Meet EVA. Finally got my e30!

[darknezz7]

Just picked up my first e30 today! I'm super excited to start fixing it up just how I want.

Her name was already Eva (pronounced eve-ah), because of the license plate.

Its an '85 318 with a 325es motor swap, manual. Has medium case high ratio diff I think he said LSD too!, lowered cut springs :/, nice rubber but crappy rims. Also suppose to have a recently rebuilt tranny and the motor only have 140k.

The inside is pretty damn nice aside from the seats and its got a really cool key less alarm system, everything seems to work ok as well.

The goal eventually is to put my complete m30 motor swap in it, turbo, autox, my dreams. just need the manual trans now, getrag 260 or 265 I believe.

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Oh.... It DOES need a head gasket, no oil/coolant mix but it disappears coolant. So simple and cheap (comparatively) on these motors though so why not do head gasket, water pump, timing belt and a tune up. I'll drive it for awhile and save up for the m30 swap then sell the good motor!

Win, so happy.


Oh yeah I paid $600

[MrBlackonWhite]

That's a good deal for 600

[darknezz7]

Yes, I have drove some comparable ones around a few years ago and they wanted $800. The last year non running ones have been going for 1000, running beat up 1500+

Even though it needs the head gasket, which I can do right away no prob, it was a good deal.

Even more so the guy I bought it from was a retired bmw mechanic and autox's e21 and e28s and is super cool, some pretty neat cars too. He wants me to come over and do some work for him to see my skills and cause I got the good deal then said he has alot of people needing work but he doesn't want or have the time too.


Pic today in front of the 530i.

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Ordered.

Cooling System : ThermostatRelated Parts
GATES Part # 33518 {#148, 31238} 176º Bottom By-Pass (2 5/8" x 1 3/32" x 1 1/32" x 1 15/32") OE Type 176 Degree; OE Temperature	$18.24			$18.24
Cooling System : Thermostat / Housing / Water Outlet SealRelated Parts
GATES Part # 33613 {#1071, 30929} Seal - 2 23/64" x 2 41/64" x 9/64" (O-Ring) Thermostat Seal Thermostat Seal	$0.56			$0.56
Engine : Oil FilterRelated Parts
WIX Part # 51088 {#PH4681, PH5414, PH6682} We have Drain Pans, Funnels, and Creepers listed under Garage Tools in our "Tools and Universal Parts" tab, as well as Filter Wrenches to help you change your own oil.	$5.90			$5.90
Engine : Timing Belt Component KitRelated Parts
GATES Part # TCK131 {#2521310} 2 Components (1 Belt, 1 Tensioner, 0 Idlers) PowerGrip Premium OE Timing Belt Component Kit Interference engine application	$31.79			$31.79
Cooling System : Water PumpRelated Parts
GATES Part # 42014 {#511956, 511977, 559119} Includes Gasket Would you like a Water Pump Wrench as well?	$24.79			$24.79
Ignition : Spark PlugRelated Parts
NGK Part # 5077 {#5839, ZGR5A} V-Power	$2.00			$12.00
Subtotal				$93.28
Discount				-$4.66
Shipping:				$10.18
Total				$98.80

From bmaautoparts ( 5642)





BMW E30 E28 M20 325E 528E Head Gasket Set with Head Bolt Set for 84 85 86 -

Condition:

New

Quantity:
Item price $98.00




$200 dropped.. Just need some oil, coolant and its $77 to have the head cleaned inspected and surfaced.

[323i E30]

Nice, welcome!

[Heatmakerz]

$600 for that is the nicely-ness. Welcome hombre.

[darknezz7]

So I actually had not ordered all that yet, about to buuut, today I had it idling in the port for a good 20 mins no overheat, topped off and bleed system. Drove it down street to light and it started over heating, by the time I was over the over pass and could pull over on a side street it was between 3/4 and red. I pulled over and felt the radiator and guess what, it was stone cold. So I figure this is easy, stuck t stat and pull off the housing on the side of the road boiling coolant. Well someone else thought of that, no t stat. So this evening I put in a t stat and new water pump, timing belt honestly looks pretty good can still see the markings on it.

Drove it around and its doing great! Also siliconed some cracks in intake boot, cleaned icv and throttle body, some other stuff. Its running great! Needs an oil change and throw some spark plugs in it and hopefully good to go.

NOTE! I found out exactly what is in this car today by the water pump. It seems pre 1987 es cars and others used a water pump with a second hose on the bottom. My engines water pump only had the one outlet. What matches up to that is a 1988 325 2.7 and older motor, not eta, yeah.


