US 79 E21 320i rebuild/restoration Help

[Smiley]

So I just picked up an e21 for $350 only has 115xxx on the motor but has been sitting generating rust and would love some help with some problems I'm having.The engine is good, I've heard it run... with some starting fluid. I'm pretty sure the guy I got it from tried to fix it up but was pretty clueless. I've done work on e21s but only minor work, e30s are my main point as well as e34s. So this is a pretty new to me. So I'll list some problems and hopefully someone can give me some pointers and send me in the right direction.


Problems:

1. I pull on my switch to turn on my headlights, my fuel pumps kick on, upon turning it my fuel pumps sound like they are getting more power. I'm not getting and fuel to the engine which i believe could be due to old corroded fuel lines preventing the system from being pressurized.

2. For diagrams I am using http://www.penskeparts.com/DiagramsM...5&rnd=03192010 but it isn't really helping me with the placement of the vaccum system, and also the o2 sensors (if there is one on this model?) So some diagrams and info would be much appreciated.

3. The electrical in general is just botched up, I have random wires that mean nothing to me everywhere. I think most of this is from the precious owner but an electrical diagram for the interior under the dash would be great.


I'll be posting pictures of progress soon. I'm about a week in and it started as a rust bucket but I think it will turn out nice, already got the truck fixed up and put in a new in line fuel pump. The in tank fuel pump was frozen up when I got it but I was able to bring it back to life.
Thank you in advance for any help.

[hendrixvodu]

1) cis is a whole different ball game my friend better hope your fuel distributor has not been tampered with or in need of repair because thats big money

2) there is a single wire o2 sensor on the pass side you can see the wire coming out of the o2 sensor

3) you need to go to bimmerforums to the e21 section people on here arent going to much about cis cars the m10 e30s had were full jet cars

[Smiley]

I'll check out bimmerforums, I don't have an account on there currently. But unfortunately someone already put an aftermarket exhaust on there and there is no o2 on the exhaust anywhere. There is also no CAT on the exhaust which is more than likely going to be an expensive fix, although even with research I haven't found out if they came with a CAT. What would be the best way to check the fuel distributor and make sure it is functioning properly?

[hendrixvodu]

I'll check out bimmerforums, I don't have an account on there currently. But unfortunately someone already put an aftermarket exhaust on there and there is no o2 on the exhaust anywhere. There is also no CAT on the exhaust which is more than likely going to be an expensive fix, although even with research I haven't found out if they came with a CAT. What would be the best way to check the fuel distributor and make sure it is functioning properly?

yes you 100% HAD is the key word a cat and o2 the wiring should be easy to find normally the wire is fairly thick and green in color with a round rubber plug on the end of it. the technique i use is normally to find a misfire but when the car is running "if possible" located the fuel lines in the engine bay they will all come to one place it will be located near the intake throttle body area, they have "clearish yellow" lines going to them you will see 4 lines that lead to bolts they are banjo bolts, while running or having the car cranked crack that bolt free if fuel comes out boom you have fuel. ps your prob going to get alot of brown rusty fuel for a bit you need to get all that shit outta there, if at any point you open one of those bleeders and you get nothing your in trouble, if you get no fuel at all you know its something down on the fuel tank end

[hendrixvodu]

heres a basic cut away and general idea how the system works. please for the love of god do not try to adjust the mixture or rebuild a distributor your asking for trouble you will never get it right they are very fine tuned

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c58/jrcook320/Tech/FuelDistributor.jpg

[Smiley]

I'll locate the o2 plug tomorrow morning, as far as fuel distributor I know where it is located and right now it isn't getting the fuel to it. It is a pressurized system correct? If that is the case then the problem was more than likely the hoses that deteriorated on top of the gas tank between the two, and also the hose from the in tank to the in line fuel pump. If my research is correct the in tank fuel pump is simply to get fuel moving down the the in line fuel pump. Which it currently is not. It turns on and I can hear it but no fuel is coming out of the in tank fuel pump. I also think this could be because there isn't enough gas in the tank right now. It has about a quarter tank. However something strange I have noticed is that although there is no gas coming from there, that I have noticed, if I loosen the banjo bolt on the fuel filter it is dripping a little fuel. I have blown all the hoses I can get to out and there doesn't seem to be any obstructions.

[CarsSuck]

Actually, it has no cat and no O2 sensor. I'm quite familiar with the '79 320i. I can't remember what the specs were on "California Cars", but I suppose they may have had different equipment.

It's highly probable the CIS system is done for, and I think parts are NLA. One solution is megasquirt with a late model intake manifold.

[Smiley]

I'm not planning on rebuilding the Fuel distributor, I was told when I got it that it was running and driving just over a year before I got it, however I find this doubtful. But I haven't gotten the fuel to the distributor yet so I'm not concerned with it yet. But if it does need rebuilt where would it be good to send it?

[CarsSuck]

Reading you're latest post makes me think the tube that connects the two halves (!) of the gas tank is clogged, maybe one side is dry? Also, have you done all the regular fuel filter replacement, actually test the fuel pump, kind of stuff?

Why does the headlight switch do anything to the fuel pumps?!?! I think you should fix this wiring situation.

[Smiley]

Actually, it has no cat and no O2 sensor. I'm quite familiar with the '79 320i. I can't remember what the specs were on "California Cars", but I suppose they may have had different equipment.

It's highly probable the CIS system is done for, and I think parts are NLA. One solution is megasquirt with a late model intake manifold.

It is a CA vehicle, that will need to pass CA smog

[Smiley]

Reading you're latest post makes me think the tube that connects the two halves (!) of the gas tank is clogged, maybe one side is dry?

Why does the headlight switch do anything to the fuel pumps?!?! I think you should fix this wiring situation.

I looked at the wiring to the headlights and it looks like the stock wiring harness. I followed it all the way from the in tank pump. Its something thats bothering me, it could be one of the previous owners safety procations maybe? The part that bothers me the most is that when turning it it changes the power going to the fuel pump and i can hear it getting louder.

[hendrixvodu]

Actually, it has no cat and no O2 sensor. I'm quite familiar with the '79 320i. I can't remember what the specs were on "California Cars", but I suppose they may have had different equipment.

It's highly probable the CIS system is done for, and I think parts are NLA. One solution is megasquirt with a late model intake manifold.

perhaps you are right my car was an 82 i forgot the change from the m10b20 to a b18

[CarsSuck]

Just to clarify, at some point in time, the cars BMW sold in california had extra smog equipment. All of the original US smog equipment is garbage regardless.

[Smiley]

So is it safe to assume I don't need to worry about the stock smog equipment on this car at all?

[CarsSuck]

No, I just meant it sucks in general. I have no idea what your communist state requires of ancient cars.