Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[Shonky]

I replaced my original alternator 2yrs ago with a brand new Valeo unit; runs great so far. To "protect" against NLA parts and rising prices, is it more prudent to order a complete Valeo alternator and put on the shelf, or just get the voltage regulator kit as a spare? Of course, $100 for a VR vs. $270 or so for a complete unit.

Depends on what kind of failure you plan on having Mine (a Valeo) developed an open circuit in one of the windings so those spares wouldn't be any use. Sure it's a less likely failure but still you're trying to predict the future really.

[Cubieman]

What's the best way to clean the sunroof drains on these cars?

Not sure how accessible they are, I have never looked on the M3.
A very long time ago my old Jeep sunroof drains clogged up, the only thing that worked well was compressed air. You just want to make sure you have some way of stepping down the air pressure.

You could use a shopvac that blows air and neck it down with tubing to the point you could insert it into the drains. I think I pulled the hard plastic tube off one of those cheapo fluid transfer pumps to get a small enough size to work with.

[D-O]

I replaced my original alternator 2yrs ago with a brand new Valeo unit; runs great so far. To "protect" against NLA parts and rising prices, is it more prudent to order a complete Valeo alternator and put on the shelf, or just get the voltage regulator kit as a spare? Of course, $100 for a VR vs. $270 or so for a complete unit.

My alternator recently failed during a track day at Road Atlanta and I was glad I had a new Valeo sitting on the shelf at home. I then disposed of the failed unit instead of repairing it, so I am asking myself the same question you are. It feels profligate, but I think I am going to do both. When the one in the car fails I will have a new replacement and parts to build another spare.

[PSUEng]

I replaced my original alternator 2yrs ago with a brand new Valeo unit; runs great so far. To "protect" against NLA parts and rising prices, is it more prudent to order a complete Valeo alternator and put on the shelf, or just get the voltage regulator kit as a spare? Of course, $100 for a VR vs. $270 or so for a complete unit.

[PSUEng]

I have a BlueBus issue. I installed my BlueBus 6 months ago and absolutely love it. The 5x turn signal is great. Last week there has been a buzzing sound that matches the engine revs. I have not done anything to the car and confused as to why this is happening.
TIA

Contact Ted directly if you haven't already. He helped me through my issue which resulted in updating to the latest HKA unit. Great guy to work with.

[Nate047]

What's the best way to clean the sunroof drains on these cars?

[jayjaya29]

On a car with EWS disabled in the dme/binary modification tool, could a bad key still be responsible for a intermittent no crank/no start ?

I am not an expert on this area but IIRC the EWS box can still go bad even if the EWS is "coded" out.

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/e46-m3-ews-problem.259647/

[bavarian3]

On a car with EWS disabled in the dme/binary modification tool, could a bad key still be responsible for a intermittent no crank/no start ?

[oceansize]

I'm putting my driveshaft back in and re-mounting my diff, I saw this in the torque spec PDF. Just looking to clarify what this means, and what order everything needs to be put in and torqued on the driveshaft, guibo, CSB, and all diff mounts.

Slide towards front of the car from its neutral position. pre loads the csb

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/62126-differential-gasket-seal-and-install-question

[Nate047]

I'm putting my driveshaft back in and re-mounting my diff, I saw this in the torque spec PDF. Just looking to clarify what this means, and what order everything needs to be put in and torqued on the driveshaft, guibo, CSB, and all diff mounts.

[BMWE46M3]

That may be a total mother to chase or hopefully you can be fortunate and find that it's simply a poor grounding issue. I'd suggest disconnecting and cleaning the battery cables and points where they mount to the car. If that doesn't help you can also try doing the same in the engine bay where the car is supposed to be jumped and/or connected to the battery tender. And if that doesn't work you can try the same with the alternator cables and mounting points. Lastly, see if it happens with and with the AC compressor running. I've been chasing a similar problem for years with my E36 which I completely replace the head unit, amp, and speakers with high-end stuff. Worked flawlessly for years than I get engine whine - but only periodically. For the life of me I can't remediate it.

[Calb]

I have a BlueBus issue. I installed my BlueBus 6 months ago and absolutely love it. The 5x turn signal is great. Last week there has been a buzzing sound that matches the engine revs. I have not done anything to the car and confused as to why this is happening.
TIA

[ugaexploder]

Anybody have experience with these "aftermarket" HJS muffler hangers? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...js-18201401797

The OE BMW ones are $85/piece and I need 3. Would much rather spend $25/piece, but won't bother if they're crap or lesser in quality from the BMW pieces. I hesitate because it says it's aftermarket, not OEM.

I'm running the HJS ones mainly because at time of purchase I didn't really understand the differences between OE, OEM, and Genuine BMW parts...but they seem to work just fine, I've had zero issues. Hard to justify $350 for all (5) exhaust bushings that are genuine BMW...

Also purchased the rogue mount but didn't install, let me know if anyone wants to buy it from me for cheap. I personally don't like the idea of the design.

[karter16]

I *think* the HJS were found to be subpar, more flexible, someone else will chime in I'm sure.
I remember going OEM but this was 3 years ago when they were likely much cheaper.

FWIW one of the Uber expensive, but very nice, Rouge Engineering mounts on PS coupled with rubber OE style mounts on the DS makes for a solid yet still compliant setup with minimal to zero NVH.

I have a SCZA muffler that would hit the EVAP casing on occasion and that is the reason I run that setup.

Can confirm the aftermarket ones are rubbish, OE is expensive but cheaper in the long run than replacing every year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cubieman]

I *think* the HJS were found to be subpar, more flexible, someone else will chime in I'm sure.
I remember going OEM but this was 3 years ago when they were likely much cheaper.

FWIW one of the Uber expensive, but very nice, Rouge Engineering mounts on PS coupled with rubber OE style mounts on the DS makes for a solid yet still compliant setup with minimal to zero NVH.

I have a SCZA muffler that would hit the EVAP casing on occasion and that is the reason I run that setup.