Is there a Cricket in my engine bay! squeaky pulley

Is there a Cricket in my engine bay!
BMW 330i 2006 E90, Squeaky pulley

After Driving my car for a few years, I started noticing a cricket noise every once in a while, I figured it came from the belt, but I couldn't figure out where exactly, I think I figured it out, I think I found the cricket.

The noise comes from this pulley in the middle of the picture.

Cricket Noise comes from Belt Pulley 

If you look closely you can see the pulley is off to the side a bit.  The belt will come off at some point, I need to replace it before this happens.

 Stay tuned for an update to this post.

If you need to get a pulley, here is a link:

Chime speaker broken, (Fix)

Chime Speaker Broken (Fix)

After driving my car for a few years I noticed that the chime speaker sounds bad.  I found that super glue will do the trick, it's fast and easy, and I rather fix it, better than buying a new speaker, which is expensive I might add.

Center Logic 7 speaker, ( Chime Speaker )

I found that the problem is that the cone separates from the ring.  

Super Glue to the rescue, simply apply a small amount of glue all the way around, let it dry under the sun for about 30 minutes, and that's it.  The speaker is working normal again.

You can see the glue want to drip, just add a little bit.

I am no expert, I just figured why not fix it, save some money.

This is the super glue I used, in case you are wondering:

Loctite Super Glue, I got it at Walmart.

More pictures of the speaker in case you were wondering what it looked like:

After I removed the trim.

 Tip to remove the trim:  Press with your finger in the very front(drive side) of the trim, press firmly until you see the edge of the trim, and then using a small flat screw drive slowly work your way around the trim, it just snaps off.  Take your time, I broke mine rushing, just take your time, it snaps off.

Thanks, I hope this helps you.

If you want to order the super glue online, here is an Amazon link:

VANOS service, with instructions, pictures and Video

Vanos Routine Maintenance

Code P0012

How and when to do Vanos Maintenance.  I typically perform this routine maintenance every 6 months.  Why? because sometimes little particles get stuck in the Vanos, and they prevent the Vanos from moving in or out freely.  This sometimes gives you a code of  P0012 or P1519. I have found that simply cleaning the Vanos will fix this code, and or prevents it.  Model year 2006 E90 BMW 330i, 

If you don't change the oil regularly on the car, little particles break off the oil filter, and they get stuck on the solenoid, thus giving you the "malfunctioning" Vanos, but really all you need is to clean it.  If you ever changed the oil filter on a BMW you know that sometimes the oil filter deteriorates under normal use and small particles separate from the oil filter, I believe it's the glue that holds the filter to the plastic housing... just my opinion, but I personally believe this is what makes the vanos fail, and of course "old" oil or a "foreign" particle will do the same.  

I was told by a BMW service guy, that some BMW owners, prefer to change the oil on their cars every 6,000 miles or 6 months instead of the 12-17,000 miles recommended by the in car computer, because they want to maintain their engine in top shape.  I personally prefer doing it every 6,000 miles to prevent the Vanos from sticking.  I am no expert, just my personal preference, I've changed the oil in my car before, after only 6,000 miles it looks pretty bad, so I speak from personal experience.  

Vanos:  BMW 330i 2006

AMAZON link at the bottom if you need to get a Vanos valve

How to clean it:

Vanos Cleaning using Air gun

 How to remove the Vanos:

Note: There are 2 Vanos, side by side, one unplugged here. I removed the bolt, located in the top right of the picture. 

 I was told that both Vanos are exactly the same, I like to keep them in the same location when I remove them to do maintenance, just to be safe.

As you begin to pull the vanos out it will have some resistance, pull it straight out.  You may need a small flat screw driver to start it.

Don't forget the O-Ring it gets stuck inside sometimes

After Vanos removed, picture of inside the cylinder.

 Close up of Vanos

Note the Plastic O-Ring and the Hard Plastic Ring.

Bentley Publishers: 

Note: Caution: A Small amount of silicone introduced into VANOS actuator or solenoid can set faults.

 Intake (top) / Exhaust (Bottom) Vanos Solenoid

Intake (top) / Exhaust (Bottom) Vanos Solenoid

Not the exact one as my car, but you get the idea.  

