Late November last year I found an 89 325is on eBay at a local dealer. Car is in decent shape. I was able to walk out of there with tax title and plates for a total of $1173. After bringing the car home I took a closer look at what I just did. 128k miles, Schwartz black, fairly clean body, 5 speed, LSD, brand new Toyo Proxes 195 on basketweaves.
Under the hood everything appears to be original except the alternator. Not sure if this is a good thing as all the hoses show their age. I can feel the radiator hoses falling apart on the inside when I squeeze them.
I was wondering why my MPG was in the low teen to single digits and the smell of fuel was strong. Turns out that one of the fuel feed lines by the hose clamp near the fuel rail has a hole in it.
The engine also has a bad gasket near the valve cover causing it to be soaked in oil. No record of a timing belt either. With the engine being greasy and dirty, I decided to pull the motor and trans out so I can clean it up and replace the gaskets, along with the timing belt.
I started this thread so that I can track my progress and ask questions about any stumbles I come across. With that said, here are pictures of when I brought the car home.





I am basically putting together a shopping list. I pulled out the engine/trans out a day before new years eve. I learned that my reverse lights did not work because one of the cables on the trans was disconnected. Since I owned the car, the car became undriveable. When it was really cold outside I started her up and when I pressed the clutch it just went in, but never came back up. Based on searching around here I think it may either be the slave or master clutch cylinder. I think it may have been on its way out though since when I bought the car it was low on brake fluid and it turns out that the clutch feeds of the brake reservoir.
So far here is what I plan to replace:
1. Timing belt w/tensioner
2. Water pump
3. Fuel lines
4. Valve cover gasket
5. Radiator hoses
6. Oil pan gasket w/oil change
7. A/c, p/s & alternator belts
8. Master/slave clutch cylinder.
9. Spark plugs
Here is what I plan to do while the engine is out:
1. Valve adjustment - DONE
2. Clean the injectors
3. Clean the engine/trans
4. Paint the outside of oil pan silver?
Sometime this week I'd like to remover the remainder of the wiring harness connections from the motor and separate it from the trans. Any tips for this procedure?
Also, what else would you add to my shopping list? (I am on a somewhat moderate budget). The car will be a daily driver all season and maybe see an autocross once a year.
Under the hood everything appears to be original except the alternator. Not sure if this is a good thing as all the hoses show their age. I can feel the radiator hoses falling apart on the inside when I squeeze them.
I was wondering why my MPG was in the low teen to single digits and the smell of fuel was strong. Turns out that one of the fuel feed lines by the hose clamp near the fuel rail has a hole in it.
The engine also has a bad gasket near the valve cover causing it to be soaked in oil. No record of a timing belt either. With the engine being greasy and dirty, I decided to pull the motor and trans out so I can clean it up and replace the gaskets, along with the timing belt.
I started this thread so that I can track my progress and ask questions about any stumbles I come across. With that said, here are pictures of when I brought the car home.





I am basically putting together a shopping list. I pulled out the engine/trans out a day before new years eve. I learned that my reverse lights did not work because one of the cables on the trans was disconnected. Since I owned the car, the car became undriveable. When it was really cold outside I started her up and when I pressed the clutch it just went in, but never came back up. Based on searching around here I think it may either be the slave or master clutch cylinder. I think it may have been on its way out though since when I bought the car it was low on brake fluid and it turns out that the clutch feeds of the brake reservoir.
So far here is what I plan to replace:
1. Timing belt w/tensioner
2. Water pump
3. Fuel lines
4. Valve cover gasket
5. Radiator hoses
6. Oil pan gasket w/oil change
7. A/c, p/s & alternator belts
8. Master/slave clutch cylinder.
9. Spark plugs
Here is what I plan to do while the engine is out:
1. Valve adjustment - DONE
2. Clean the injectors
3. Clean the engine/trans
4. Paint the outside of oil pan silver?
Sometime this week I'd like to remover the remainder of the wiring harness connections from the motor and separate it from the trans. Any tips for this procedure?
Also, what else would you add to my shopping list? (I am on a somewhat moderate budget). The car will be a daily driver all season and maybe see an autocross once a year.
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