Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

First time dealing with a common e30 problem?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    First time dealing with a common e30 problem?

    My girlfriend has an interview in the heart of Portland and im still trying to get the heating system in her car to stop leaking, so I said she could take my e34 touring and I would drive the e30 since i work 5 miles from my house.
    Go out to the car that was parked outside and found that it was a winter wonderland, in the since that everything had froze over including both our cars.
    I go to unlock the e30 by the truck, key wont go in.
    Go the the passenger door, finally get the key in but wont turn.
    Breath in to the lock for 5 mins until it finally melts and im able to unlock the car, now the door wont open.
    all 4 doors are frozen shut, I can hear them unlatch but the seals aren't letting go.
    Finally after tugging the rear passenger door it opens, reach in and start up the car, go to shut the door **BANG** door bounces and does not shut.
    I try again, harder
    nothing.
    OK well maybe the latch is to far back i will look at the other rear door to see if i can see a difference.
    I climb in the back seat and pull the handle and kick, finally pop it open and check, nope they are the same. Go shut it and **BANG** doesn't latch.

    this point im gonna be late so i grab some bungee cords from the garage and strap the doors together.

    finally got the drivers door open and sit down, annoyed at this point, go to shut the drivers door
    **BANG**
    mother fucker!

    So i drive to work holding the door shut.
    That's 3/4 doors that are not shut at this point.

    Get to work, the car has warmed up at this point and I go to push my half opened drivers door, wont budge.
    grab the handle to open it, it opens i step out and try to close the door, it closes just fine.
    Try the rear doors, close just fine.

    thanks e30
    WTB:m60b40 in PNW
    Zachary Ripley

    85 318i M50B25tu.
    92 525it 5 speed.
    80 244gl (m60 prepping).


    #2
    Sounds more like an ice and no lube problem. Try greasing up the lock mechanisms so they don't freeze on you, and iced over doors will always be a pain in the ass.
    sigpic
    1987 - 325i Convertible Delphin Auto [SOLD], 325i Convertible Delphin Manual [SOLD]
    1989 - 325i Convertible Bronzit m30b35 swapped [SCRAPPED], 325i Sedan Alpine Auto[DD]
    1991 - 325i Coupe Laguna Manual [Project], 535i Sedan Alpine [SCRAPPED]

    Comment


      #3
      We're used to that kind of stuff here in the Midwest. This happens on all my cars to some degree when we go from rain to freezing temperatures.

      A heated garage is the only 100% solution. /fantasy
      101

      The E30 collection:
      1987 325es M52 - Schwarz / Taurus Red Sport (son #2's)
      1987 325is - Delphin / Black Sport (son #3's)
      1987 325i Convertible - Triple Black
      1989 325iX Coupe - Diamondschwarz / Black Comfort
      1990 325iX Coupe - Sterling Silver / Grey Sport

      1981 Fiat 124 Spider 2000 - Green / Tan
      1998 Volvo V70 GLT - White / Tan
      1998 Volvo S70 T5 manual - White / Taupe
      2001 Ford Windstar - Silver / Grey (parts hauler)
      2006 Lexus GX470 - White / Tan (tow rig)

      Comment


        #4
        Being from Bend, this is pretty common to me. I'm surprised it did it here though, doesn't really get that cold. Lubing the latches and locks will help. Keeps the water out and prevents them from freezing.

        Some E30's were option with door lock heaters FYI. Lift the door handle to turn them on, wait 30 seconds or so and it should be de-iced. I used mine in my E34 in Bend over the weekend. It was in the 20's there though.

        Comment


          #5
          Bend over the weekend
          <snort>

          Heat gun here, on low. Takes just a minute or 3.

          t
          now, sometimes I just mess with people. It's more entertaining that way. george graves

          Comment


            #6
            Happened to me twice yesterday up here in upstate NY, I opened my passenger rear door and it wouldn't close, I grabbed my little green propane torch and heated up the area around the latch, after a few tries she closed right up, then when it happened again I had to borrow my buddy's torch, now I keep mine in the trunk with my toolbox
            1987 LuxorBeige 325 4 door (daily)
            1988 Zinnoberrot 325 4 door
            1984 and 1986(7)? Parts cars

            Comment

            Working...
            X