Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[IamFODI]

Straight-up stealing this idea from another forum.

Is there anything you've wanted to ask but were afraid to? Maybe you're worried about grumpy forum curmudgeons condescending to you about the search function. Maybe you feel like you don't know much about cars in general or this one in particular. Maybe you just don't know if your question has been asked and answered a million times, and you don't want to annoy anyone.

If so, go ahead and post your question here. Flaming, sarcasm, condescension, and deliberately unhelpful responses will not be tolerated. We want you to get the help and feedback you want. If it turns out your question is better than you thought it was, we can always spin it off into its own thread.

Have at it!

[akamin68]

Anybody have DIY to remove CD stuck in stock BMW "BUSINESS" head unit? The eject button does not expel compact disc as it should. I've tried encouraging front lip of CD with small pic without success. Im not likely going to remove headunit from dash and perform exploratory surgery on radio without receiving direction from forum first.


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[heinzboehmer]

Anybody have DIY to remove CD stuck in stock BMW "BUSINESS" head unit? The eject button does not expel compact disc as it should. I've tried encouraging front lip of CD with small pic without success. Im not likely going to remove headunit from dash and perform exploratory surgery on radio without receiving direction from forum first.


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I had to do this recently. You might be able to pull the CD out with tweezers or something, but you'll likely damage it. Pulling the head unit and opening it up isn't hard, just keep undoing screws until you get to the disk lol. PM me with any questions you have.

[sg.e46m3]

my car is 114,xxx KM (71k miles), the car is only driven a few months out of the year so it sits most of the time.

i noticed the differential axle seal developed a very small leak, i'm looking to collect parts over the winter.

i searched the history and saw pb_e46 had replaced "differential main pinion seal, output shaft axle seals, drain plugs and Redline fluid" on one of his cars that he is selling.

i'm assuming that's what i should do and i might as well do oem differential bushings while its out? anything else?

[S3diment]

Did a compression test. Surprisingly the numbers are alright for age and mileage (174k) - 160, 170, 170, 170, 174, 175. Is the variance between 1 and 6 too much?

[Tbonem3]

my car is 114,xxx KM (71k miles), the car is only driven a few months out of the year so it sits most of the time.

i noticed the differential axle seal developed a very small leak, i'm looking to collect parts over the winter.

i searched the history and saw pb_e46 had replaced "differential main pinion seal, output shaft axle seals, drain plugs and Redline fluid" on one of his cars that he is selling.

i'm assuming that's what i should do and i might as well do oem differential bushings while its out? anything else?

The "leak" if it's on the passenger side especially, is not an issue. It's weeping, not leaking. As long as the fluid is not dripping on the ground. The diff bushings use a stout foam. You don't need new ones at 71k. Ofc some people, like myself, replace things way too early, but you don't HAVE to.

[Tbonem3]

Did a compression test. Surprisingly the numbers are alright for age and mileage (174k) - 160, 170, 170, 170, 174, 175. Is the variance between 1 and 6 too much?

You don't wan't about 10% or more variance between. You're a 8.5% there between 1 & 6. Try the test another time or two and avg the results. Cly 1 was probably the first one you did, so you might have done a tighter job as you moved on. If you do it again and get a little higher than 160, I'd say you're ok.

[SteelGreyM]

The "leak" if it's on the passenger side especially, is not an issue. It's weeping, not leaking. As long as the fluid is not dripping on the ground. The diff bushings use a stout foam. You don't need new ones at 71k. Ofc some people, like myself, replace things way too early, but you don't HAVE to.

I never found out why the passenger side leaks. Do you know?

[Tbonem3]

No can't say so. There is quite a bit of lateral play. Not sure if it's an engineering issue or what. It's been a known thing as far as I can remember.

[mrgizmo04]

Passenger side output axle is short and stubby, compared to driver side and has more play, which probably agitates the seal more. That is just by nature of how the diff is put together with ring and pinion on the left side with the clutch pac unit (into which the output axles insert) on the right side.

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[S3diment]

You don't wan't about 10% or more variance between. You're a 8.5% there between 1 & 6. Try the test another time or two and avg the results. Cly 1 was probably the first one you did, so you might have done a tighter job as you moved on. If you do it again and get a little higher than 160, I'd say you're ok.

Thank you. Is there any research that suggests a bad or failing Vanos unit might cause low C1 values?

[Swizbeatz]

What’s my best option to allow streaming music? I’ve been looking at F80 and E90 M3’s for a while now and the 6MT options have ballooned in price so I’m gonna stick with my E46 for a while.

I have a Silver Grey with grey interior. Obviously there’s lots of black trim, steering wheel, dash, etc. there’s a great set of recaros locally but they are black. Anyone think it would look bad to throw them in there?

[Swizbeatz]

Also In keeping it I’m considering a few more mods but not sure what to do. I’ve got a set of Apex wheels I love off a Z4M, rears are 10.5 and look awesome. Dropped down to 18” from the stock 19’s and they made a ton of difference. Other than that I’ve got the slightest exterior mods ie grills and side markers and then the AS SSK. Leave it as is or are there a few no brainer mods?

[Fresh1179]

What is the recommended lube for fuel injector o-rings? I have seen everything from spit,oil,Vaseline and so on and so forth. About to replace my injectors here soon. Thanks!


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[mrgizmo04]

Thank you. Is there any research that suggests a bad or failing Vanos unit might cause low C1 values?

Vanos controls the camshaft which at startup (or cranking for compression test) will hold both cams in the same position to facilitate a start, so it should "impact" all cylinders equally.

I would spray some carb cleaner into the spark plug tube to rinse any oil residue that could be preventing you from tightening on the tester and getting a good seal.

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