BMW328is: Back to Winter Rubber
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Snow flakes and rainy roads combined with nearly 25K miles on the Pilot Sport A/S results in an early swap of the Winter Tires. Read about it in the latest maintenance update. Also note that I've updated the E36 Maintenance Blog Summary to include links to individual dates for your convenience.
BMW328is: Added Power Window DIY
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The fruits of my recent labor have just gone live. Check out my Power Window Motor and Regulator DIY article. Enjoy.
BMW328is: Power Window Motor and Regulator
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Today I managed to replace my driver's door power window motor and regulator (scissor arms) to fix a problem with intermittent window operation. While this motor was replaced before, this is the first time I've done the work myself. Look for a DIY and tons of pictures soon, but for now feel free to read the latest maintenance update.
BMW328is: Uncommanded Oversteer
Saturday, October 11, 2008
New math: Worn rear tires + Wet, off camber corner = Uncommanded Oversteer. I recently experienced my first real world test of the driving skills I picked up at the Performance Center a couple years back. Oh, and yea...I replaced the Microfilter today. Enjoy the read.
BMW328is: Updated Brakes DIY Article
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
As promised, here is my update to the DIY Brake Job article. I redesigned the page to support more pictures, so I added some pictures from the first DIY brake job that didn't make it into the article originally as well as some new pictures from the recent front brake job. Enjoy the read!
BMW328is: Updated Swaybar Service DIY Article
Saturday, September 13, 2008
This update adds the procedure and several pictures taken during the recent swaybar service. Enjoy.
BMW328is: Swaybar Results and Surprise Brake Job
Sunday, September 7, 2008
This update includes a brief analysis of the recent rear swaybar work based on a week's worth of driving and a good example of the fact that I have been very busy focusing on things OTHER than the BMW recently: the annunicator that illuminated in my instrument cluster at least 10K miles earlier than expected. Read the latest maintenance update for the details.
BMW328is: Rear Swaybar Service
Monday, September 1, 2008
A year after I bought the parts I finally mustered the courage to tackle the rear swaybar and its odd press-fit end links. While most of the work on this car has gone off without a hitch this task did not follow that mold. Read the gory details in my latest maintenance update.
BMW: Added Coolant Flush DIY
Saturday, August 30, 2008
I just posted a Coolant Flush DIY article to summarize what I learned doing the flush yesterday. Enjoy.
BMW328is: First DIY Coolant Flush
Saturday, August 30, 2008
I finally managed to flush the coolant on the E36 yesterday. The process was more or less as I expected. A DIY should be up later today.
BMW328is: Oil Service and Inspection
Saturday, August 23, 2008
I can't say how much I still enjoy driving the E36, particularly when it wants for nothing. After another 4500 miles of mostly routine operations I completed an oil service and undercarriage inspection today.
Gallery: Garmin 430 WAAS Initial Operations
Sunday, July 27, 2008
I just put up some selected pictures from our period of initial operating experience with the new Garmin 430 WAAS installation. Enjoy!
Site Maintenance Complete
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
I just completed the transition of the site from my old shared hosting provider to a new server I administrate. Mail should be working now so if you tried to reach me over the last couple of days and did not receive a response feel free to resend your message.
Also note that I have some extra capacity on this server so if you need a shared hosting provider for your personal or small business website contact me. I'd be happy to discuss your needs.
Aviation: Garmin 430W Upgrade Complete
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Friday morning I picked up the 172 from Penn Avionics following a Garmin 430W WAAS upgrade installation. I wrestled with the decision to upgrade for some time but ultimately decided that Garmin's 50% discount on the upgrade (an offer since expired) was too good to pass up.
With the help of a client I took the airplane over to Northeast Philadelphia (PNE) airport and flew the RNAV 06 approach down to LPV minimums of 374 feet AGL. The entire approach felt very much like an ILS which, of course, is the whole point.
Look for pictures and maybe some video soon.
BMW328is: Aux Fan Electrical Connector Repair
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Not long after my last "repair" of the aux fan electrical connection I realized the fan wasn't running again. As Marvin the Martian would say "Well, back to the old electronic brain!"
BMW328is: Aux Fan Revisited
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I realized late on Friday that my aux fan wasn't turning on with the air conditioning. I managed to troubleshoot the problem in about an hour.
BMW328is: Miscellaneous Stuff
Saturday, May 24, 2008
As a followup to the fuel filter change I threw in a bottle of fuel system cleaner and cut open the fuel filter to inspect the element for contamination. I also received my oil analysis and tried to solve a few logistical issues concerning the upcoming coolant flush. Read all about it.
BMW328is: Added Fuel Filter DIY
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The process required to replace the fuel filter is so simple it's almost not worth a DIY but given the need to depressurize the fuel system I figured you might find my fuel filter DIY helpful. Have at it.
