bmwe21.net forums

Timing belt is a time bomb indeed! Because of age it might loose a few teeth which is the most common failure on M20 and M40 engines causing immediate damage at nearly all times (bent valves). And I've replaced a timing belt on a 320/6 that when disassembling appeared to have a loose tensioner roller and no tensioner spring... that must have been the ultimate time bomb!

It is best to disassemble the lot so you know for sure what type of belt (# of tooth) and water pump you have before ordering any parts.

Well, todat I received the enveloppe which should have contained the key for my filler cap, but the enveloppe was torn and the key was missing . Stupid postoffice, they should handle our mail a bit more easy. Does anybody has a tip to remove the filler cap? I already orderer a new one, so I can be broken .
Futhermore me and my father thought about the timing belt and we decided to take the advice and replace it asap. Does that mean I can't drive me new car at all? That would be a pity (considering I would like it to run next week in my holidays).
I also found a nice manual at my father work. It is called Autotechnisch handboek and it contains everything about these e21 you need to now. I comes in very handy when you need to now some thing, so if I can help anybody, please feel free to ask (see the picture, nice clear text about the subject and nice pictures and diagrams):

Tommorow I hope the work on the brakes and mayby I'll try to shoot some more pictures. Thanks again everyone!

Gerwin

Gerwin,

Well, every moment the engine runs is a risk, depending on the current condition of the belt.. which is unknown...

Nice to have some good documentation with the car!

About the fuel filler cap... sorry, no suggestions there... but I'd try to get a matching new one at the dealer (tankafsluitdop afsluitbaar op code, art no 16 12 1 178 534 EUR 44,00 oops that's not cheap but it should make it match with your other key so one key fits all). If you decide to order it, bring some ID and the vehicles' registration papers to the dealership.

Well, hello again every one! I'm still around and working on my little Beemer. I finaly got rid of the old filler cap (I have a really strong uncle who ripped it of by hand ) and replaced it with a brand new one. Happy as it gets I got some new fuel in and parked back.
Meanwhile I got working on the brakes. I bought some brakeshoes and I jacked up the car. Whilst replacing them I found anothetr problem, the rear brake cilinders where stuck . I tried to make them working again, but no luck there. So, again I ordered some new cilinders and they arrived last week. This morning I wanted to replace them, but damn, those brake fluid lines wher rusted in. We had to to snap the lines to get the cilinders out . Now I have to buy new brake fluid lines on Monday and replace them as soon as possible. I try to replace the timing belt also in the next week. Still a lot of work on my little car. I found something more, I was watching the numbers under the hood (chassis number and color, etc) and what did I see? My car is a 320i/A. That probably means is was a automatic once? Well, at the moment I bought it, it has a four speed manual. So, it think he messed around with my BMW, got the get I sorted out though.

Gerwin

Haha , so he ripped it off with his beear hands. So you could finally fill her up and make a long journey.
The brake issue sounds familliar, usuualy when I start working on a thing, i run into some more unexpected problems. But no big deal, it just takes a bit more time;).

I also have the /a behind my 320, but I dont think it means that your car was a automatic once. Dot know the exact meaning though,

Good luck on your timing belt. BTW yesterday I saw a good example of what could go wrong when you brake your timing beld. It happened on a nissan patroller, the engine was beyond repareable. One cilinderhaed was almost completely smashed through.

all models have an A behind.

Thegs wrote: I found something more, I was watching the numbers under the hood (chassis number and color, etc) and what did I see? My car is a 320i/A. That probably means is was a automatic once? Well, at the moment I bought it, it has a four speed manual. So, it think he messed around with my BMW, got the get I sorted out though.

Type in the chassisnumber on realoem.com, then you'll find out if it's originally an automatic or not.

The 320i/A sticker usually means the car's chassis is meant for a 320i or 320 Automatic.

This could mean the car you drive was a 4 cyl 320i (Automatic?) which has been converted to 6-cyl specifications.

The only way to know that for shure, though is to check the VIN number on ETK or realoem.com.

