Non-BMW Stuff on a BMW Forum

[Jdesign]

That starter is totally binding. It sounds like the gear mesh is not very good, likely a tighter gap than it should be. Worst case is you go to the parts store and get another starter and see if it still makes the same noise. You can always return it.

Schwaben bleeders are awesome.

[straight6pwr]

I never had a problem bleeding them. i certainly don't remember expansion tank overflow issues. its time consuming, and you may have to drive the car a bit to finish it completely.

from R3vlimited:

1. jack get the front of the car higher than the rear.
2. With the bleed screw open, add coolant until no more air comes out of the bleed.
3. Leave the filler cap loose. Set the heat on max/fan on max. Start the engine and allow it to warm up to operating temp. As it warms up occasionally crack the bleed screw to release any air and top up the coolant as necessary. You'll need to tighten the cap down as it gets up to temp as the coolant will boil without the system pressurized.
4. Once the engine is at temp rev it up to 2000-2500 for a few seconds several times. Then crack the bleed until no more air is released. You may have to repeat this a few times to get all the air out.
5. Drive the car a bit, allow it to cool back down, and recheck the bleed for air. Over the next few days you may get very small amounts (a few bubbles) of air out of the bleed screw.

[gilber33]

straight6pwr said:

 I never had a problem bleeding them. i certainly don't remember expansion tank overflow issues. its time consuming, and you may have to drive the car a bit to finish it completely. 

from R3vlimited:

1. jack get the front of the car higher than the rear.
2. With the bleed screw open, add coolant until no more air comes out of the bleed.
3. Leave the filler cap loose. Set the heat on max/fan on max. Start the engine and allow it to warm up to operating temp. As it warms up occasionally crack the bleed screw to release any air and top up the coolant as necessary. You'll need to tighten the cap down as it gets up to temp as the coolant will boil without the system pressurized.
4. Once the engine is at temp rev it up to 2000-2500 for a few seconds several times. Then crack the bleed until no more air is released. You may have to repeat this a few times to get all the air out.
5. Drive the car a bit, allow it to cool back down, and recheck the bleed for air. Over the next few days you may get very small amounts (a few bubbles) of air out of the bleed screw.

Ultimately, I always managed to get it. I think I've done it three or four times now. Last night I didn't rev it a few times and there was an air pocket that was forcing the expansion tank to overflow. As soon as I revved it held the RPMs up for a bit the air bubble was released and it was completely fine. I was annoyed because I had gotten coolant everywhere with the expansion tank overflowing.

It's not that big of a deal, but if I didn't have to do it, I would be a happier person.

[gilber33]

Jdesign said:

That starter is totally binding. It sounds like the gear mesh is not very good, likely a tighter gap than it should be. Worst case is you go to the parts store and get another starter and see if it still makes the same noise. You can always return it.

Schwaben bleeders are awesome.

 Okay. At least I know what it most likely is. I'll see if there is any wiggle room in the starter bolt holes to pull it a little further away from the flywheel. I put in the RHD Engineering lightweight flywheel.

Let's say I use all the gap in the existing bolt holes to pull it out of the flywheel a bit and it still binds. WHAT IF I sliiiiightly enlarge the bolt holes on the starter to give it some more room to pull it away from the ring gear on the flywheel?

[jc43089]

Is there a dowel in the starter to position it precisely?  I thought there is, you would have to remove that to be able to push it to the outer tolerance of the bolt holes.

[HipMF]

jc43089 said:

Is there a dowel in the starter to position it precisely?  I thought there is, you would have to remove that to be able to push it to the outer tolerance of the bolt holes.

There is a dowel on my G240, but the M20 starter that I have does not have a hole for it. Don't know about other transmissions...

[Jdesign]

gilber33 said:

 Okay. At least I know what it most likely is. I'll see if there is any wiggle room in the starter bolt holes to pull it a little further away from the flywheel. I put in the RHD Engineering lightweight flywheel.

Let's say I use all the gap in the existing bolt holes to pull it out of the flywheel a bit and it still binds. WHAT IF I sliiiiightly enlarge the bolt holes on the starter to give it some more room to pull it away from the ring gear on the flywheel?

Not sure if that will help. It could be not reaching the teeth completely as well. I know that its common for those flywheels to be loud, but that video makes it really loud.

[gilber33]

jc43089 said:

Is there a dowel in the starter to position it precisely?  I thought there is, you would have to remove that to be able to push it to the outer tolerance of the bolt holes.

That's a good point, I'm not sure if there is. I'll have to look through old pictures.

edit: I don't think there is a dowl, but I think it's the gear housing on the starter that centers it in in the correct location.

I think I'll just live with it for a little while, and maybe it's a noise that will go away as the car is started more times and it "wears" in.

Jdesign said:

Not sure if that will help. It could be not reaching the teeth completely as well. I know that its common for those flywheels to be loud, but that video makes it really loud.

To be fair, the video emphasizes certain sounds, too. Like the video of it running makes it sound way more chattery than it is in person.

What would be the best way to see if it's reaching the gear all the way?

[rampelsauce]

gilber33 said:

To be fair

[Jdesign]

gilber33 said:

What would be the best way to see if it's reaching the gear all the way?

lil grease or nondrying paint on the gears to measure the lash?

[gilber33]

Taking it for a test spin this weekend when my wife is home and the kids aren't napping juuuuuust in case. But super excited. The wagon has some overdue maintenance, but in the meantime I had the windows tinted. 

And did a little cleaning up. 

[Jdesign]

That M20 swap in that volvo looks mighty clean.

[B C]

LOVE a clean engine bay. Excellent work!

[gilber33]

Drove it to work with no issue! With the trunk hole patched and the HD rubber bushings in place of the solid bushings it was a very enjoyable drive. Once I got to work the flywheel chatter with the lightweight flywheel is definitely noticeable when your outside the car. Goes away when the clutch pedal is pressed. 

[straight6pwr]

the car looks amazing, i'm jealous you've got it on the road!

[gilber33]

straight6pwr said:

the car looks amazing, i'm jealous you've got it on the road!

Thank you! It's on the road, but I didn't really do that much to it compared to most projects here.

[m42b32]

Looks fantastic!! Are you planning to bring it to the E30 picnic in June?

[B C]

great job dude!

The gear rattle is somewhat of a fact of life.

[straight6pwr]

if you don't drive this in cold weather much, you can opt to thicken the gear oil a bit to reduce the sound.

http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/articles/reduce_rattle.htm

[gilber33]

m42b32 said:

Looks fantastic!! Are you planning to bring it to the E30 picnic in June?

Thank you! And I forgot that was happening. I think I'm going to try to bring it.

B C said:

great job dude!

The gear rattle is somewhat of a fact of life.  

Thanks!

straight6pwr said:

if you don't drive this in cold weather much, you can opt to thicken the gear oil a bit to reduce the sound.

http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/articles/reduce_rattle.htm

Today is probably as cool of weather I'll be driving it in. Definitely will not be driven during winters. That is a very interesting read, thank you for sharing that.