| Steinbauer Project! The BMW 635 CSi |
Here is how it started!
About a year ago Rick, my second oldest son just had to have a BMW. After buying the a BMW 528 I (and
that one did not even run) from his friend we decided to sell that one again. We found someone in Ft
Collins who bought the car (which we named "Ursula" for the time it occupied the garage.) for pretty much
the same price what we paid but we had to haul it up there.
Next came a trip to Utah (was a good "guys day out") which yielded no results in getting a decent BMW for
little money.
Then we found a BMW 635 CSi in Denver where we thought we had a good deal but naive as we were,
knowing what I know today we were actually taken for a ride.
About a year ago Rick, my second oldest son just had to have a BMW. After buying the a BMW 528 I (and
that one did not even run) from his friend we decided to sell that one again. We found someone in Ft
Collins who bought the car (which we named "Ursula" for the time it occupied the garage.) for pretty much
the same price what we paid but we had to haul it up there.
Next came a trip to Utah (was a good "guys day out") which yielded no results in getting a decent BMW for
little money.
Then we found a BMW 635 CSi in Denver where we thought we had a good deal but naive as we were,
knowing what I know today we were actually taken for a ride.
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The 635 CSi ran but I told Rick that it had a lot of work that needed to be done. The previous owner
invested a lot of money in an elaborate stereo system and an alarm. If the previous owner would
have only invested 50% in the outer appearance the car would still look like it just came out of a show
room. To make a long story short, the stereo was stolen and the alarm did not help in this case.
Rick, going to the Lincoln College of Technology in Denver thought that was exactly what he needed.
Speaking of need, the 635 was in desperate need to tires so we wound up buying tires for $400.
Rick was happy with the 635 and the 635 brought him safely from Denver to Colorado Springs on a
regular basis.
We did start getting calls from him from somewhere on I-25 telling us that the 635 threw a belt and we
had to come to the rescue.
Didn't take Rick very long and he became a master in putting the power steering belt back up but still,
he grew tired and just left the belt off.
What a frustrating way to drive! Rick working for a car dealership in Denver while he is going to
School found a Jeep Pickup Truck that he could get for a good price,
Since he was so frustrated about "Elise" (that is what we named the 635 he wanted to sell Elise for
$400!!!!
Since I do not believe in waste, I gave him the $400 and the 635 became mine.
One of the first things I did was fix the power steering belt situation.
On the BMW 635 CSi, the power steering pump likes to loosen the bolts and the entire pump starts to
wobble around and hence losing the belt. Took me a while to figure that one out but we got it under
control. The only time the belt (which was a belt that popped off before) does not stay on is when you
drive on Austin Bluffs twice the speed limit over Woodmen (not that anyone ever did that, certainly not
me).
The old damaged belt stayed on for 900 miles before I lost it again coming up on Austin Bluffs
Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO.
Another problem Elise had was an electrical problem where the lights, the speedometer, turn signals,
etc would go out randomly and when you hit the dash board it would work again. We also lost power
to the windows. The need (a serious one) to fix this became more and more a priority.
invested a lot of money in an elaborate stereo system and an alarm. If the previous owner would
have only invested 50% in the outer appearance the car would still look like it just came out of a show
room. To make a long story short, the stereo was stolen and the alarm did not help in this case.
Rick, going to the Lincoln College of Technology in Denver thought that was exactly what he needed.
Speaking of need, the 635 was in desperate need to tires so we wound up buying tires for $400.
Rick was happy with the 635 and the 635 brought him safely from Denver to Colorado Springs on a
regular basis.
We did start getting calls from him from somewhere on I-25 telling us that the 635 threw a belt and we
had to come to the rescue.
Didn't take Rick very long and he became a master in putting the power steering belt back up but still,
he grew tired and just left the belt off.
What a frustrating way to drive! Rick working for a car dealership in Denver while he is going to
School found a Jeep Pickup Truck that he could get for a good price,
Since he was so frustrated about "Elise" (that is what we named the 635 he wanted to sell Elise for
$400!!!!
Since I do not believe in waste, I gave him the $400 and the 635 became mine.
One of the first things I did was fix the power steering belt situation.
On the BMW 635 CSi, the power steering pump likes to loosen the bolts and the entire pump starts to
wobble around and hence losing the belt. Took me a while to figure that one out but we got it under
control. The only time the belt (which was a belt that popped off before) does not stay on is when you
drive on Austin Bluffs twice the speed limit over Woodmen (not that anyone ever did that, certainly not
me).
