M30 gearbox oil leak - solved & back on the road!

[DRIFTBOY]

Aah, I see!

Personally, I'd go for the BMW plate then.
Slipping on a clutch that new is a worry.

Sorry, I know it's money, but I'd hate to see a thread title "Theo removing engine again!"

Martin.

[Theo]

Hahaha! I think you're right about the clutch, this e30 is becoming a total money pit. That said, I can't wait to have it back together running again, got some 4 pot brakes to go on the front now as well

[DRIFTBOY]

Tell me about it!
It's embarassing how much I've spent on mine!

What brakes have you gone for ?

I can't wait to see your car in action sometime!

Martin.

[Theo]

Gareth and Keri just came over and dropped off some lovely WMS morsels - will be bolting those on tomorrow.

Come along to a trackday this summer, be great to have both 335's out at the same time!

[DRIFTBOY]

Nice!

I'd love to do a track day as soon as I can, got a lot of things to sort out before then though! Like my massive oil leak (still), my steering column to exhaust manifold contact round hard left hand bends, brakes in general - they just aren't up to it really, rattly engine (still) and power steering pump - still running without a belt, it's hard work!

I will get it on track eventually !

Martin.

[Theo]

What fun would it be without an endless list of tedious, skin removing jobs to do? My PAS has packed up as well, seem to have a leak from the pump.
If you need any help with anything, then I'm more than happy to lend a hand.

[DRIFTBOY]

Yeah, gives me something to do at the weekends I suppose!

I haven't got any pas pumps.
Have you tried putting new washers on the pas pipe banjo bolts?
That cured a leak I had a while back.

Appreciate the offer dude, might take you up on it sometime if I need an extra pair of hands! Cheers.

Martin.

[Davenotouring]

Sorted Theo?!!

[Theo]

Some new washers are on the shopping list, problem is that BMW always take a couple of days to get stuff in, so it will be wednesday before I can get the engine in again. By the way.... PM sent Martin

Dave, I'm optimistic about getting it done in time, nothing like working towards a deadline!

[DRIFTBOY]

Pm replied to - no need to be !

I'm sure I've got a set of new washers (there are 2 sizes) for when I fit my Z3 rack and new pas pump so you could have those if it speeds things up!

Martin.

[Theo]

Those washers would be great, cheers mate.

[gareth]

it was harsh turning up with the brakes earlier only to see the engine that i helped squeeze in (with martin and theo of course) sitting on the floor in front of the car - further from the car than when i got there last time! i do feel for you mate!

regarding rack and column clearance, my column would occasionally catch on the steering coupling (not nice!!!!) and the engine mounts settled down on the new rubbers so the sump just sat on the rack. i managed to get a bit more clearance all round by slackening off the engine mounting (e30.de) bolts, levering the engine up and across to the nearside and then retightening everything. this gave me a few vital mm more clearance. i then knocked up some 5mm spacers to space the offside mount away from the block and one large one to space the mount up from the rubber by 5mm. the clearance is a lot better now.

the other trick is to get someone to turn the steering wheel round while lying underneath... my downpipes were catching on the squared off aluminium 'Y' section of one of the UJ's on the column. with the steering locked in position i managed to get up there with a big file and just take the corners off this joint. all-told the column clearance has gone up from about 2mm to about 8mm. hopefully this will be enough. if not, i'll have to remove my downpipes and grind the offending lumpy flange back a bit.

good luck with it!

[Theo]

Cheers for dropping the brakes off yesterday can't wait to try them out. I wanted to get them on today but suprise, suprise - it's raining. Infact, there's forecasted rain for the next 5 days. FFS!!!!

Think I may do a bit of grinding to increase clearance, although in fairness I haven't had and contact issues.

[Theo]

The car is back on the road, massive thanks to DRIFTBOY who helped wrestle the engine back in yesterday evening - I owe you big time mate.

Spent today reattaching all the other bits in the pissing rain but it is now back on the road with a few new tweaks. Oil leak has stopped, but gear selection is a little tricky, may have done some damage driving a couple of hundred miles with no gearbox oil

Will post some pics up of the old shed in all it's glory tomorrow.

[Ant]

Sorted Theo

sorry I couldn't help on this, Oz will fill you in on the why...

Well done to Martin- hero strikes again.

[Theo]

No worries mate, just chuffed that it's all sorted now!

May pop down and furnish you with a plethora of munchies in exchange for some of that exhaust paste, the stuff I got is Shiiiite!

[gareth]

glad it's sorted!

shame i couldn't pop by and help put your engine in... again with martin... again

did you get the brakes bled up ok?

[DRIFTBOY]

Thanks Theo and Ant, I was only an extra pair of hands though, no heroism! Wouln't want you to miss the 'Ring trip dude!

And like I said, I might need the favour returned one day!

Hope the gearbox holds up, they are tough old things though!

It is a shame you weren't there Gareth, we had a bit of a laugh while we worked again, kept us sane!

Martin.

[Theo]

Yes, you missed all the fun Gareth! Oddly, the engine wasn't as easy to get in this time round.

Brakes are bled...ish. Pedal is very soft high up, ut plenty of bite with a firm push on the pedal. If it's dry tomorrow I can get a better idea of what they are like, it was locking up in the rain for fun.

Martin, I'm more than happy to help, just gimme a shout!

[gareth]

Oddly, the engine wasn't as easy to get in this time round.

that's cos i wan't there

i posted re the brakes in the other thread...

bleeding can take 2 stages to shake the bubbles out fully. don't forget there are 2 bleed niiples that need to be bled...

good luck

[Simon13]

Good work Dopolous