Saint Steve

[Bruce Murphy]

This is why I like Solo 1.

I blew up my M3 on Sunday and kludged it together for a limp home, and got as far as the 401. Steve Cole comes up behind me and offers to get me as far as Kingston where I can call for a tow. On the way he hatches a plan to dig his trailer out of the weeds, hook up his truck and go back all the way and fetch it in the still pouring rain. After much struggling, swearing and bench pressing my own tire trailer into his truck we got the whole thing back to his house where he offers to let me drive the whole rig back to Ottawa! I dumped the car at the dealer yesterday, loaded the Miata on the trailer, and took it back last night.

This is way beyond the call of duty, and is typical of the camaraderie of Solo1. This is a very special group.

My undying thanks to Steve. (Anyone know any cool thankyou gifts I can get him?)

Bruce

PS Get the guy with the other BMW to call me at 613-232-0775 so we can compare notes on our identical problems. Bigtime oil on my subframe connector

[ADAM]

what happened to the motor? a m3 last year also blew up..

kudos to steve :)

[Bubblecar]

Originally posted by Bruce Murphy
(Anyone know any cool thankyou gifts I can get him?)

Let's see . . . anything that can produce even MORE horsepower for him would probably make him thrilled.

Nick

[ADAM]

you might want too look at this web site..looks like the M3 motors might be defective...

http://members.roadfly.org/jason/m3engines.htm

[Taylor]

Adam: Bruce's M3 is an E36. It's the E46 that's a little suspicious.

Anyhow, my father blew the motor in his E36 M3 a few weeks ago at Mosport. I believe the replacement is in now and he's in the province picking it up. He got the work done at Bavarian (Raven). He managed to find a longblock for 4200 USD with about 40,000miles on it. They also found one with only 27,000 miles on it for 5200USD.

Still not sure what caused it, but the result was a wrist pin sticking out through the block. We have video of the incident in action, but not sure he wants to post it (as he wasn't driving the car and all).

[Bruce Murphy]

Originally posted by Bubblecar

Let's see . . . anything that can produce even MORE horsepower for him would probably make him thrilled.

Nick


How about a diet?:D

[Bruce Murphy]

Taylor,

I'll keep you posted on the results of my damage. Might want to compare notes.

Bruce

[ctheo]

I'd wait until Steve sends you the bill before you go buy him a gift ;)

TeeHee.

Stories like that make you think there still some hope left for the human race.

[Chris P]

So bruce, what actually blew up when you hit the 401? Did the hoose just fall off again?

[Bruce Murphy]

Yeah. Everthing was totally fine until the thermostat kicked in. Temp crawled into the red and POW. Steve and I stuck it back on but got about 2K before the temp started up again. I found a lot of oil on the A-arms when it went on the trailer, so I'm not optimistic. Engine sounded fine though; no clicking, rod bearing noise, nothing.

[ctenche]

Yup, there isn't a nicer bunch of people than those involved in Solo 1.

Kudos to you Steve.

Bruce, guess you gotta bring out that 911 now :) Can I get a ride?

[Shaman]

I'm just glad I could help out. Being stranded by the side of the road in the rain with dark approaching is the precise antithesis of "fun".

And, uh, I'd rather re-learn to drive my car with the power it has than add more to my problems, Nick. :D

[Chris P]

That really sucks. Not sure why the temp would be rising and the oil thing. Maybe you didn't get enough coolent in or it was still leaking once pressure had built up. Anyway, better keep Bev away from those BMW mechanics if you want the job done right. :)

[Bruce Murphy]

Good NEWS! Blown rad (which we knew), and replace the thermostat. Still wondering about the oil.... maybe it was coolant with wet road dirt in it?

[ctenche]

This may be silly but did you check the dip stick to confirm what your actual oil level is?

[Bruce Murphy]

Last I checked, oil level was fine.