To do this.... Or this....

Yeah... I know I've been away. Been busy and haven't done anything much lately except for preventive and wear and tear maintenance.

However, the bugs had started again....

Should I do this?

Before

After

Or this.... ?

Before

After

Hmmm...... stay tuned...

Penang Roadtrip - Professionally Photograph Part 1

The 3 e39 made a trip to Penang. Needless to say, there was a lot of laughs and drama both way to and back. Been wanting to post up some of the pictures that was taken but unfortunately, still haven't had time to sieve through the pictures that was taken by one of the passengers with his new DSLR and the lousy shots of my iPhone.

For now, this is the only picture I have. This picture was taken by a professional and this guy doesn't come cheap.

RM300 for 1 shot ??!! WTF? I know... I know... the last statement and cost of the picture sounds sooo wrong. He he he... 

Vorsteiner Limited Edition GTRS5 Tuning Program for E92 M3

Picked From EAS:


To commemorate the retiring of the E92 M3, Vorsteiner introduces the next generation of GTRS series widebody conversions. TheGTRS5 commands attention with its presence on the road or track. Its unmistakable race car stance is true to the heritage of the GTRS3 but has its own distinct characteristics.

For more awesome pic and spec, go to:
http://www.europeanautosource.com/content/vorsteiner-limited-edition-gtrs5-tuning-program-e92-m3

Red Arrow gets extra stopping powwaaahhh!!

Collin's Red Arrow now has extra stopping powwaaahhh!!  Great 4 port big brake kit conversion. Very impressive workmanship done by Ah Kok. He even went to the extend to puttin extra touches like the "BMW Motorsport" wording on it... sweet...



"BMW Motorsport"



350mm disc

And you get an extra benefit - the front rims now sits about 8mm future out. No need for spacers anymore... talk about a 2-in-1 deal.

This gives me more ideas..... but due to the current economic crisis... this will just have to be KIV'd for now......

Love the Gold/Yellow with Black contrast....

"BMW Performance"

Style 95

A set of Style 95 rims from the E66 7-series has become 'available'. I wonder..... should I?

Hmmmm...... how how how?!

Credit:

http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/1902ad8e4f7611e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1475772

http://www.slowdowntogofast.com/host/upload/wheel6.jpg

e39 cluster unlock - Part 2

Instrument Cluster Test Function
** will continue updating on and off when I figure out what they mean / does **

Section 1 

1.0 - xxxxx                              VIN number 1.1 – 4812                               body number 1.2 - 837 235                           part number for cluster 1.3 – 043107                           coding / diagnosis / bus index 1.4 - 2896                               week/year cluster manufactured (week28,1996) 1.5 - 13_900                            hardware / software versions (HW13, 900SW) 1.6 - 500_06                            engine data (injection status, number of cylinder)     1.7 - n/a                                  ROM status

Section 2

Cluster Test

Section 3 - 18

3.0 - 0324                                European Inspection /SI liter Data?                  3.1 - 0061                                ?? 4.0 – 0000                               momentary Fuel Consumption (ABC.D liter/1000km) 4.1 - 0013                                fuel consumption per hour (ABC.D liter/hour) 5.0 – 123                                 distance consumption (012.3 liters/100km) 5.1 – 0227                               distance to go (227km) 6.0 – 000283                           fuel level averaged 6.1 – 0284                               total tank level averaged 6.2 – 0282                               ?? 7.0 - 093                                 coolant temp (93 degree celcius) 7.1 – 385                                outside temp (38.5 degree celcius) 7.2 – 073x to 076x                   engine speed (digital tachometer) 7.3 – 000                                 km/h (digital speedometer) 8.0 160-1AC                            hex codes 8.1 0582F4                              hex codes 8.2 018000                              hex codes 8.3 0C009C                             hex codes 9.0 146                                    battery voltage (14.6v) 10.0 08                                    country code 11.0 010000                             cluster code 12.0                                         not used 13.0                                         gong test 14.0 C781dd                             error memory - C7 Fuel tank sensor fuel pump side (confirm) 14.1 8d8806                             error memory - 8d EGS data lead disturbed 14.2 3F8800                             error memory - 3F instrument cluster current to high 14.3 d78100                             error memory - d7 fuel tank sensor (without fuel pump) - confirm 14.4 6F8800                             error memory - ?? 30/5/2012 - post Reset (Test 21) 14.0 C781E9 14.1 8d8800 14.2 3F8800 * 14.3 d78100* 14.4 bf8800 Note to decipher the error code: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/99962-knowledge-base-peake-codes-e39-m5.html 15 through 18 not used  19.0                                         Cluster Unlock On/Off 20.0                                         Fuel Factor