This things GETS it too its sooo fun.




I jacked it up today and it does just have cut springs.... and worn shocks... and needs control arms, pretty much needs everythng ofc. Atleast this car I will really feel worth it.


ISO USED e30 lowering springs....

- - - Updated - - -

I know my phone camera sucks. I'm iso a nice cannon or nikon dslr real camera.

The more I look over and mess with everything the more I see how everything works and clean the car is. I realized no glove box lol, but its in the trunk just need new hinge. Everything works, no rust, just 2 minor dings in whole body. ALL the glass and seals are good.

Heres some interior and engine shots.

[323i E30]

^ I'd assume the absence of a t-stat would result in slow heating up, not in over-heating....!
Does your radiator heat up nicely now? Not clogged etc..?

[darknezz7]

I know I was confused too, but I also think they might not run right at all without a t stat cause it wont build pressure and bleed right.

Yes the radiator is heating up good now, I flushed it too and its not clogged. It has an electric fan as a pusher on the front that was hooked up to a connector by the driver head lights, I assume aux fan since these had main mechanical fan? It was not turning on, having tested further. Car has no fan as of now, I'm gonna get a derale temp sensor and relay kit and hook the e fan up right.

[323i E30]

Sounds good.
That fan in the front is mainly for the AC I believe.
I don't have AC, neither do I have that fan so I'm not familiar with that thing.

You should get that mechanical fan that is supposed to be attached to the engine. Get the fan shroud as well to make sure the fan clutch will catch the heat and therefore lock up when needed (I don't see it on your pics, temporarily disassembled there..?).
Sorry if I'm being a bit vague btw, but I don't know all the parts in English... No native speaker.

[darknezz7]

Its an after market e fan that's on the radiator and being a pusher on the front of the rad is fine. Def no /ac in this car.

I dont like mechanical fans they get in the way all the time and drag an engine down.

I just need to get the e fan hooked up, got to test see if it even works today, if not I have some of the stock ac aux fans lying around maybe I could fit in. Ooo actually I have a brand new e fan that was sent with a broken glade, looks like same fan here so I should swap em out.

For now I'll probably just hook it up to a switch.

[VARick]

Looks great, love another white e30 in the club.

[darknezz7]

The e fan that came with the car works great, hooked up to a switch inside for now.

So I drove it all around town yesterday and on the freeway. It stayed right under 1/2 temp the whole time.

I noticed though that the hoses for the expansion tank were still cold after driving it for awhile.
One time after getting off the freeway I stopped at 7/11 and there was some steam coming from what seemed like the passenger back of engine? I looked around could not see anything and the steam quickly subsided. Car never overheated and did fine rest of the way home.


Also this thing has a pretty bad wheel side to side shake from like 45 to 60 and vibrates on the freeway...

[darknezz7]

So after the water pump and t stat I have been driving this car almost everyday for nearly 3 months.

ZERO COOLANT LOSS AND NO OVERHEATING

Also zero oil loss, though the valve cover does drip on the exhaust after a hard/freeway drive, smokey and stinky.

One strange thing... I check my fluids once a week, one time about a month ago my coolant was black! Not oily, just blackish. I thought maybe a hose deteriorating, or exhaust is getting in the coolant (no other signs of that though).
Flushed the radiator and engine a few times, filled back up 50/50, been fine since. Strange.

I got a mp3/aux deck in it now, nothing fancy just an older pioneer. My buddy gave me a 12" Kenwood exceleon so I got that hooked up. Need new rear deck speakers but doesnt sound too bad.

Put in the proper spark plugs wr9ls, made a good difference over the w8lcr+'s I stuck in there because I have a bunch of them.
Also put Redline MTL in the trans and redline 80 90 in the diff. Trans had atf in it, diff has nasty grey snot.

One annoying thing is the idle started getting worse, bouncing from 1500-2000 at stops, at first not always but then almost every time. If I blipped the throttle it usually settled down. This car has always idled high. Well I went through and changed some vac lines, sealed some stuff and added some clamps, now it does it all the time when warm constantly lol. So I unplugged the throttle position switch and it idles steady around 1800. The intake boot was all cracked and I siliconed it but hoping its just that and not the $50 throttle switch or worse $200 idle control valve.

