635csi Engine Check

[TomMan7531]

Hi,

New to the forum so hello everyone

I am just about to buy a 1987 BMW 635 but I do have a question about the engine, by the radiator it looks like tissue has been placed in the pipe, I'm not great with engines so can anyone help with what this pipe does and why this may have been done as stock pictures of the engine don't look like this.

Thanks

[DesktopDave]

Howdy! Glad you stopped by, looks like a nice car. We'll need some more details...

I don't see what you're talking about, can you be a little more descriptive? The air intake tube/snorkel looks a little non-stock, but it could just be the angle of the photo. Mine has a plastic bell tube just pointing at an intake hole on the inner headlight trim panel. Maybe it's a DIY cold air intake of some sort?

[mauryc]

Are you talking about something stuck in a hose that's laying on the distributer cap cover, near the blue temp sender?

[TomMan7531]

Thanks for the replies, I mean behind the radiator fan there seems to be a pipe coming up from the engine which looks like its been blocked with tissue or foam (I haven't seen the car yet so cant be 100% sure) If you compare it this other 635 engine you hopefully can see the difference, hope this helps

[tschultz]

That's the location of the thermostat.

Ask the seller why they did that. Was it seeping maybe?

[TomMan7531]

That's the location of the thermostat.

Ask the seller why they did that. Was it seeping maybe?

I'm seeing the car tomorrow so I will check and ask so thank you.

He did say the blower fan has stopped working so perhaps thats linked??

If I need more help after tomorrow I will ask, and thanks for the help again

[DesktopDave]

Might just be corrosion too, aluminum oxide is white & powdery like that. It'll probably clean up nicely with Simple Green or some other gentle cleaner. If that doesn't do it, maybe buff it out with a less aggressive cellulose pad or even a brass wire cup wheel to bring it back to life.

[DesktopDave]

Blower fan could just need some lubrication. I've also seen them work intermittently due to dirty contacts in the temperature dial. Neither is related to the coolant neck corrosion. There's also a variable fan speed transistor inside the blower fan housing that can fail, although it should still run on high in that case.

[1986series6]

Definitely corroded thermo housing.

[FernandoBunster]

What I believe what you're seeing is, as DesktopDave mentioned, is aluminum oxide on the thermostat housing. Probably from a coolant leak in that area. Get yourself a degreaser and some wire brushes and clean that engine. I love SONAX, a german degreaser. https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/SONAX/

I'm sure SONAX products are available in the UK. Welcome to the forum!

[TomMan7531]

No doubt the engine does need a good clean, I'm seeing the car tonight so fingers crosseed there are no horror stories, I've got a good idea so far but is there anything else I should check for, common problems?

Thanks

[dcains]

I'm going to make an educated-guess you're in the UK. I might suggest a visit to http://www.bigcoupe.com/. There is a fair number of UK members on that site, and you might be able to find someone local who knows the car, or who may be able to take a look at it with you.

[TomMan7531]

Thanks again Ill start reading, and yes I am in the UK.