The old damaged belt stayed on for 900 miles before I lost it again coming up on Austin Bluffs
Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO.
Another problem Elise had was an electrical problem where the lights, the speedometer, turn signals,
etc would go out randomly and when you hit the dash board it would work again. We also lost power
to the windows. The need (a serious one) to fix this became more and more a priority.
To the left, you see a 2 1/2 Gallon bucket containing most of the
unnecessary wires I found under the dash board just on the driver side.
After ridding Elise of this, the problem was almost fixed. I found out that
Elise did not have any negative connections and I tightened that one up.
Now we had power again and the functions, required to legally drive were
restored.
unnecessary wires I found under the dash board just on the driver side.
After ridding Elise of this, the problem was almost fixed. I found out that
Elise did not have any negative connections and I tightened that one up.
Now we had power again and the functions, required to legally drive were
restored.
Other beautifications I undertook (not quite successful) was fixing the cracks in the dash board with
Black liquid vinyl. I am sure that if I practiced long enough it would actually work out better. Best
actually is to just get one of those caps on ebay for about $90.
The back seats were in desperate need for some attention and I got out some leather dye and they
started to look nicer. (Sorry, no before and after pictures)
Black liquid vinyl. I am sure that if I practiced long enough it would actually work out better. Best
actually is to just get one of those caps on ebay for about $90.
The back seats were in desperate need for some attention and I got out some leather dye and they
started to look nicer. (Sorry, no before and after pictures)
Since most the mechanical illnesses of Elise were fixed with the exception of the suspension the
beauty requirement came up. It looked like Elise was robbed of al the inner beautifications andf the
need for parts came up. This is a very time consuming and expensive undertaking and I just did not
see me spending a boat load of money on parts.
Having said that, the need for a parts car (or as we call it in our family a "victim") came to mind and so
I started looking for that. Seems to be the norm that one of those on ebay starts at $2,500.00 and
most of those are not in drivable condition.
Imagine my delight when I found a BMW 635 CSi on Craigslist (Denver) for $700.00!!! I contacted the
seller and it turned out to be an active service member who had in mind to restore that one but
needed the space since he lived on base where you can only have 2 cars. He was a motivated seller
and I was a motivated buyer. When he saw that we had Christianity in common as well as the fact that
we both serve our country he gave me a good price break. Thanks Jimmy! Not only for giving me the
break but also for serving our country as well!
beauty requirement came up. It looked like Elise was robbed of al the inner beautifications andf the
need for parts came up. This is a very time consuming and expensive undertaking and I just did not
see me spending a boat load of money on parts.
Having said that, the need for a parts car (or as we call it in our family a "victim") came to mind and so
I started looking for that. Seems to be the norm that one of those on ebay starts at $2,500.00 and
most of those are not in drivable condition.
Imagine my delight when I found a BMW 635 CSi on Craigslist (Denver) for $700.00!!! I contacted the
seller and it turned out to be an active service member who had in mind to restore that one but
needed the space since he lived on base where you can only have 2 cars. He was a motivated seller
and I was a motivated buyer. When he saw that we had Christianity in common as well as the fact that
we both serve our country he gave me a good price break. Thanks Jimmy! Not only for giving me the
break but also for serving our country as well!
Here are some pictures of the "victim" who by now turned into "Fritz" since the body of this car is way
to good in shape to just part it out. In case you have not noticed by now, I am the victim of the
passion for the BMW 635 CSi now along with Rick.
to good in shape to just part it out. In case you have not noticed by now, I am the victim of the
passion for the BMW 635 CSi now along with Rick.
When Rick and I took a test drive in Fritz we both noticed that Fritz did not handle well and we had the
50 mph shimmy and also the brake shimmy. The seller explained that the right control thrust
assembly needs to be replaced and that made sense to us. When we got Fritz home, what a ride
from Denver to Colorado Springs this was! Every now and then it felt like someone is grabbing the
car and tries to lift it off I-25. When we got home we noticed that it was actually the power steering
box that had a broken weld. Once a family Friend welded that one back in place it went a lot
smoother! We also discovered that one of the tie rod ends was busted. We fixed that one but it still
shimmies when I hit the brakes so I guess we will take on the upper control arms next.
