e30 start-up : 3 years

[mark_i]

thoughts and experiences please.

After three years laid up in a dry lock-up... whats the realities of starting up the M42 318iS ?

new freshly charged battery
check inside fuel tank for rust / sludge
rotate engine on crank first
check clutch and brake fluids and radiator expansion tank/coolant

TIA

[flybynite]

Thats about right, couple of things I would do.

Take the plugs out to turn it over on the starter, gets oil pressure quicker and less stress on a dry engine. Then check you can get oil pressure easily with them in and put the oil pressure light out.

Try and get fresh fuel in it. Stuff these days is terrible at lasting. I have had problems with lawnmowers and old fuel, don't even risk it on cars.

Have jump leads/booster/second battery as a battery doesn't last long if it doesn't fire.

[mark_i]

thanks for the quick reply.

I'll report back on what I find.
Does V-power petrol cause any less problems. I guess the ethanol is the issue due to absorption of water .

[flybynite]

thanks for the quick reply.

I'll report back on what I find.
Does V-power petrol cause any less problems. I guess the ethanol is the issue due to absorption of water .

Yeah in theory, but all petrol goes bad. If I was laying the car up for a while again I would be adding a bit of preservative. I use it on the machinery and it works well.

[martauto]

Does V-power petrol cause any less problems.

Please do not use anything less than this in any E30.
E10 is basically shit !!!!!!!!
This crap is for "Euro Training shoes" only.
This will not do anything for an e30 for fuel lines and performance too.
Take your time and I hope things work out mate

Mart.

[mark_i]

Mart, Thanks for the reminder on E10.
I'm going to attempt to empty the tank with a battery on the fuel pump, fuel can in the engine bay with hose from injector rail.
I have a pump electrical connector and a long pair of leads to be safe, then put in 5 litres of fresh petrol before firing up.

[martauto]

I have been using 97 octane from Sainsburys recently and it seems very good in my E46.
It`s their "Super"

Mart.