For example
(I was lazy to take my own pics, so this out from the net:)

So, this is how you read it:

    Test 7.0 = Coolant Temp

    097       = 97 degrees

This helps when you want to monitor certain vitals. For example, for my battery going flat something after a few cranks:

1) unlock your cluster

2) look at Test 9.0 for the volt reading (before car running)

3) start the car

4) continue to monitor Test 9.0 for the volt reading (car running)

If the reading is lower than normal for 2), battery probably needs replacing.

If the reading is lower than normal for 4), alternator probably having problem.

e39 cluster unlock - Part 1

The car battery has been acting up and so, I did some "googling" to find out more about the battery and alternator. Then I stumbled onto this.....

Yup, just like iPhones, the e39 also has diagnostic / information that is available on the cluster IF you know how to access them. And to think this kind of thing was available since '97 (or probably even earlier for other model?).... it is like discovering software "easter eggs" or iPhone "unlock/jailbreak". So, in my case - you can find out what is the voltage of your battery before and during you run the engine just via the cluster!

FYI - clusters on car build before Sept'2000 (like mine) is called 'low cluster'. After that, they are called 'high cluster'. Click here to know more.

Just to get the interest going, if you wanted to test if your cluster was full functioning (instead of finding out the wrong way that some of your information on your cluster was not displaying), you could run this test:

What else can you find out about your e39?
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3134093/1999-bmw-5-series/page-6

Most of the information are display only... but interestingly... there is 1 section that allows you to 'tweak' fuel factor. Will have to do a lot more reading before I will be messing with them. In the mean time, I have a whole handful of information that I will slowly decipher. Stay tune...

Car Alarm Upgrade

The car came with only 1 set of key and with no alarm. I've had a few closed calls of losing the key and if you know how much it cost to get a BMW key smith just to come over to get your car running, you'll know it is cheaper to just get this sorted out in the first place. My last close call y'day was a sign that I am just playing with time.

So, I woke up early this morning and drove over to get my alarm, immobilizer and spare key sorted out. I decided to upgrade the original alarm to....

due to security reasons!

HAHAHAH... sorry, due to security reasons, I will not be blogging about this. I might as well publish my online banking information and password. :)

It is enough to say.. I won't be going to sleep at night thinking ....

... if I lost or locked my only set of key in the car OR ...

... if I have to resort to this OR ...

... came back to where I parked my car and saw this...

The price you pay for some peace of mind...

Water pump and MAF Sensor

Yes, I've been very quiet lately and that's because I have been busy with work, away for a nice diving trip but generally, not wanting to spend anymore $$$ on Miss Red until the situation with the bank has improved. This car was never intended to "stimulate the economy" but seems lately, she's been doing a very good job single handedly helping Ah-jib-gor, Mr.PM cum Finance Minister do this! And that b*st*rd tear gassed me the other day. MF.

Alamak... Ma'am, you also "Kuning"? 

OK OK, enough of the bitching.

After a good, short yet exciting, spirited drive last night - my dear decided to give me a nice birthday present after I switched her off.

When I drove the car out this morning, the car had no power and was practically running at 20km/h even on wide open trottle (full flooring!!). Parked the car at the side and as the car warmed up, it started to drive ok but seemed to still lose power at top range of each gear.

As I got closer to the office, I was really stepping on it only to keep it at 90km/h. No choice, detour to my mech to check her out. As I was driving there, I was wondering if I screwed the gearbox last night with the high revs. Luckily, mech told me these symptoms don't point to that (yet other smaller things are hinting at it - some have to be careful).

The suspect was the ignition and he proceed to check the plugs and the ignition coil. Lucky all 6 was ok. After taking it for a test drive, he came back and told me "Mass Air Flow - MAF" Sensor kong. He took out the cable connecting it (disabling the reading to the ECU) and the car could drove like normal. However, driving without a MAF mean the car will be drinking petrol as there is no sensor to govern how much air-to-fuel ratio to mix.

