02Feb2012
Bead Blaster Fun :)
We have been watching for awhile now trying to find a good bead blaster. The little cheap harbor freight units are ok if you are doing a few small parts on occasion, but the dust collection systems and general operation of the units leave a lot to be desired. So we finally found a nice quality unit for a good price and picked it up. Pretty much a new unit for a smoking deal! And it’s big. A bead blaster …
02Feb2012
3.2L Carrera PPI
This is why you do PPI’s. Buying a car from out of state can be a gamble. This 911 came in for a PPI, but something just wasn’t right. The car felt like it was running a few cylinders short. We tested every sensor in the car thinking it had to be and air, fuel, or spark issue, but everything checked out. Then out came the leakdown and compression gauges. The results weren’t good 🙁 But…it saved an unsuspecting buyer …
23Jan2012
530i 60k Service
Had this 530i come in for it’s 60k service today. Being an 04, it was time to get the fluids flushed and the filters changed. Step 1: Drain the oil. Step 2: Make big oil mess. Step 3: Drain the coolant and get fresh coolant in. Lifetime coolant? LOL But, we do replace with the proper BMW blue coolant. Then it was time for filters. The air filter here. And two pollen/cabin filters here. Notice the new and the old. …
18Jan2012
Big Props to Dutch Boy Garage Door Co.
We ran into a little snag late Monday night when trying to close up for the night. As we were closing the big bay door, the right side cable snapped and jammed the door opener. After some antics, we were able to climb up and cut the left side cable which allowed us to get the door closed. Unfortunately, with a 600+lb door, the door opener needs the sprung cable tension to over come the weight and open. Some of …
30Oct2011
Odds and Ends
We had to fix an exhaust leak on an SC the other day that was caused by a couple of loose header nuts. Pretty easy fix to drop down the exhaust and re-anneal the copper gaskets on that side. Friday was turbo day in the shop 🙂 Three 996TT’s, a 3.6L 965, and a 951. We have also become a full service Mini Cooper repair facility. Boy, they seem even smaller in person. It takes “mini” tools to work on …
31Aug2011
Dragon Part II:
Figured I’d make the rolling chassis a little lighter: Out she comes 🙂 I’ll put this thing on a stand at the shop and go through the bottom end. My guess is the head is warped, so a trip to the machine shop will confirm that. If so, then I know the bottom end is good. Once I get my other charlie arm back, I can button up the suspension and load it back on the trailer for it’s journey …
31Aug2011
951 Coolant Leak
Got a call Sunday night on the way back from Hastings about a stranded 951. Car lost all it’s coolant and started to overheat. Monday morning the tow truck showed up to the house with it and I checked it out. Pretty typical failure, the plastic coolant port on the radiator had broken and coolant had sprayed out of the radiator under pressure. You can just make out the piece that is broken on the end of the small hose. …