MOT failure

The time came and for the first time in my 5.5 year ownership, I have my first proper MOT failure. In the past it's been bulbs not orange enough or bushes. This year my good fortune has ended. It couldn't come at a worse time either because I have still to catch up a bit from Christmas, my sons birthday party organised and still to pay for then this so I'm really penny pinching at the moment.

Help and opinons appreciated on the following please.

1. Emissions failed on the natural idle test. The CO2 should be less than 0.5% but wouldn't go below 0.65% It has a slight misfire which I'm putting down to the breather valve at the back of the manifold. (yes all right I know, I was meant to do it ages ago!!) so fingers crossed that will do the trick and for £40 it's worth going with that.

2. Both headlamps aiming too high even on the lowest suspension. Looks like I could tweek the aim though I know they not manual adjusters but is there a way to adjust them at all?

3. N/S front coil spring slightly fractured. Speaks for itself, general wear and tear I guess. BMW want £75, Anyone know what the O.E. manufacturer. I have to weigh up between quality and price so I'll have to suck it and see.

4. Front brakes imbalanced. I have felt a pull to the left sometimes but with the way some of the roads are around here and the fact it didn't happen all the time I just assumed it was down to the camber/tracks in the road but the imbalance was 30% which I think is quite high.

4.1 Front N/S brake pad below wear limit. I'm thinking this is tied in with the uneven brakes but why is one side wearing quicker? Could I have a seized caliper. I'm hoping to strip it out on Saturday and get someone to clean the calper sliders while I'm doing the pads so I'm hoping that will cure that issue but any other suggestions and input welcomed. I'm assuming the wear sensor must be on the O/S then which is why the light hasn't come on!

I also have advisories on rear subframe bushes. I bought some ages ago but haven't got round to fitting them yet as I think there is a special tool required. Anyone done their own (I have the m-tech suspension) And both front strust 'slightly reduced damping effect' £235 EACH from stealers OUCH!!!!

Lets just say the wedding anniversary won't be celebrated this year except maybe a pint and that's about it .

I'm off to pour myself a strong drink!

Mike

Your headlamps are adjustable, both up and down and sise to side,if you look at the top of th elight unit you will see a an allen socket shaped hole...thats for adjusting....brakes just sound like u need to strip clean and lube then fresh pads, emmisions....when did it last get plugs and filters? another top tip just before retest, go and kick the sh*t out of it, amazing how that changes the readings.

Hope this helps

Oh no!

Breaking stuff is a nightmare on cars!  I sheared the caliper cradle to steering knuckle bolts on my Senator as the ends of the bolt threads protruded out of the knuckle and had 10 years of rust on them so they seized solid and sheared.  Had to get a new steering knuckle, bearing, ABS sensor and lower wishbone as more stuff broke on removal.

We've all done it...

Not good.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Well I have had one of the mechanics from work here tonight and he agreed, the bolt is not going to budge. I've even borrowed a bolt rescue tool which is like a rifled spline which twists so when you tap it onto the head it grips and tightens around it as you turn it. The problem being is the socket is interfered with by the ally pipe housing just below it stopping you getting square onto the bolt which is why I think it rounded in the first place.

The next port of call is manifold off. Looks like the injectors have to come out too. Has anyone taken the manifold off and anyone got a quick 1, 2, 3 guide as to how it goes? Chances are I'm not going to do it but I'll get my car mechanic from work to do it.

I did try putting the valve back on but it runs rough as hell now as the gasket and valve is more damaged now so I can't even limp it to work.

Mike

Just to update. One of the techs from work is swinging by my house tomorrow morning and hooking my car up to one of the break down vans and towing me to work. Once there another mechanic is going to attempt the bolt and if no luck he will start stripping it tomorrow evening. Once he's got it apart I'll order what needs ordering and he can put it back together. I know I'll need the manifild gaskets (£38 from local factor) but will I also need injector seals (£2 each x 16 from BMW!!!!!!)?????  After that, the brakes and spring will need doing. The good thing is, the guy doing the work said I can pay him when the cash is a bit more freely available. One big advantage of working in a garage! I think I owe a few guys a few drinks after all this!

Mike