new...

[Rkcstllns]

Hello guys, im new to e30's, and i just bought my first one. The guy i bought it from had not driven it in over 4 years, so my question is, what should i replace so that my engine will run good again? Also my car makes a really loud ticking noise that sounds to me like the injectors, but im pretty sure the car is over due for a valve adjustment. The car idles kind of rough and when i rev it, it takes a while for the rpm to come back to idle again.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jY0OO31izM

Sorry for my shitty thread, this my first post on any forum....

[Keith M]

Adjust the valves pronto. Change the timing belt,water pump and fluids while you are at it. Welcome to r3v.

[JrCamacho]

Not a bad start! Take that silly bra off.. its like having a muzzle over your dog.


Like Keith stated, you want to do some maintenance.

Replace all V-belts
Replace Timing belt & Tensioner
Replace waterpump & gasket
OBVIOUSLY new coolant
Replace engine Oil and Filter
Replace engine Air Filter
Replace Fuel Filter
Replace Spark Plugs
inspect condition of the bushings of all suspension components. - Replace anything thats cracked, worn, or blown.
Inspect & Test all fuses -> replace if necessary


Let us know if you fall into any problems! And first purchase for this vehicle should be a BENTLEY manual! Get one, and keep it close... most of the time mine is in my trunk.. But its at home right now.

[mr.vang]

thats mad JDM sound lol. welcome and don't forget to register at norcale30.com

[Rkcstllns]

Thanks a lot for all the help guys, where would be the best place to buy all this stuff from???

And the bra was the first thing i took off, i just wanted you guys to see what i started with :)

Definitely will register to the norcal forum, i've been a long time lurker there

[Rigmaster]

Adjust the valves pronto. Change the timing belt,water pump and fluids while you are at it. Welcome to r3v.

I agree with the above, EXCEPT I would put changing the timing belt as #1 priority unless you have verifiable records of when it was last changed.


If you don't think it's important, just look around at the "my timing belt broke" threads and see what I mean. If the belt breaks, you're in for a $$$$ repair (if you pay someone to do it) or a fairly big and expensive job even if you can do it yourself- but it can be prevented by changing the damn belt!!!!1

;)

[motozach69]

Have a shop put it in the air be sure to check the carrier bearing and driveshaft budging to tranny these are common problems check for u joint rust trails aswell other than that I'd say a smoke test done to ensure you have no vacuum leaks from the intake boot or gaskets themselves these are things I common get screwed on

[motozach69]

*bushing I hate auto correct

[Rkcstllns]

I can do my own work, I'm an entry level tech at Nissan. Bmw's are whole new thing to me though, so I feel lost. Are there any good timing belt kits you guys would recommend out there?

Also I noticed that when I was driving home on the freeway everything was good, but once I started driving on the street the car's temperature was getting a little hot according to the gauge. What should u check for? And is it worth going with an electric fan?

[urbancynic]

Do as stated above.

I buy the vast majority of my parts from autohausaz.com because they're cheap, the part quality is good, shipping is free, and they're fast.

Check the fan clutch for your temp problem around town. Use the newspaper test.

If it is bad, then replace it. You can get one from rockauto.com for $35. You'll need to remove it when you do the timing belt anyway.

When I got my e30 the first weekend I had it I did the following:

1.Drank beer
2. Did timing belt (while drinking beer on occasion)
3. Replaced water pump as part of timing belt job
4. Drank more beer
5. Replaced the v belts
6. Replaced all coolant hoses (had one split on me once and kill my alternator on a previous car)
7. Drank beer.
8. Valve adjustment
9. Oil and filter change
10. More beer
11. Changed Transmission oil
12. Beer.
13. Changed Diff oil.
14. Finished the day with beer.

I also changed the plugs when I did the valve adjustment. - Don't use platinums in these, they prefer the cheap ones.

Oh, and you may as well change the cap and rotor while doing the timing belt.

Overkill? Maybe. But you end up knowing exactly where your car is with maintenance when you're done.

Since it sat for 4 years, do the belt immediately. Also check brakes and brake hoses, play in driveshaft, suspension bushings, and anything else you can think of while you're at it.

[motozach69]

Really anything German I bought all my stuff from work at cost price you should see if your work does that it will be aloe cheaper than pretty much anywhere except craigslist or eBay :) feel worry free they are alot of fun and it gets easier as you go I've had hondas and fords and other makes and bmws are one of the easiest to me atleast the funnest these guys on here make any mind bogglers cake step by step

[Rkcstllns]

Thanks a lot guys, sounds like I'm going to have a lot to do this weekend. Good thingbits something I'll enjoy.

Are there any special tools needed to do the timing belt?

[Rkcstllns]

And is it ok if don't use BMW coolant? I got a lot of coolant at work.

[motozach69]

I run prestone green 50/50 just some six point sockets a 17 and 19 wrench flex head snap on ratchet:) and Allen heads

[BrettsE30]

Gotta run BMW coolant. Old aluminum motors don't like the green stuff. BMW or vw blue is better.