Need to bring e30 out of 4 year storage

[eek142]

Got an '89 325i that hasn't been started in almost 4 years. I plan to change the oil and drain the cooling system, but what else should I be doing to make sure I don't destroy the engine when I crank it the first time?

Should I treat the gasoline somehow to separate out any condensation that may have built up? Should I take out the plugs and squirt some oil in there?

[Todd Black 88]

I would personally drain the fuel and put new in.
The stuff in the tank will be separated and shit now. It will gum up everything.

[eek142]

I think that's a good idea. Going to jump the relay and pump it out.

[Keith M]

Change the timing belt.

[punnzzells]

I'd do a full tune up for sure. I would also drain the fuel and replace it with a half tank or more. I would also turn the key to the start position and let it sit for 5-10 seconds each time...I would do this at least 4 or 5 times before I even cranked it over.... oil pump and fuel pump need to come on and off in order to prime the lines.

also, I would change the brake fluid and most likely, if you left it stored with e brake, its seized.

[Keith M]

You can pull the injector relay and crank it to pump up the oil pressure.

[punnzzells]

yes, keith... but if the motor's been sitting for 4 years... how much oil's really covering the vitals?

If you turn the key a few times to the on position, before cranking it, the system will have a few seconds to prime before a crank. I'd rather have a few squirts of oil on my internals before I crank.

Just my opinion..

[Keith M]

It's a mechanical oil pump. Turning the key on does absolutely nothing.

[atldohc]

:rofl:

[Wolfman]

I think that's a good idea. Going to jump the relay and pump it out.

Or pull the drain plug on the gas tank under the passenger side

[kickinindian]

take off the valve cover and pour oil on the cams and rockers if your so worried about it...

[estoguy]

What previous posters said... change the fuel completely (I'd change the filter too), oil change, timing belt (water pump too if it's time - should be done every other change), and accessory belts. You might want to do some coolant hoses if they've been in over ten years too.

[TobyB]

At 4 years, I'd do the timing belt.

I'd pull the spark plugs, too, and crank the engine until I saw oil pressure.

And given the crap that came out of the parts car fuel system, I'd pull the fuel line
and let it flush itself. And change the filter.

but that's me.

t

[GDA]

I just got a motor running that had not run in close to 8 or so years....

Pull plugs and give each cylinder a squirt of oil or marvel mystery oil
Drain fuel tank and fill with fresh fuel
Change oil and filter
Pull fuel pump fuse and bump the starter a few times to prime the oil pump
Reinstall fuel pump fuse and put in fresh spark plugs
Fire it up and let it come up to operating temp

Agree with others.... change coolant, brake fluid and timing belt

Given its been sitting, you might have to clean ICV and get fuel injectors professionally cleaned as one or more might be stuck, plugged or leaking

[steve68]

^^^^^ this, most important is oil circulation on all bearing and contact surfaces,