June 14, Bay Area CDV Clinic, E39 (MORE! 6/2/03)

I hope I am giving enough advance notice for this event. Please post if you can make it. Also, please post your Model of BMW. For right now, I only plan to work on E39s. If you have another make/model BMW, please email me privately and we can discuss things further.

There are two ways to approach this modification and it depends on your situation/comfort level:

(1) I can simply remove the CDV and then carefully, ever so gently, massage the line void of CDV directly into the tranny. This is by far the easiest, cheapest, quickest, and cleanest way to do things. For those not interested in the stealth mode or whose cars are out of warranty, I highly recommend this route. It'll save my armpit from filling up with brake fluid, too!

(2) I remove your original CDV and replace it with a CDV that has been 'gutted' courtesy of Dave Zeckhausen. Simply mail Dave 2 CDVs and he'll mail 1 back to you all freshly gutted. A reason you may wish to go with this stealth mode is to maintain stock appearances to avoid any disallowed warranty claims:

"BMW Mechanic: Your CDV is gone...that is why we won't fix your radiator under warranty.

BMW Owner: WTF does the CDV have to do with my radiator neck snapping????

BMW Mechanic: Nothing. But we are giving you a hard time about it anyway and will log it in our books."

Odds are good the above conversation would never happen but this is a reason those under warranty might like a gutted CDV to maintain stock, OE/OEM appearances.

I'd like to ask every participant in this affair to please leave their original CDV with me, if possible. The intent is to build up a supply of CDVs for future events. So, "C'mon, Guys...support your future fellow BMW owners!" Also, I need to learn how to properly gut these CDVs and I'll need a few to practice on.

Costs? I am glad you asked!

The valves are called "Lock Valves" by the BMW parts department.

525i: not sure but guessing it is 21-52-1-16x-xxx
528i : 21-52-1-165-271
530i : 21-52-1-165-343
540i : 21-52-1-163-775

Pacific BMW is usually the defacto choice for obtaining these parts but expect to pay anywhere from $12-20 depending on your dealer. Don't forget to ask for CCA discount!

Also note that all these valves are the same. The inner diameters are the same. Only how the valve looks on the outside is slightly different. Some have more "rings" than others. If you are in a rush and your parts department doesn't have a valve for a 530i, get the 540 or 528 one...no big deal. Dave, correct me if I am wrong here, PRONTO.

There will be some brake/clutch fluids costs but we can discuss that at the clinic. I am not too worried about this part. I will be using the ATP TYP 200 (gold) dot4 fluid (this is akin to the Super Blue Racing...same stuff only blue color).

The location will be at my house in South San Jose. I will provide an address to all those posting later on. 540s are significantly easier to do than the 6s. 6s have nice hot exhaust pipes in the way and will therefore require a minimum of 45 minutes of cool-down time.

I am sure this post will get edited/updated as time goes on so check back a few times to be sure and fire away with questions!


Thanks!

Chris

OK Ågent99, I'll be there. Mine is a 530i.

How are you going to lift the cars? I have a set of ramps that I can bring if they'll be useful. Let me know here or PM me.

Thanks for doing this!!!

ian

Count me in.... 528i, please let me know if I could help you with anything....

thanks

I think 6 weeks is enough lead time!
Count me and my 540i6 in.

As before I'm pleased to provide some Krispy Kremes, too!

CalvinH

I'm new around here...what is a CVD clinic?

Originally posted by KevinM
I'm new around here...what is a CVD clinic?

Please read the thread right below this one.

Chris

Chris, you wanna post this to the Event Forum? Or will that draw more attention than your neighbors can handle?

Event Forum

PS - See how the Zx drivers are doing the NorCal/SoCal meet @ Dinan in Morgan Hill? Who's up for a trip to Norway to visit ESS?

ESS!

Chris

I'll bring my '99 540i/6 and a Dave Z. modded CDV.

Greg S.

thanx for doing this agent99, i'll be there with my 99 540 6sp

Just give me exact date & location! I would like to meet other E39's!!!