 Special thanks to Bently Publishers, for the pictures.

 I hope this helps someone, good luck.

Side note: always change the oil filter with Original BMW oil filter, they do hold up better under normal use, and always use Synthetic oil.

BentleyPublishers.com :  BMW 3 Series Service Manual

If this was helpful to you consider donating

paypal.me/MSauceda1

Brake Light Bulb Replacement, E90

Brake Light Replacement Bulb

BMW 330I, 2006 E90

So I finally got a burnt out light bulb in my BMW 330i.  I decided to go to Auto zone to find a light bulb this was the bulb they gave me, it fit like a globe and I haven't had any trouble at all.

Bulb 7606 type

In case you are wondering it was the back tail light. There are 3 lights 2 of these and 1 smaller one.  Per side.  These are the brake lights.

Upgrade to LED, I am going to get these for my car soon.

Regular or LED links below, Amazon:

Phone Holder 3 Series E90

Phone Holder 3 Series E9X
Bavarian AutoSport Part # B5100001  $ 29.95

As many E90 owner might know, there is no place to put your phone.

So I've been looking for a phone holder for my car.  But I didn't want to get one of those holder that you stick to your window.  I usually use my phone to play music through the Aux line.  I think most people do, that is if you don't have an Ipod or USB integration, which my car doesn't have by the way.  So I came across this phone holder by Bavarian Autosports.  I have to say it's perfect for my phone, I like that it swivels. and it's just about the right size to hold my phone.  Best part is that it comes off very easily.

Here a few pictures.

Manual for Phone Holder

Let me know what you think.

In case you were wondering this is the place to get it:

Part # B5100001
http://www.bavauto.com/

Window Reset instructions BMW 330i 2006

Window Reset instructions BMW 330i 2006

Window Reset instructions

BMW 330i 2006

On a hot summer day in San Diego, as I was getting out of work, just like any other day, I got into my car and it was very hot, so first thing I did after getting in the car was to lower all the windows.  Little did I know it was going to be a journey.

As I lowered the window in the rear passenger side, the window stopped and I heard a very loud Pop! I thought for sure somebody threw a rock and it hit my car, it was a very loud thump.  I looked around around desperately looking for the person responsible, I couldn't see anybody and I was stumped, I couldn't figure out what made the loud noise, as the wind came into my car cooling it down, from the cold air from the AC I naturally wanted to put up the windows, well not today.  The rear passenger window wouldn't go up.

As I sat there thinking how I was going to drive home with my window open, mind you I never drive with my rear window open the hole way home, about 40 minutes away.  I tried pulling it up and to my surprise it did stay up, for about 10 minutes, and then it slowly started lowering to half way as I got home.

I ended up replacing he mechanism that pulls the window up, it was actually not very difficult, everything was well laid out, it only took me about 30 minutes.  Sorry I didn't take pictures of that.

This post will be about how to reset the window after the window is back and working.  As some of you may know, after you fix the motor, and or mechanical mechanism, you are not quite done, you still need to reset the computer, otherwise the window goes up and then down halfway.

According to the Bentley Publishers, this is how it's done:

Power window regular motor initialization procedure:

-Switch ignition ON and close window completely.
-Release window button, then hold switch in Close direction again for approx. 1 second.
- Open window completely.
- Release window button, then hold switch in Open direction again for approx. 1 second.
-Close window completely again.
-Release window button, then hold switch in Close direction again for approx. 1 second.
-Check to make sure one-touch control, anti-trapping and comfort functions are activated.

As you might image, things didn't go as planned, I didn't really figure out how to do it.  I am able to use the window, it does go up and down, but if you keep pressing the switch the window will close but then open halfway.  

One of these days I will have to figure it out.  I already tried fixing it two times with no success.  It did actually work one time, I recorded it.  But then it didn't, because when i tried later to open and close it, the window went down halfway again.

If you have any comments or success stories please let me know how it went...

If you are looking for the links to the Bentley here is a link on Amazon:

I hope this was helpful to you.

I post a ton of BMW 330I E90 related content, I have a lot of other posts, check them out, link below to the main page.

Comment below if you have any questions...

Thank again and until next time

See all my Blogs posts, link to main page: See them all!

