What did you do to your E24 today?

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songzunhuang
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by songzunhuang »

Sbeaud wrote: Sun Feb 12, 2023 3:49 pm I really didn't do this - I had it done for me...

My wife and I sold our house in Michigan and we're roaming the country - currently Florida - in search of a new home. So I'm currently houseless, garageless, and almost completely tool-less. While heading to a new rental in Port Charlotte at nearly the end of a 3 hour drive I pulled off the highway and the car died at the red light. I tried starting it and it sputtered, but did not start. After about 10 attempts it did start, but was sputtering severely. It was just enough to get off the highway and on a side street and it finally gave up. Called Hagarty roadside and waited 2 hours for a truck to show up. While waiting I did a phone search and found a German car repair shop about a mile away! How lucky is that. I called and they said they were booked six weeks out -- our Port Charlotte rental was for a month, so that was not good news. I explained my situation, and they said to drop the car off and they may be able to squeeze it in. When the truck arrived I thought I would give the car one more try, and it started and ran fine... So the driver followed me to the shop (Avenue Garage, Port Charlotte) and the folks there were very accommodating and even said they would park it indoors. They actually started working on the car within a week - awesome.

From my forum reading I was thinking fuel issue. Clogged/worn pump, that sort of thing. What they found: intermittent no spark. Traced it to the ECU, and upon inspection they believed it was cracked/aging solder connections on the board. They were initially going to send it out, but decided to wrap it in foil and put it in an oven to re-flow the solder. Installed it and problem solved! I was ecstatic! I was so lucky to have the issue occur within a mile of a very competent German car repair shop. I should have bought a lottery ticket. That billion dollar award would have been mine. I was very impressed with the technician and the whole shop, so if you have an issue in the area - recommended.

Scott
Wrap it in foil and re-flow? How does this work and is it something a do it yourselfer could pull off? I spent hours and hours reflowing my ECU.
It seems to me that you have to be able to control the temp quite well, lest you burn something up other than solder.

In any case, I'm glad you were able to get out of the jam! I'll have to search around for this foil re-flow trick.
-----
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by TimU »

Scotty, I know your pain of a failed ECU! That's what halted my maiden journey last year.
viewtopic.php?t=33221

My breakdown experience was also what prompted me to refresh the "Crank No Spark" troubleshooting article into a roadside friendly guide.
viewtopic.php?t=33245

Good job on the oven reflow. Did you have any concerns with overcooking the other components?
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by LarryM »

Interesting.
Last edited by LarryM on Mon Feb 13, 2023 12:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by LarryM »

I for one would love to hear more about the oven reflow technique. Temperature? Time? Pre-roast preparation?
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Sbeaud »

Tim, yes I do have some concern for the other components. But if I remember correctly Chad the tech said the oven was 200 degrees (F), and I think that is not an unusual underhood temperature. The notes from my maintenance spreadsheet:

Driving car from The Villages, Florida to Port Charlotte, Florida. Car died on King's Hwy and Elmira Blvd. Limped to 23178 Rye Avenue. Called for tow. Waited about 2 hrs, when tow truck arrived the car started. He followed me to German car repair shop Avenue Garage, 4138 Electric Way, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. Work performed per Chad the service tech: Checked fuel. Enough fuel to operate. Tested and found no signal going to coil from vehicle computer (DME). Checked crank sensors and found scoring on sensors. Tech replaced crankshaft position sensors and was able to start vehicle, but it would stall. Ohmed out all wiring connected to DME and found previous solder repairs on resistors/diodes/connectors. Put DME in oven to reflow all the solder. Vehicle ran for 45 minutes and was driven on two 10-mile road tests. No concerns. Also did refrigerant service - recover, evacuate, and recharge A/C system. Added dye to system to help identify any leaks.
0 261 210 002 Crank Position Sensor $117.03 each
R134A Refrigerant 3.5 $87.15 total
4910 A/C Dye $4.00
Labor $571.20
Tax $64.56
Total $986.99


I'll try to give the shop a call and see if I can get more information about the process used.

