Sheffield
I've had my '05 2.2i a little while now and so far it's been pretty much pain free. Touch wood. A few niggles easily sorted. The car doesn't present with any faults and there are still a couple of service items I'd like to address (belts, coolant) but I'd like to preempt the "They all do that, Sir" issues that you lot will be much more familiar with than I. So, what have we got? I know the roof motor relocation is a good idea but what else?
E85 preventative maintenance - what should I do?
- Thread starter rich1068
- Start date
USA
Make sure you use the correct specification oil. Example, My 2005 2.5i uses Long-Life 01 (LL-01) spec oil. I use either Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL-01 more recently Liqui-Moly 4200 LL-01 5W-30.
Check for your specific engine as the Long Life specification is important for your engine.
Check for your specific engine as the Long Life specification is important for your engine.
Frequent oil and filter changes will keep the engine happy, people do use 5W40 fully synthetic oil in the high mileage cars. Fluid changes in gearbox and diff is something I do with all the cars I have taken ownership of so I know what's in them despite BMW saying they are filled for life. Gaskets are prone to failing resulting in oil leaks from the Cam Cover and the oil filter to engine block joint they fail from repeated heat cycles and age so keep an eye out for them leaking. Check condition of drive belts, they do start to develop cracks, replace when you find them starting to crack. Coolant filler/expansion tanks are known to develop splits or pin holes in their sides so keep an eye on that. Ensure drain holes in the cavities each side of the roof are kept clear especially the left one where the roof motor lives, blocked drain will drown the motor, that's why we relocated it to the boot to prevent it happening. The front windscreen scuttle is worth removing to clean the debris that collects in there you will be surprised how much find its way in there and blocks its drains. If water is allowed to fill it it can find its way into the car and drop down onto the fuse block behind the glovebox. Drains at each end and one centre one that has a rubber flap valve that drains into the engine bay and down the bulkhead, the rubber valve gets blocked by debris.
Great stuff. Thank you.
Even though mileage will be sub-5k per year it'll be getting an oil and filter change annually.
I have changed transmission fluid before but on autos. Is it as necessary with a manual? And diff oil is a good shout.
No sign of any leaks so far
Belts are on my list. 60k miles and there's no mention of them being changed by the previous owner.
I'll keep an eye on the expansion tank. And I suppose a coolant change would be a good idea.
I blew out the drain holes for the roof cavities with an air line last time the car was in the air and also removed the rubber bungs. There is a record of the motor being changed a few years ago so hopefully it's OK. Relocation is on my list too.
Removing the windscreen scuttle is a good idea too. Do the wipers have to come off?
Yes wiper arms off, you may need a arm puller they do grip on their splines and can be hard to get off. A few plastic clips along the bulkhead and lift it off, there are clips under the top edge so take care when lifting it off the clips break easily. Once off that reveals the wiper workings and motor. Worth taking it out turning the motor over and taking the six bolts off the back and cleaning any grease off the round contact plate that migrates from the worm drive. Grease on the plate causes the wipers to stop in the wrong position when they are switched off so well worth checking. The worm drive only requires a small amount of grease otherwise it will migrate again. When cleaning out the cavity just be careful you don't let water get past the deflector above the heater air intake on the left hand side otherwise water will find its way into the car and drop down onto the blower and fuse box.