'88 325i Touring #001 resto - 03/2012 rimz porn

[Kedge]

Good stuff there as always Rob, you're right though, that bay needs a damn good clean to match those shiny blasted parts!

[bss325i]

TFR and a 2" paint brush to get in all the gaps and shift the dirt/grime.

[Speedtouch]

Did you allow it to idle for at least 10 minutes to enable the base idle settings to be learnt?

[capri_rob]

Did you allow it to idle for at least 10 minutes to enable the base idle settings to be learnt?

No

Didnt know I had to

Do I need to now re-set this in some way or just let it idle for 10 mins and it will sort itself out ?

[B7]

Good job Rob! It'll drive so much sweeter.

[Speedtouch]

Ideally, you should disconnect either the battery or ECU, leave it for an hour or so to reset, then reconnect, let engine idle for at least 10 minutes, then switch off, then take it for a drive throughout the rev range.

This ensures full transfer of all the EPROM program into the ECU processor.

[Simon13]

Glad its running ok!

[capri_rob]

Ideally, you should disconnect either the battery or ECU, leave it for an hour or so to reset, then reconnect, let engine idle for at least 10 minutes, then switch off, then take it for a drive throughout the rev range.

This ensures full transfer of all the EPROM program into the ECU processor.

Cheers for this. I can disconnect the battery and then reconnect it all up and let it idle - but taking it for a drive through the rev range will have to wait until after 1st of April when it gets taxed

Glad its running ok!

Cheers - me too

[TouringMatt]

Good stuff fella

[capri_rob]

Showed the turd some daylight today

I think I'm destined to have a mucky engine bay forever



brushed in a load of TFR, jetwashed it - once it dried it didnt really look any different

Its not perfect along the seam under the washer bottle either - the usual spot - will need attending to at some point. Have painted it with waxoyl for now and put it on the list



Put the bonnet back on



Leather cover for the gauge pod is an excellent match for the console - might tackle the wiring tomorrow - really pleased with how this looks

[Dezzy]

Interior looks cracking Rob!

[capri_rob]

Cheers Dez - not long til its taxed and on the road now

[DanThe]

Much better with some sorted seats and a proper headlining

[Jim320i]

Looking forward to seeing this again fella

[Speedtouch]

Looking great! Engine bay doesn't look too bad for 25 year old original.

[capri_rob]

Spent most of this afternoon wiring up the VDO gauges in the console.

Cannibalised the VAG loom to use the plugs & bulb holders - actually very simple to wire up.

Did a proper job with soldered joints and heatshrink - not bad even if I do say so myself - I havent used a soldering iron since Technology at school - over 20 years ago
First couple were a bit messy but cracked it after that

Had to order some new instrument bulbs as 1 was blown so no pics yet until its properly in and it all lights up as it should.

Then just need to test it to see if the temp sender supplied is indeed the right one - pressure gauge seems fine and puts the light out as it should when the engine is started as well as a proper reading.

Only slightly annoying thing was having to cut the carpet under the ashtray hole to allow enough clearance for the gauges with the plugs attached Still you wont see it when its all in.

Just need to do a bit of tidying with some cable ties for the engine bay wiring and its done.

Am considering taxing it on 1st March rather than waiting til 1st April - I cant wait to drive it - just means I'll have to SORN it on 1st September rather than 1st October for the winter.

Also needs a bloody good clean inside & out

Speedtouch havent forgotten about getting a chip off you - will be in touch soon

[Alex]

Remember Santa Pod is Mid September Rob

[Jim320i]

Remember Santa Pod is Mid September Rob

24th...

Just wait and stop being impatient!

[DanThe]

Rob, 12 months ticket is cheaper than a pair of 6 month ones, you also get more back when you weigh it in for winter. I never buy 6 months because I hate giving the DVLA a penny more than I need to

[capri_rob]

Bloody slow going - done a bit on Monday and a bit tonight

Engine bay almost completely done - everything back in place - just missing a couple of clips that I'm hoping the zone will provide ( the one on the side of the airbox which holds a wiring loom and the one which mounts to the block which holds the wiring to the oil pressure sender if anyones got them )

Still trying to sort out the gauge pod - starting to do my head in now. Supplied instrument bulbs must have been on their last legs because all but one have failed - ordered some more off ebay on Sunday night but they havent turned up yet

Centre console needs to come out AGAIN to trim a bit more carpet away behind the pod to give enough clearance. Finally sorted out how to clamp the gauges in place by cannibalising the Audi metal backplate - just had to trim a couple of bits with the grinder

Need to relocate the cigarette lighter into the glovebox area somewhere so I can still plug my satnav in - have got a spare upper trim so might drill a hole in that and mount it in the top.