Just ordered:

Delete	Part Number	Availability	Description	Price	Quantity	SubTotal
	13-32-1-270-038-M14	100+ in stock Ships Today!	Fuel Filter Brand: Bosch, 1987 BMW 528e Sedan [More Info]	$9.50		$9.50
	13-71-1-285-479-M200	28 in stock Ships Today!	Intake Boot - Air Flow Meter to Throttle Housing (through 2/87) Brand: MTC, 1987 BMW 528e Sedan [More Info]	$5.75		$5.75
	13-54-1-271-457-M42	55 in stock Ships Today!	Throttle Housing Gasket - Throttle Body Housing to Intake Manifold Brand: Goetze, 1987 BMW 528e Sedan [More Info]	$1.75		$1.75
	11-42-1-266-773-M67	100+ in stock Ships Today!	Oil Filter (Spin On Type) Brand: Mahle-Knecht, 1987 BMW 528e Sedan [More Info]	$4.75		$4.75
	11-33-1-264-519-M17	100+ in stock Ships Today!	Rocker Shaft Plug In Head (4 per car, sold individually) [More Info]	$1.00		$4.00
	11-12-1-730-229-M17	100+ in stock Ships Today!	Valve Cover Gasket Brand: Victor Reinz , 1987 BMW 528e Sedan [More Info]	$7.50		$7.50
	11-12-1-285-609-M213	69 in stock Ships Today!	Camshaft Seal, Intermediate Shaft Seal, 38 x 50 x 7, E30 325/e/es, 325i/is, 325iC/iX; E28 524td, 528e; E34 525i [More Info]	$5.75		$5.75
	11-12-1-265-087-M213	100+ in stock Ships Today!	Cam Flange O-Ring (RED), E30 325/e/es, 325i/is; 325iC/iX; E28 528e, E34 525i [More Info]	$1.50		$1.50
	11-31-1-267-746-M9	17 in stock Ships Today!	Tensioner Spring for Timing Belt Adjusting Pulley Assembly, 325/e/es/i/is/iC/iX (1984-91) [More Info]	$1.50		$1.50
	TB-131-K1-M21	100+ in stock Ships Today!	Timing Belt Kit Brand: Contitech , 1987 BMW 528e Sedan [More Info]	$38.00		$38.00
Click here for recommended items that qualify for FREE shipping, based upon items in your shopping cart.
Subtotal:		$80.00

I'll do a valve adj while in there ofc, who knows when that was last done...

At that point I will have around $280 into the car.
At a $600 purchase makes it pretty good.

I love driving my e30 every time.
Though when I get in the 6spd v8 it feels pretty beast too.

Can't wait for m30 swap!

[darknezz7]

So got all those parts in yesterday, except oil filter.
This should make it stop smoking after a good drive, it had this funny honking noise when first started on revs over 3k, I think that was the tensioner, that's gone.
I really wanted the idle surge to settle down, the silicone I put on the boot had definitely failed, with stuff set right and the screw on the ICV turned tightly all the way in it is fairly steady around 1200. Once it warms up the idle still surges but now between 1000 and 1500, so this is progress from before. I noticed if I unplug the ecu temp sensor while surging the idle went to a steady 800... But if you tried to give it gas it would stumble choke and almost die. I already ordered one, $6, hopefully that helps. Same piece went out on the 530i, as soon as it warmed up idle was all over and had no power.

Otherwise the engine is running great.

Man this thing is dirty under the valve cover, been seeing some pretty poorly maintained engines lately.

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Easiest timing belt I've done in awhile aside from the car being low and hurting my back.

[Davis318]

Damn, not bad for $600. Looks like the first engine pic, valve cover removed, you are dealing with some sludge. No bueno

[darknezz7]

you are dealing with some sludge

no way hombre :P

when I got the car the oil was sooo black, looked like it had not been changed forever


It still does a bouncy idle when all the way warm, but only sometimes now and its from 1000-1500 instead of 1500-2000, pretty good otherwise around 900. hope the ecu temp sensor helps it otherwise I will probably just live with it, need to start saving for the swap and other stuff.

[darknezz7]

darn no change with the coolant sensor. eh I might just live with it unless come across cheap parts.

Things it could be, kind of in order from what i think, need to actually test these:

throttle position sensor
idle control valve
idle control unit (green box in cab)
air flow sensor

I still think the key is it only does it when fully warm and goes into closed loop.

[darknezz7]

I wanted to update that this car was wrecked two years ago this coming January 2018, on my bday. Driving home late in country, rain, not too great tires, deer on corner, steep ditch luckily filled with gravel from fresh construction so I didn't go into the tree 3 feet in front of me....

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Replaced with this

newe30.JPG

Its mostly blacked out now and different rims, see sig for build page.