Good luck!

Oh, still working to get it MOT (apk) ready, I think it is still a long road. First of all I show you some new pictures with sunlight of my E21:


Well, I still doesn't look that ugly and I still enjoy working on it (especially when it is good wheater like at the moment). I have a well filles Facom toolbox at home, so I just like to work in front of our garage (I can't work inside with bad wheater, I filled with junk ).
With the upcoming MOT (apk) test in vision, I was thinking on all things that have to be done by that time. The first thing that came in mind is the towing hook? (trekhaak), which was in front of the license plate (which isn't allowed in the Netherlands). I didn't like the look of it either so it had to go, removed some bolts from the underside and went back in. But when I removed the spare wheel (the first time I looked there ) I found this, yes I have a very luxury BMW (with swiming pool):

I had to remove allmost 10 liters of water out of the boot , but hey, I'm still having fun woth my E21. Got the water out and the hook removed (does anyone want to buy one ).
This evening I take a look at realoem, pfieuw, my car is messed around with. According that website and the following information it is an original 320 M20, produced in produced in 1977, with live hand drive and an manual gearbox , big relief for me:



Looks like I almost got my BMW MOT (apk) ready. I replaced and repared all brakes, got some nasty holes filled, got her runing nicely again (still need to replace timing belt though). But then, I wanted to put her back in place because I don't have any time to work on it next days, put on the lights and it died . After laying under the dash for some time I found out it is a big mess. The owner which I bought it forum messed it up very big time. He made a switch in the glove box to get to shut the electrics down (startonderbreker). But how he did it, I can just not believe it. Can anyone help me with some schedules to get this problem sorted out. She fired back up after a while, but she cuts out again for a couple of minutes when putting the lights on (and since this afternoon the wipers keep going, even wenn they are off ). I really need some help on this one. Here are some pictures of the interior mess:



Gerwin (hope to get it going soon)

Gerwin,

congratulations on your very early 320/6! I really did not want to alarm you but there was a possibility....

Now: for the water in your boot, from experience I know that it can come from your back lightunits or the bootrubber.... perhaps there is the evil rust playing it's bit in there, too.

I certainly hope for you that that is not the case.

Dont give up your hope Gerwin, You got a beautifull car there, it justs needs a bit more attention!

Cant you ask the previous owner how he installed the "startonderbreker"? Maybe he can give you some tips or directions to look at. Like Nils said, the water in the boot can come from your taillights or the boot rubber. I took out my taillighst, replaced the rubbers and fitted it back in with lots of kit, same with the boot rubber, works fine now.

Keep us updated and make sure you go to the next E-21 meet in lelystad!

Hey all, I can be a bit more happy now. I got the electrics sorted out and it runs like a beauty again. The problem was a mass cable atached to the battery, It wasn't connected properly so it cut out when I asked for to much power (turning on the lights for example). Meanwhile I took her for a fake MOT (my father has a garage, so a mechanic helped me out here) and the news isn't to bad. I had done most of the work, but I almost there. There is a tiny hole in the front wheel wells, that needs to be welded. The second thing is, the rubber on the front suspension isn't to good. Need to buy a set of those and fit them on a free Saterday. That's all to get it on the road legally. Hope to replace timing belt tomorow, I;ll keep you updated.

@Dennis, when is the next meeting in Lelystad, I would really like to go there and show my new toy.

Gerwin

OK not too bad then. Glad you got the electrics sorted as well.

Lelystad will prolly be in September but there might be an E21 meet a bit sooner (combined with the Belgian E21 fanatics).

I love the luxury BMW spa in yr boot, Im sure you could heat it via the engine somehow, are you willing to sell it lol

Just imagine the ladies in the back sunning themselves while you cruise down the road, sweeeeeeeeeeeeet

Nice car keep on it, on wet days leave it locked up all nice and snug and when the suns out, well hey you said it, its a great pastime enjoy

Nice car Gerwin, I hope you keep it as original as it is!!

Mazzel