BMW328is: Oil Service, Fuel Filter
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The odometer crept over 160K this week so that meant a look at the maintenance schedule. Time for an oil service and fuel filter change. Read all about it in the latest maintenance update.
BMW328is: Added Aux Fan DIY
Thursday, May 8, 2008
As promised, here's my aux fan DIY. Enjoy.
BMW328is: Aux Cooling Fan Replacement
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The new aux fan arrived from the vendor this week. I managed to replace the fan today and save $550 in the process. I also did a postmortem on the old fan and found the cause of failure not what I originally predicted. A DIY is coming. In the meantime, feel free to read the latest maintenance update.
BMW328is: Aux Cooling Fan Failure
Sunday, April 27, 2008
While doing my weekly under-hood inspection I discovered the aux cooling fan making noise as it cycled on and off. A bit of simple troubleshooting revealed the problem. I managed to find a good deal on an aftermarket unit which should arrive this week. Read all about it.
BMW328is: OBC Lamp Bulb and Trim Restoration
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The backlight for the clock in the OBC failed last week so I decided to pull the OBC and replace the bulb. I also managed to conduct an experiment to determine if I could restore some of the exterior black trim rather than replace it. Read the latest maintenance update.
DIY: Added Brake Fluid Flush Article
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Just posted a DIY article based on my experience flushing the E36's brake system yesterday. DIYers enjoy!
BMW328is: Summer Rubber, DIY Brake Fluid Flush
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Time for a little spring maintenance involving swapping the winter rubber for the stickier summer rubber and my first DIY brake fluid flush. Check out the latest E36 maintenance update.
BMW330ci: Oil Service, Brake Fluid Flush
Saturday, March 29, 2008
I brought the E46 in for some basic maintenance to take advantage of the BMW scheduled maintenance program. I'm all for doing things myself but I can't compete with "free". I also got to drive an X5 loaner and managed to develop a few opinions with the current generation IDrive system. Read all about it in the latest E46 maintenance update.
Gallery: Airframe Repair
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The horizontal stabilizer and aileron are back from the repair station. That is the good news. The bad news is we still have to paint the aileron and the cost certainly left a mark on the wallet. Guess it's true what they say -- if you own an old airplane you wind up replacing it piece by piece. At this rate I should be flying a brand new 172 in a few years. Check out the pictures!
Gallery: BMW 1 Series Unveiling
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I attended my local BMW dealer's unveiling of the 1 series tonight and couldn't help but snap tons of pics. There's not much I can add to the online comments except to say that it would be a worthy successor to my E36 should I decide to replace it in a few years. You'll be glad to know that BMW has fixed the serious interior design errors of the E90 that drove me to buy the E46 before it went out of production. All in all, the 1 Series is a phenomenal vehicle that has earned the right to wear the BMW badge. Enjoy the pictures!
Aviation: Cessna 172S Checklists Updated
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Preparation for a flight review provided justification to update my Cessna 172S checklist suite. It's now in OpenOffice format and modeled after my latest checklist suite format that uses different colors and page numbers to delimit preflight, normal, abnormal and emergency procedures. Download straight from my checklists page.
Gallery: Added Annual 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
We expected a relatively easy annual inspection this year, but the 172 didn't escape unscathed. Our inspector found cracks and distortion in the forward spar of the horizontal stabilizer, so the stabilizer had to be removed and shipped out for repair with a Cessna kit. Several cracks in one of the flaps had progressed beyond our ability to stop-drill so the flap was sent out to be reskinned. We also decided to replace the prop hub which was flagged by an airworthiness directive last year. Check out the pictures.
Aviation: APRS Flight Tracking
Monday, February 4, 2008
A couple months ago I started a background project to build a device that would broadcast my aircraft's GPS-derived position, speed, and a few other parameters over the Amateur Radio Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) digital network. This feel good article has it all: it's part Amateur Radio recruitment poster, part Do-It-Yourself geek fest, and part good 'ol fashioned aviation adventure. Check it out!
BMW328is: Oil Service, Inspection, 10 year Reflection
Saturday, February 2, 2008
I realize I haven't updated the BMW section in a while but that's only because it's too freakin' cold to do any work in the garage. Or, it could be simply due to the fact that the car is running beautifully...I haven't figured out which. In any case, this update should quench your thirst for BMW info. Includes notes on the latest oil service, chassis inspection, an initial review of the Dunlop Winter Sport M3, and a reflection of sorts on 10 years of ownership.
Aviation: Aircraft Management Forms Updated
Sunday, January 27, 2008
In prep for our upcoming annual inspection I had to ensure that our flight manual was up to date. That dictated an update to my aircraft management forms. Feel free to grab the latest versions.