NEWBIE (dumbass) questions

[cappy]

Boys and girls:

Just picked up my first bimmer. 1990 535 auto. 120,000 miles. Driven by a little old lady (close to Pasadena . I'm new to this maintenance biz, but I am learning quickly.

The care was freaking filthy - the engine needs a good steam cleaning, I'm told. Interior has been mostly taken care of by me.

My question(s) are - what do I do now? It has a rough idle which is not surprising since she probably never drove over 40mph. I've taken it into the 5500 rpm range, but it still feels rough. I use 91 here in LA. The air filter was just changed, as was the oil.

My first thought is to throw some injector cleaner into the tank next fill-up - Ventil Sauber seems like the popular choice but would others (STP, etc) work? Also, I'm thinking the spark plugs might need changing or adjusting - is that something a newbie like me can do?

What else, fellas?

[dave b]

Yup. The plugs are easy, and the injection cleaner works fine.

Since you're in Pasadena, you're close to two great options:

1) To do it yourself, BMA is in Glendale and has the parts you'll need
2) A great independent garage is BMC in Burbank. I've had major repairs done there and several tune-ups. I would actually swing your car by there and have them take a stab at it.

Good luck

[Unregistered]

Boys and girls:

Just picked up my first bimmer. 1990 535 auto. 120,000 miles. Driven by a little old lady (close to Pasadena . I'm new to this maintenance biz, but I am learning quickly.

The care was freaking filthy - the engine needs a good steam cleaning, I'm told. Interior has been mostly taken care of by me.

My question(s) are - what do I do now? It has a rough idle which is not surprising since she probably never drove over 40mph. I've taken it into the 5500 rpm range, but it still feels rough. I use 91 here in LA. The air filter was just changed, as was the oil.

My first thought is to throw some injector cleaner into the tank next fill-up - Ventil Sauber seems like the popular choice but would others (STP, etc) work? Also, I'm thinking the spark plugs might need changing or adjusting - is that something a newbie like me can do?

What else, fellas?

[cappy]

Why not steam clean? What's the alternative?

[califblue]

go to BMA ((888) BMA-3911 or (888) 262-3911) and buy 6 Regular Bosch W8LCR Gap: 0.7-0.8 mm (0.028-0.032 in)(On the 535i, set them slightly larger to 0.86-0.91mm (0.034-0.036in to help improve the idle.)
you can use Chevron Techron( buy it a Kragen or Costco) on a half of tank of gas ( full strength )

[califblue]

just mix in a spray bottle 50/50 water and new Dawn dish washing liquid soap ( the original blue formula) and use a stiff bristled paint brush ( 2" ones work great) and spray it on and scrub the gunk away. go over everything twice and rinse...it's that easy

P.S. Start at the top and work down

[Bill R.]

[cappy]

Are there any areas I should stay away from in the cleaning process? Or places to be careful of, wires/cables/belts to avoid, etc. - that sort of thing?

Thanks guys - this site is great.

[Bill R.]

[Unregistered]

Why not steam clean? What's the alternative?