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Tech Tips

100 Tips that will help keep your '02 happier (and safer):
   
ENGINE:

  • A 320i radiator is as good, or better than the 2002 part, is lighter and the conversion may cost less than the 2002 radiator alone. Note, you will still need the 320i lower hose and to fabricate some mounting brackets.
  • The early Ford Pinto radiator will work also and installs easier than the 320 radiator. It also uses the stock hoses and has a larger coolant capacity.
  • Keep your motor and engine bay clean, it will look better and be happier. It is also easier to diagnose leaks if kept clean
  • Check upper exhaust manifold studs regularly. The upper studs seal an oil passage and leakage or loss can cause fires.
  • Keep throttle linkage pivot points lubricated to prevent premature wear. Motorcycle chain lube works well
  • BMW OEM exhaust systems are the longest lasting and the most quiet you will find.
  • Using headers without a rear mount usually results in premature flange failure.
  • Tailpipe smoke on DECELERATION usually means valve guide seal problems.
  • The drivers side engine mount should be reinforced to prevent metal fatigue or breakage. This should be done while the motor is out.
  • A constantly-varying idle (both speed and smoothness) points to a vacuum leak. Check to ensure the vacuum advance/retard diaphragm in the distributor doesn't have a leak. On a tii, this "hunting" usually indicates a lean condition.
  • If your rocker arm shafts have worn so that you can no longer adjust the valves to the proper clearance, any good machine shop can make oversized (0.5-1.0 mm is fine), case-hardened adjusters for a lot less money than the cost of removing the head and replacing the shafts. Take an old one along for use as a pattern.
  • Pre-'72 cars have a flimsy right-hand engine mount. Inspect it now and replace it with the later style having a welded cross brace.
  • If used hard, 10,000 miles (16,000 km) is not too often to adjust valves.
  • Change rubber fuel lines at the first sign of aging. Always use high quality fuel line. Keep some BMW fuel line in stock at all times.