Follow me on Facebook

fb.me/E90BMW330i

Windshield Trim replacement: BMW 330i 2006

Windshield Trim replacement: BMW 330i 2006

Front Windshield Trim,  

As the years went on I started to notice the trim on top of my windshield started to look old, and eventually it started to crack.  After too many car wash trips the trim started to degrade to a point where I had to replace it.  It looked ugly.

As I looked around the internet I realized that there was no place to find any information on how to replace this trim peace.  I had no idea how to start to do this, I figured if there was no information on how to do this I would have to make a video.  So decided to make a video.  This is is the video below:

This is the part number for the trim: 51 31 7 061 967

It's only $22 dollars from my local BMW dealer.

After a few hours later... success.

Link to Blog main page: See them all

If this was helpful to you consider donating

https://www.paypal.me/MSauceda1

This is a link to the Amazon:

BMW 330i 2006 Broken Bolts, Valve Cover, Oil Pan.

Broken Bolt on the left

Broken bolts, BMW 330I 2006.

Like many of you I keep reading about my particular model years BMW with broken bolts.  I've read many articles and I've seen a few videos in YouTube, where this is brought up as a problem, some even go as far as to suggest a recall.  I've ran into this problem myself and to be honest I've fixed it myself because it's so expensive to go to the dealer to get it repaired.

Broken Bolt, Valve Cover Gasket BMW 330i 2006

First experience with this was with the Valve cover gasket bolts.  One snapped off, and oil started leaking from that side of the engine.  I was lucky that it was a very visible bolt and I was lucky enough that I could remove the leftover of the bolt by hand.  I ended up buying a new set of bolts, I ended up replacing the gasket because I figured I was going to replace the bolts might as well replace the gasket.  Side note, if you replace the bolts, go back a week later and check to make sure the bolts are not loose.  From the dealer this was a $1,500 job, I did it myself, only cost was the cost of the bolts.  You can get the bolts at: Babarian Auto Sports Website. click link to get you there.  It's $30 dollars for a set of bolts.

Broken Bolt, middle of picture, Oil Pan, BMW 330i 2006

My second experience with this was just this weekend, I ran into another snapped bolt.  This time it was in the Oil pan reservoir.  I started seeing oil in my drive way and I knew it could only be my Valve cover gasket, so I started looking inside the engine bay, could not see any oil around the gasket, so I decided to removed the plastic cover in the bottom of the car and I found the source of the oil leak, a broken bolt in the oil pan.  It looks like it's a major endeavor removing the oil pan, so I think I will wait on doing this repair myself, I may end up taking it to the dealer, I don't look forward to getting this repaired because I know it's going to be a very expensive job.



See a YouTube video below:





This is a link to the Oil Pan pictures:
Broken bolt pictures BMW 330I 2006 Oil Pan Bolt

This is a link to the Valve Cover Pictures:
Valve Cover Gasket Replacement, Because of Broken bolt on Valve cover.





In order to lessen the cost to repair all of this broken bolts, I invested in a repair manual, this has helped a lot in determining what it would take to repair all of these broken bolts, and it helped find the correct part numbers.  This is a link: Bentley E90 repair manual  I suggest the Hard Cover, it's much easier to handle.  I got it for $90 Dollars on Amazon.com

I think I determined that the best thing one can do to own a BMW was to keep it for a few years and then upgrade to a new one, this way you will always be under warranty, and you don't have to worry about any repairs.  I think this is the Master Plan for BMW.

Other problems that I've had to deal with, I ran into a problem with the Vanos, I cleaned it and didn't have more problems, a must after 30K or so.   I also had to replace a broken window motor, it was relatively easy to do, but I still haven't figured out how to reset the window, if you've ever done this before you know what I am talking about.  It's in the manual I bought, only thing its complicated to say the least.

Updated 4/19/2014  
I found this link to a place where you can send your complaints to: http://www.safercar.gov/
Click on Search for Recalls.  You will see other people have complained about this issue too.

Link to all my Blogs, main Page:  See them all

If this was helpful to you consider donating

https://www.paypal.me/MSauceda1

Follow me on Facebook

fb.me/E90BMW330i