Project Daily Driver Eta: Slow and Meticulous

[tiger_e30]

Wow you weren't kidding about that too bolt. Good job man

[edgarf23]

1/1/2017- Replaced Starter but dang this was tough due to the top bolt. Also flushed the coolant since I lost a good amount out of the heater core line that I had to remove and fold down out of the way.
New Brass T was added and all top end fuel lines replaced. The old plastic one snapped quick.

I will also upload a pic of the set up I used to get that bolt off. Hope it helps someone else know what will be needed if you go in from the top without removing the manifold.

[edgarf23]

Starter Failed just a few days ago on the ETA but I was able to get her started by hitting it with a steel pipe I use as a breaker bar. Now I got it all taken apart with the new starter in the garage but I just cant seem to get this dreaded TOP BOLT OFF!!!! Anyone got some ideas or tricks?

[Schnitzer318is]

Awesome! That headlight thing always had me wondering. I would just make sure to flip the fog light switch off and then toggle the headlights once before turning the car off. Always got them to turn off.

Love that you are fixing the little issues the car had left. That is definitely in the spirit of the build. Slowly and steadily!

[edgarf23]

Update

11/5/2016- Tie Rods and new Strut Mounts installed. I will post pics once I upload em.

I was also able to figure out why my headlights would remain on even if the car was turned off. I narrowed this down to the orange relay that had failed and now the issue has been resolved.

[Roadrunner]

I enjoyed reading this whole thread - what a huge transformation from a car rescued from the crusher to the beautiful shape it's in now. Amazing job! :up:

I almost cried when I read this part:

Car has sold. It will be missed, the wife and I both watched it drive away. The buyer seems like the right type of owner though and I'm sure he will take great care of it.

Wish I would have gotten a picture of it driving away though. Would have made a nice bookend to this thread. :(

:puppy:

But then...

Sold to me!! Great ride home in the ETA... Thank you for entrusting this E30 to me and my family.. I fully plan on keeping her for many years of fun.. ;D

Aw, I'm happy it worked out for both of you! :) Seems like the car is in good hands, and it's cool that the project thread is living on.

[edgarf23]

Sept 16th 2016

Update: Fuel filter was changed out along with Fuel line. ETA seems to Idle extremely well now. I have noticed that the RPM's dont jump around at startup and are steady at 1K now.

[edgarf23]

When you were down there doing the ignition switch did you jostle the bracket holding the brake light switch? If so bend it slightly back away from the brake pedal. The check panel light won't light because the brake lights are on. It is designed to turn off as soon as the pedal is depressed, which the car thinks is happening due to the switch being too close to the pedal. That's my guess anyway.

I got nothing on the sluggishness... it's an eta and compared to my other vehicles has always felt sluggish. Maybe she's just getting used to it and now it's starting to feel like the 100hp (hopefully lol) that it has.

The OBC computer had slid down to and was up against the upper part of the brake pedal which was causing it to stick. All is fine now with the ETA.

[Schnitzer318is]

When you were down there doing the ignition switch did you jostle the bracket holding the brake light switch? If so bend it slightly back away from the brake pedal. The check panel light won't light because the brake lights are on. It is designed to turn off as soon as the pedal is depressed, which the car thinks is happening due to the switch being too close to the pedal. That's my guess anyway.

I got nothing on the sluggishness... it's an eta and compared to my other vehicles has always felt sluggish. Maybe she's just getting used to it and now it's starting to feel like the 100hp (hopefully lol) that it has.

[edgarf23]

Active Control Issue

8/25/2016: wife just called after taking the kidos to school and she mentioned that the car seemed slow and sluggish. After looking into it yesterday evening I noticed the brake light would remain lite even after releasing pressure on it. You almost have to take your left foot and slightly push it upward while driving. Also noticed that the Check Light on the VDO no longer lights up when the car is started.

Any help here would be great!

[edgarf23]

8/24/2016

8/17/2016: Changed out the Ignition Switch with a bit of a scare. I advise anyone who does this job to please disconnect the battery of the E30. During the install as I was moving the new Switch into place I must of rubbed it against the steering column and caused a spark. The ground wire to the Turn Signal Handle arched and turned bright red. That single wire burnt all the way down to the end and stopped just before it went into the firewall. After replacing that wire and scooping up a used Turn Signal and harness she is all put back together.

[edgarf23]

8/13/2016

Added a cup holder to the ETA. Found this item on Ebay and it is extremely well built. Made from solid steel and is cut to mimic the lines on the center counsel.

[edgarf23]

Hey great. I thought it was the ignition switch (though I still think that needs replacing).

Did they happen to tell you what voltage the alternator was putting out? Weird because, I never had to jump the car unless it had been sitting for 2 or 3 weeks.

How's the A/C doing? You just adding some refrigerant every couple of weeks?

I really will miss that car. :(

Don't remember what the Alternator output was but when it died on me the battery only had 300 CCA remaining. Which is why I never noticed it. All lights still worked but car simply wouldn't start. After this new alternator was installed it starts much quicker then before man.

A/C hasn't been touched since you and I added the refrigerant and it still blows cool.

Now if I could just get the door locks programmed.....

[Schnitzer318is]

Hey great. I thought it was the ignition switch (though I still think that needs replacing).

Did they happen to tell you what voltage the alternator was putting out? Weird because, I never had to jump the car unless it had been sitting for 2 or 3 weeks.

How's the A/C doing? You just adding some refrigerant every couple of weeks?

I really will miss that car. :(

[edgarf23]

Thought I would just continue on with thus thread since we all know this is about the ETA...

8/9/2016. New alternator was installed. I noticed the car would take some time start and also left me in need of jump on night.. Took it to Oriely's and they tested the charging system and it came back with an Anternator that was failing. I can notice a huge difference in how she starts up now..