Greetings my E30 friends. I am totally ignorant as to maintaining and repairing my cars myself, but now that I have a 26 year old beautiful German girl, who looks even better with her top down, I better learn or I'll be paying someone else a small fortune to do the repairs and upkeep.
I bought a 1987 Zinno 325i cabriolet about two months ago from another forum member, I had a well respected independent mechanic shop do the pre purchase inspection, and they gave me a decent bill of health, but it turns out there are more problems than the inspection found. I spent $4500 buying the car, and it has about 163,000 miles on it. There are some rust issues that need to be cut out, and sheet metal welding done, but it isn't all that bad. Project M-Spec in NY did the PPI, and recommended that I buy the car at that price. I looked them up, and they have a stellar reputation, so I followed their advice and bought the car.
They listed several not so serious mechanical issues that needed to be addressed in the near future, so I knew that had my work cut out for me. Here is where it gets tricky. None of the listed mechanical issues needed immediate attention, so I figured I could drive the car on nice days this summer, and do the repairs in the late Fall and Winter. But the day I bought it, I filled the gas tank for the first time, only to notice gasoline dripping in front of the passenger side rear wheel, I obviously freaked out and called M-Spec, they told me it is most likely the filler neck, so I just won't put more then $20 bucks of gas in at a time, until I can have the repairs done. Other than that, it was driving very nicely and smooth. Then three nights ago, I was out cruising around and came to a stop light, when the car stalled out and wouldn't start. My friends jumped out, and started rocking the car as I cranked the ignition, and pumped the throttle. That got it started, but it dies every time I take my foot off the throttle, it won't idle. So I was fortunate enough to get it home, by keeping my foot on the throttle at all times, and using the clutch and hand brake at stop lights. It will turn over if I pump the throttle when starting it, but just cuts out as soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal. Prior to this, I noticed no strange sounds from the fuel pump, and the engine was running smooth, no signs that it was not getting sufficient fuel.
Does this sound like the fuel pump is shot? What else might it be? I really don't want to get raped by a mechanic, and do want to learn to do this stuff myself, not only will it save money, but it will be fun as well. I placed an order for a Bentley service manual, but I also need to purchase a good set of tools, but don't know where to begin or what to buy or from where. I really want to be an active member of this community, so any help I receive, I will gladly pay it forward and keep the circle going. In addition to speaking here on the forum and private messaging, I would be interested in meeting with other members who are local to me. I am in South Western CT, Greenwich to be exact. I would be very grateful for any help, and "tutoring". Thanks in advance, I look forward to learning, and making new friends in the process. After all, we all share a passion for the greatest cars, that unfortunately don't get the full recognition they deserve.
Cheers,
Jeremiah
I bought a 1987 Zinno 325i cabriolet about two months ago from another forum member, I had a well respected independent mechanic shop do the pre purchase inspection, and they gave me a decent bill of health, but it turns out there are more problems than the inspection found. I spent $4500 buying the car, and it has about 163,000 miles on it. There are some rust issues that need to be cut out, and sheet metal welding done, but it isn't all that bad. Project M-Spec in NY did the PPI, and recommended that I buy the car at that price. I looked them up, and they have a stellar reputation, so I followed their advice and bought the car.
They listed several not so serious mechanical issues that needed to be addressed in the near future, so I knew that had my work cut out for me. Here is where it gets tricky. None of the listed mechanical issues needed immediate attention, so I figured I could drive the car on nice days this summer, and do the repairs in the late Fall and Winter. But the day I bought it, I filled the gas tank for the first time, only to notice gasoline dripping in front of the passenger side rear wheel, I obviously freaked out and called M-Spec, they told me it is most likely the filler neck, so I just won't put more then $20 bucks of gas in at a time, until I can have the repairs done. Other than that, it was driving very nicely and smooth. Then three nights ago, I was out cruising around and came to a stop light, when the car stalled out and wouldn't start. My friends jumped out, and started rocking the car as I cranked the ignition, and pumped the throttle. That got it started, but it dies every time I take my foot off the throttle, it won't idle. So I was fortunate enough to get it home, by keeping my foot on the throttle at all times, and using the clutch and hand brake at stop lights. It will turn over if I pump the throttle when starting it, but just cuts out as soon as I take my foot off the gas pedal. Prior to this, I noticed no strange sounds from the fuel pump, and the engine was running smooth, no signs that it was not getting sufficient fuel.
Does this sound like the fuel pump is shot? What else might it be? I really don't want to get raped by a mechanic, and do want to learn to do this stuff myself, not only will it save money, but it will be fun as well. I placed an order for a Bentley service manual, but I also need to purchase a good set of tools, but don't know where to begin or what to buy or from where. I really want to be an active member of this community, so any help I receive, I will gladly pay it forward and keep the circle going. In addition to speaking here on the forum and private messaging, I would be interested in meeting with other members who are local to me. I am in South Western CT, Greenwich to be exact. I would be very grateful for any help, and "tutoring". Thanks in advance, I look forward to learning, and making new friends in the process. After all, we all share a passion for the greatest cars, that unfortunately don't get the full recognition they deserve.
Cheers,
Jeremiah
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