new car! lots of problems!

Post Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:27 pm

right just brought an e30 320i and i wanted a decent project!

a project is what i have got!

it seems to run very hot when in anything other than free flowing traffic! it actually emptied the header tank in less than a minute! so i think that may be the one solution (could it be anything worse? no tell tale head gasket signs)

2) tapping coming from manifold, guy said it needed a new bolt and thread which he has, but it didnt seem like that too me! we will see!~

3) needs a new screen, massive spider going across this one! anyone handy at fitting screens?

4) rear arch with around 2 inch area of rust gone striaght through? anyone handy with a welder / filler!!!

your help would be appreciated as im new to this!

oh and before you all say , no i wont sell i delibratelly brought a project like this as a learning curve so i know whats what when i come to getting my 325i

Post Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:48 pm

1:probably viscous fan couple.35 quidish easy to do.

2:tapping probably broken manifold stud in head.may need head removal repair if sheared off flush.check that the spark plugs are fitted properly.

3:screens are easy to fit...feed the seal round carefully done mine in 30 mins outside scrapyard with 1 small electricians screwdriver and a bottle of washup liquid.

4:archs -about 150 a side fitted and painted.

Post Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:58 pm

thats great cheers! would it explain over heating in a matter of minutes though! i tried the newspaper trick and it stopped then slowly spooled up again! any resistance and it stops!

also the rust is as the arch comes down and meets the sill i will get photos!

other than these problems the car really is sound! not rot in scuttles! chassis sound just the arches!

as for the screen! im thinking a 2 man job! i can get hold of one its just im paranoid about fitting

Post Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:05 pm

mikey-t wrote:thats great cheers! would it explain over heating in a matter of minutes though! i tried the newspaper trick and it stopped then slowly spooled up again! any resistance and it stops!

also the rust is as the arch comes down and meets the sill i will get photos!

other than these problems the car really is sound! not rot in scuttles! chassis sound just the arches!

as for the screen! im thinking a 2 man job! i can get hold of one its just im paranoid about fitting

yup car will overheat in minutes with a u/s coupling.car is fine once on the move will confirm this.

Post Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:26 pm

it seemed that way as it travelled back from hereford to redditch pulling fine, temp gauge stayed at just above half way to halfway all the time, then i pulled into petty station and it emptied the reservoir!!! totally!~ it was bubbling up etc , i think the reservoir is damaged as the steam was coming from underneath not from the cap

Post Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:34 pm

did u buy that 320 in hereford the black one was on ebay recently ? just curious as i though about havin a look at that as im working in hereford ?

Post Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:30 am

320i yes ,,, not quite black but yeah thats the one