Repair avoidance this winter ahead for E53 owners

[AW8]

With icy mornings ahead of us those who park outside may do well to use caution. On icy mornings be very careful opening doors as if a damp carrier mech gets frozen overnight you will likely break it by forcing it to open.

I wouldn't advise trying to open electric windows if iced up either as it might just put final nail in coffin of a tired window regulator.

3.0i petrol owners in serious sub zero parked outside overnight might want to  consider the cold climate modified breather.....don't ask me for more info as I can't recall it - sorry - maybe worth a search on here or elsewhere for more info.

Worthwhile to give battery a good charge before winter digs in too.

[X5Sport]

There is a rubber safe lubricant that you can wipe over the door seals to keep them supple.  I use a lubricant that is used normally for the rubber seals on my underwater camera housings to make sure they keep water out.

I think Autoglym do something similar these days too.

Don't put it on wipers though!

+1 on the battery....did the E46 yesterday.  Now much happier starting 

Richard

[AW8]

Do you mean gummi pledge (I always spell it wrong) for the rubbers ? Have some of that here as well - got if for Z3 door rubbers, (just bought some gtechniq i1 or whatever it is for the roof on that so as to reduce moisture etc).

[Horizon]

I believe the 3.0 d used to trap water in the intake, that froze overnight, then a block of ice was invested in the morning on start up. Or did I dream that

[AW8]

Hydrolocking can occur on various cars. My knowledge re such issues on 3.0d not that good albeit I know there is a modified and improved  breather - can't recall if it's a cold climate recommendation though and can't recall any associated reports of failures from 3.0d owners on here.

Any 3.0d owners pre or post facelift lump equipped please feel free to clarify you have accurate info re same.

[shadrack]

i found with mine in winter that i never had the handle snap it always opened, then felt like it had snapped then wouldnt shut again. i often found myself having to set off with the belt looped throught the inter door handle to hold the door shut so i could set off, then 10 miles into the comute with some heat in the car the latch un froze and it would close!

[AW8]

Hmm...note to self - keep spare ratchet strap in winter so I don't have to drive holding door shut with seatbelt ( not that I have ever had to do such a thing )

[shadrack]

[quote="AW8"]
Hmm...note to self - keep spare ratchet strap in winter so I don't have to drive holding door shut with seatbelt ( not that I have ever had to do such a thing )
[/quote]

it happened at least once a week in the cold of winter..... i was just not in the persition to sit with it running for 10 min first as at that time i was leaving at 3.45am and with get up time vs start time been tight and the close proximity of neighbours who would not appreciate car noise at that hour i had no choice but to just leave!

[X5Sport]

[quote="Horizon"]
I believe the 3.0 d used to trap water in the intake, that froze overnight, then a block of ice was invested in the morning on start up. Or did I dream that
[/quote]

Never had that during my 7 years of ownership.

Richard

[sunnydude959]

I had a bad experience with the door handle mechanism breaking on my E53 in the winter when I had it. Wish I read this first.

[AW8]

Pouring warm water around lock may help. I actually have a heated lock warmer - not had to use it yet though.

Battery to car charged yesterday  - ironic as it was around 65 degrees here today and not a cloud in sight.

[X5Sport]

Another option is to try and find some dry, powdered graphite lubricant that comes in a little 'puffer' bottle.  That will help keep things free and has no liquids to gum the mechanism up.

There are 'wet' versions too designed for locks & handles.  Ambersil do one if memory serves.

Richard

[X5LAW]

Funny how yesterday it was 16degrees and I regretted fitting my Pirelli scorpion ice n snow tyres. Then this morning it was only 4.5 degrees and I felt clever again!

Is silicon lubricant worth spraying in door handles?

It's Leeds, not the Arctic.

[Chrisw4266]

Replaced my driver's door handle carrier a couple of months ago so hope fully it will be ok.
Think I've got some rubber care stuff for the door seals so might get that on this weekend.
Really hope my new front tyres turn up soon as the shitty bridgestone turanzas are well worn at 4mm they feel awful in the wet.

[Chrisw4266]

The ice in the breather is a 3.0i issue not the diesel just done mine with the insulated return line for cold climates the replacement ccv has cured my oil consumption problems.
Sorry to use the controversial "oil consumption" term slap me if this thread gets locked.