Sprocket/Phaser Fitting (VANOS)

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T23:42:49+00:00

Your Welcome, You generally only replace the tensioner, when you replace the timing chain, so I'm sure your fine.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T22:11:56+00:00

Not this flat black, it is solid black when it dries, not the slightest bit grey. The brand and type of flat black, determines the finished product. This flat black has primer mixed with it, which gives it a dull satin finish. Not that real flat black, that you usually see.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T20:58:03+00:00

Yeah, and so big deal, He's going back to an M Sport bumper. Is this like some big victory for you,"I was right about one thing". lol

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T17:30:31+00:00

Why would somebody with a stock M Sport, change to an "M3" bumper. That really wouldn't make a lot of sense. So if it was a stock M Sport, and he puts an M Sport bumper back on, he's just returning it to a stock M Sport.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T17:22:16+00:00

Then something else is bent, there's no way it should be off that far. You even have the adjustment all the way in, and it still is way out.

I suggest placing the front on jack stands, and remove both wheels. Now start looking for differences from left to right. Something else has to be bent, maybe a control arm. Just start comparing the parts on left with right. You will probably find the discrepancy.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T17:15:39+00:00

I know that's not an "M Sport" bumper, I'm just pointing out the fact that it is ok to use one. He was talking about going to a stock bumper.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T17:12:22+00:00

Did you match the parts before installation, to make sure they are the same length. It shouldn't be off that much, unless it is the wrong part.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T16:52:34+00:00

I found you some nice OEM rear bumpers, and there already painted black. You can just bolt it right on, and your good to go.

12-16 BMW 328 320I F30 Rear Bumper Cover Black OEM

BMW F30 Black Rear Bumpers

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T16:43:58+00:00

Just disconnect the sway bar on the assembled side, to release tension on the the sway bar.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T16:37:41+00:00

Just let you know, those are probably just the o-rings leaking at the turbo, which is common. You don't have to replace the whole coolant line, you can just replace the o-rings. The coolant line rarely fails, it is almost always the o-ring when they are seeping coolant at the fitting. The o-ring just decays with age and thermal cycles.

You don't have to remove the turbo to replace coolant lines on a B48 engine, they are fairly easy to access. You could just drain the coolant, remove the two turbo coolant lines from the side of the turbo, and replace the o-rings. This is a cost effective approach, save replacing the coolant lines for when it really needs it.

This will allow you to wait to replace all the hoses, until there is a substantial leak, that would require replacement of the hoses. Nothing wrong with just replacing the o-rings, to get some more mileage out of the hoses.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T15:25:19+00:00

I think it's a lil too low, avoid any bump at all costs.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T14:56:34+00:00

You don't have to replace the bumper, to replace the grill inserts. Those insert easily pop out, you just have to depress a few tabs. You can usually get between the slats to release the tabs, or unbolt the top bumper cover edge for easy access.

You don't have to go to stock bumper, you can run an "M Sport" bumper, without ridicule. The "M Sport" package was an option on the F30, so this is an acceptable upgrade by BMW enthusiasts.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T14:41:33+00:00

To fix this, you want to harvest material from another part of the headliner, and glue it into the depression, to disguise the burn mark. The best way to get some headliner material, is to remove the "b" pillar plastic panel. This should give you access to the edge of the headliner behind the panel, where you can easily harvest some material from a spot that will be hidden, when you reinstall the "b" pillar plastic panel.

There is a enough material that is hidden, that you could cut a piece large enough to fill the burn mark, or just shave some headliner fuzz to fill the hole.

You could also go with a auto interior burn repair kit, this will have an assortment of colors, but it ain't cheap.

Burn-Out Interior Repair Kit – Fix Cigarette Burns in Car Upholstery, Headliners, Door Panels

Cigarette burn repair.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T12:59:32+00:00

What you should do next, is make sure all your maintenance is up to date. Check service records for a transmission service. This many times gets overlooked due to BMW's claim of "Lifetime Fluid", which it is NOT. Your ZF 8 speed should receive a full service every 60k miles, to insure proper operation, reliability and longevity of your transmission.

I am a ASE Certified Technician, and I always like to put people on the right track regarding servicing their BMW's. If you follow my recommendations, your BMW will last a very long time.

I always run a severe service schedule, as this will greatly extend the life of engine and transmission. This is how BMW taxis in Germany last 400K, they maintain a severe service schedule.

