jenksy0198

Top job, thank you.

Hi Dave, after looking through the various fuse and relay diagrams and notations for E63/E64 (2006), there does not appear to be a specific ignition relay mentioned. I am then assuming it is coupled with something else. Can you shed any light on relay location please and what it is most likely called ?

Thanks Dave, you are so right about the proper BMW bit. It could well be with the sticking relay as I can hear it clicking when I press the start button but nowt happens. Certainly obvious after damp conditions. I'll look the relay piece up see where I get to and if a mere novice can change that out for a new one. Paul

This is a weird one. In the winter months (UK) I use a weather cover on my E46(2006), more to protect the soft top over the winter months than anything else. The cover isnt fully waterproof. Recently I have noticed that when I take the cover off, the car refuses to even crank over. Clock is on, radio ok, no discharge warning, nothing that would lead me to suspect a battery problem. When I then leave the car for 1 hour it cranks over no problem. Almost as if humidity or moisture somewhere is the cause but once the cover is off this clears. Other info, there is no damp or water ingress in the boot/trunk areas, all battery terminals are clean and tight. Ive checked key fob etc - tried two different keys etc., all good. Can anyone shed any light on this?

got to endorse Chris's comment. All about agitation and repeated use of cleaner. The green algae discolouration in particular is stubborn and you just need to have repeated goes with a toothbrush over a few days and it will lift.

Yes, I think that is the way to go. Whilst it is open, change the lot.

Hi Greydog, well it seems that the water pump may be the culprit. Looks like I have a weeping from the front of the pump on to a lower hose and the floor pan. Im suspecting a gasket has gone so hopefully just a gasket replace but will report back. Any other thoughts welcome as cant get pics from above will need to go from below to get pics. Chances of water pump being U/S?

As an add on, it looks like Ive got some visible scaling onthe floor pan , visible from the top of the engine down through the belts. This might be an indication of a bottom hose on way out. Will advise if I find out more, will also take some pics.

Hi Staff, always good to get some kind of consistency. Yes a valid advisory to all to be vigilant as you approach MOT time, especially if running tyres on low mileage.

Hi all, it looks like I am losing coolant,slowly from somewhere, but not obvious. Only clue has been that I am seeing the reservoir level slowly reduce so am adding coolant more frequently. Im interested to learn if there are there any favourite places to look on the 650i that may yield some clues or is the reservoir cap a potential area of concern, i.e. cap needs replacing every so often. Any advice gratefully received.

Hi Dave, I am quoting the MOT garage, when I say what I said. If the car fails the MOT because of said tyres what can I say. Whether or not there is a difference in number of cycles and /or exposure to weather I know not, but I had to replace 'visibly perished tyres' that had done 4K miles otherwise it would have failed the MOT. It was only then I questioned why would that be the case, to with the answer was the compound changes. Anyway , keep an eye is probably best advice and check before MOT for sure.

Yes, I was not aware of this until last two years. MOT garage I use showed me an article on change in tyre rubber compounds and greater risk of perishing as they get to 3 years old and beyond. I put 4 new boots on Apr 21 and having done 5K since then, I do know they are showing early signs of perishing - MOT advisory Nov 23 . Quality tyres to, Nexen Certainly worth checking on any low mileage car

Hi all, I do less than 4 K miles per annum in my E64. Love it. I am aware that with such low mileage though the newer tyre rubber compounds are more prone to perishing. This seems a bit of a pain when you are having to replace tyres that have not covered too much ground. Is there any thing I can do to reduce the perishing phenomena mentioned or just accept that I may need to replace tyres about each 12-16K miles i.e. 4 years.

HI all, just passing on some experience regards stopping smoking or reducing smoking due to valve stem oil seals leaks. The N52 engine is prone to hardening of the VSOS as the miles go on. Mine is a 2006 E64 (91K miles now) and I failed an MOT 2 years back due to excessive smoking. After some research I decided that the Liqui Moly 'Stop Smoke' additive product seemed to be the best so I started using it. Within 250 miles the smoking had stopped and there has been no return. Last 2 MOT's passed. Quite impressed with the additive and have continued to use it on each oil change. At some point I'll need to get the stem seals replaced for sure but for now at least the additive solution is working. Always interested in sharing other experience of such additives, may be different manufacturers etc etc.

OK, sounds like a need to persevere to release from the old seals. I have the single anchor point/bolt and will look at moving the unit as you say once this is released.

Light units look good, not wet inside either. just a bit of algae build up on the edges hence the desire to want to clean em up and replace seals. Any clues on the light removal though as I am sure I am missing a fixing somewhere

Anyone got a vid/pics on removing rear tail light clusters on e64. I can see one bolt but I am suspecting there is a sneaky second one. Any clues/pics gratefully received. Also, if I had to choose a sealant material to use as a bead what is the best one? Other advice gratefully accepted but I note ensuring old sealant is removed and surfaces are cleaned..

So a further two months on and still no comment from BMW................ just admit you have cocked it up with plastic parts and we can all then check our motors with a degree of confidence. All good since I made the change also, no further issues on the oil filter housing but will certainly check if we have some cold weather come through this winter..

Still no comment from BMW............................

To be fair the gent providing the info was extremely excited to be asked and just gushed the information. It was a proper nugget. Would advise all to take heed of this little piece of advice. The plastic oil filter holder can fail due to temperature cycling.

HI all, I was recently in Canada and saw a garage saying BMW specialist. I thought I would seek a 3rd opinion. He was a very nice German sounding gent and he was also very helpful. Seems in Canada they replace a lot of these items because of failures due to the extreme temperature cycling in Canadian winters causing material failures. So whilst in the UK we don't get the same extreme winters it does look like temperature cycling does create failure issues in these items. Would be nice for BMW to admit this is something that needs attention on a regular basis as it is so easy to ensure it is done on a service say each 3 years or so, or maybe more frequently in severe winter conditions.

HI Dave, I have not checked the fuel filter, but I have now changed the air filter and that seems the component as the problem has gone away. I will however, make sure I check the fuel filter also. Thanks.

Interesting one, car started up fine, no issues, no warnings and then just powers off. Reboot and starts up again and same happens again. I am suspecting a soiled air filter as no other warnings are being displayed or anything like that, so insufficient air getting to engine. This of course would be my own fault for not changing regularly. Can any one else shed anymore light on this?

Well I took the part to BMW main dealer in southport and there has been absolutely zero feedback from them, this despite me emailing seeking a reply. Seems they just could not be arsed following up with me.

OK thanks for that advice Dave.