Car tips

Portola Valley Garage, Inc

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Car tech tips

Car tech tips & advice:

There is no such thing as a cheap oil change!

Click on the stripped oil pan drain hole for more info....

Click on stripped oil pan hole for more info

My "Check Engine" light is on. What does it mean?

Click here for more info

BMW thrust arm bushings

Does your BMW have a mystery shimmy?

The large chassis BMW's (E24,E28,E32,E34)5 & 7 series have had chronic problems with thrust arm (also called support arm or upper control arm) bushing wear. These bushings are located at the subframe mounting points of the upper arms and when worn will cause ride instability and pulsing through the pedal upon braking. Many BMW owner have replaced or cut brake rotors only to find that the pedal pulsing remained, attributable to these worn bushings. BMW has several different bushings available with different rubber compounds. The best bushings are the fluid filled ones used on the 750i and 850i cars. These can be used on all E34/E32 5 and 7 series cars without modifications.

Checking the oil in you air cooled Porsche 911

Click here on "How to Check the oil on a 911

Timing belt non-interference & interference engines
as you guessed...Interference = BAD!

No Valve/Piston Interference. Valve/Piston Interference.

Timing belt-equipped car engines can be classified as either free-running or interference, depending on what occurs if piston/valve synchronization is lost due to a failed timing belt. As illustrated above, an interference engine usually sustains damage if synchronization is lost. This could result in very expensive engine repairs.

NOTE: For your convenience, interference engines have been footnoted with a star (*), in the engine column, in the application tables that follow*

Other interference engine applications may exist which are not included in the following tables. Timing belt failure on interference engines can result in serious engine damage. See manufacturer's maintenance manual for specific information. Belts of similar dimensions and tooth profiles are not interchangeable due to varying construction features. Misapplication of belts voids manufacturer's warranty.

*Gates downloadable (PDF) timing belt guide...See if you vehicle is on the endangered list!

Own a BMW with a V/8 in it...READ ON!!

Models Affected

* E34 - 530, 540

* E39 - 530, 540

* E32 - 740

* E38 - 740

* E31 - 840

The following urgent bulletin affects all of BMW's V8 powered cars. If you own a BMW that has a V8 in it, please read on as the preventative maintenance detailed below could save you from having to replace your motor.

The bolts which secure the oil pump to BMW produced V8 motors have been loosening due to vibration. This problem has become more and more widespread recently as these cars are getting higher in mileage 60K and up!

What this means is that the rear cover plate of the oil pump starts to wiggle itself loose and separates from the block. This slight separation allows the oil to re-circulate back through the oil pump without ever actually traveling through the motor. With NO oil pressure ...Goodbye motor. A simple removal of the lower oil pan can save you thousands of dollars! So what I'm saying here is ...Check your records....Then make an appointment...Maybe we can save your motor!