Do you want to give your existing BMW car a completely new look? If so, the easiest yet the most effective way will be to paint the rims. The best part is, you can manage this task yourself, putting a fair extent of time and effort. The money you save with DYI rim painting, probably will allow the chance to speculate at the top online casinos, wherein you can earn a handful of money, in the course of relishing the optimum excitement and enjoyment.

Collect the necessary materials

You will need materials like Wheel cleaner, rags, wire brush, a few pieces of sandpapers, in addition to Rubbing alcohol and steel wool. In addition, keep ready items like painters tape, covering plastics, spray paint, clear coat, and self-enticing premier.

Identify the spot on the rim to paint

Once you are ready with the necessary materials, you need to decide the right spot for painting the rim. You should opt for a place that feature good ventilation and is spared from running breeze.

Take the rim out of the car and clean the wheels

Painting the rim while it is still mounted on the car is not the right approach. It is for the reason that the spray will get stuck all across the body of the car. In addition, there are chances of getting drips, if you are not eliminating the rim out of the car, before you paint it. Likewise, you need to wash the wheels, before you start to paint. This will ensure that the paint spray evenly and never retains the dust and debris under the coating. You can simply use soap and water for cleaning the wheels. This will not take excess of time and effort to complete this step.

You need to eliminate the rust and paint chips

All rusts and paint chips on the rim should be eliminated, before you paint it. You can accomplish this task, using the rubbing alcohol. You need to use the sandpaper to clear the rusts from the rim. Once done, you should clean the rim with clear water and let it dry completely before the paint is applied. Remember, this step will demand that you pay the necessary attention to the detail.

Apply the coating with primer

Once, the steps discussed above have been rightly completed, comes the tile to apply the initial layer of primer. This will get the surface ready for the best adhesion of the paint. The use of self-etching primer is solicited as it offers the smoothest finish.

Start to paint the rim

Now, it is the time for the actual painting, and this should be done in a back and forth style applying the paint in an even manner. You should always maintain a safe distance between the eyes and painting surface, and escape the chances of over spray at all instances. Remember, you need to allow ample of time for each coat of the paint to dry up, before you apply the next layer on it.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post How to Paint Your BMW Rims with Professional Results? (DIY) appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Step-by-step guide in changing the EGR thermostat on E46 BMW 3 series

EGR is specifically designed in order to recirculate the exhaust gas into the fuel/air mixture, thereby diluting the fuel/air mixture enough to keep NOx compounds within the breathable limits. This is done by letting a specific amount of the inert gas to pass from exhaust manifold into intake manifold through EGR valve. The EGR thermostat, on the other hand, is used in order to cool down the exhaust has before entering the intake manifold because of the fact that it’s made of plastic and would melt if exposed to the 600⁰C exhaust gas. The amount of needed cooling varies with the EGR usage, so the thermostat prevents the overcooling in certain conditions. With EGR bypassed, the thermostat is still needed to keep the cooling system intact. In this connection, with your EGR Thermostat damaged, how can you possible change it by yourself? Here’s a step-by-step guide in changing the EGR thermostat on E46 BMW 3 series.

We have made this tutorial on a 2004 320D E46 BMW 3 Series facelift (150hp).
This process would only take you about 5 minutes or more depending on how your move. Also, before starting you need to prepare the entire necessary tools for the job.

Tools needed: 10 size spanner, two screwdrivers or a diagonal cutter (we used the screwdrivers), 5 size hex key and a T15 torx driver.

Follow these steps in order to make the necessary changes in your car:

Step 1:
First off, you need to remove the plastic engine covers shown in the first picture below. In some cases, you might experience some differences in your car parts, but you can still use this DIY process to change your EGR thermostat – for example, the screw holding your car’s vacuum pipe might have a torx head, the hose on EGR thermostat’s right hand side might be held by a fancy clip, and not the jubilee-type one, there might be an engine lifting bracker behind your EGR thermostat, the hose that is connected to the vacuum pipe leads into the solid pipe, which could not be lift out the way it is used to be.

Step 2:
Remove all bolts shown in the picture below in order to release/remove the thermostat. When removing the bolts, use a T15 torx driver, 10 size spanner and one screwdriver. Firstly, you need to remove the bolt with the T15 torx driver, then lift up the vacuum pipe to get into a good position so you can remove the two bolts with the 10 size spanner. Finally,
untighten the bolt with one screwdriver so you can remove the hose from the EGR thermostat.

Step 3:
Remove and replace the yellow “o-ring” that is fitted onto the thermostat. Try smearing the tiniest amount a Hylomar around its shoulder and this should be done before the refitting.

Step 4:
Remove and replace the thermostat immediately in order to avoid getting anything in engine water/block pump through its open hole where thermostat sits.

Step 5:
With everything back together, mix your coolant with distilled and antifreeze water (we recommend 1:1 ratio). Before you fill up the system, remove the two bleeding screws: one right next to expansion tank and the other is below the EGR.

Step 6:
Place a rag next to the bleed screw hole below the EGR to prevent the antifreeze from getting on the new water pump belt. Ensure to replace the entire drain plugs. Start filling by pouring into the expansion tank at a constant rate. Keep on filling until a steady steam comes out of bleed screw which is below the EGR. Immediately stop and replace both the bleed screws.

You’re done! 🙂

How to Change the EGR Thermostat on E46 BMW 3 Series – Full Photo Gallery

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post How to Change the EGR Thermostat on E46 BMW 3 Series (DIY) appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.