Another problem that Fritz had was a serious leak from the power steering pump and the thought that
it is just the gasket was the hope.
Now, having lost Fritz as a parts car and all of a sudden we had two BMW 635 CSi, the need for
another parts car became imminent! The search on Craigslist began and I did not have any luck here
in Colorado Springs. Next best thing was to check Craigslist in Denver where I found this BMW 635
CSi. Once you looked at this one, you will also think that this one should not be a victim at all. In
either event, that car had two strikes against it. One was, it was an automatic and the second one
was the transmission was out. We went up to Golden, Colorado and had the car towed to the nearest
transmission place where they diagnosed the problem. The "best case scenario" to fix the problem
was just about the purchase price. Knowing my luck, the best case scenario would not happen. That
was the end of this car ever becoming "Hans". We towed "Donor" home and he sits in the Garage
now eager to supply the parts we need for Fritz and Elise.
As I mentioned before, Fritz had a severe leak near the power steering pump and the seller
suggested that Fritz needs a new gasket there. I actually went to the "Stealership" and paid $0.40 for
a gasket. The same day I came home I eagerly installed the gasket and still had a leak. The next
best conclusion was that the power steering pump is the one actually leaking. I removed the
alternator to gain better access, visually and practically to the power steering pump. I went over to
"Donor" and removed the alternator and the power steering pump from there and installed the pump
in Fritz. Not having an alternator is no problem as long as you just want to see if there is a leak. If I
actually have less hair on my head than I had before, you can actually blame the leak that was still
there. The last conclusion in the power steering affair was the power steering line which really is a
pain in the neck to remove since the entire line with the exception of a short end piece is a solid line.
Really felt like a basket weaver and if I would have had a rubicube that would have been done a lot
faster. Finally, the leak stopped but Fritz started to leak coolant now.
This Saturday (May 24, 2008) I did not tackle the problem but worked on the inside.
50 mph shimmy and also the brake shimmy. The seller explained that the right control thrust
assembly needs to be replaced and that made sense to us. When we got Fritz home, what a ride
from Denver to Colorado Springs this was! Every now and then it felt like someone is grabbing the
car and tries to lift it off I-25. When we got home we noticed that it was actually the power steering
box that had a broken weld. Once a family Friend welded that one back in place it went a lot
smoother! We also discovered that one of the tie rod ends was busted. We fixed that one but it still
shimmies when I hit the brakes so I guess we will take on the upper control arms next.
Another problem that Fritz had was a serious leak from the power steering pump and the thought that
it is just the gasket was the hope.
Now, having lost Fritz as a parts car and all of a sudden we had two BMW 635 CSi, the need for
another parts car became imminent! The search on Craigslist began and I did not have any luck here
in Colorado Springs. Next best thing was to check Craigslist in Denver where I found this BMW 635
CSi. Once you looked at this one, you will also think that this one should not be a victim at all. In
either event, that car had two strikes against it. One was, it was an automatic and the second one
was the transmission was out. We went up to Golden, Colorado and had the car towed to the nearest
transmission place where they diagnosed the problem. The "best case scenario" to fix the problem
was just about the purchase price. Knowing my luck, the best case scenario would not happen. That
was the end of this car ever becoming "Hans". We towed "Donor" home and he sits in the Garage
now eager to supply the parts we need for Fritz and Elise.
As I mentioned before, Fritz had a severe leak near the power steering pump and the seller
suggested that Fritz needs a new gasket there. I actually went to the "Stealership" and paid $0.40 for
a gasket. The same day I came home I eagerly installed the gasket and still had a leak. The next
best conclusion was that the power steering pump is the one actually leaking. I removed the
alternator to gain better access, visually and practically to the power steering pump. I went over to
"Donor" and removed the alternator and the power steering pump from there and installed the pump
in Fritz. Not having an alternator is no problem as long as you just want to see if there is a leak. If I
actually have less hair on my head than I had before, you can actually blame the leak that was still
there. The last conclusion in the power steering affair was the power steering line which really is a
pain in the neck to remove since the entire line with the exception of a short end piece is a solid line.
Really felt like a basket weaver and if I would have had a rubicube that would have been done a lot
faster. Finally, the leak stopped but Fritz started to leak coolant now.
This Saturday (May 24, 2008) I did not tackle the problem but worked on the inside.