Scott
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by TimU »

Thanks for the notes, very thorough!
I mean, it obviously worked, but remember that the DME is inside the cabin, not inside the engine bay.
200F would be quite toasty for the cabin!
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Sbeaud »

Okay, spoke with Avenue Garage. They indeed wrapped it in foil and put it in a 200F oven for 10 minutes. They say they've done this many times for a number of years and have had no issues or come-backs.

As Tim noted the location would not warrant underhood temperature-capable components, so it would seem to be concerning. But I did a little searching on line and there are some sites that note "baking" at high temperatures as typical. Even higher temperatures in some cases.

https://www.computerrepairtips.net/how- ... therboard/

Video here:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/el ... bly/reflow

Borrow an Easy-bake oven:
https://hackaday.com/2020/12/13/can-you ... 0with%20it.

Also, I thought solder melts around 350F so I would not have thought it would have been enough to "reflow". But I can't argue with the results - it's working.

Scott
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Geezy2424 »

Hello! New member, I have owned my shark for about 3 weeks. This is what was completed off the list yesterday.

Replaced front and rear brakes, rotors and pads
Power-steering pump and hoses
Alternator
MC will be installed today as I am having lock up issues when car is hot.
Chrome Hex caps for my RC090
Rear coilovers installed( will fix stance once rears are installed) will be closing fender gap more once fronts are welded and installed.
Installed passenger side door handle stopper so now the door handle works
Driver side actuator needs to be installed. ( waiting for parts)
Cleaned up engine bay

Need to fix a strange coolant leak under driver side wheel well, I have read it may be the coolant Resvoir cap?? No over heating. Included picture of hose where coolant is leaking hose
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by wattsmonkey »

Those chrome caps look great - nice one.
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by jsspagg »

Began to install the insulation and sound proofing on the floors. I compare it to putting a screem protector on your smartphone. You have to get the placement right because it is not coming off to adjust [-o<
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Geezy2424 »

Adjusted stance a bit…. Godspeed project coilovers, not the best brand but got a great deal.. actually ride really smooth. Slowly getting the stance dialed in
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by GRNSHRK »

Wow, the stance looks awesome =D>

Are those 18's? :-k

Guessing you have more to your story elsewhere in another thread :-"

And I see that you guys in SoCal are already getting rained on #-o
:mrgreen:
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by jsspagg »

GRNSHRK wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 9:13 pm Wow, the stance looks awesome =D>

Are those 18's? :-k

Guessing you have more to your story elsewhere in another thread :-"

And I see that you guys in SoCal are already getting rained on #-o
Yes Sir... rain is here!
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Geezy2424 »

GRNSHRK wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 9:13 pm Wow, the stance looks awesome =D>

Are those 18's? :-k

Guessing you have more to your story elsewhere in another thread :-"

And I see that you guys in SoCal are already getting rained on #-o
Correct they are 18s
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by RossDinan6 »

Took the car to my shop and set it up on stands for a drive line noise. I have a soft ticking in corners. First thought was trans mounts. When I looked a couple weeks ago I saw the center bearing rubber was deteriorated pretty badly. I thought that would cause a vibration. Apparently not since I have none.

Ordered a guibo, center bearing assembly, trans mounts and the rubber exhaust hangers. Once the exhaust and drive shaft were out of the way I could see the selector rod seal was leaking. So that gets added. The drive shaft is done. The bearing was fun since there is not much bearing to grab onto with the puller. Going back on was simple, an old screw driver through the yoke supporting it on the press and a trip to the hardware for a 1 1/4x6 pipe nipple and it was back on. The splines were a mess of hard caked on grease. Thirty minutes of scraping and brake clean and they were clean and smooth.

Since it is up in the air it will also get the spin on filter adapter I bought a little while ago, that will fix another annoying leak.

