a few problems

[jamesroools]

right ive got a 318i m40 4dr with a couple of problems, when the car is switched off locked or unlocked, the green lights on the service indicator flash constantly and the temperature gauge stays at 1/4???
also the windows will only go down with the engine NOT running or the doors open
and the engine sounds like a tractor and doesnt seem to pull as well as it should, it just had a new camshaft and belt change
any help is much appreciated
cheers
James

[Widge]

Tractor noise and loss of power - Tappets?

[Martinaston]

Have you checked all the relays ? sounds like the garage have swapped them all around for a laugh (and some extra cash)

Are you sure the timing marks line up? Sounds like the garage didn't do too good a job.

You'll have to be a bit more detailed about the faults (and noise).
Has the cam and belt JUST been done?

[Martinaston]

James i just noticed your in london. Where about's ?

[jamesroools]

im near sutton, my postcode is sw209ns
the noise does sounds like tappets, but these are not adjustable on an m40 i thought, im not sure when the cam and belt was changed the previous owner (jonbouy) told me he done them recently

[Martinaston]

The first thing i can think of is to check for an old alarm and remove it.

If it's not got one then check to see if one was removed recently and have a look at the state of the wiring around the steering columb and above and behind the glovebox.
Check for damage from crimps or melted wire casings that might cause short circuits.

Also give the battey terminals and the engine earth strap a clean and refit.

Unscrew the round engine loom plug next to the fuse box and check that for corroded terminals and have a look for any blown fuses.

If all that looks undamaged can you get hold of another ECU and see how it runs on that.

The flashing lights could be an ecu fault, the windows sounds like a blown fuse and the poor running may be linked to the ecu or a mechanical problem. (stiff tappets,badly fitted belt and or dammaged valves)

anyway thats my two bobs worth, i'm sure somone else can throw some light on it.

I'm near the Elephant + Castle, so if your coming up this way give me a shout

Afterthought: with the battery disconnected does the temp guage drop right down ?

[jamesroools]

the temperature gauge goes right down when the engine is started and its cold and when the ignition is on, other than that, it will stay at the 1/4 marker

[Martinaston]

You still have power in circuits that should be dead once the ignition is off,
so it looks like crossed wires
You'll have to trace how the power is reaching the temperature guage and it's only one wire unless you have the check controll panel on the car.

Unplug the engine loom plug and then you should have some idea of which side the fault is on.

[jamesroools]

right ive checked the fuses, and it looks like im missing 29 and 30, and one other fuse but cant remember it, also im missing some relays but didnt take a pic so i cant tell you which ones

[Martinaston]

off the top of my head those fuses are for the foglights and the missing relays are for extra equipment.
the main engine relays are not in the fusebox

I'm getting the impression your not very spanner friendly

[jamesroools]

I'm getting the impression your not very spanner friendly

yeah, im not exactlly the best mechanic!
could the relays that i think are missing be causing the window fault?

[Martinaston]

Are the windows more important than the engine ?

[jamesroools]

of course the engine is more important, i was just wondering if the fact that i think some of the relays are missing could cause the windows to fcuk up

[Martinaston]

If they open and close when the door is open they work ok.
The reason they dont work when the engine is on is because you have a problem with the power circuits on the car.

[jonbuoy]

As i told you the car has been sitting for a while and not run around. You can't expect everything to sound like its brand new after 158,000 miles. The cam is not new its second hand but its ten times better than the one that was in there and it could do with a set of hydrolic lifters, i did offer you my old ones which were'nt that bad (i'm just fussy) but you did'nt seem too keen and i also forgot to give you them for your own disposal. The cam and (NEW) belt and (NEW) tensioners were fitted by me and a proffessional mechanic!

[jamesroools]

would fitting a new set of lifters help then?
if so, which ones as euro car prats list 2 different ones

[jonbuoy]

Did'nt know there were two different types but i got mine from GSF, here's their number if you still want to do it: 01708 890740 They are very helpful and will tell you which ones you need probably by reg?

[jamesroools]

according to the gsf website these are the ones i need:
B14509 CAM FOLLOWER-HYDRAULIC E30 318i 88>91 M40

[jamesroools]

oh and one more thing, this is gonna sound so silly, but i need to get 8 of these right?

[jonbuoy]

Yes but they cost about 90 quid under trade, if you know anyone in the motor trade then get them to get them as it will save a few quid. Failing that say you want them for cash and they should give a discount or just say they're for someone you know at Kwik Fit as this will make it under trade, they don't usually have any queries with it so you are safe on that score

[jonbuoy]

Yes but they cost about 90 quid under trade, if you know anyone in the motor trade then get them to get them as it will save a few quid. Failing that say you want them for cash and they should give a discount or just say they're for someone you know at Kwik Fit as this will make it under trade, they don't usually have any queries with it so you are safe on that score

[jonbuoy]

Sorry, Finger went a bit funny then

[jamesroools]

thanks m8, ive got all the electrics sorted now, turned out to be a relay their for no reason, replaced the viscous clutch, just gotta do the tappets, fit the recaro's ive got, and sort out the rust and door, and it'll be all good

[jonbuoy]

Nice one mate, sounds like its gonna be better than mine. Gonna be hard to keep up with! Hows the temperature now uve done the fan?

[jamesroools]

well ive nearly cooked it twice, the radiators buggerd, the top radiator hose join at the radiator, the plastic bit, all broke off, so i cant drive it till i get a radiator
but im getting one on saturday for only Ԛ£25!

[jonbuoy]

That's cheap i payed Ԛ£70-80 for a new one from King Rads, mine was sweet after that. Do you know how to bleed'm out properly?

[jamesroools]

im getting a friend of mine to do it and the tappets, hes been a bmw mechanic since he was 14!

[jonbuoy]

Cool Think i need to do the tappets on mine but one of my mates said just to change the cam. Gonna do all that when i change the cam for a high lift, gas flow, port n polish, change valve springs and paint the rocker cover

[jamesroools]

i hope to be able to do all that soon, just need some more money first

[jonbuoy]

The money you gave me for the car is getting spent by my misses so mines getting a bit more delayed but i will do it eventually, its taken too long so far

[jamesroools]

these women seem to cause more problems than they solve

[jamesroools]

what exhaust system you running jon?

[jonbuoy]

Your not wrong, does'nt help having a mini me either but that's life!
I eithen get moaned at for sitting on the computer talking to you lot, might have to sort her out later

[jamesroools]