Okay, I have gathered a list of the following people who are interested in CDV work and some who just want to lurk (you know, the KK doughnut bringers! )

I will send all of you PM with a link that will contain all the info you'll need, like my address and start time, etc.

Here is who I have:

roots, 530i
vital5er, 528i
calvinh, 540i
GregS, 99 540i
hu540i, 99 540i
mottati, lurking
roxnadz, 99 540i
wbg94583, lurking
montreal bleu, lurking
vietsb, lurking
jem, lurking
jy, 99 528i
ravns5, lurking

I count 7 people...not bad...if you all show up by 9 AM, I might have everyone done by noon or 1.

Make sure all you have your prepared CDVs should you want to go the stealth route otherwise I'll just remove the CDV and plug the line straight into the tranny.

Cheers!

Originally posted by vietsb
Chris, you wanna post this to the Event Forum? Or will that draw more attention than your neighbors can handle?

Event Forum

PS - See how the Zx drivers are doing the NorCal/SoCal meet @ Dinan in Morgan Hill? Who's up for a trip to Norway to visit ESS?

I want to go to Norway and kick some ESS ASS. My friend picked up my 530i from chinese custom just couple minutes ago. And the car will start and just die. The car is idling very rough!

Not sure if its because is has not been started for mroe than a month, or the stupid shaking that i had before i ship the car has returned!!

Now i need to find a dyno shop after i return to SuZhou next week to find out where are my 330 horses.

On the side note, if anyone has a Blaukpunt mobile DVD player in the car. One of the guy i recently met works for Shinco, and he can flash the flash devices on the board so it will be region code free. (which means, all region of DVD will now work). He is going to flash my car 1st, will update when i get back to Suzhou. I will try to see if i can e-mail the program over.

Originally posted by Ågent99
Okay, I have gathered a list of the following people who are interested in CDV work and some who just want to lurk (you know, the KK doughnut bringers! )

I will send all of you PM with a link that will contain all the info you'll need, like my address and start time, etc.

Here is who I have:

roots, 530i
vital5er, 528i
calvinh, 540i
GregS, 99 540i
hu540i, 99 540i
mottati, lurking
roxnadz, 99 540i
wbg94583, lurking
montreal bleu, lurking
vietsb, lurking
jem, lurking
jy, 99 528i
ravns5, lurking

I count 7 people...not bad...if you all show up by 9 AM, I might have everyone done by noon or 1.

Make sure all you have your prepared CDVs should you want to go the stealth route otherwise I'll just remove the CDV and plug the line straight into the tranny.

Cheers!

Okay, everyone except "JY" has been PM'ed with the link to all the info you'll need. "JY", you didn't make PM'ing available when you signed up with BF. Please make it available or PM me and I'll get you the special, supersecret link.

Originally posted by krispykreme
I want to go to Norway and kick some ESS ASS.

Go get'em KK!

i unfortunately won't be able to make it. Saturday's just don't work for me as i'm usually in my office.

FWIW, I got a new trans, under CPO warranty, without a CDV on my car... Maybe the previous owner removed it or something...

At any rate there was no mention of it, and there really wasn't any issue getting things lined up without the valve... of course ymmv....
Mike

Unless i'm blind, i haven't seen the address of where the meeting is @? Waiting to meet all of u and see those superchargers!!!!

Originally posted by RAVNS5
Unless i'm blind, i haven't seen the address of where the meeting is @? Waiting to meet all of u and see those superchargers!!!!

Have you checked your PM (Private Message) feature of Bimmerfest.com? Maybe this link will help you find it or click on "User Options" up top and it'll have a section that shows messages that might be waiting for you. If not, you should PM Agent99 for the directions and info.

PS - I'm not 100% sure I'll have my SC car there, but we can discuss it anyways.

Originally posted by RAVNS5
Unless i'm blind, i haven't seen the address of where the meeting is @? Waiting to meet all of u and see those superchargers!!!!

Follow Viet's advice...I sent you a second PM.