M20 : Keeping it Healthy

[CabrioPunk]

Which items can be done - sans total tear down - to refresh my M20? At 150K. Runs well. Just want to keep my vert on the road for many, many weekends of top down cruising. No track, auto-x. Just stock or aftermarket where worth it.

Want to take advantage of the 20% off at BMA.....

Have timing belt and tensioner, valve cover gasket, cam shaft seals, water pump, upper/lower rad hose, misc new hoses came w/ car,


Which temp thermostat?

Aftermarket plugs and wires worth it?

Other seals?

Replace accessory belts too?

How much coolant do I need?


Weather is getting warmer; I'm getting antsy.

[StereoInstaller1]

Big thing to do IMO is clean the cam spray bar, or replace it with new. That is basically the only lubrication that the cam lobes get and can clog easily.

Flush the hell out of your coolant system and replace with BMW coolant, maybe replace the radiator, test your fan clutch carefully. Cooling is very important, y'know.

All fresh belts and hoses, all new filters, maybe a thorough clean of injectors (about $150 for service) as a lean motor runs MUCH hotter and a rich motor washes gas down the walls of the cylinder and thins the oil...a proper A/F ratio is WAY more important than just "it makes more power" y'know.

HTH,
Luke

[nando]

80c thermostat

stock wires are fine - bremi makes some OE replacements that are very nice

NGK BPR5ES plugs or stock Bosch Equivalent

I usually get 2 gallons of the BMW coolant along with a couple gallons of distilled water (costs about 99c each).

[CabrioPunk]

Thanks guys.

I am not so interested in HP. I just plan to cruise. Low and slow eventually. Just slow for now.

All through BMA, price looks nice.

Spark plugs - just Bosch Super 88313?

Spray bar? Part number or DIY cleaning? Better to replace or clean?

And do I need 1 or 2 gallons of coolant?

[ill4noreason]

Thanks guys.

I am not so interested in HP. I just plan to cruise. Low and slow eventually. Just slow for now.

All through BMA, price looks nice.

Spark plugs - just Bosch Super 88313?

Spray bar? Part number or DIY cleaning? Better to replace or clean?

And do I need 1 or 2 gallons of coolant?

I have an m20 set of bavauto wires notice no difference. I use ngk copper tip plugs seem to be as good as the bosch copper tip ones i bought first time. but I have not ran either set long enough to really see how they hold up. Coolant you need about 6.25 liters so see if they sell a small bottle also. Or go in halves with me on another big one lol.

even if it's not leaking maybe a good idea to change this all my early model cars have had this leak...

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/oil-leak/index.html

[CabrioPunk]

Good call.that kit came to in the trunk of the car when I purchased it. Now got to get it from the ttyl and into the engine.

[MTechnikII]

Also Don't forget transmission filter and fluid ( if auto) or gear oil, won't hurt to change the diff oil either, in the mean time lookaround for new feulpump to keep it in your car and main and feulpump relays to have as spare in the car,those can go anytime unannounced.
happy cruising
Henry
MtechII cabrio
325i cabrio