Re: Damian's Manuals ! (archive)

The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.

In Reply to: Damian's Manuals ! posted by Kurt.G on November 17, 2000 at 21:41:37:

Thanks for the extra advertisement because I still have some of these books. That's pretty funny you started a whole thread on: "Damian's manuals!" like it's a hot topic or something. Have you guys been discussing this amongst yourselves and I didn't know it? (I usually just look to find used parts for this flooded car I have to get fixed and rarely do I get lucky and see something I need anywhwere. I've had this 850 for over two years and still haven't found a mechanic who will finish the job.) All I know is I have to keep buying more computers for this thing.

Anywho, as far as the internal engine stuff you were talking about not being there, sorry about that but I didn't remove anything from the manuals. I honestly don't know what is comprehensively supposed to be included in an ordinary manual, and true, I am not a DYI expert. In fact, I don't even know what DYI stands for! Haha... I just have these books. My thinking was that since they are so huge that there couldn't be anything that wasn't included in them but you obviously know about these things more than me and so I, without hesitation, defer to your knowldedge on this.

So, here is the best thing I can think of to do, and I did this once before, and that is to type out a list of what is covered in these books from the index.

Maintenance and general data
Engine
Engine Electrical equipment
Fuel System
Fuel tank and Lines
Radiator
Exhaust system
Clutch
Manual Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Gear shift mechanism
Propeller shaft
Front axle
Steering and wheel alignment
Rear axle
Steering and wheel alignment
Rear axle
Brakes
Pedals
Wheels and Tires
Integrated Suspension system
Body
Body equipment
Seats
Hood, sun roof
Electrical system
Instruments
Lights
Heating and air conditioning
Radio and special equipment
Equipment and accessories for engine and chassis
Equipment and accessories for body
Body Cavity Sealing and Undercoating
Paintwork

Index
Introduction
Symbols
Power distribution chart
Fuse chart
Power distribution
Fuse details
Ground distribution
Diagnostic link
Injection electronics (DME M1.7, 12 cylinder)
Charging system
Start
Electronic throttle motor (EML 1.2)
E-box fan
Electronic transmission control (EGS)
Electric steering column adjustment
Memory steering column adjustment (LSM)
Supplemental restraint system (air bag)
Power assist steering (servotronic)
Antilock brake system with automatic stability control (abs/asc)
Automatic stability control plus traction (asc+T)
Tire pressure control (RDC)
Elecronic damper control III (EDC III)
Power mirrors
ZKE door lock heating (TSH)
ZKE central locking (ZV)
ZKE power windows (FH)
Power sun shades
Power seats
Memory seats/mirrors (SM/SPM)
Heated seats
ZKE sunroof (SHD)
Central body electronics (ZKE II)
Horn
ZKE Wiper washer control
ZKE Windshield wiper pressure control (ADV)
ZKE headlight washer (SRA)
Windshield washer jet heaters
Electronic body module (EKM)
Instrument cluster

i>
Gentlemen,
Today I received Damian's Manuals via mail delivery. Upon opening the package I found two very nice and big 'three prong bindings'. One binding contains the Body repair manual and the other binding contains the Electrical trouble shooting manual. Both manuals consist of very good 'copied pages' of the original manuals. They have been printed on average to lightweight paper and are held by the three prong binding which allows you to remove any page one at a time at any point in the manual. These are copies as I said before, not the original manual itself, but a two sided copy with both sides used, which seems fine to me. They should last as long as someone takes good care of them. The bindings are big and strong and should help protect the copies inside.

The only fault that I can see is that there is nothing on doing any internal engine work other than removing the engine and/or removing the 'left' head only? I told Damian that I wanted complete engine repair description and he told me that he thought it was there, however, I don't believe that Damian is a DYI expert and therefore honestly gave me what he thought was a complete repair manual with complete engine repair instruction, however, there is no other internal engine description in these manuals.

However, the rest of the copied manual seems to be up to snuff coving what looks like most of everything. Perhaps someone with an original repair manual can tell us if in fact there may not have been any internal engine repair description in the original manual as well? Now I wonder where one might get this additional and necessary internal engine work description as well??

I paid Damian $75. each for the two manuals, the same as he is asking on the board here and I am satisfied except for the missing internal engine repair information. However, as I said, the original manual may not have had that information either. Perhaps someone can tell us.

Since I do need a manual, and especially since there are none available anywhere else, this seems like a good and fair solution as compared to the alternative. Perhaps Damian might want to investigate and find the missing internal engine repair instruction somewhere? and copy it and include it with the repair manual. Perhaps they can only be done by contacting some BMW mechanic who has those missing internal engine pages of instruction and who is willing to let Damian or someone copy the missing pages.

This concludes my fair and honest critique of the Damian BMW E-31 Manuals.
Regards to all, Kurt
PS. Damian, I will send you a private e-mail as well. K

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.