RH27

Engine covers back on. Refuelled. Went for an Italian tune up. Coolant temps sit between 89c - 92c when driving at a consistent high speed once everything is warmed up. Previously before replacing the parts it'd go up to 100c and sit in the high 90s. Everything seems to be ok and seems like I've done a good job and haven't destroyed my car 😂 Was very paranoid, first "proper" job I've done in the engine bay.

Yup, bought my first ever can earlier to sort out the oil filter housing and it's magic stuff. Anyhow, what a messy job that was. Completey forgot to put rags down beneath it. I had a fun time wiping everything up on the subframe. Sidenote, I didn't change the O ring in the cooler. The kit I bought pictured it but it must have either not come or I misplaced it. I hope it's not a problem in the future.

It's worth noting I had the rocker cover gasket plus rocker cover done about 4 or 5 months ago. ~2,000 miles of driving. Back left of the engine, the usual spot. I suspect the oil on the side of the engine block is related to that? Could it be that? From the video, the turbo is pretty much directly on top of where the oil stains are. Either way, I need to do engine covers back up tomorrow so I'll give everything a wipe down and then check back when I'm next under the car. @Andrew

Thanks @Percha, however already knew all that. I was asking if anyone knew how to get to one of the bolts blocked in the channel a small gap behind the alternator and air compressor. I figured it out earlier, I took off the 3 bolts holding down the air compressor and rock it forwards slightly to slide the alternator cable out to then access all the bolts for the oil filter housing. Annoyingly, the kit I bought didn't include the O ring for the cooler despite me specifically ordering one with it. The seller must have forgot to package it and I clearly didn't bother checking either until everything was off. I hope I don't regret not changing that small O ring.

That's Scotland for you 😉

Hi, I tried to get to my OFHG today and realised one of the cables for the alternator is blocking access. There are 5 bolts in total. The one with the red circle is the only that's blocked, there's no room for a socket to sit on the bolt. It's not the cable you see in the central part of the image, but it's the thicker plastic housed red cable for the alternator to the left. I followed the cable down to see if there's any other way and then gave up. Mines not leaking, it was a whilst I'm there doing loads of jobs I might as well get another preventative maintenance task completed. The only way I think is to remove the hydraulic pump (power steering). The alternator has already been removed in the pic. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks for the insight. Meyle ARB with bushings and both drop links are about £200 as a set. I'll put it on the back burner in that case, plenty of other things that can go towards at 13 years old I suppose.

Update on this today. Most of the work is done. Delayed massively as the egr bolts don't budge with a wrench. I may need to borrow a relatives impact wrench for future jobs. Watch this video, do I need a new anti roll bar? Also, is that some sort of worn gasket. Not sure of the area, it's the lower engine that houses the crankshaft. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ckPV1PE4gz5pjnHX8

(Edit: I forgot diesel cost lol oops. I'll use 1.50/litre as an average) You've prompted me to calculate mine. In 29 months and 16k miles I've averaged £1.12 per mile assuming the cars residual value is 0. Otherwise, it's 0.94p per mile assuming today's autotrader price for the car. This should lower over the next couple years. Most of not all of the stuff that will go wrong has done at this age and mileage. Conveniently did 190 miles for work today. It looks like I see minimum profits or none at all on claiming expenses for 45p per mile 😂 (750ved, 2700 insurance, 3019 repairs, 2700 fuel, MOT about 120 and 3800 in depreciation... Total say £13,000). Have I miscalculated? Or why is yours so much higher?

Holy... My next car is a golf GTi performance pack, I decided this last year 😂 For now and the next couple years at least, I'll stick with the 530d.

I've a spreadsheet to track everything. I'm £3,019 down in 2.5 years on repairs and preventative maintenance only including some garage labour. About a third of that was all suspension related. My lovely money pit, but I will see her through 😂 It would be astronomically more had I not DIY resealed both headlights mind you... The way I see it, I should be ok for plenty more miles (so he says) and I'd rather drive an older premium car than lose 5x fold on depreciation with a newer version that's marginally better. Plus I get to be hands on and learn a tonne of stuff about cars in general 😉

😂 Bedroom carpet. Single.

The goods have arrived safely. Just awaiting a gasket and some bolts.

Is this just to flush the radiator of sediments etc.? Or does this flush entire system? @Andrew

How do I flush out with a hose? I was planning to just remove the coolant hose to radiator and then unplug the small pipe to drain, refill, repeat until clear. Then a final fill of fresh coolant. @Andrew