solve my e30 mystery / receive $10 !!!

[john111]

The first person that can help me solve my e30 mystery, i will send $10 to. here it is.................

I did my first timing belt replacement over a period of months since my e30 was out of town and I could only work on it sporatically. Anyway, it worked out fine with no problem with the one exception. I unbolted something just below the harmonic balancer and don't recall what it was, and can't find anything left over. There is no electrical connection loose and nothing I can find in the manual indicates what it is. i had the bolt half way threaded back in. it is located just to the left of balancer toward the a/c compressor, just above the oil pan. the engince cranks and run o.k. but i don't have rpm gauge working or speedometer. not sure if it may be related or not. i'll try and attach two photos of the area i am talking about. my car is a 1986 e30, 325, 5 speed, not sure if it is a i or an e engine. thanks in advance of any help that someone might relay. let me know if I need to provide more info. thanks, john

[coolbear1]

I looked at my 88 325i E30 and it just has a bolt like photo 2. Nothing else.
As for your speedo and tach, if you had your battery disconnected for a period of time and did not run the car, the batteries in the service indicator board may be dead. If you drive the car the instuments may come to life, but sometimes the batteries will not re-charge and you need to get new ones and solder them into the board. The tach, mpg, and sometimes speedo gauges will not work without the SI board and batteries.

[JohnW8]

The missing bolt is the lower water pump bolt. I'm surprised it's not leaking coolant.

[coolbear1]

The photo is a little confusing at first, it is from under the car, looking up.
I think that may be the hamonic balancer, behind it should be the crankshaft and main engine seal.
If so, the bolt is actually part of the crank bearing and seal assembly.
I think the water pump is belt driven by this pully, and is directly above it, attached to the fan blade.

[Jeron]

#4 here
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1413&mospid=47322&btnr=11_0135&hg=11&fg=10

[Yurick]

This is one of the bolts for the crankshaft seal cover.

[coolbear1]

I think the best answer to your question is, put the bolt in, and torque it to specs. But It has nothing to do with your gauges.

[Wayne 962]

Here are some more shots that might help you out:

http://www.101projects.com/BMW/Projects/020/pics.htm

Looks like the bolt that holds on the cover...

-Wayne