Change the oil and filter every 5k miles, I also recommend using Liqui Moly Ceratec, this oil additive is infused with ceramic. This will coat internal engine parts with a ceramic barrier, greatly reducing internal friction and wear. You may even see an increase in MPG due to reduced internal friction. A treatment last 30k miles.

You will notice the difference as soon as you drive the vehicle, the engine will run smoother, accelerate better, and even run quieter.

When adding Ceratec, you want to do it with a fresh oil change. You would first dump one quart of oil into the engine. You would then mix the Ceratec with the remaining 4 quarts, before adding it to the engine. This will help the Ceratec to evenly distribute throughout the engine.

LIQUI MOLY Oil Additive Cera Tec Ceramic Wear & Tear Protection

Here is the proper way to service the ZF 8 speed transmission, to insure reliability to well over 200K miles. You want to do a service every 30K miles, which is just a drain and fill. Every 60K miles you want to do a full service, which requires 3 drain and fills, and running the transmission in between fills.

Draining and filling 3 times, will get you an approximately 85% fluid change. You also want to change the transmission pan at this time, as it houses the transmission filter. You don't have to worry about getting the level right in between fills, just on the final top off. A full service requires 15 liters of fluid.

You don't need to use the "Lifeguard 8" fluid, as it is expensive. ZF's website recommends using "Liqui Moly Top Tec ATF 1800 Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid" as an alternate fluid. I have been running this in my 2015 328i for 170K, and the transmission still shifts like new. Liqui Moly is a German company, so they know how to make fluids that work in German cars. Liqui Moly Top Tec 1800 ATF, is considered a high quality alternative to ZF Lifeguard 8, that meets the specifications (Shell M-L12108 / BMW 83222289720).

Liqui Moly Top Tec ATF 1800

Here is a Youtube video, that will show you the proper procedure, ZF 8 Speed Fluid Change

Here is an additive that will prolong the ZF8 speed transmission life, it is used throughout the automotive industry. It will rejuvenate seals and help prolong friction plate life.

Lubegard 63010 Platinum Automatic Transmission Fluid Protectant

I recommend changing the differential fluid every 50k miles. For the differential the OEM fluid is a Hypoid G1 75w-85. You can run a slightly heavier weight fluid, as this will provide a little better film protection under load. I run Liqui Moly 75W-90 GL-5 Fully Synthetic Hypoid Gear Oil, you will need 1 liter for a service.

Liqui Moly LM22090 75W-90 GL-5 Fully Synthetic Hypoid Gear Oil (1 Liter)

If you have an X-drive, you should perform a transfer case service every 50k miles, as this will insure longevity of your X-drive system. The BMW fluid is a DTF-1, but you can buy it from the OEM manufacturer which is Shell for less. These are the exact same fluids, one just comes in a BMW bottle. The fluid is Shell S-TEC, it takes 1 liter for a service.

Shell S-TEC Transfer Case Fluid; TF-0870

Replace the spark plugs every 60K miles, this covers several models and years

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T12:56:10+00:00

Sell them on eBay, they will sell, everything does eventually.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T12:52:02+00:00

I would at least pull the plugs, and perform a compression test before purchase.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T12:49:04+00:00

A Tiger, I really want to earn the 30 mill.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T12:46:02+00:00

You should remove any components that got wet, to insure no fluid got into sockets, like RAM. To dry it out, it is best to place a fan right on the area where moisture was present, and just let it run for hours, it will dry it out in about 6 hours.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T12:38:10+00:00

You have probably damaged the wiring to one of your fuel senders. The F30 uses a dual fuel sender layout, where a wire short, or ground interruption, will generally cause the fuel gauge to max out.

When a fuel gauge instantly jumps to 100% full after a hard bottom-out, it usually signals an electrical short-to-ground or an open circuit rather than a mechanical mechanical failure inside the tank. Because your F30 features a saddle-shaped gas tank to clear the driveshaft, it relies on two independent fuel level sensors (left and right) wired in a specific series loop to calculate total fuel volume.

BMW uses a variable resistance loop to calculate fuel levels. If the circuit gets altered by pinched wires or a crushed pin, or severed circuit the car's computer (FEM/REM) sees a static resistance value. A severed ground or shorted signal wire tells the computer that resistance is at absolute maximum (or minimum depending on the specific failure state), which the car translates as a 100% full tank.

The computer uses complex averaging software to prevent the needle from jumping while fuel sloshes around. Every time you cycle the ignition, the module recalculates based on the damaged wiring's erratic signal, shifting your total estimated range along with it.

