2009 tagged posts

January 18, 2017 / Posted in  Cars

Here’s a walk thru of a BMW X3 automatic transmission service with fluid and filter change on a 2008 E83. The 2008 has a 6 speed GM 6L50 transmission that uses Dexron VI automatic transmission fluid. You’ll need 6-7 quarts of replacement fluid, the replacement filter, replacement pan gasket and a few other items I’ve listed below. I found it easiest to simply buy a 2008 BMW X3 transmission service kit which includes the replacement fluid, replacement filter, replacement pan gasket, hardware, O ring, and drain plug. I was paranoid about a fluid leak so I wanted to do everything right for this service. Some of the special tools I needed for this procedure were a torque wrench, and some sort of pump to get the fluid into the transmission...

January 11, 2017 / Posted in  Cars

If your BMW X3 low coolant light comes on, it’s normal to have to top off the tank once or twice a year. But if you top off your tank and the low coolant light comes on again within a few days or a week, then you probably have coolant leaking from the system somewhere. First, check the back of the oil fill cap and make sure you see only brown oil as expected. If it’s foamy or creamy texture, you might have a head gasket leak. Most likely you don’t have a head gasket leak and it’s a coolant hose or coolant expansion tank leak. In the video below I explain how to diagnose a BMW X3 coolant expansion tank leak and how to replace the tank.

As you can see in my video, I had a small leak that didn’t even puddle water in the garage, at first...

December 19, 2014 / Posted in  Cars

For about 6 months now I’ve been experiencing a BMW X3 muffler rattle. At first I ignored it but as it became more persistent and embarrassing, I decided to get under the car and troubleshoot it. All the connections under the car were firm and in good condition. What was causing the muffler rattle that sort of sounded like an aluminum can in my exhaust? I also noted, it only seemed to happen on start up, idle, and when the car was under no load decelerating.

I took a video and pasted it below with more details. Basically, there is a baffle in the right exhaust pipe that opens and closes based on a vacuum line. At idle and no load, the baffle closes and it opens once the engine starts winding up. It’s also closed when the car is off...

October 7, 2014 / Posted in  Cars

The family and I recently purchased a 1999 Coleman pop up tent trailer, and I’ve been itching to do some trailering ever since. The BMW X3 can easily pull the trailer, I had no problem doing 65 MPH+ up the Altamont pass on the first trip out, but you definitely feel the extra weight when braking. Even though the trailer weighs less than 2,000 lbs., it comes with electric brakes that engage automatically when you depress the brake pedal in the car. To make those or any electric trailer brakes work, you need a brake controller as well as the 7 pin trailer harness connector. I had already installed the hitch and the 4 pin connector, now I needed to get the full 7 pin trailer lights for my BMW X3 and brake controller if I wanted the proper trailer solution.

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November 21, 2012 / Posted in  Cars

Recently I noticed a wiper fluid leak on the floor of my garage near the BMW X3.  Around that same time my windshield wiper fluid light came on as well.  It turned out I had a bad wiper fluid pump motor which was causing a leak. It was easy to repair and I took some photos and documented the repair procedure below. Update: And now there’s also a YouTube video.

The wiper fluid tank is easy to remove, a single screw at the top secures the tank (if standing in front of the vehicle)

Remove the screw and set it aside. Tilt the tank upward and you’ll notice plastic tabs on the tank secure it to the car, gently pull the tank free so you can tilt it out further. At this point, you might want to empty the wiper fluid from the tank, I used a cooler because it was close by and I could reuse the fluid and hose out the cooler afterwards. You don’t have to completely empty the tank, I emptied enough fluid to handle the tank more easily. Sit the tank back into the compartment but oriented so you can work on the motors which you should be able to see now. Be mindful not to disturb the wires or hoses just yet. You should see at least two motors attached to the tank, perhaps three. My car does not have the cold weather package which uses a pump and would go above the two other pumps. You can see the place it attaches in the photo above.

Evaluating the wiper fluid leak, tank, and motor:

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