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

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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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.
Think of all the experience you are gaining.
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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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...
If something is stuck, use WD40. If something is loose, use duct tape.
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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Should have bought Japanese, Stinkynuts. German efficiency isn't what it used to be.
Or Korean.
I bought a 2009 Genesis. It was the first year that it was available. I've still got it and it's at 312,000 km. and still going strong.
 
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shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
51,147
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Do you think you're more intelligent than me?
No. I've read a lot of your posts.

So, I KNOW so.

And you routinely get mocked for your posts, so I'm not the only one.

As further proof, proper grammar says you should have put than I.
 

Resetset

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2022
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I apologize in advance to the OP
No. I've read a lot of your posts.

So, I KNOW so.

And you routinely get mocked for your posts, so I'm not the only one.

As further proof, proper grammar says you should have put than I.
What could you ever contribute to the topic of this thread?
 

lightsout88

New member
Jan 24, 2012
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This is seriously a classic example of a generalist (OP who isn't a mechanic, and seems to lack the mechanical aptitude to perform this repair) trying to do a specialist job (go to a real mechanic ffs).

Or as mentioned a few times, get a bus pass, I hear that new LRT line should be finished sometime before the start of the apocalypse I think 🤔?
 

escortsxxx

Well-known member
Jul 15, 2004
3,381
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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.
Go to napa next ti.e
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
51,147
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Toronto
I apologize in advance to the OP

What could you ever contribute to the topic of this thread?
At least as much as you contribute to most threads that you post in.
 

curvluvr

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2017
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Cracked windhshield twice while trying to replace blades
Shattered entire rear window of my Mazda 6 while trying to replace struts on the hatchback
damaged engine when overfilled with oil
damaged wiring while trying to install aftermarket shifter, causing it to lose ability to manually shift gears
almost destroyed engine and made huge mess in engine and driveway when I tried to change oil but didn't tighten the oil filter cap enough
damaged car when trying to jack up it up on plastic part of car
broke the mechanism used to secure the headlight bulb while trying to change the headlight bulb. The bulb is now secured with duct tape.
melted ignition coil housing while trying to heat up the rubber boot with heat gun

So, it's actually 9 times. But that's not including the five or six times I scraped my car and the numerous times I've run over curbs and damaged the bumper and bottom of the car. I've also lost several tires by slamming into curbs.
Very sorry to hear this.
No offense, but just from the first three items that you've listed, you really shouldn't be working on your car.
YOu should have stopped working on your car long ago.

I totally understand the pride of working on your own car and successfully fixing it, no matter how small the job.
But after several costly mistakes, you should have learned that DIY jobs of this complexity if beyond your ability and skill level.

The key is knowing what type of job is beyond your level, and letting an expert handle it.

Give it up and find a mechanic that you can trust. For you, this will save you thousands, not to mention the time that you'll save by letting someone else do it for you.
 

massman

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2001
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Phil C. McNasty

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stinkynuts

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Jan 4, 2005
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UPDATE:

After hours of work, and getting my hands greased up and washed several times, I finally got the coil boots out of the sockets. I replaced both ignition coils, and the check engine light is off, and the car runs great.

To access the coils, I had to remove the air filter, engiine cover, and unclip several other parts. Then I used WD 40 to loosen the rubber. I drove around to warm it up too.

Then, using a flashlight to look into the ignition coil chamber, I used a long pick tool to go around the boot and loosen it up. Finally after much tugging and more maneuvering with the tool, I was able to remove the boots. I can't tell you how satifsying it was to remove them.

Although the outuside housing of one of the ignition coils was warped and damaged, it seems to still allow the coil to fit properly, and so far so good.

It was a huge pain in the ass, lots of yourube videos, lots of trips to Canadian tire for tools, and in the end I did save a tiny bit of money. But next time I need to replace the ignition coil, I will know what to do.

The tool that made the difference to get the boot out was the long pick like tool (kind of what oral hygenists use to scrape your teeth). The curved end is good at grasping the boot and pulling it. Also, a flashlight was important to see exactly what I was doing.
 

krealtarron

Hardened Member
Nov 12, 2021
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UPDATE:

After hours of work, and getting my hands greased up and washed several times, I finally got the coil boots out of the sockets. I replaced both ignition coils, and the check engine light is off, and the car runs great.

To access the coils, I had to remove the air filter, engiine cover, and unclip several other parts. Then I used WD 40 to loosen the rubber. I drove around to warm it up too.

Then, using a flashlight to look into the ignition coil chamber, I used a long pick tool to go around the boot and loosen it up. Finally after much tugging and more maneuvering with the tool, I was able to remove the boots. I can't tell you how satifsying it was to remove them.

Although the outuside housing of one of the ignition coils was warped and damaged, it seems to still allow the coil to fit properly, and so far so good.

It was a huge pain in the ass, lots of yourube videos, lots of trips to Canadian tire for tools, and in the end I did save a tiny bit of money. But next time I need to replace the ignition coil, I will know what to do.

The tool that made the difference to get the boot out was the long pick like tool (kind of what oral hygenists use to scrape your teeth). The curved end is good at grasping the boot and pulling it. Also, a flashlight was important to see exactly what I was doing.
Bravo! I am surprised you didnt end up with the engine on the floor lol
 
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