Convertible stored 8yrs - trying to get life back in it!

[Hunchkipper]

I've just dug out of the garage, after 8+yrs of storage, a 1990 convertible E30 one owner 70,000 miles on clock (stored 'cos I couldn't get much for it at time and it's original VGC, sentimental value) Stored with tyres half flat and nearly empty tank. Not being mechanical type that's all I did. Anyway - put new gallon of fuel in last week, tried to start - engine turns over well but fuel pump seems faulty, no noise - I've located fuel pump rhs back seat area and will try tapping it, on next attempt tomorrow - if I have to take fuel pump out to replace, do I have to drain tank? Is it risky to change fuel pump without? Be a shame to go up with a bang due to ignorance!
You can imagine this may be start of very expensive process to get a stored car roadworthy. With many other potential seizures - brakes etc. Any ideas as to what else could be wrong after being stored for so long? 3 out of 4tyres are good!
May be better to sell as is - but shame not to get MOT on it, and have one last summer or even keep it and give more tlc in future.
T'was great car when I used it - kids forced a Touran on me.
Thanks for any tips

[daimlerman]

Change the cambelt!
Drain the tank,add fresh fuel
Fuel pump could just be 'sleeping',a tap on it's head may well wake it up,it's mounted at the top of the tank,but after 8 years the fuel inside will not be much good.
Brake fluid really should be changed,as should coolant.
Brakes should be at least inspected,rusty disc's,tatty pads swapped for new.
Brake flexi's should be examined for cracks and swelling under pressure.

That should keep you busy for a while!

[Hunchkipper]

Thanks - great help and if I'm lucky these don't sound too expensive but for cam belt perhaps - cross my fingers

[Hunchkipper]

Do I have to drain petrol tank to replace fuel pump?

[DanTheMannn]

no you don't "Have" to but it is definitely recommended if it has been sitting that long so you dont have all that old shit in the nice new pump your going to install

[bmw9818]

Do I have to drain petrol tank to replace fuel pump?

nope, pull out fuse 11 for the fuel pump or disconnect battery,

remove panel, and wiring connectors, undo the jubilee clips and push the fuel pipes off, probably be a bit of a struggle if you have a pick or even a thin flathead would do to squeeze between the pipe to loosen it and it will pull off,

keep some rags handy

then a flathead or a chisel on the tab of the pump hit it it will spin around and release the pump, should be counter-clockwise,

if you have bolts on the top of the pump, should be four 8mm if you got the bigger tank remove these and pull out the sender first as the pump wont come out,

[Curr946]

the car has been lying 8 years and you say 3 out of 4 tyres are good!! given that the tyres are your only contact to the road I would be changing them.. they may well appear to look good but if its been sitting for 8 years without moving I wouldn't be willing to give it a chance..

as above though check all the flexi pipes, bushes, ball joing extra anything that can go brittle and crack..

also Im glad it never fired up as if it had jumped straight into life you could have done damage to the head as it would have had lack of oil..

do a cam belt and a full service