Fixing a keyfob for a '97 BMW 740i

[johnniegold]

Yes on both accounts.

 

[Jim]

Looking good Bobby!

 

[johnniegold]

Looking good Bobby!

Thanks, James. I wish I could replace my knees and hips that easily.

 

[Jim]

I hear you brother.

 

[shavefan]

So I finally got around to replacing the trunk lift/lip on our 325 yesterday...

I got the part from FCP Euro. It comes complete with everything, even new bulbs for the license plate lights. The cover is only primer so I had to have it painted

Here is the original; lip with the Roundel removed. Getting ready for removal...

there are (5) T20 Torx screws securing the lip to the trunk. 4 of the 5 mounts on the lip were broken, only the one on the far right was intact...

Need to remove the 6 trim fasteners on the trunk liner to get behind and undo the wiring connector for the license lights and trunk opening switch...

Old lid/lip removed...

 

[shavefan]

Back from paint. Local paint shop did an outstanding job. Dropped it off on Friday and it was ready the following Wednesday. Not bad!

I decided to refurb the license plate bracket. I cleaned it up and replaced the foam bumpers behind the plate mounting nuts. You can see the old ones on the bottom and the new ones on top. I cut them from some 12mm x 3mm foam tape I happened to have around.

I also added some strips to the top & bottom to prevent rubbing on the paint. I noticed some telltale marks on the trunk when I removed it so hopefully these will help. I also replaces the 2 bracket mounting screws with new and replaced the 4 original plate mounting screws with stainless steel versions

New lip and license plate bracket back on and wiring connected up. I decided to spring for a new Roundel too

Done!

Total cost was right around $200. $120 for the lip assembly, $42 for the paint, $35 for the Roundel

Tools used: T20 Torx Driver, interior trim removal tool, PH2 screwdriver. 12mm x 3mm foam tape

 

[johnniegold]

Very nice work. Looks great. New roundel, a must.

 

[johnniegold]

@ouch

20,000 miles from 9/6/2017 to 11/14/2018.

And we continue down this road together.

 

[Jim]

Finally getting that motor broken in.
Congratulations Bob.

 

[johnniegold]

Finally getting that motor broken in.
Congratulations Bob.

James, both the motor and its owner have a lot of mileage on them.

 

[Jim]

Haha!

 

[shavefan]

View attachment 928132 @ouch

20,000 miles from 9/6/2017 to 11/14/2018.

And we continue down this road together.

Going strong!

 

[shavefan]

I finally got around to replacing the the leaking valve cover gasket on our 325Ci. It turned into more of a project that I envisioned...

First, the shop that did this previously stripped 2 of the 4 center studs that hold the valve cover down so an hour later, with careful use of a Dremel and cut off wheel, I sorted that out. Only to discover after I removed the cover that there was a slight crack in its rear corner. Order another valve cover and two new studs... ($470, ouch!).

Since I'm waiting I decided to rebuild the VANOS control and R&R the CCV system. VANOS work wasn't too bad but the CCV was pretty fiddly, both jobs together took me a full day. I cleaned the throttle body and Idle control valve while I was "in there".

Valve cover and VANOS unit off...

New valve cover showed up and went on without a hitch. Changed out the air filter, cabin filter, and oil/filter too. Purrs like a kitten and idle is notably smoother. Satisfying work in the end.

 

[johnniegold]

“In there” appears to be an understatement.

That’s awesome work.

 

[shavefan]

Thanks. These old euro cars will keep you up on wrenching skills, for sure. Dealer/BMW shop would have charged about $3,800 for all that work, I had about $700 total in parts. Satisfying on several levels

 

[johnniegold]

You’re playing chess while we’re all playing checkers.

 

[shavefan]

You’re playing chess while we’re all playing checkers.

Nah... At times it feels more like "52 Pickup"

 

[johnniegold]

Simple repair. Busted fog lamp. Push a Phillips head into top hole by the lamp which releases housing unit. Unplug old one, plug in new one and snap it back into place. $56 repair and 5 minutes.

Just hit 224,000. We continue on down the road.

 

[beginish]

You did this repair at 4 am?

 

[johnniegold]

You did this repair at 4 am?

I do my best work before dawn.