335i - now driving well!

[DRIFTBOY]

That's a good point Theo, I think your cage is thicker, and the padding doesn't go all the way round my bars. I don't know if you can get different sizes of padding but it might be worth looking into ?

Martin.

[gareth]

who did you get to do the M3 flange?

[Theo]

I used the company in Staplehurst which you suggested, SCISS I think? It's touch and go if I'll have the flange done and welded onto the downpipes by the 21st though, which is a bit of a worry.

[gareth]

what's happening on the 21st?

[Theo]

Down to Castle Combe for a trackday and a couple of runs on a Dyno, should be good for a laugh

I also need the coolant hoses which run from the expansion tank to the thermostat housing and back to the heater. Are the hoses from a facelift m20 modifiable for this purpose? I've got the E28 T piece, but no hoses!

[gareth]

ooh, sounds fun!

the hoses on mine are entirely made up of M20 hoses and E32 hoses with some choppage where necessary! i didn't use the E28 T piece, instead i used the original section of M20 hose to connect to the expansion tank. though i plumbed it in wrong at first!

[Theo]

Well I took the car for it's first drive today, had three separate test runs...

It's pretty quick, and the sound in a stripped out shell is addictive, as is the effortless overtaking, the torque increase over a 325i is very. very noticeable (even with a really badly blowing exhaust which I need to sort out badly

Annoyingly, the car seems to be a little incontinent when it comes to the old (literally) oil. After the first drive there was oil pissing out from where the gearbox meets the engine block, it seems to be coming from either side where there are vents or 'gaps' the following diagram illustrates what I mean, although the gearbox looks a little different in the picture?? I checked the oil pressure switch in the hope that this might be at fault - but it was dry as a bone


I'm still unsure as to whether the headgasket is ropey or not though, after a short drive there was a load of it under the filler cap and rocker cover, and a little on hte dipstick. But after a slightly longer, harder drive - it had gone. Oil and filter change tomorrow, and I'm going to visit Mr Ant for some expert help and advice!!

[DRIFTBOY]

I hope the oil leak isn't sump gasket or crank rear main. That would suck!

Chep to fix but a right pain!
If it is I'm happy to come round and help Theo, when I'm not too busy!

Nearly there though!

Have your angry neighbours got used to the noise ?

Martin.

[Theo]

You're the third person to suggest crank rear main! It's not looking promising. At first it pissed out loads of oil, but then noticed the engine was overfilled with oil, so let a load out and the leak was then not so bad, could oil have somehow gotten into the bell housing when it was up at an angle putting the engine in?

You're an absolute hero for voluneteering to help with the work Martin, can't thank you enough for that, I'll give you a shout when I have a more definitive opinion on the problem.

Grumpy neighbours haven't been curtain twitching recently, but I'm sure they will moan as soon as they spot the oil stains all down the driveway hahaha.

I can't believe how nice the M30 sounds at 5k+, better than my m20 with a 6 branch by along way

[Jon_Bmw]

So are you bring this decent "IS" down to coombe? Or is the 4 door back in action?

Glad that on the whole its nearly there for you.

[DRIFTBOY]

No worries mate.

I don't think tipping the engine up should fill the bellhousing. It will leak more when the oil is hot.

I just thought, I had a very similar thing happen to mine a while back.
Looked like oil leaking out of the bell housing, turned out to be slightly loose sump bolts!

Martin.

[Theo]

I'm pretty certain it's leaking halfway up the bell housing on eachside. On the offside it seems to be coming from where the clutch release spring clip sits on the bell housing. On the nearside it's coming from the area I've highlighted in this diagram.



Jon, I fear it will be the chrome turd, unless Castle Combe don't mind me dropping oil all over their track!

[ed325i]

I cant remember if I fitted a new rear seal, I defo done the input one on the gearbox.
For it to leaking that high up on the side of the box I would say its the sump leaking, if it was the main seal it would be leaking at the bottom of the box ?

[Andy335Touring]

Well done getting it on the road, sounds like you are chuffed with the first drive

If it is the sump it's fairly comon to find the bolts just need nipping up(touch wood !).

[tristan325]

Hi Theo, glad to hear she's up an running (sort of)! With regard to padding for your roll cage. Get yourself down to a plumbers merchant and buy some pipe lagging. Comes in loads of sizes. Climaflex is the stuff IIRC. You can also get some stuff called Armaflex, slightly more expensive but fireproof!

HTH

[Theo]

Thanks guys - im definitely more chuffed today than I was yesterday!

After a bit of investigative work by Ant, it seems the oil leak my not be due to a failed rear main seal. The back of the flywheel is dry, and it has also become apparent after changing the oil that the stuff dripping off is nasty old black stuff, but the oil in the sump is nice new golden goodness! So the theory is that there is a build up of old oil in the bellhousing - I need to flush it out, but can't make even more mess on the driveway!!!

Also solved the blowing exhaust today with a little fiddling, the car now pulls better and sounds really sweet - I'm well chuffed. I'll post some pics up tomorrow of the car in action on the track (baptism of fire!!!!)

I'd like to say a MASSIVE thanks to Ant for his help both today and over the past few weeks for lending tools, giving advice, welding bits and bobs, just generally being a legend. Thanks dude

[Jon_Bmw]

So its coming, excellent.

Nothing like breaking it in gently

What time are you heading down, sod 9 am! I'll still be in bed.

[Theo]

Yeah dude, I'm hoping it will make the journey! Lot's of funny noises and electrical quirks, namely the windows refusing to open more than once in a blue moon.

Not sure what time we're coming down, Simon, Demlot and I are going to convoy down - should be there before lunch

Tristan - cheers for the tip on the rollcage padding, still need to fit the damn thing!

[Andy335Touring]

Cool, good luck for tomorrow, shame it's not closer or i'd pop down

[DRIFTBOY]

Nice one Theo. And Ant!

Good luck for tomorrow, hope you enjoy it.

I wish I could go but I've got lots of E30 related and other work to do!

I like Castle Coombe, it used to be my local track. I once got driven round there by the (very sadly) late Richard Burns in an Audi 200 Quattro. What a ride!

Weather should be good tomorrow too, can't wait to see lots of pics!

Martin.

[Theo]

Wow, that must have been quite an experience, will have to see if there is anyone taking passengers so I can get an idea of lines/speeds etc. Any tips?

I'll be doing some more trackdays this year, hopefully you can make the next one?

[e30world]

well done