That leaves a turbo oil leak. I think (Hope maybe?) it is the oil feed line. I'll pull that and replace it and the -4 JIC hose fitting. The hose could be a bit shorter anyway. Pipe threads should be outlawed.

That should take care of this round of work.
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by GRNSHRK »

I like that "while I'm in there" approach Ross, good job =D>

Some call it feature creep, I like to call it saving on labor time, and my back, or rather, working on my back :-"
:mrgreen:
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by RossDinan6 »

I tend to use "Project creep". There are many of those in this car over the years (22 of em so far). But......I would have to get to this exact spot if I buttoned it up now in a hurry to drive it. The leak is a more annoying problem than the minor noise. That, of course, would not get any better.

Since it is at the shop now, I'll probably be looking for any other "while I'm in there" projects I haven't spotted yet.
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by sansouci »

Washed the windows and cleaned the cabin for a Saturday car show.
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by sharkfan »

Decided to run the 635CSi to the shops and back and the bonnet bowden cable broke - not so bad but this is my third bonnet cable in as many months following the same happening to my E39 and then my E34.

Cable is NLA from BMW so I have taken the bits to my trusty cable maker in Dorking (who has recently made up an M635CSi throttle cable and E34 bonnet cable for me) who reckoned he could make another up - he might be able to do a couple extra (he is going to call and confirm) so would any UK owners want me order them one?
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Pod »

Sbeaud wrote: Sat Feb 18, 2023 3:16 am Okay, spoke with Avenue Garage. They indeed wrapped it in foil and put it in a 200F oven for 10 minutes. They say they've done this many times for a number of years and have had no issues or come-backs.

As Tim noted the location would not warrant underhood temperature-capable components, so it would seem to be concerning. But I did a little searching on line and there are some sites that note "baking" at high temperatures as typical. Even higher temperatures in some cases.

https://www.computerrepairtips.net/how- ... therboard/

Video here:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/el ... bly/reflow

Borrow an Easy-bake oven:
https://hackaday.com/2020/12/13/can-you ... 0with%20it.

Also, I thought solder melts around 350F so I would not have thought it would have been enough to "reflow". But I can't argue with the results - it's working.

Scott
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Sixracer1 »

Gave the six a nice wash.
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Forgot to take a glamor shot before moving on to the wagon.
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by olympia57 »

Drove it .
It's been a long torturous summer .
Long story short the gearbox we fitted would not go through the gate into reverse .
Rob and Ron have been fantastic in helping me resolve it and we got there in the end ,albeit after 5 months .
Full story will be in my project thread but with a new fully rebuilt 265 fitted it drives sweet .
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by Ralph in Socal »

olympia57 wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:25 pm Drove it .
It's been a long torturous summer .
Long story short the gearbox we fitted would not go through the gate into reverse .
Rob and Ron have been fantastic in helping me resolve it and we got there in the end ,albeit after 5 months .
Full story will be in my project thread but with a new fully rebuilt 265 fitted it drives sweet .
20230903_133921aa.jpg
Hello Don. Sending PM regarding the failed trans. I have a similarly failed unit as well

I'm glad you completed it. Time for fun

Ralph
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by MrE »

olympia57 wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:25 pm Drove it .
It's been a long torturous summer .
Long story short the gearbox we fitted would not go through the gate into reverse .
Rob and Ron have been fantastic in helping me resolve it and we got there in the end ,albeit after 5 months .
Full story will be in my project thread but with a new fully rebuilt 265 fitted it drives sweet .
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Congrats! It looks spectacular! =D>
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Re: What did you do to your E24 today?

Post by slfan »

olympia57 wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 9:25 pm Drove it .
It's been a long torturous summer .
Long story short the gearbox we fitted would not go through the gate into reverse .
Rob and Ron have been fantastic in helping me resolve it and we got there in the end ,albeit after 5 months .
Full story will be in my project thread but with a new fully rebuilt 265 fitted it drives sweet .
20230903_133921aa.jpg
Beautiful color. Congratulations and enjoy it!
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