Reviving the 325ic

[Fitsole]

I know you guys love answering questions so what steps do I need to do to get (hopefully) my grandfathers 1987 325ic running again. My uncle backed into his 8 yrs ago. Just cracked the grill and dented the fender. He parked it and he was getting up in age so he stopped driving. He likes the progress I have made with my m42 so he wants to try and get his going again. It's been in a garage and looks great. Bunch of Mtec parts and some wheels I have never seen before on any other e30. I grew up in this car and would like to take him for a drive in it again before its to late. Any advice would be appreciated. I have a good idea of what I need to do but would like a more seasoned bimmer builders thoughts.

[Court M3]

Post some pics of the damage so we can make a fair assessment. I'd start with basic maintenance, timing belt/tensioner, water pump, thermostat replacement.

Others will chime in, but that's the first place I'd start.

[Poorboyz]

Pictures are needed for sure. Was the car jacked up before he stopped driving it? I'd def suggest new tires and maybe look into wheel bearings. I know on old VW bugs the bearings seize up if the car sits for too long with the weight of the car on the wheels.

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[jeffnhiscars]

Mandatory minimum would be:

drain/ flush, clean filter tank and fuel lines
new fuel filter
new timing belt, tensioner & spring
"while you are in there" water pump, cam seal, hoses & belts
oil & filter
check/ clean/replace plugs
battery

Note I put battery last as i would not even put the key to it until the rest was done

[randomquickness]

Pics please!

And although low priority, i have an extra grill you can have for whatever it costs to ship it.

[Fitsole]

Thanks guys. I'll get some pics up for you next time I go up. We have the fender already. The grill would be nice. It's the drivers side. The fender was barely dinged. Changing the timing belt sucks because it was just replaced 3 months prior to parking it. I'm going to do the bodywork first. belts, hoses, flush all fluids. Then I'll get to the harder stuff. Just in case anyone know where I can get another engine for cheap.

[jeffnhiscars]

Just to hear myself say it...you know an 8yo belt is DOA regardless of whether the engine has run in that time. After removing the plugs and putting a teaspoon or so of oil lin each cylinder I'd certainly put a 22mm wrench on the crank pulley and see if it turns.

The good news is that used M20 engines are cheap and not hard to find

[Fitsole]

Yeah I know :( btw your cowl refresh was great. My wiper motor failed. Wish I would of seen it earlier. I already put some oil in the cylinders and she turned. Maybe you could answer a question about my m42. Had it parked for two months because my license got suspended. (I do not know why the officer was so mad i was driving sideways lol) After a week I noticed my battery was dead. So I put a charger on it. Hooked it up and my fuel pump was running with the car off. Injectors were hissing. I unplugged the battery to get it to quit. The entire two months it did this. The day I got my license back I rubbed her hood and said ok baby lets run better now. Daddy got his license back. It has not done it since. She loves me. Anyway I'd still like to know why it did that and fix what it was anyway because I'm expecting to go out one morning to a dead battery. I was thinking fuel pump relay.

[Fitsole]

Pictures are needed for sure. Was the car jacked up before he stopped driving it? I'd def suggest new tires and maybe look into wheel bearings. I know on old VW bugs the bearings seize up if the car sits for too long with the weight of the car on the wheels.

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I got my old bottle caps with some fresh hankooks to put on til we get him some new tires.

[jeffnhiscars]

Yeah I know :( btw your cowl refresh was great. My wiper motor failed. Wish I would of seen it earlier. I already put some oil in the cylinders and she turned. Maybe you could answer a question about my m42. Had it parked for two months because my license got suspended. (I do not know why the officer was so mad i was driving sideways lol) After a week I noticed my battery was dead. So I put a charger on it. Hooked it up and my fuel pump was running with the car off. Injectors were hissing. I unplugged the battery to get it to quit. The entire two months it did this. The day I got my license back I rubbed her hood and said ok baby lets run better now. Daddy got his license back. It has not done it since. She loves me. Anyway I'd still like to know why it did that and fix what it was anyway because I'm expecting to go out one morning to a dead battery. I was thinking fuel pump relay.

This is easy. I had a 54 Chevy Belair that I bought in SF for $150. It had a 235 and a 2 spd hydra glide transmission. Every now and then the engine would just stop without regard for when or where. The only thing that would get it to start was to open the hood, stand next to the fender, look pensive, stroke my chin and go "hmmm". Then do it again on the other side, close the hood and go.

Your car was telling you not to be a dickwad :D

[Fitsole]

I am and always will be a dickwad. Sorry. Still would like a legitimate answer.