Hi everyone, new e21 owner can I have a little advice pls

[rjuk1982]

Hi Guys, I'm Rob in Milton Keynes.

I bought my e21 a few months ago but I only just got it home to work on, it's a 320/6 in Henna+rot and was previously owned by forum user Millar on here:

http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11642

I would describe the car as used but cared for. It's definitely seen some love in its 30 years on the road but needs a bit of tidying and I think there's some corrosion to address before it becomes a problem.

Anyway, yesterday it arrived after a while on a friends driveway and after a few hours of tinkering I already have the beginnings of my to do list, here's the important ones, all advice is welcome!:

1. RH Fuel tank leaky and badly rusted - if anyone has a good one for sale please let me know. I'll try a temporary repair but really it needs replacing.
2. Nice hole in the boot floor RHS (made removing the filler pipe easy though)
3. Nasty squeak/rattle/vibration from the timing cover / water pump area 1200 - 3000 Rpm. It may just be a resonance but it's freaking loud and if I was a gambling man I'd say its the cam belt tensioner bearing giving up, could be the water pump too. If these engines are known for any other top end issues in this area, please let me know!
4. Odd steering vibration / shimmy. Quite pronounced and rocks the steering wheel between 20 and 40 mph, like really bad tyre balance but at a lower than usual speed. I'll get the front end up once the tanks are back in.

If I fix 1 - 4 it'll be on its way to an MOT, then it becomes a bit of a rolling resto, fingers crossed.

Also, the front valence is quite rusty and currently covered by the Kamei spoiler, now I understand these Kamei spoilers are semi rare (but desirable?) and I actually think I'd like to go for quite a stock look on this car so if someone wants to buy it, or even better swap for some good fuel tanks then let me know.

Looking forwards to some time in the e21 fold. I've always wanted one.

I'll grab some pictures of work so far and start a little gallery thread later on.

Thanks for reading,

Rob

[e21-Mark]

Reck has/had some tanks going.

Shimmy is common but make sure all bushes and geometry are correct. Decent tyres, balanced etc.

Welcome!

[rjuk1982]

Hey Mark,

Thanks for the welcome, I've been a member of Retro Rides for a while and your ride thread on has been a real inspiration.

I'll see what replies I get and maybe send Reck a PM to see if he's any good tanks for sale.

Thanks for the info on shimmy, the tyres seem pretty ancient which won;t help so if the cars are prone anyway it might just need a good setup.

Cheers,

Rob

[Jeroen]

Welcome here!

as for the rattles, well yeah that calls for some inspection. Remove the alternator belt so the alternator and water pump aren't turning anymore and have a brief check, that way you can also feel the bearings on the water pump and alternator. If the tensioner is up for replacement I'd consider replacing the belt and wp as well and make sure it's all fine for the next few years again. Check with the previous owner what work was done otherwise you have a belt on your to do list as well.

[rjuk1982]

Jeroen,

Thanks.

In the case of the front end noises it's not so much of a big deal if it needs new belts, tensioners and a water pump, the service history is good but not complete so these bits need changing really.

I posted it up in case there are any other oddities with the 2 litre 6cyl engine which might cause the symptoms, I've learned to do that the hard way.............my other BMW is an E34 535 with the dreaded tappet rattle, I've not checked it out yet but I'm imagining I'll have a cam change to on that car before too many miles have passed.

Priority 1 is getting a decent tank(s) so that I don't leave the majority of my fuel on the road!

Rob

[Jeroen]

OK, make sure to replace all the hoses back there at the same time otherwise that'll be the next cause of leaks after 30 years.

Oh and for the engine noise, not a common thing for these engines indeed.