New e30 owner - looking for some guidance

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
JRS90
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:00 pm

Post Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:21 pm

Hi,

I recently bought a 1986 316 e30 which had been dry stored for 4 years, it had somehow passed MOT.

The car was running very sluggish when I drove it home which was a 10mile journey, I was told the auto choke needs fixing something about the choke solenoid (I am not a mechanic or have a lot of experience with working on vehicles) so requires me to get the revs up when starting and waiting for the engine to warm up until the car can idle and even then was idling around 1500/2000 revs.

it has a Pierburg 2be carburettor which could do with a rebuild kit if not a replacement - that would be my first question if someone can point me into the right direction to either of these solutions?

I am in need of a new distributor cap and Rotar arm - as when we took the cover off to have a look found this to be corroded and rusty

would also look at new ignition leads.

Also need a temp sensor

Now just to make clear before I receive some sarcastic comments I am new to this and I am not experienced with mechanics I bought the car yes as a project with the presumption it was more cosmetic than mechanical but it feels to me that I may of bitten off more than I can chew, I have been told that the jobs that need doing to get her running are not major so I need not stress too much.

I am just looking for some advice and possible suggestions of places to get the parts etc I have looked on ebay and not really having much luck with this make and model.

I am based in the west midlands so if anyone knows of places around here that would be great.


Thanks
sadham
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 227
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:00 pm
Location: Birmingham, UK

Post Sun Apr 05, 2015 11:36 pm

Hi & Welcome to E30 Zone,

for parts try this company:
http://www.192.com/atoz/business/birmin ... d6e93/ugc/

They have quite a few E30's breaking hopefully one matches yours.

I believe there's one around stourbridge too don't know the details of that unfortunately.

Good luck with your project by the way!
Grrrmachine
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
Posts: 8043
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Warsaw, Poland

Post Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:22 am

Welcome! Unfortunately, there's not much info around on the lowly carbed 316, but the most solid piece of info you'll receive is to ditch that Pierburg carb - it's very troublesome and not worth fixing.

Start looking around eBay or classic forums for a decent Weber carb - here's a guide on what you need, and how to fit it:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... rburettors
User avatar
JRS90
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:00 pm

Post Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:08 am

Thanks guy!