Central locking still not working too

Decided to tax the fooker tomorrow to give me the kick up the arse I need to get it all done so I can use it

Also gonna book it in for Tracking on Friday morning so it doesnt eat my tyres

[Dezzy]

It'll feel very strange driving it instead of working on it mate.

Nearly there now

[G-Bear]

Just finished reading through this thread. Very enjoyable. Great work through out. Its helped add another few pages on the 'to do' list for mine...

Looking forward to more updates..

[capri_rob]

Got a bit done today - taxed the fooker to start with

VDO Gauge pod is done, in and working

Took it to have the tracking checked and get a slow puncture looked at - turns out one of my BBS is scrap so got to find another single one and the track rod ends are seized so the tracking couldnt be done today.
Its not that far out but it does need adjusting. Booked it back in for next friday - said they will probably need to get some heat on it to free them off

Tidied up the interior, im still short of a few clips and bits but its basically back together.

Only other problem which needs sorting is the idle is very lumpy - tacho is rock steady but its like its got an air leak somewhere but ive checked all the hoses and they seem all good. Also cleaned out the ICV with carb cleaner but made no difference

On the road its ace - super smooth through the rev range and sounds quality

Just need to sort these last few niggles

[Kedge]

Good work Mr!!

Now get yourself over to Jims on Sunday lunchtime, it could do with a blast down the A5. We're having a mini meet, i'm sure you can raid his stash for a few clips etc. There should be me, Jim, Rav, Matt from ECP, Ryan (wingnutleft) and i'm guessing Jim's mate Ricky.

[Speedtouch]

Try soaking the TREs in PlusGas penetrating fluid - repeat over the course of a few days.

Have you checked to see if the ECU has the standard chip?

[brettski]

Rob have a word with Mark i've just had a bbs off him and he sorted my track rod ends out took him about 15 mins!

[Jim320i]

Good news Rob, get it over to mine on Sunday, you'll be able to explain the clips you need too, I think I have the ones on the air flow box for you. Plus it will be good to see her again since the last time at Cov meet when you first got her

[kieran325]

Is the redneck meet still taking place on Sun?

[Jim320i]

This Sunday, yes Kieran You fancy coming too? You'll think i'm a gypsy when you see where I live, and you'll be correct

[capri_rob]

Try soaking the TREs in PlusGas penetrating fluid - repeat over the course of a few days.

Have you checked to see if the ECU has the standard chip?

Expect it has but havent checked - ECU looks like its never been tampered with.
I did about 10 miles in it today as a bit of a shakedown to try and identify any running faults but the idle was still rubbish afterwards - like its misfiring - but as soon as you give it some throttle its perfect - weird

Still havent tried the ECU reset - worth a go I guess.


Only other thing I did today was to identify why the central locking on the passenger rear door doesnt work - reason - no fookin actuator there ! I've got a spare one from the bronze turd which I plugged in and confirmed the wiring works but unfortunately the metal linkage is missing so I need to source this.

Sorry guys would love to have come over to Jims but already got commitments for Sunday

[Rav335uk]

Is the redneck meet still taking place on Sun?

Thought you were going to "Redneck" county on Saturday with the other Northern Redneck

[kieran325]

Is the redneck meet still taking place on Sun?

Thought you were going to "Redneck" county on Saturday with the other Northern Redneck

Yes, I'm up to date with the current injections so I thought I might wander into the deep redneck county before the injections wear off.

It all depends on the weather my friend.

[capri_rob]

Few minor bits done today - new clips for the panel that covers the rear lights in the boot, replaced the wiper spindle seal with a new one, fixed the sagging skirt on the passenger side front wing - it appears to have had a replacement wing at some point and whoever fitted it only put 1 grommet in to support the skirt - the one that takes all the weight was missing

Track rod ends still seized - fire & stillsons next

[capri_rob]

Well as the turd is now pretty much finished for 2012 anyway I've put a sponge over it today for the first time in the best part of a Year - oh and upgraded the rimzz innit











Love this pic



Dog-proof



Nothing much more planned for this year - theres a few dings in the panels which I'm going to get dentmastered, another oil & filter change when I've put a few miles on it and thats about it - then paint hopefully next Year.

Bit of a change from when I first got it eh ?

Only washed it for now and leathered it off and put it away - might try and get one coat of polish on it this afternoon and take it out to get some proper pics

[Duke137]

Lovely.

You just need a nice set of OEM Mats in there