Today I fucked up: seriously damaged my BMW while trying to fix it

[stinkynuts]

My check engine light went on, and when I scanned it, it said cylinder 4 misfired.

I wanted to see if it was the ignition coil and went to swap 3 and 4 to see if the error would now show 3 was bad.

Instead, the rubber boot was stuck in the compartment. I tried to use WD40 and needle nose pliers, but it didn't work. I then thought it would be a good idea to use a heat gun to heat up the rubber. I left the heat gun on the engine bay to warm up the rubber. After only 30 seconds, I noticed, to my shock, that the heat gun had melted the plastic. What I fogot about the heat gun was that the heat it emits is relatively low, but the metal part gets extremely hot.

I am so upset, as I'm not sure how much it will now cost to repair the damage.

This is like the tenth time I've fucked up trying to fix my car, and every time it's cost me hundreds or thousands in damage to try to fix a relatively simple problem.

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[stinkynuts]

Since cylinder 3 is gone, I'm hoping that I can at least replace cylinder 4's igntion coil. Problem is that the boot is also stuck in that cylnder. I can't seem to remove it with the pliers, it just tears bits of pieces. If I can somehow replace 4 successfully, I think the car would at least be drivable. Right now, with two cylinders misfiring it's basically undrivable.

I know this is going to sound incredibly stupid, but as a last resort, I was thinking of just pouring some alcohol in and setting it on fire to burn the rubber off. Probably not a good idea, but I have basically tried everything else, and nothing is working.

I've looked on reddit and Youtube, and they all recommend twisting and using WD40, but it hasn't worked for me.

 

[bazokajoe]

Are you the same guy who posted a previous car repair fuck up?

 

[stinkynuts]

(sigh) Yes.

I tried to change my own oil and it didn't go too well, to say the least.

 

[bazokajoe]

Just think of how much money you would have saved by just taking it to a mechanic.

 

[stinkynuts]

Just think of how much money you would have saved by just taking it to a mechanic.

That's the thing.

The last time I did, and they charged me $300. I know that I can get the ignition coild for $90, and online for $30 if I buy multiple. The act of installing the coil was supposed to be very, very simple. Just unlatching the old one and inserting the new one. That's why I thought I'd save the hassle and cost by doing it myself.

Only to have a 30 cent piece of plastic that got stuck ruin everything.

Even the simplest thing: changing windshield wipers, I fucked up twice. Each time I accidentally let go of the arm without the blade and it cracked the windshield. The first time I paid $1,000 for it. The second time, I didn't bother fixing it.

 

[bazokajoe]

That's the thing.

The last time I did, and they charged me $300. I know that I can get the ignition coild for $90, and online for $30 if I buy multiple. The act of installing the coil was supposed to be very, very simple. Just unlatching the old one and inserting the new one. That's why I thought I'd save the hassle and cost by doing it myself.

Only to have a 30 cent piece of plastic that got stuck ruin everything.

Even the simplest thing: changing windshield wipers, I fucked up twice. Each time I accidentally let go of the arm without the blade and it cracked the windshield. The first time I paid $1,000 for it. The second time, I didn't bother fixing it.

As much as I think electric vehicles are a waste of money, maybe you should look at buying 1 since they require less maintenance. Or so they say.

 

[stinkynuts]

As much as I think electric vehicles are a waste of money, maybe you should look at buying 1 since they require less maintenance. Or so they say.

Definitely considered it.

Problem is that I've poured so much money into this BMW (just replaced rear differential for $1400), that I keep fixing it. Sunk cost fallacy, I guess.

I'm also considering going without a car:

groceries: by bike (within 5 minutes and can use pannier bags for groceries)
local trips: bus or taxi
extended trips: car rental

Probably would be a lot cheaper.

 

[stinkynuts]

What shocked me was the plastic melting. Thought the engine bay was meant to withstand lots of heat. The heat gun couldn't have been extremely hot. The BMW engine is filled with all plastic parts. Unreal.

