Another Noob! Couple ?'s-

MB_35i · 02-14-2021, 05:40 PM

Hey folks- took the plunge with a ‘15 Black Sapphire Z4 35i, 31,000 miles on the clock- She’s fun to look at, fun to drive, fun to listen to in sport mode, fun to work on (haha I guess we’ll see). Done a fair amount of reading and learning, mostly on the N54 generically- Seems a glorious setup when it’s right, but keeping her there takes some vigilance. She’s quick enough for me, I’ll most likely keep things stock, except the run flats.

Couple questions:
Total noob- I’m hard wiring up a CTEK. I know to go under the hood, through the computer, etc. I’m assuming I can take off the black terminal cover under the positive lug under the hood, there is a place to permanently connect to? I can’t for the life of me get that cover off- is there a trick? Wiggled it, pryed it, tried to get the detents out with a pick tool. Afraid I’ll rip if off the firewall. I don’t want to connect direct to the lug (I don’t think), interfere at all with the red slide cover.

I read about and don’t understand the oil leaks- I guess the valve cover is plastic (?), but the oil filter housing? Just poor gaskets, or ? Seems fundamental- a bit surprising-

Otherwise, hope being a late model N54, she has outgrown some of the other issues I read about?- injectors I know, HPFP should be fine? Waste gates improved along the way?

Thx for any input, looking forward to this adventure- cool community! - Cheers, MB

paris1 · 02-14-2021, 06:29 PM

The issue with the oil filter housing is that both coolant and oil are channeled though it.
Separately of course, but in close proximity. The flows being isolated by a rather fragile gasket. When the gasket becomes damaged (a common occurrence), oil mixes with coolant which is not a good thing. Naturally, you would never notice anything amiss from the outside. I happened to notice the coolant in the expansion tank was contaminated by oil which necessitated replacing the damaged gasket in the housing and flushing/replacing both the contaminated coolant and oil. This occurred at about 40k miles, as I recall, so keep an eye on the condition of your coolant.

MB_35i · 02-14-2021, 07:27 PM

Hey Paris- thx for the heads up-
I'm aware of oil leaking on the belts and the maelstrom of issue that can result, engines eating belts, etc. That's at least visible to monitor- I haven't heard much about chocolate milkshake- something else I'll keep an eye out for, thx. I'm real careful to baby her cold, let her warm up good before getting frisky- That should help with everything I'd think- turbo's, I'd think seals, etc.

02-14-2021, 05:40 PM	#1
MB_35i Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 35i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Another Noob! Couple ?'s- Hey folks- took the plunge with a ‘15 Black Sapphire Z4 35i, 31,000 miles on the clock- She’s fun to look at, fun to drive, fun to listen to in sport mode, fun to work on (haha I guess we’ll see). Done a fair amount of reading and learning, mostly on the N54 generically- Seems a glorious setup when it’s right, but keeping her there takes some vigilance. She’s quick enough for me, I’ll most likely keep things stock, except the run flats. Couple questions: Total noob- I’m hard wiring up a CTEK. I know to go under the hood, through the computer, etc. I’m assuming I can take off the black terminal cover under the positive lug under the hood, there is a place to permanently connect to? I can’t for the life of me get that cover off- is there a trick? Wiggled it, pryed it, tried to get the detents out with a pick tool. Afraid I’ll rip if off the firewall. I don’t want to connect direct to the lug (I don’t think), interfere at all with the red slide cover. I read about and don’t understand the oil leaks- I guess the valve cover is plastic (?), but the oil filter housing? Just poor gaskets, or ? Seems fundamental- a bit surprising- Otherwise, hope being a late model N54, she has outgrown some of the other issues I read about?- injectors I know, HPFP should be fine? Waste gates improved along the way? Thx for any input, looking forward to this adventure- cool community! - Cheers, MB
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-14-2021, 06:29 PM	#2
paris1 Captain 90 Rep 745 Posts Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Northern Calif. iTrader: (0)	The issue with the oil filter housing is that both coolant and oil are channeled though it. Separately of course, but in close proximity. The flows being isolated by a rather fragile gasket. When the gasket becomes damaged (a common occurrence), oil mixes with coolant which is not a good thing. Naturally, you would never notice anything amiss from the outside. I happened to notice the coolant in the expansion tank was contaminated by oil which necessitated replacing the damaged gasket in the housing and flushing/replacing both the contaminated coolant and oil. This occurred at about 40k miles, as I recall, so keep an eye on the condition of your coolant.
	Appreciate 1 NoQuarter164.00 Quote

02-14-2021, 07:27 PM	#3
MB_35i Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 35i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Hey Paris- thx for the heads up- I'm aware of oil leaking on the belts and the maelstrom of issue that can result, engines eating belts, etc. That's at least visible to monitor- I haven't heard much about chocolate milkshake- something else I'll keep an eye out for, thx. I'm real careful to baby her cold, let her warm up good before getting frisky- That should help with everything I'd think- turbo's, I'd think seals, etc.
	Appreciate 0 Quote