Inlet and rocker painting + bumper removal Q.

[aceraf]

Okay, lots of people remove these and paint them black/silver or other colours and make their engine bays look .

I was just wanting a definitive YES or NO whether you change any gaskets when doing this.

Having never removed either from an engine i presume there will be gaskets but have no idea whether these need to be changed or not!

I wish to do a bit of work on both the inlet and rocker cover and also adjust my valve's as per the tech guide (which may i add doesn't mention anything about changing gaskets either if i read correctly).

[aceraf]

Just remembered the other thing i wanted to ask.

What tool/s do i need for removing the front bumper?

Do i need some sort of torx socket?

I'm in the process of ordering some tools, and I want to order any sockets that i may need when working on e30's.

[pete27577]

just as well it only about 3.00
just had mine done

[aceraf]

just as well it only about 3.00
just had mine done

It's just the way people seem to whip it off and spray it a different colour to see what it'll look like, do they have alot of gaskets lying about then?

[blitz877]

just as well it only about 3.00
just had mine done

by some dodgy bugger

[maxfield]

Be silly not to change the gaskets IMO.

[bmwe30mtech]

No you dont need to change the rocker gasket, and in reality the inlet ones can be re-used.

BUT you should change them in an ideal world. I would definatly change the inlet manifold ones, as if they leak when you put it all back ita a lot of work!

No special sockets required for removing them.

Only 'special thing' is the feeler guage for the tappets.

[aceraf]

Okay thanks,

On the other note, don't the front bumpers have 2 torx bolts on them?

[bmwe30mtech]

Ohh just to add when removing the inlet manifold be careful when removing the fuel lines not to cover your face in pertol as the line into the fuel retun regulator is under pressure. Remove the fuse for it and run the engine before starting, or just be careful when pulling it off

I just saw the bumper bit, yes T55 torx bit.

[aceraf]

Ohh just to add when removing the inlet manifold be careful when removing the fuel lines not to cover your face in pertol as the line into the fuel retun regulator is under pressure. Remove the fuse for it and run the engine before starting, or just be careful when pulling it off

I just saw the bumper bit, yes T55 torx bit.

Thanks, I think i'm going to buy a few sets of the gaskets and keep them as spares. I'll work on the rocker first. I don't like messing with fuel lines so may just clean the inlet and polish it up while it's on there. See how it goes.

so will this do for the bumpers

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-Pce-TORX-BIT-S ... dZViewItem

[bmwe30mtech]

I have seen some bumpers with allen key heads on them, so you may want to check yours are torx. If so, yes they will fit.

Fuel lines arnt hard, i used to be put off by them also. Inlet will be much better if you take it off.


Paul

[aceraf]

Cheers i'll have a look and see how it goes. Not planning on doing it for a while yet anyhow, got lots of other things i need to be getting on with.

[1an]

best advise i can give when cleaning the inlet, make sure its fully stripped down, then put it in the dishwasher to de grease it

[aceraf]

I'll use panel wipe to degrease it...will get rid of all the dirt/grease on it.

[abelai]

If you are removing anything that has a gasket always replace with new, m20's have enough air and oil leak problems as it is without introducing any more. If you are spraying the inlet manifold then I assume you will strip it down so you'll need new throttle body gasket and injector seals. It might also be an idear to have the nozzles replaced and injectors cleaned.

[abelai]

As for the dishwasher cleaning method I once cleaned a Pulsar GTiR SR20DET engine in a hotels industrial dishwasher and for really dirty stuff used there ovens on a steam cleaning cycle with "grease cutter".

[mikeyboy]

i can just imagine my mum opening the dishwasher to find a inlet manifold! she would KILL ME!!!!

[DaveD]

Definitely change the throttle body gasket and the manifold gasket ..the rocker gasket is an option..I thoroughly cleaned mine in an oil bath and with nitromors but I do recommend borrowing another one and spraying that. The paint and lacquer has to cure for a day ......... before you lacquer sand off the paint on the highlights (if you want that)


then removing and replacing ..it took me a day to do it ...it can be fiddly ...mark the fuel lines as you can put them back wrongly ..also I do recommend having one of those little magnets on a stick..you will definitely need one..another trick is for the crankcase breather tube compress the spring round it with a small cable tie and cut this when it is in place...also new o rings for the injectors is a good idea

Worth doing though:D

david

[DaveD]

Just noticed the rest of the post...those torx bits MIGHT do but you would be better with a longer one.as you have to get inside the bumper cover (or at least you do on a tech 2 ...........try Machine Mart you must have one in Derby

[1an]

i can just imagine my mum opening the dishwasher to find a inlet manifold! she would KILL ME!!!!

was my dad that reccomended doing it, i werent going to say nah i wont, while i was outside in the cold degreesing it.

[mikeyboy]

i can just imagine my mum opening the dishwasher to find a inlet manifold! she would KILL ME!!!!

was my dad that reccomended doing it, i werent going to say nah i wont, while i was outside in the cold degreesing it.

good dad, my dad would not let me do this in the new SMEG dishwasher!!! Dead man walkin!