Italian 'tune up'

[BEERBOY123]

Is an Italian tune up likely to be of benefit to my E30 engine?

Is an Italian tune up a good idea, or is it one of those urban myths?

Just wondering, as mine has a slight idle problem and I thought some sustained revs might sort it?

Thanks

[Morat]

As the owner of a fine piece of Italian "Engineering" I reckon that the tune up is more an attempt to finally end the suffering in a whirlwind of thrown rods and sparking wires....

[Speedtouch]

Good idea in my experience; a good thrashing now and then does an engine good to loosen it up a bit and stretch it a little, much like us human beans in fact.

[gareth]

human beans

ahaa, someone else who remembers The BFG

[e30topless]

Italian tune up ? on a german car? don't be silly

[Barx325i]

Well, I think it's a good plan, it does depend which e30 you're talking about though

[gooner1]

As long as the oil, coolant are at correct levels, and the engine is up to operating
temp first, i,d say go for it. Blows the cobwebs out.

[AlpineAde]

Every car should be given a boot now and then. Toddling around in city traffic does no car any good, In fact, if I remember correctly, my handbook states that after a period of low speed stop and start driving the car should be allowed to "breathe" by allowing it run for a few miles at over 3000rpm. Not really an Italian tune-up, I know, but I like the principle.

[Morat]

ahhh, city dwellers. I'm lucky in that I spend very little time in urban traffic

[nuttyp]

I did this in my old Mk2 golf with 200,000, never killed it. So im a believer!

[dazleeds]

yeh spank that fecker

tis the only way

[BEERBOY123]

I'll give it what for tomorrow then, got a long trip planned.

Cheers

[320Touring]

Italiian tuning is all well and good (im an avid exponant of the practice!)

but if the problem is a wonky idle, how will 6000rpm help?

[E30BeemerLad]

Italiian tuning is all well and good (im an avid exponant of the practice!)

but if the problem is a wonky idle, how will 6000rpm help?

because when he's doing 6k at least it won't be hunting at idle

On another hand, check your vacum hoses and the rubber elbow that goes to the throttle body for splits

[Barx325i]

on this subject I remember, many years ago in a foul mood one night, I walked outside started the 325 up with the throttle on the floor, bouncing off the rev limiter until the red mist faded, and turned her off.

that poor car took so much abuse over the years, driven in anger sooo many times, but like a faithful workhorse, just took it and turned the other cheek..

That was my first e30, and thankfully I respected all subequent e30's purchased

[robbo86]

Maybe its just my mind thats dirty but when I saaw italian tune up in the title I thought it was a sort of thing like a Dutch oven or a Cleveland Steamer that I hadnt heard before.

[Cypriotgeeza]

on this subject I remember, many years ago in a foul mood one night, I walked outside started the 325 up with the throttle on the floor, bouncing off the rev limiter until the red mist faded, and turned her off.

why would you just rev the F**K out of your car if your pissed off poor car! lol

[Felix79]

Just done do the method I did. Go to Santapod with the petrol tank sill mixed with red ex. It blew out the cobwebs and so much smoke I got pulled by the stewards a few times worried I had blew my engine up.

[Cypriotgeeza]

Just done do the method I did. Go to Santapod with the petrol tank sill mixed with red ex. It blew out the cobwebs and so much smoke I got pulled by the stewards a few times worried I had blew my engine up.

I normally do the same when going on a long journey..fill it up and put some red-ex and give it a good run!

[Barx325i]

why would you just rev the F**K out of your car if your pissed off poor car! lol

it was a 2.5, it sounded great, and it could...

Any italian tune up I've performed is't over in a matter of minutes - it takes a week or so. It does work especially for poor unban machines, where there was a powerband, it's just a case of coaxing it back out... Contrary to its theory, it needs a gentle foot

[bilun777]

It works. Do it just before your MOT,especially if it's a diesel....

[McDisco]

Kind of on topic kinda not, i've got the same idle problem in that it's idling a bit low but how does Red Ex an that kinda fuel mixer work?

Does it smoke like f*ck normally when you're using it? I've never used it but figured if it'll do the car good then it might be worth a shot.

[Millsand]

Is an Italian tune up just putting in some redex and thrashing the car, or is there a more specific methed that you are all talking about?

As you can tell, I am new to this so i don't know the lingo. Please forgive my ignorance.

[Barx325i]

well I'm not entirely sure of the definition, but this is how I see things

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[sarkie83]

i thought the deffinition of an italian tune up was to drop a cog, then drive at normal motorway speed for a bit

[Speedtouch]

Kind of on topic kinda not, i've got the same idle problem in that it's idling a bit low but how does Red Ex an that kinda fuel mixer work?

Does it smoke like f*ck normally when you're using it? I've never used it but figured if it'll do the car good then it might be worth a shot.

It is added to the fuel tank - a capful or so of red fluid every so often. It then helps remove the gum and varnish that can build up in the fuel system, and also carbon deposits on the valves. Probably less need for it with modern fuels already containing cleaner additives, but I've used it on various carb and fuel injection cars for years and I think it helps keep things running sweetly.

It won't cause clouds of smoke unless you bung loads in to a near empty tank, or pour it directly down the intake.

[McDisco]

Ah ok, might be worth getting hold of some then as i doubt any has been put in mine before.

Directly into the intake, you don't mean the petrol filler do you? How else would you get it into the tank? Sorry if that's a really stupid question!

[Speedtouch]

Yes, you normally put a capful into the fuel filler, but if you have a specific problem with say a gungy throttle body or blocked carburettor jet, you'd pour a little directly into the intake, then rev the engine which would draw it all in and give a cloud of white smoke as it burns up.

[McDisco]

Might give it a go then

Does it do anything for performance or is it just to keep it all clear and clean?

[Speedtouch]

It may improve the performance if your car is running a bit off to begin with, basically by restoring it back to the way it should be by cleaning the crap out. But no, it won't improve performance over standard, I'm afraid!

[stonesie]

My car got a mini Italian tune-up on the way home, first time for weeks that the country lanes have been dry and not freezing.

It claimed a victim in the form of a 306 rally too (in fairness he sparked the ''tune-up'' by flying up behind me and making certain gestures for me to get out of the way)


Modern diesels NEED this kind of treatment on a regular basis, ever wondered why they don't belch out black smoke like they used to? Partly this is down to the modern management systems but they also have a particulate filter that catches the soot and needs burning out or it will get clogged and need replacing (at a cost of several hundred £££).