SADISTIC GERMAN ENGINEERS! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 04-18-2009, 10:29 PM

No not MB guys, but BMW engineers. I just had to put in a new catalytic converter on the 528e and man what a job! The sway bar had to come out as did the cross brace. It took an hour to take to the old one out (It was in two pieces) and four hours to get the new one in! I had to use the jack to force the front pipe into place and a hammer to get it to seat properly. and this was OEM parts! The crossmamber was also in the way. There was a hole through it that I thought would line up with the bolts but it was exactoy 1/2 inch over to one side.I can see Fritz and Dieter laughing as they designed that hole. "Let us make it the right size the the socket to take off the exhaust, but put it to one size. Thay will drive them crazy!"

Now the d@mn water pump is squealing... I am NOT doing it -- it is going to the indy for that and a new timing belt. Last time they were done is 7 years ago so I guess they are due.

cmbdiesel · #2 04-18-2009, 10:47 PM

Exhaust work without a lift totally sucks, even if the parts do fit. Only thing better is doing it on a gravel driveway.

LUVMBDiesels · #3 04-18-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

Exhaust work without a lift totally sucks, even if the parts do fit. Only thing better is doing it on a gravel driveway.

Been there before... This time I did it on my mother's paved driveway. At least I did not lose any nuts or bolts...Just my mind

mytmousemalibu · #4 04-19-2009, 12:27 AM

Welcome to my world! I am a BMW indy tech! The ole E24 exhaust can be a PITA! I really hate when the welded nuts for the swaybar mounts break free!

I kinda like doing the M20 timing belt service! Gravy is the word that comes to mind! We always replace the tensioner and waterpump on a T-belt change, and ONLY use the factory BMW/Contitech timing belt and factory tensioner. The other ones have failed on us and that means new engine! Just a word of advice!

Gurkha · #5 04-19-2009, 10:12 AM

Reminds me of my Mazda Protege', excellent car but the oil filter was located behind the hot headers, I have many burns on my arm to prove the torture I had to go through changing oil on that car.

LUVMBDiesels · #6 04-19-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytmousemalibu

Welcome to my world! I am a BMW indy tech! The ole E24 exhaust can be a PITA! I really hate when the welded nuts for the swaybar mounts break free!

I kinda like doing the M20 timing belt service! Gravy is the word that comes to mind! We always replace the tensioner and waterpump on a T-belt change, and ONLY use the factory BMW/Contitech timing belt and factory tensioner. The other ones have failed on us and that means new engine! Just a word of advice!

I can now feel your pain... I have done work on the e28 but everything is stuffed so tightly I end up going hoarse from all the cursing! The only decently placed thing is the oil filter!

How hard is doing the timing belt/water pump? I figured it would be a MAJOR headache. If it is not too hard, I might tackle it myself. Does the AC condensor need to come out along with the radiator?

My indy will only use factory parts for the water pump and timing belt. It cost me about $400 last time. I am hoping to get it done for about the same amount. The engine has around 280k and does not use a drop of oil being always run on M1

I was worried about the sway bar nuts, but liberal shots of WD40 let the bolts come out pretty easily. The worst part was getting the front flange to line up. The flexible piece was not a help! The rest of the installation was not too bad once I took the sway bar down and the cross piece out. I had done the muffler last year (easy job more or less) and should have done the cat at the same time, but it looked OK and was over $400! I found the replacement Borsai at ********* for under $250. The new part does not have the cruddy heat shields around the header pipes that caused them to rust out. The converter is also very small not like the three foot long one the original had.

Is there any money in recycling cats anymore?I know last year I could have gotten $150 for the big cat the BMW used...

Kuan · #7 04-19-2009, 10:52 AM

Water pump and timing belt go hand in hand right?

cmbdiesel · #8 04-19-2009, 11:18 AM

Doing the timing belt while your in there, or vice versa, is a good idea because of the time it takes to get to those components.

Last I heard, used CAT's were going for about $30 apiece 'round here. Down from $100 for most and up to $150 for the big 'uns.

LUVMBDiesels · #9 04-19-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

Water pump and timing belt go hand in hand right?

Yeah, the water pump has to come out anyway so it might as well be replaced. Since the M20 uses rubber belts they need to be changed every 50k or so...

LUVMBDiesels · #10 04-19-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

...

Last I heard, used CAT's were going for about $30 apiece 'round here. Down from $100 for most and up to $150 for the big 'uns.

Too bad. I should have replaced it last year. Oh well even $30 is better than throwing it out. The old cat is about three feet long and must weigh 40 pounds without the pipes! The replacement is about 10 inches long and weighs 15 pounds with all the pipes (shipping weight).

Mike D · #11 04-19-2009, 11:54 AM

Yeah, I can see those engineers, by the way, they are Bavarians, not Germans, sitting together in a cluster and paraphrasing the old Gestapo catchphrase, (are you ready for it?), "Ve haff ways to make you valk"!

LUVMBDiesels · #12 04-19-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D

Yeah, I can see those engineers, by the way, they are Bavarians, not Germans, sitting together in a cluster and paraphrasing the old Gestapo catchphrase, (are you ready for it?), "Ve haff ways to make you valk"!

I figured saying Germans would get everybody's attention!

You are right, Bavarians are a different breed than the Northern German

The do make damn fine beer and decent cars down there..

--BUT--

I think the engineer's motto is "Ve haff ways of makink you Bleed, Kurse, Kry, und Valk avay from zee Auto"

tankdriver · #13 04-19-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurkha

Reminds me of my Mazda Protege', excellent car but the oil filter was located behind the hot headers, I have many burns on my arm to prove the torture I had to go through changing oil on that car.

The only annoying thing I've encountered on my Honda so far is the oil filter spot. It's right above the catalytic converter, and parallel to the ground.

cmbdiesel · #14 04-19-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

Too bad. I should have replaced it last year. Oh well even $30 is better than throwing it out. The old cat is about three feet long and must weigh 40 pounds without the pipes! The replacement is about 10 inches long and weighs 15 pounds with all the pipes (shipping weight).

I've got half a dozen stashed in the loft, waiting for the price to come back up.