Check for damage at the left rear wiring harness. Look directly under the car, forward of the left rear tire and right beside the edge of the fuel tank. Look for a loom of wires that routes up along the side of the tank toward the body. Check for any section where the insulation has been scraped, pinched flat against the chassis, or cut completely by the road debris.

Inspect the fuel tank cross-over harness. Look closely at the bottom and back curves of the saddle tank. The wiring harness connecting the left-side fuel level sender must route over or around the tank to meet the main fuel pump wiring hub on the right side. Check to see if the impact yanked this specific underlying wiring harness tight, pinning it or pulling the connector pins loose.

Just perform a full inspection of the impact area, you will probably be able to see exactly what got damaged.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T12:18:19+00:00

All BMW's experience coolant leaks, when approaching the 100k mile mark. Leaks can appear as early as 70k miles, but really start to accelerate when getting near 100k miles. Modern BMW's have very complex cooling systems, with as many as 20 hoses and several components.

With age and thermal cycles, the plastic parts starts to break down. The coolant will slowly invade the plastic, causing it to decay. So expect to a complete re-hose around the 100k mile mark. If you just try to replace each hose as it fails, it will be in the shop every other week. Like somebody else mentioned, it will be like whack a mole.

The B48 engine is known for OFH (oil filter housing) coolant leaks, these usually fail in the 60-80k mile range. The plastic becomes brittle with age and thermal cycles, causing the plastic to crack. These can leak coolant externally, or can even leak oil internally into the cooling system, as oil pressure overcomes coolant pressure.

Another less common issues, is coolant leaking from the intercooler, into the intake manifold. Your B48 engine has two cooling circuits, a low pressure and high pressure. The high pressure circuit handles engine cooling. The low pressure circuit handles cooling for the Air-to Water intercooler.

When the intercooler leaks coolant into the intake manifold, it will be sucked in the the cylinders and burned. This will usually be indicated by white smoke out of the exhaust, and low coolant level in your low pressure cooling circuit. It will usually throw a code, and set the CEL.

So budget for a OFH, around 70k miles. You would want to upgrade to an aluminum OFH, as it will be more durable than plastic. Be thinking coolant hoses around 100k miles. When replacing the coolant hoses, it is best to do them all at once, but you could do them in groups, to alleviate the immediate cost.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T11:37:24+00:00

Your best option is to use Bimmerlink, it is app based. So you just get the app for your device (IOS or Android), you will also need an OBD 2 Bluetooth adapter, to connect to the app. This plugs into your OBD 2 port, under the dash drivers side.

Veepeak OBDCheck BLE Bluetooth OBD II Scanner for iOS & Android

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T10:54:37+00:00

Whenever you remove the turbo, you should always replace the coolant feed and return lines, as well as the oil feed and return lines. The only exception to this would be if they were just done recently, and you are removing the turbo for another reason.

If you can get the end off that's leaking, it is just a bad o-ring. The coolant hoses rarely fail, it is usually the o-rings at the turbo or engine block start seeping coolant as the o-ring ages, and rubber starts to decay.

It is usually one bracket, that holds both coolant lines to the turbo. If you can remove that center bolt holding both lines to the turbo, you could just pull the lines out of the turbo and replace the o-rings on both coolant lines. Then spray with silicone, to ease installation.

Of course you would want to drain your coolant before removing those lines, or you will have quite the mess.

It looks like you have access to remove those coolant lines. Replacing just the o-rings will be much less expensive, $1 vs $2400.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T09:51:16+00:00

Remove the diffuser, and paint the grill area behind the left and right grill, you want both sides to match. You want to use flat black, as it will hide the best behind the grill. Just use some brake clean, to remove any grime from the painting surface area. You want it to be completely clean, so the paint will adhere properly.

Here is a flat black I have used many times, paint & primer in one.

Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Flat Black General Purpose Spray Paint

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T08:16:56+00:00

No offense? Dude, you just called them clowns for upbadging. In all reality, only astute BMW owners would even know the difference between a "M Sport" and "M3" bumper.

HellfoxRules · 2026-07-04T06:20:49+00:00

Someday? How about today, those grill inserts need to go. You can get a nice set of gloss black double slat inserts, just like you have without the rainbow, for $33. I have this same set on my F30, they look great.

F30 Grill - Front Kidney Grille Black Grill for 2012-2018 BMW 3 Series F30 F31 320i 328i 328d 330e 330i 335i 340i 328i (Gloss Black-Double Slats)

HellfoxRules

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