Hello!
I've just bought a 1990 318iS - the car comes with a bit of MOT history, but no service history. But it's very clean body-wise, interior-wise, the engine sounded in good condition so I decided it was worth the risk.
Naturally, the first thing to do was replace all filters, spark plugs, and put in fresh oil.
Here's the odd bit - I gave this to my local mechanic to do - he's been working on our cars for 20 years. He said that he put 5L of oil in, and left it for a few minutes, and checked the dipstick - nothing. He double-checked the internet for sump-capacity specs, but all sources said that 5L should be plenty. He put in another litre, and another - after a few minutes, it was just registering on the tip of the dipstick. He started the car for a moment and then switched it off again - now the oil was reading way above maximum on the dipstick. He drained off some, til it was within range on the dipstick. He started the car and stopped it again. Oil way above maximum again. He did this a couple more times til the level stabilised near the max mark, but the car has still got almost a litre (about a quart) more oil in it than it should have. He said he's never seen a car behave this way. I will keep a close eye on the dipstick over the coming days, but I just wondered if any of you had encountered this, or know what it might be?
Also, a PO has had some trouble with the nearside main beam, and has removed the fuse and taken a tap from the offside main beam to power the bulb. This modification has ceased to work. I'm a boring pedant so I want to fix it properly; does anyone have a wiring diagram, and would they be kind enough to send it to me?
Thanks all, and hello! I'm looking forward to learning to trust this car and being a member of the E30 gang.
- Ed
I've just bought a 1990 318iS - the car comes with a bit of MOT history, but no service history. But it's very clean body-wise, interior-wise, the engine sounded in good condition so I decided it was worth the risk.
Naturally, the first thing to do was replace all filters, spark plugs, and put in fresh oil.
Here's the odd bit - I gave this to my local mechanic to do - he's been working on our cars for 20 years. He said that he put 5L of oil in, and left it for a few minutes, and checked the dipstick - nothing. He double-checked the internet for sump-capacity specs, but all sources said that 5L should be plenty. He put in another litre, and another - after a few minutes, it was just registering on the tip of the dipstick. He started the car for a moment and then switched it off again - now the oil was reading way above maximum on the dipstick. He drained off some, til it was within range on the dipstick. He started the car and stopped it again. Oil way above maximum again. He did this a couple more times til the level stabilised near the max mark, but the car has still got almost a litre (about a quart) more oil in it than it should have. He said he's never seen a car behave this way. I will keep a close eye on the dipstick over the coming days, but I just wondered if any of you had encountered this, or know what it might be?
Also, a PO has had some trouble with the nearside main beam, and has removed the fuse and taken a tap from the offside main beam to power the bulb. This modification has ceased to work. I'm a boring pedant so I want to fix it properly; does anyone have a wiring diagram, and would they be kind enough to send it to me?
Thanks all, and hello! I'm looking forward to learning to trust this car and being a member of the E30 gang.
- Ed
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