Firstfives.org

Hey... so, I finally got the car back from the shop. It's been a really interesting experience so far, even though I haven't been doing most of the work I'm still learning a lot about the way things work!

Power steering is working perfectly now. It's also running better, the valves were way out of ...

I actually just ordered one from blunt tech... I think bavarian auto has it as well. Not cheap, about $90-100.

Yes, we're putting in new points as well. Points and plugs every 5k miles? That seems like a lot... guess I'm not used to these older cars. I think I changed the plugs on my E36 once in 8 years of owning it!

Didn't expect the dealer would have parts at all for this car... good to know that they do ...

Well, I managed to get that power steering line from Steve, as well as a cold start valve. The bad news so far... my mechanic also says it needs an idle speed motor and an ignition condenser, which I can't seem to find anywhere. Is there someone that rebuilds these parts?

Junkyards around here don ...

Update on the car...

Located the power steering leak, it's the line that goes from the pump to the steering box. Could not locate the line online or from BMW, though i will try emailing steve@blunttech for it.

I brought the car to my mechanic and he can't get it either... So he's going to try ...

Yes, I'm sure it's not working- you cannot move the wheel unless the car is moving. When I add fluid, it works perfectly but all leaks out within 15 minutes. I'll have someone sit in it and turn the wheel to see if I can figure out where the power steering fluid is spraying out from when I'm not ...

David: Thanks, that looks exactly like the hose. Did a Google search and managed to find it on eBay for $10+5 shipping. I'll add Steve to my contact list because I'll undoubtedly be needing other things for this car in the near future.

The fluid may be leaking from under the canister, I'll have to ...

I do need to join the BMW CCA, haven't gotten around to it but will. This car actually has a BMW CCA sticker in the back window.

Well, not sure if it was my lousy job at making a gasket (though it didn't look THAT bad), or if the problem's not what I thought. But all the power steering fluid did ...

Yes it's got sporadic rust, but better than most old cars in the northeast. This one was purchased new in New Jersey. Looks like someone had sprayed on a rustproofing coating underneath many years ago.

I had my friend look over the car today- we determined that the differential mount had been ...

It actually lines up perfectly... the issue is that the latch doesn't 'pop' the hood up like it's supposed to. It unlatched it, but you have to pull it forward manually while someone else lifts it up from by the windshield. It also hits the kidney grille and has already damaged it some.

Honestly ...

Think I found it. I saw the three belts... The canister wasn't what I was expecting to see- looks like it has one nut in the center that unscrews to fill it...

That being said, I notice what looks like a fluid leak around that metal canister.

Also noticed the hood has issues opening, but, that's ...

I just managed to acquire a '77 530i. My technical expertise is very limited, but the car cost me very little and seemed to be in good condition (minimal cosmetic rust, shock towers seemed solid, no window rust etc). The car has 189k miles on it, and I have most receipts with the car- it has new ...