Anything else to look at with Throttle Body Actuators?

[askme]

My mostly stock e93 has 120k miles on it and the Throttle Body Actuators are throwing codes/going into limp mode. Was expecting this to come at some point.

I've looked at the DIY procedure and it seems doable. I can turn a wrench but am no pro. So, the rebuilt actuators are ordered and I hope to give it a go in the next week or two.

So the next question is (and yes, I searched): are there other things I should consider doing while I am in there? Either preventative, performance, or convenience?

I probably need to replace the valve cover gaskets, but that seems a bit steep for DIY. Wondered about the injectors, but don't know if that make sense unless there are issues.

[Vedubin01]

Fuel breather valve is pretty easy and inexpensive, replace plugs maybe

[DukeofAlexandria]

Originally Posted by askme

My mostly stock e93 has 120k miles on it and the Throttle Body Actuators are throwing codes/going into limp mode. Was expecting this to come at some point.

I've looked at the DIY procedure and it seems doable. I can turn a wrench but am no pro. So, the rebuilt actuators are ordered and I hope to give it a go in the next week or two.

So the next question is (and yes, I searched): are there other things I should consider doing while I am in there? Either preventative, performance, or convenience?

I probably need to replace the valve cover gaskets, but that seems a bit steep for DIY. Wondered about the injectors, but don't know if that make sense unless there are issues.

Thermostat and water pump since you’ll have the valley open. Tensioner pulley (both if possible). Check your boots on the intake valves for cracks and replace if brittle. The breather valve at the back of the plenum check as well. Fuel breather like someone else said. Belts since you have a bit more access.

If you haven’t replaced these and are at 120K you might as well from a maintenance stand point, but again I don’t know the history so I’m assuming last check was at 60K or 80K miles.

-Duke

[Abdul]

The fuel breather valve is one of the more common items that gets replaced when you are doing TAs. If you want to do injectors, you can do it for preventative measures as there are still reports of it causing failure. (though, there are not as many failures for you to be 110% concerned)

[askme]

Originally Posted by DukeofAlexandria

Thermostat and water pump since you’ll have the valley open. Tensioner pulley (both if possible). Check your boots on the intake valves for cracks and replace if brittle. The breather valve at the back of the plenum check as well. Fuel breather like someone else said. Belts since you have a bit more access.

If you haven’t replaced these and are at 120K you might as well from a maintenance stand point, but again I don’t know the history so I’m assuming last check was at 60K or 80K miles.

-Duke

PO added a Dinan powerpulley. No idea if he changed the belts, but likely. Will check the rest!

[askme]

Originally Posted by Abdul

The fuel breather valve is one of the more common items that gets replaced when you are doing TAs. If you want to do injectors, you can do it for preventative measures as there are still reports of it causing failure. (though, there are not as many failures for you to be 110% concerned)

Just looked at the DIY and this seems a no brainer!

[DukeofAlexandria]

Originally Posted by askme

PO added a Dinan powerpulley. No idea if he changed the belts, but likely. Will check the rest!

Yeah again, without a proper history on the car, I’d go and spend the 500-1K and get all the parts we’ve mentioned and just go to work.

I personally would be most concerned with the thermostat and water pump followed by the fuel breather, intake boots, and belts falling in that order.

-Duke

[askme]

"without a proper history on the car"

Well, one way to get a cheap M3 is to get one with no history and a drop top.

[Helmsman]

Not sure I'd be bothered with any of the additional suggested stuff. Removing the plenum for the TA work is half hour or less after first time. And other than the injectors - which very seldom seem to give in - there are no major issues if the part breaks is it?
Did for instance Tstat long after I did the TAs, nice to be able to focus on one project at the time if nothing else is needed.

Ps. Lube the plenum tube and hose connections a little before you re mount, will be soo much easier to get of next time.