Greetings everyone! While my 1975 CSi is in really great shape and I did have a PPI performed prior to being delivered from Florida to Signal Hill, CA, I have been discovering things not right or broken that I need to fix. This is in addition to the projects I planned before buying the car. This is all part of the "getting to know my new car" and "sorting out" process. Changing all of the fluids (oils, brakes, coolant) is tops on my list. I'm a car guy and a DIY'er. I enjoying working on my cars and especially my dream car... making it right and upgrading parts and components. Using high quality hardware is just so satisfying.
I discovered that the oil drain plugs on the engine, gearbox, and differential are different sizes that range from M20x1.5 up to M24x1.5. I don't know why the BMW engineers did this, but it certainly helps to know they did. I replace hex tool plugs with hex head plugs anytime I can. My gearbox drain plug had rounded edges. When I finally was able to get it off, the magnet was covered in metal filings. I'll bet this oil hadn't been changed in many years and yes, it was dirty.
With the differential, I was at first perplexed on how to access the fill plug as it was sandwiched next to the muffler. So, I removed the muffler securing hardware. It only moved a bit but not enough to use the hex tool. My SS exhaust is all welded from the manifold to the muffler. Clean, but not friendly if I need to remove it. At first, I tried to move the muffler up to gain access the to the diffy fill plug, but that didn't work. With some trepidation, I pushed down on the muffler and was able to move it enough to access the fill plug without hearing any awful cracking sounds from the exhaust bending at the header connection flange. Well, at least I won't be doing this very often.
Next, it was time to change the brake fluid. The passenger rear bleed nipple loosened without issue. However, the M7x1.0 34mm driver's side rear bleed nipple was stripped. Yeah, so when was the brake fluid last changed? Using the penetrating oil and heat technique allowed me to remove it using vice grips. All of the other nipple screws loosened OK. Still, I will be replacing all with SS bleed screws. Hopefully, when I'm ready to change the coolant I won't discover any issues. As the Zen Master says, "We'll see."
I discovered that the oil drain plugs on the engine, gearbox, and differential are different sizes that range from M20x1.5 up to M24x1.5. I don't know why the BMW engineers did this, but it certainly helps to know they did. I replace hex tool plugs with hex head plugs anytime I can. My gearbox drain plug had rounded edges. When I finally was able to get it off, the magnet was covered in metal filings. I'll bet this oil hadn't been changed in many years and yes, it was dirty.
With the differential, I was at first perplexed on how to access the fill plug as it was sandwiched next to the muffler. So, I removed the muffler securing hardware. It only moved a bit but not enough to use the hex tool. My SS exhaust is all welded from the manifold to the muffler. Clean, but not friendly if I need to remove it. At first, I tried to move the muffler up to gain access the to the diffy fill plug, but that didn't work. With some trepidation, I pushed down on the muffler and was able to move it enough to access the fill plug without hearing any awful cracking sounds from the exhaust bending at the header connection flange. Well, at least I won't be doing this very often.
Next, it was time to change the brake fluid. The passenger rear bleed nipple loosened without issue. However, the M7x1.0 34mm driver's side rear bleed nipple was stripped. Yeah, so when was the brake fluid last changed? Using the penetrating oil and heat technique allowed me to remove it using vice grips. All of the other nipple screws loosened OK. Still, I will be replacing all with SS bleed screws. Hopefully, when I'm ready to change the coolant I won't discover any issues. As the Zen Master says, "We'll see."