Part no. 13 62 1 703 275

To know more about MAF, read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_flow_sensor

Mass Air Flow Sensor - Air pass from left to right. Signal sent to ECU via bottom 

Small sensor detect how much air is passing through

Air from air filter pass through MAF before going into throttle body

Unfortunately, we also noticed water started to drip out to the ground. Further inspection showed that the water pump had given way. DUIT LAGI! When he took out the original water pump, it looked really shot and I was convinced that this was more of a wear and tear than anything else. The water pump looked like it was never replaced or a long time ago! All corroded and the gear was also shifty. This morning's episode probably just accelerated the date of death since I was flooring the car and this in turn just turns the pump much faster.

Part no. 11517527910

E39 Water Pump

Everything seems back to normal and I've noticed that the fuel consumption has improved ever so slightly. Let's hope this can at least make me feel like this whole ordeal was worth it!


Luckily, this event was shared with the 2 guru-gee who help me pass time following them do their stuff. Red Arrow sprayed his big scratch (due to some vandal's itchy fingers!) in record breaking time - and not to mention record breaking cheap! Black Beauty now has 4 fresh new brand spanking tyre and a pair of "chun" no. plate.

: )

Vanos Seal Replaced

Ever since I got the car, I've noticed that the car has this slight hesitation when stepping on the accelerator or when holding the rev at a low 1.5 ~ 2k ie low end torque. After much researching and reading, one of the possible suspects would be the Vanos seal.

The vanos seal is a pair of O-rings that as far as I understand is part of the vanos and once it gets old, it harden, gets brittle and screws with the camshalf timing and will result is higher fuel consumption (as the camshalf if not running at the correct most optimum timing) and also lost of torque (both low and high end when the vanos kicks in).

Instead of just replacing the seals with OEM BMW stuff, I decided to use the Beisan Seals. It is a 3rd party company and apparently much better than the original seals. People around the world swears by it... so I'm pretty comfortable with this choice.

It came in this packing for single vanos

2 replacement o-rings

Unfortunately, while opening the head, it looked like the valve cover gasket and bush was also worn out. Another sign that this hadn't been replaced though the recommendation is to replace it every 100,000km. Black oil was leaking all over, so change that also lar....

Copied this picture off the web - only replaced a few of these

Camshalf timing was off just very slightly - not as bad as I've seen some sample pictures before on the net...

vanos camshalf and timing chain at the bottom

... so, I wonder if my car was all ok all along? After taking of the vanos unit....

... and removing the o-rings, this is how the existing one was...

How hard and brittle the o-ring was...

So how actually does the vanos work? The electric signal from the computer box should relay through the cable (bottom left) to push more oil into the camcover (the thinngy that looks like a cylinder in the middle). This then presses the vanos to push or pull the extra cog within and this is how the improve timing / vanos kicks in. Or at least this is what i learn from a crash course from the mechanic. :)

Picture borrowed from iridiumengineering.co.uk

It is A LOT of work... a lot of things got to be dismantled including 1 side of the cabin filters, the engine and valve cover, the coolant (or water) needs to be released before the thing can be dismantle. And if you also had a screwed up valve cover gasket and bush like i did, it also requires some surface cleaning before the new gasket can be put on. All in all 4 hours of work.

Can I feel the difference? Actually yes! The car is not as hesitant as it was before and it's a bit more responsive. But the seals take about 300km to break in. So will only know the full potential in a few weeks time... fingers crossed for a better response and better fuel consumption. :P

To read more on Beisan or Vanos: http://www.beisansystems.com/

Quad Exhaust - 4x the fun!

They say Double Trouble, Triple Threat.....  so what do you say about Quadruple? Err..... well, screw it... it is Four times the fun!! :D

Yes, yes... long overdue. Got my quad exhaust done today. Yippie! I went with a titanium quad setup.

Before

1.. 2.. 3.. 4.... check! 

Check out the finishing

1 done.. 1 more to go...

Ta da !!!

1 last shot... side view.. 

Before - After

I'm LOVING it!