What else should I address "While I'm in there"?

[Dr Ed]

I'll be changing my fuel breather valve on my e90 due to the premature fueling stoppage, and I'll be changing the spark plugs while the intake manifold is off. Is there anything else I should address (sensors, hoses,...) while I have things apart?

[tbuck]

Some idea of mileage might help. Some things in that area are known failure parts but usually at higher mileage.

[Dr Ed]

Originally Posted by tbuck

Some idea of mileage might help. Some things in that area are known failure parts but usually at higher mileage.

My car has about 123,xxx miles, I purchased it just over a year ago with 112,xxx. So far I had the RBs replaced, and oil changes. I have not done the TAs just yet, I want to check them out when I pull the manifold.

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by Dr Ed

My car has about 123,xxx miles, I purchased it just over a year ago with 112,xxx. So far I had the RBs replaced, and oil changes. I have not done the TAs just yet, I want to check them out when I pull the manifold.

Probably be in your best interest to get rebuild kits for the TAs. Mine went around that mileage. If budget allows id say new injectors too, saw a huge bump in peppy-ness @145k miles (replaced 02s at the same time though).

Carbon build up on the ITB flappers can also be addressed.

Check for leaks around the valve covers while you're in there; any caked dirt/grime around the gasket area is a leak. vacuum/blow any crap that fell in the 'V'.

You can also get a good look at the belts and accessories with the plenum off. Look for signs of oil filter housing leaks too. With higher mileage engines, it's a good idea to take some time to just look at everything under there for general condition.

[tbuck]

Well, certainly the TA's will fail at some point, but there is no real way to know without looking or waiting for them to go out. They are a pain to get to but it would be worth it to pull them out and take a look. If you see evidence of the gears beginning to come apart, its time to do them.

Idle control valves are also failure prone, but also rather pricey so likely better to wait on that to begin to fail. You also want to be careful working under there as most of the plastics will be hard and brittle, especially sensor plugs and tubing. BMW is one of the worst at plugs and such breaking after 10 years or so. I have owned over a dozen of them and I think nearly every one had something like that break during service. Granted they WERE all older and higher mileage when this happened, so YMMV. Good Luck!

[Dr Ed]

Great advice guys.

I'm well aware of aged BMW plastics, I'm also restoring a 1997 Techno Violet E36 M3, and seen many brittle parts around the engine bay.

[Frostynorth]

Have a look at the engine mounts.

[drrust]

You may want to get the hose that attaches to the breather valve. As the plastic ages removing the old hose was the hardest part of the job.

Besides throttle actuators, you may want to replace the thermostat too. Not hard once the plenums off. Also take a good look under the water pump, mine developed a leak around 140-150k miles.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by drrust

You may want to get the hose that attaches to the breather valve. As the plastic ages removing the old hose was the hardest part of the job.

Besides throttle actuators, you may want to replace the thermostat too. Not hard once the plenums off. Also take a good look under the water pump, mine developed a leak around 140-150k miles.

I second this. Spark plugs with plenum off as well

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by Dr Ed

Great advice guys.

I'm well aware of aged BMW plastics, I'm also restoring a 1997 Techno Violet E36 M3, and seen many brittle parts around the engine bay.

Nice, got any pics?

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by tbuck

Well, certainly the TA's will fail at some point, but there is no real way to know without looking or waiting for them to go out. They are a pain to get to but it would be worth it to pull them out and take a look. If you see evidence of the gears beginning to come apart, its time to do them.

Idle control valves are also failure prone, but also rather pricey so likely better to wait on that to begin to fail. You also want to be careful working under there as most of the plastics will be hard and brittle, especially sensor plugs and tubing. BMW is one of the worst at plugs and such breaking after 10 years or so. I have owned over a dozen of them and I think nearly every one had something like that break during service. Granted they WERE all older and higher mileage when this happened, so YMMV. Good Luck!

Spot on, too many factors in play to know for sure. And I forgot the wiring harness is kind of annoying to deal with, so may not be worth it for a check. I will say I did both when one failed and the "good" one was showing a bunch of wear/shavings too, so who knows when that would have kicked.

[tbuck]

Originally Posted by Ajolives

Spot on, too many factors in play to know for sure. And I forgot the wiring harness is kind of annoying to deal with, so may not be worth it for a check. I will say I did both when one failed and the "good" one was showing a bunch of wear/shavings too, so who knows when that would have kicked.

Not long by the looks of those gears!

[Dr Ed]

Originally Posted by Ajolives

Nice, got any pics?

Nothing much to show, other than fixing and addressing the PO's mistakes or issues. I don't post much, but you can see some of the progress on my IG techno.violett.299

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by Dr Ed

Nothing much to show, other than fixing and addressing the PO's mistakes or issues. I don't post much, but you can see some of the progress on my IG techno.violett.299

Looking good! I've got a soft spot for E36 M3s, they're so great.

[tbuck]

I love the E36 M3, had 2 of them, and likely the best all around chassis BMW has ever made. If we had gotten the actual M3 engine it would have been something I might want to keep forever. We really got robbed on that one.

[Dr Ed]

Originally Posted by tbuck

I love the E36 M3, had 2 of them, and likely the best all around chassis BMW has ever made. If we had gotten the actual M3 engine it would have been something I might want to keep forever. We really got robbed on that one.

Couldn’t agree more! Although a S54 would work just fine in there for me.

[amrazM]

Push the throttle actuator arm with your finger, if it moves free and smooth youre fine. If you feel it getting hung up replace or rebuild.

[MTM]

Consider new ignition coils. +1 on the T-stat comment, too.

[Adriano917]

You guys remove the plenum to do spark plugs ? Weird.

[tbuck]

Originally Posted by Adriano917

You guys remove the plenum to do spark plugs ? Weird.

Yeah, I see folks say that, and for the life of me I don't see why you would have to do that. It would make it a little easier to do the plugs, but add the time and effort to get the plenum off and I would say it is a wash.

[drrust]

Originally Posted by tbuck

Yeah, I see folks say that, and for the life of me I don't see why you would have to do that. It would make it a little easier to do the plugs, but add the time and effort to get the plenum off and I would say it is a wash.

Note that the OP is removing the plenum to replace the fuel tank breather valve. All the other maintenance items are 'while I'm in there'. Hen ce the title of the thread.