7 years stand still. What to look for?

[Shushman]

The e21 im getting has been at stand still for 7ish years. Could there be anything wrong with the engine. What should i look out for? The body is in great shape except for the huge dent at the back which will need pulling out. The underneath of the car is very clean

[Jeroen]

What engine? The 4 pots have a timing chain and I don't expect big issues there, the 6 cilinder timing belts may be about to break! In that case I'd replace belt, tensioner and water pump first.

Other work: oil change, check on spark plugs, dizzy cap and rotor arm. Think I'd prefer to pull the cable between ignition coil and dizzy cap and run the starter until the oil pressure light on the instrument cluster turns off to prevent the internals starting up more or less oil starved. Then reconnect and start... hope it runs! Oh btw discard any old fuel inside the tank and throw in 10 litres of fresh juice!

[Shushman]

Thats brillant advice. Cheers jeroen. Whats the best oil to dump in the engine? Its a 4 pot btw. 316.

[uwbuurman]

My E30 325i convertible was stored for over 5 years. I brougth her home last winter. Things I needed to do besides regular maintenance where changing te complete brake lines as wel as all of the gaslines. The steel lines where very corroded, so I swapped to copper lines for fuel and brakes. Also I overhauled my brakes, with new pads and discs.

Besides all that I changed a lot of rubber parts, hoses, airintake and so on. All of those were withered (Is that the correct therm?).

Succes!

[Shushman]

Thats a good point. I looked at the engine yesterday and it looks in great condition. Just needs all the radiator hoses replaced. Clean the airfilter. I looked at the breaklines and they look absolutly fine. No leaks. Id fit a new head gasket. New filter. Oil filter. The radiator looks in very good condition too. Will really be able to tell on e i get the car started. Disks look in good condition. Pads will change though. In time so will the disks.

[Shushman]

Ok. Also. Iv got a starting shopping list. Im in the uk.

Which spark plugs suit best? And the measurement for the gap
Where to get bits n bobs like pipes for radiator and dizzy cap.
What type of coil

[uwbuurman]

I would fit Bosch super 4 plugs, and get the hoses from the dealer. good quality and correct fit. About the brakehoses: they do tend to dry out, so you need to bend them a little to see if the rubber is flexible and not cracked.

[Shushman]

Ok. So. Alittle update to the car. I got the guy to start it up and it sounds sweet. Its spitting a little. But i guess thats expected. First thing tomorrow my mechanic is going to have a look over the engine. Im going to do basic maintainance like new oil. Filter. Plugs. Points. Dizzy cap. Air filter. Hoses. Drain old petrol and add fresh juice. And also do a compression test. What else could be done for now?

[Shushman]

Would there be anything wrong with the carb? Im clueless with carbs.

[silver-stue21]

If your concerned about the carb, you can buy a rebuild kit which includes gaskets and seals which is fairly a straightforward operation although if your intending to keep the 4cylinder engine then i'd change it for a weber 32/34 DMTL manual twin choke carb.

Some of guys are selling used webers on the forum between £80-£150.00, then all you'll need is a performance air filter to finish the job although i went for a chrome dome filter from webcom.

Good Luck