What have you done to your car today?

[x-driver]

Had the rear muffler cut open and did a little trick to gain some sound (but not too much). Now waiting for some nice weather to test the sound
If anyone wonders how the '03 3.0i rear muffler looks like inside (I had some hard time finding some pictures of this on internet):





And the "trick":

 

[Nick W]

Yesterday I changed the track rods, did a quick string alignment, then had 4 new tyres fitted and an proper Laser alignment (mine budget version was almost spot on), then drove home and changed the gearbox oil. This time I ditched the Castrol 75w and tried Millers CRX 75w/80 NT+. Today I've put in new EBC Blue Stuff pads, Flushed the brake fluid (ATE 200), checked all other fluids, cleaned the air filter, took it for a spin and then bedded the brakes (I Love that part). I am amazed at the transformations in the gearbox, noise, easier shifting and control. Now lets see how it fares with time. After lunch its time for a good scrub in and out. Happy Days

 

[MikeyH]

Lovely job. Who did you use to do the 4 wheel alignment?

 

[AndyJ1]

Not today but yesterday….. Thought I would change my expansion tank and auto box thermostat ahead of a European road trip. Went for a Meyle tank and now wish I had gone for an original. Once it was all back together and filled I noticed a small puddle growing on the floor!!! It’s leaking from the point where it pushes onto the carrier. Obviously the O ring is not sealing against the spigot it fits onto. No other leaks and this is the only part with a new O ring already fitted!! New hoses and a genuine expansion tank on order! Anyone else had this problem with an aftermarket expansion tank?

 

[j3nks79]

Have you checked to see if the old o ring was left behind?
Never had a problem with after market tanks

 

[AndyJ1]

Have you checked to see if the old o ring was left behind?
Never had a problem with after market tanks

Just checked and the old O ring is still in the old tank. Everything went back together as it should. As soon as I get a chance I will dismantle it all and check the fit between the tank and the carrier plate spigot.

 

[vmlopes]

Full service, including all filters and plugs and upgraded the maps to 2022 version

 

[Nick W]

Lovely job. Who did you use to do the 4 wheel alignment?

Rhino in Plympton mate

 

[Nick W]

Track Day at Castle Combe today with my baby boy and Debs' Cousin. A bit slippy at times in the rain but no real incidents. There is an Emergency chicane at the moment at Quarry after a nasty
bank Holiday crash which smashed 16 Armco barriers which turned out to be an awesome change. I won the best Z of the day award and will be drinking my prize tonight. On the way home she reached another milestone which I missed so this wii have to do..

 

[1536Z4]

she reached another milestone which I missed so this wii have to do..

Glad you had a good time at Combe and you only missed it by 9 miles

 

[AdyBish]

After investigating a plastic rattling sound coming from the top of the inlet manifold on my E86. I removed the Disa and found this;

https://youtu.be/AxNfH_gvegY?si=U1uRWgv9JyIC5dm7

Yes it’s toast! Decided to also remove the smaller one which is at the back of the inlet. It’s not too bad but I’ll replace both. My car is at 118000 miles so it’s about time I guess….

 

[1536Z4]

Changed both front and rear gas struts . The rears both had surface rust as shown in photos plus the other brown dust which I presume is old dried up lubricant of some kind so worth checking yours as it is an easy check by just loosening the clip on the outside with a small screwdriver and pulling off .

 

[1536Z4]

My car is at 118000 miles so it’s about time I guess….

 

[MikeyH]

Lovely job. Who did you use to do the 4 wheel alignment?

Rhino in Plympton mate

Thank you, if they’re good enough for you

 

[x-driver]

@AdyBish

Have you found the missing pin? It can damage your engine badly!

 

[DaveP]

Had the rear muffler cut open and did a little trick to gain some sound (but not too much). Now waiting for some nice weather to test the sound
And the "trick":
441037556_437287569017118_216967212653028133_n.jpg

It's quite hard to see from that last photo, but did you just join the pipes together and effectively 'straight pipe' the exhaust?

 

[Jcm325]

1st MOT since I bought the car today,
Squeaky bum time!!!
Car passed no advisory

Well chuffed, went underneath and its all tidy no corrosion/oil leaks etc
All brake lines and rubber bushes etc look fairly recent.
Emissions were perfect so I think the recent oil changes and Italian tuneup on the way there definitely helped

 

[x-driver]

Had the rear muffler cut open and did a little trick to gain some sound (but not too much). Now waiting for some nice weather to test the sound
And the "trick":
441037556_437287569017118_216967212653028133_n.jpg

It's quite hard to see from that last photo, but did you just join the pipes together and effectively 'straight pipe' the exhaust?

Basicly yes, but it's not 100% straight piped, there is still some opening left for the gases to flow through the muffler as they did before.
Also there is just 1 pair of pipes joined, the other pair was left untouched.

 

[AdyBish]

@AdyBish

Have you found the missing pin? It can damage your engine badly!

Thanks for the message.
I don’t think there’s anything missing It’s my understanding that the disa on the N52 doesn’t lose its pin like the disa on the M54? I’ll take another look at it but I think it’s just a plastic fitting that’s worn away?

 

[x-driver]

Well hopefully you're right, I'm not familiar with N52 disa assembly. On the M54 there would be a pin missing where the flap is loose on top. I rebuilded disa valves in both my cars with a long screw from bottom up, instead of the problematic pin.