 

[downbound123]

Sounds to me that it is the perfect example of insanity. You keep trying the same thing (fixing your car yourself to save money) and every time you expect a different result
(actually being successful). I do hope you have had some successful tries. However having said that I completely empathize with you as I have been down that road many times. Not just with cars but also household appliances and plumbing. I must admit that Utube has come to my rescue more times than I can count.

 

[Spunky1]

I know this is going to sound incredibly stupid, but as a last resort, I was thinking of just pouring some alcohol in and setting it on fire to burn the rubber off.

Go for it , When the whole car catches fire you can collect the insurance money. Just make sure it's not parked in your garage!

 

[xmontrealer]

The most I can do is change my furnace filter, lubricate a squeaky door hinge, unclog a slow drain with a plastic 2' snake, change a lightbulb, and install a dimmer light switch.

Anything more complicated than that I leave to the pros...

 

[krealtarron]

So why do you keep doing the same thing and fucking up? Why cant you just take it to a shop? lol

 

[stinkynuts]

The most I can do is change my furnace filter, lubricate a squeaky door hinge, unclog a slow drain with a plastic 2' snake, change a lightbulb, and install a dimmer light switch.

Anything more complicated than that I leave to the pros...

There is a balance. To me, acquiring new skills is not only fun, but empowering. I enjoy learning and widening my circle or expertise. However, it comes at a cost somtimes. There is so much that can go wrong, and sometimes the cost is more than money. For example, the engine hood came down on my head because it was windy, Had my head been directly under the sharp latch, I would have been severly injured.

I draw a line at electrical work, or anything that may cause death.

 

[krealtarron]

Definitely considered it.

Problem is that I've poured so much money into this BMW (just replaced rear differential for $1400), that I keep fixing it. Sunk cost fallacy, I guess.

I'm also considering going without a car:

groceries: by bike (within 5 minutes and can use pannier bags for groceries)
local trips: bus or taxi
extended trips: car rental

Probably would be a lot cheaper.

Man this is why I dont have a car. I just walk everywhere and it saves me maintenance, gas and insurance money! When I want to go somewhere I just either rent a car or use Uber.

 

[stinkynuts]

So why do you keep doing the same thing and fucking up? Why cant you just take it to a shop? lol

YouTube makes things easier than they seem to be. Something very straightforward, I've learned can be derailed by the simplest thing that they never mentioned. Just like the stuck rubber boots on the ignition coils.

Also, it makes me angry to pay $200 to install something that I think I can do in ten minutes.

 

[krealtarron]

YouTube makes things easier than they seem to be. Something very straightforward, I've learned can be derailed by the simplest thing that they never mentioned. Just like the stuck rubber boots on the ignition coils.

Also, it makes me angry to pay $200 to install something that I think I can do in ten minutes.

Sure but how much would you be spending now? More than 200 I suppose. Plus if you factor in the cost of all the equipment you used and the time you spent, it would be way more than 200, so may be better to take it to a mechanic and watch them do it before you try it next time. lol

 

[stinkynuts]

Man this is why I dont have a car. I just walk everywhere and it saves me maintenance, gas and insurance money! When I want to go somewhere I just either rent a car or use Uber.

I'm considering going this route. Probably saves a lot of money and better for your health.

Also, with grocery delivery such as Instacart, there really isn't much of a need for a car.

However, I myself deliver for Instacart, and found that I can make $1,000 a month by doing deliveries. Basically, I just work whenever I'm bored. Sometimes I need to go to the grocery store anyway, and so buying customers' groceries on the same trip and delivering them for $15-20 is a great way to make money.

Also, the lack of freedom from not having a car is something I may not get used to.

 

[Leimonis]

Many years ago I had a german car that was out of warranty. It blew a tranny. (That was before blowing a tranny meant what it means today). Cost me $5000. Since then I only lease and never looked back. As Jewish people say: “ if a problem can be resolved with money it’s not a problem. It’s just expenses.”

 

[TRX]

try to cut one side of rubber with a blade to loosen up so that you can pull it out. if you need a a used but still functional ignition coil I have extra at home just message me from my 2006 BMW