7 Series 1995 – 2001
(E38)
Cooling
System
Water pumps, thermostats and coolant tanks
are common failure points and the plastic sidetank on the radiators
becomes brittle with age and usually splits on the left side or
leaks where the hose to the reservoir attaches. Watch for white or green
coolant trails on the radiator. From ’96 on, these cars had
an electronically controlled thermostat. These are prone to failure
and set the “Service Engine Soon” warning. They can short out
internally and damage the wiring harness. If the engine is
overheated, the seal on the valley cover, under the intake manifold
leaks, requiring removal of the intake
manifold.
Computer
Readout
The display in the instrument cluster is
prone to drop pixels, making it difficult or impossible to
read. This requires
replacement of the instrument cluster, which must be coded to the
car.
Plastic Trim Around Seat
Cushions
The
plastic trim around the seat base is fragile and easily broken, but
is fairly inexpensive. If you ignore this for awhile, it may
cause the connector to disconnect from the seat switch or break the
switch assembly, adding significantly to the cost of
repair.
Front Thrust
Arm Bushings
The rubber bushings, which isolate unwanted
vibration during braking, age much like the rear shock mounts. They start to develop small
tears and cracks, then progress to completely broken out of their
mounting. The normal
symptom is vibration in the steering wheel under light
breaking. Ignoring this
will result in uneven tire wear. Larger than stock tires /
wheels amplify the symptoms.
V8 Power
Steering Hoses
The power steering hoses on the V8s will
leak. The low pressure
hose can be repaired, carefully cutting the crimped on clamps and
replacing the flexible hose section. The high pressure hose
requires replacement and is a fairly expensive part which is in very
tight quarters.
V8 Valve
Cover Oil Leaks
The V8 valve covers leak around the inner
and outer gaskets. The outer gasket leak leaves a visible on trail
of oil on the head. An
inner gasket leak isn’t visible until the covers are removed from
the engine, exposing a lake of oil in one or more spark plug
holes.
V8 Vacuum
Plate
There is a plate on the rear of the intake
manifold that provides crankcase ventilation. The internal diaphragm
fails, requiring replacement.
This involves removal of the intake manifold. The symptoms are rough idle,
a whistling noise, and a “Check Engine” light.
Cam and Crankshaft Position
Sensors
The position sensor for the camshaft or crankshaft will go
open, either intermittently or completely. If one fails completely, the
engine won’t run. If
intermittent, it will die, then restart, run for a while, and repeat
the cycle. It usually
sets the “Service Engine Soon” warning.
Brake Light Bulb
Sockets
The contact tabs on the sockets corrode or
bend. These can
frequently be cleaned up and the socket tabs adjusted to work
OK. They should be
adjusted & cleaned any time bulbs are
replaced.
Window
Regulators
We have seen quite a few failures of
these.
Cup
Holders
Fragile and easily broken with large cups.
Replacing the front one, in some years, require partial disassembly
of the center console and is moderately
expensive.
Rear Bushings & Ball
Joints
These components wear and allow side-to-side
play in the rear wheels.
Rear Upper Control
Arms
Usually noticed as a squeaking noise from
rear suspension. The
ball joint on the control arm is the failing component, but requires
replacement of the control arm.
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