too wide to get the fastener under the valvetronic motor (3/8" drive, I'll need 1/4"). So while Amazon ships a set of 1/4" E sockets, I did the OFHG and accessory belt. Yet another week without being able to drive the 1'er!

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-00239A-.../dp/B001223OF8

This set saved my life too

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by desertman123

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-00239A-.../dp/B001223OF8

This set saved my life too

I’ve got those in the tool box! Already came in handy twice. Definitely worth the money.

[1and1]

Yesterday I finished putting everything back together and cleaned the oil and residue from the leaks repaired over the past two weekends. While the undertray was off I took a few drives around to air things out, getting the oil up to temp & pressure to be sure there were no leaks. Happy to report that those maintenance / repairs went great, no fresh oil

Today I put the under tray back on the car just to be sure nothing was going to drip when I wasn't looking... And, while under the car I found that the oil pan gasket is leaking.

so... erm..., yay?

Good chance I'm going to wimp out and just pay to have this one done. I've got the tools, like a hoist to hold the engine while the subframe is dropped for example. And I've done subframes before, and plenty of engine swaps etc- I don't mind going deep for repairs. Frankly I just don't have the time, and my back & hips are reminding me that all this wrenching hurts more than it used to...

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

It was the very end of a very long day let me tell you, or let me not but I know after it happened I said to myself "you're an idiot…"

I'd be saying the same thing

Washed and waxed and detailed the interior of mom's '16 F-150. It took nearly twice as long as it took to do my car last time I did...the truck looks awesome, though (new car paint is a nice bonus)!

[db135]

Rolled up my sleeves last week and replaced the oil filter housing gaskets on my 135i (N54). The most challenging part of the project (other than working in a cold garage) was removing and replacing the intake manifold, which kept getting snagged by the rear air intake pipe (the one running down the firewall to the rear turbo). Other than that, the project was a success with no leaks afterwards (I also replaced the oil cooler line seals, intake manifold gasket set, and throttle housing seal as a precaution).

Imo, I think the OFH gasket replacement should be linked to the walnut blasting chore on these N54 engines. If one does either task, then one might as well do both, since the intake manifold is off anyway.

Love bleeding the cooling system on these cars. Won't pay the the dealership $200 to do that simple chore again!

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by db135

...The most challenging part of the project (other than working in a cold garage) was removing and replacing the intake manifold, which kept getting snagged by the rear air intake pipe (the one running down the firewall to the rear turbo)...

At least with the 128i, you can remove the bolt under the #1 runner without removing the intake...for future reference.

Congrats, now to find the next leak

[db135]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

At least with the 128i, you can remove the bolt under the #1 runner without removing the intake...for future reference.

Congrats, now to find the next leak

Ugh, don't say that!!! I'm concerned that there actually is another leak, either the valve cover or the oil pan area.

[iminhell1]

I didn't find the intake manifold on the n54 difficult at all. I've had it off 4 times now.


I much prefer it to the intake on our old VW SOHC 2.0.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Oh yeah, finally was able to register it!

Nice plate lol I haven't used the term cage in quite a while

Originally Posted by 1and1

Yesterday I finished putting everything back together and cleaned the oil and residue from the leaks repaired over the past two weekends. While the undertray was off I took a few drives around to air things out, getting the oil up to temp & pressure to be sure there were no leaks. Happy to report that those maintenance / repairs went great, no fresh oil

Today I put the under tray back on the car just to be sure nothing was going to drip when I wasn't looking... And, while under the car I found that the oil pan gasket is leaking.

so... erm..., yay?

Good chance I'm going to wimp out and just pay to have this one done. I've got the tools, like a hoist to hold the engine while the subframe is dropped for example. And I've done subframes before, and plenty of engine swaps etc- I don't mind going deep for repairs. Frankly I just don't have the time, and my back & hips are reminding me that all this wrenching hurts more than it used to...

You've done some good work man keep at it!!

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by db135

Ugh, don't say that!!! I'm concerned that there actually is another leak, either the valve cover or the oil pan area.

Sorry, I'll probably end up jinxing myself by saying that

Washed and waxed dad's GTI last night, the paint is soooo smooth and soft now, it looks fantastic! Working my way towards some seats...

[chadillac2000]

Finished up my ACF ST Top Mount Install:

[HyeWarrior]

I never realized that the expansion tank needs to be relocated to the driver side to make room for that turbo lol

[db135]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Sorry, I'll probably end up jinxing myself by saying that

Washed and waxed dad's GTI last night, the paint is soooo smooth and soft now, it looks fantastic! Working my way towards some seats...

Did you clay bar the paint first? Makes a big difference in yielding that soft satiny feel, at least in my experience.

[Suprgnat]

Cee Bailey's. Perfect fitment. Accept no substitutes.

Unfortunately, they don't have the "Full Set" (rear sides and back) as an option any longer. I swear I saw someone on here with at least the rear sides.

Oh, well. I can use the BMW sun screens a a template. All I need is to do a little research on the barrier material, get some edging, and find someone with the appropriate sewing machine.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by db135

Did you clay bar the paint first? Makes a big difference in yielding that soft satiny feel, at least in my experience.

Well, his car’s less than a year old, and doesn’t get driven much (daily’s a motorcycle for free express lane acces and 65mpg) so it really didn’t need the clay bar. My car, on the other hand, will/does need the full treatment, along with some light polish to remove some faint swirl marks. I’ve also found that using the microfiber scrubber in a vertical motion significantly reduces the visibility if any swirl marks that may be accidentally incurred...

[iminhell1]

Blew my cold side lower charge pipe out of the clamp. I have to look tomorrow if it's the SOB one or the easy to access one.
The SOB requires removal of the cooling fan.
If I didn't have an auto-x Sunday I'd pull the whole thing and find someone to weld a one piece unit ... and I can't believe NO ONE makes one yet.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/HMQUmV0OOoTkxuA52

[desertman123]

I need to give my 1 some love. Been busy as hell these past few weeks. Between jobs and in the middle of the school semester. Luckily my 1 don't need anything

Lately I've been fixing up an '02 Accord for a friend of a friend. It's getting the FULL treatment.

- Timing belt, serpentine belts, tensioners
- Water pump, new rad, coolant hoses, thermostat
- Synthetic oil
- All 4 motor/trans mounts
- Spark plugs, wires, cleaned up distributor
- Valve cover gasket, PCV
- Both axles

Some wonderful things I found: there was no gas cap; the thermostat was cut to always be open; the coolant looked more like dirty water, and def wasn't pure water (there were deposits everywhere); 2/4 motor mounts had craters blown in them so the motor was just rocking back and forth

Gonna use the money I make from this for some coilovers

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by desertman123

I need to give my 1 some love. Been busy as hell these past few weeks. Between jobs and in the middle of the school semester. Luckily my 1 don't need anything

Lately I've been fixing up an '02 Accord for a friend of a friend. It's getting the FULL treatment.

- Timing belt, serpentine belts, tensioners
- Water pump, new rad, coolant hoses, thermostat
- Synthetic oil
- All 4 motor/trans mounts
- Spark plugs, wires, cleaned up distributor
- Valve cover gasket, PCV
- Both axles

Some wonderful things I found: there was no gas cap; the thermostat was cut to always be open; the coolant looked more like dirty water, and def wasn't pure water (there were deposits everywhere); 2/4 motor mounts had craters blown in them so the motor was just rocking back and forth

Gonna use the money I make from this for some coilovers

Ohh decided on what ya gonna get?

[Gray_Panther]

Another snowstorm today. Another day keeping the 1er tucked in.