bmwe21.net forums

Hi, My name is Todd from Wisconsin. Im new to the forum, and looking for alittle advice. Just picked up a nice barn find 78 320i. Its got 68,000 miles on it and was never driven in winter. Its been sitting for 8 years covered in a garage. Im no stranger to wrenching, fixing up old cars is a hobby of mine and I did redo a 87 325is(e30) a few years back. Pretty excited about having a no-computer or ECU car. Well Ive drained the old gas from the tank, ordered the standard stuff, new fuel filter, plugs, dist cap and rotor, wires. This car was well maintained and had no issues when it went into storage. Got it from a friends father. This is my first e21. Got her running on new gas as I wait for my new parts. Didnt run well. Any advice on getting her running good other than the obvious. Thanks Todd

Welcome here! Feel free to post something in the owners gallery including

Sounds to me the injectors aren't too clean, perhaps she'll be better after a drive already?

I wouldn't start fiddling with the fuel dizzy or ignition timing if the car was put away in good running condition.

steves site has some good information in the library section that might help you..(scans of hand books and factory workshop manuals ect..)

http://77e21.info/

Well progress is being made. Maybe I'll start from the beginning. So I drag home this 78 320i. It has been in storage for about 8 years. Nice shape though (68k original miles) Well I drain the tanks of the 8 year old gas. put new gas in. It starts up but runs horrible, the whole car shakes. Yesterday put in my new plugs, distributor cap and rotor. Then it starts and idles like new, but doesnt accelerate very well. When you drive it speeds up like it wants to go then dogs back down. Kinda goes down the road like someone who doesnt know how to drive a clutch is at the wheel. In the drive way I can rev it up to 3500 rpm which is the best Ive done since dragging it home. Today I put my new fuel filter on. The old one was really clogged. Could barely blow through it. Now I think I'll be able to go. When I start it, it sits there and idles like its brand new., but try and give it gas and it just wants to die. Checked fuel flow through the pump and new filter. Its good. Like turning on a garden hose. So now with the new fuel filter, though it idles great, runs worse under load.....any advice on the next step. I know the previous owner and it ran great when put into storage. Thanks Todd