Bought a slightly burned E34...project.

**atl530i** · 04-15-2017, 02:47 PM

So I like to punish myself. It's quite apparent with the basket case E34's I for some reason keep buying. With that being said, I decided to buy another wagon (my 3rd now) since it was in decent shape, black interior, LSD, and 130k miles. A lot of records from the previous owners and in fairly good shape cosmetically and mechanically. The blower motor decided to burn up and nearly took the car with it. The blower motor was replaced in 2013 so it seems crazy that it would only last about four years. I think the final stage resistor got hot and caused the fire to be honest. There was still a lot of debris on the bottom and no record of it ever being changed. What I started with.

Grand plan is another M52 or S52 OBD2 car. I still have my OBD2 stuff from the last swap.

I began to dig into the car more and starting rethinking about my decision to buy this car...too late now! The front harness was not burned up completely. The wiring going to the recirculation actuators, final stage resistor, blower motor, and another sensor close to the blower motor needed to be changed since the wiring was encased in melted plastic. The pigtails with the plug needed to be spliced in and that was about it. I am amazed there was no further damage to the wiring.

- - - Updated - - -

The previous owner kept a fire extinguisher in the car but unfortunately it was the ABC type and crap went everywhere. A complete mess. Out with the rest of the interior and clean everything up.

Picked up a 94 525i wagon parts car for free basically and had the HVAC system out within an hour. Second time always goes faster. That's my Fusion of the 6 speed variety

Started putting the car back together. Cleaning up stuff as I went along. The only difference between the 92 HVAC and 94 HVAC system is the blend option on the center vent. The 92 version uses an electric actuator while the 94 version uses a bowden cable. This made no difference in this system since they both came out of M50 cars. Early model I6 cars and V8 cars may differ.

Got the cluster in and dash electronics connected and tested everything. It all works!

How it currently sits. I've been working on this on and off for the past couple weeks after work and in my spare time that I really do not have.

**Grim Reaper** · 04-15-2017, 05:53 PM

Wow that is a ton of effort ... props for taking the path less chosen.

Is this for a daily or going to give it some mods as well?

**demetk** · 04-15-2017, 06:04 PM

Wow, slightly burned?

That looked like a lot of damage that I didn't think it was fixable.

**E38740iMD** · 04-15-2017, 08:55 PM

^agreed

**atl530i** · 04-15-2017, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Grim Reaper

Wow that is a ton of effort ... props for taking the path less chosen.

Is this for a daily or going to give it some mods as well?

Fusion is my daily/family hauler since my Jeep went to the electrical afterlife last month. I plan on fixing the rest of the electrical problems (hatch mainly) and swapping a 5 speed in it later on. Currently, it runs awesome. Suspension needs a little work but not much. The double sun roof still works and was recently lubed by the previous owner so it's also good to go. I still have all of my OBD2 stuff to do that swap if I want also. It'll be a parts hauler when it needs to be and daily when what's currently broken is fixed.

Originally Posted by demetk

Wow, slightly burned?

That looked like a lot of damage that I didn't think it was fixable.

Originally Posted by E38740iMD

^agreed

Just slightly

I tend to think optimistically about these things.

**Kingpin025** · 04-16-2017, 05:33 AM

Looking good and that looks like a ton of work. The hatch loom repairs will most likely fix all your electrical woes, it did for me. The damage was on both sides of the loom in mine and it looked like someone smashed the entire thing with a hammer.

**Smith Jason** · 04-16-2017, 09:57 AM

Nicely done. I am on the hunt for a decent shape touring for myself. Where I live I may as well be hunting unicorns but I will keep looking. I know how much work that was, good on you and I am with you on the spare time.

**atl530i** · 04-16-2017, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Kingpin025

Looking good and that looks like a ton of work. The hatch loom repairs will most likely fix all your electrical woes, it did for me. The damage was on both sides of the loom in mine and it looked like someone smashed the entire thing with a hammer.

Well versed in hatch harness repair

That was from the last wagon.

**atl530i** · 05-03-2017, 12:38 AM

Small update. I had some free time on Sunday to put the rest of the car back together. I got a decent Kenwood radio from a customer at work for free (he was upgrading) that has bluetooth, color matching lights, and was all black so that was installed as well...perks of the job.

I managed to get the passenger side done on Friday after work. So this is what I started with on Sunday.

During

After. I cleaned everything off once more (not the last since it's still pollen season here) and tested everything out. Everything works except the AC, I still need to get that recharged. No more melted bits.

I was messing with the double sunroof after I was done. It 100% works. The previous owner recovered the headliner and greased the tracks for the panels when everything was out of the car. It works really well. First wagon that I bought with a working sunroof, quite nice. Pardon the dirty car, it currently sits because the interior was in pieces.

I had the front and back open at the same time but did not get a pic of that. I took the racks off because I do not use them.

It'll make a nice cruiser since everything I have is a 6 speed now, it's nice to have at least one lazy car in the bunch.

**Sir Montalbon** · 05-03-2017, 08:13 AM

Hey man, good work as usual! How many e34's is this now?

**atl530i** · 05-03-2017, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Sir Montalbon

Hey man, good work as usual! How many e34's is this now?

Thanks. Just two.

**Jackson42** · 05-03-2017, 01:25 PM

Man, I admire you for taking on that burn job - looks really great and everything works, too? My hat is off to you!

**GregT53** · 05-03-2017, 02:00 PM

You deserve E34 owner of the year for your daring to take on this project and sticking with it to bring the car to this point. Great job. I suspect the blower motor was not OE and was a low cost, aftermarket part. I trust you know to reduce the amperage of the blower motor fuse to 25 from stock 30. I run 20A on mine and carry a halon fire extinguisher to avoid the disaster that hit your wagon. Keep up the great work, and thanks for keeping another E34 on the road!

**95525ibob** · 05-03-2017, 02:42 PM

I run 20A on mine and carry a halon fire extinguisher

Thanks for the tip!

And great work looks minty

**E38740iMD** · 05-08-2017, 06:05 PM

How did you get your hands on halon when they are now only government issued?

**BleedsBlue** · 05-08-2017, 06:11 PM

^ Na ah. This is the one Greg specced for his custom bracket: https://www.amazon.com/Amerex-C352TS...vert-amazon-20

**GregT53** · 05-09-2017, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by E38740iMD

How did you get your hands on halon when they are now only government issued?

Several companies sell these like Summit, Jegs, etc. I got mine from Sparktec in CA.

**atl530i** · 05-09-2017, 01:31 AM

I have a 20a fuse in both of my E34's. I usually do not use the HVAC system in either E34, it's windows down or seat heaters depending on temperature.

Made some more progress over the weekend. Ditched the free forms and clears in favor of projectors and ambers. I also found some late model/tds grills for it.

Still looking for another tail light.

**atl530i** · 06-26-2017, 01:24 AM

Small update. I got the AC recharged finally and the entire HVAC system is 100% operational now. Cold air and hot heat with no fires! The transmission did overheat and throw a trans program message though, don't care because it's going away.

I did manage to pick up another 1992 525i 5 speed with 144k that was enthusiast owned but unfortunately was in Boston for four years. Came with a complementary blown M50nv. Clean exterior but the doors, part of the driver floor pan, and some other bits have rust on them so I decided to use it for what I had originally bought it for...parts. I probably would have saved it but oh well, cool wagon stuff moving on. Interestingly enough, they are both sterling silver over black and one month separates them on the production line.

ZF 5 speed swap, s3.23, wheels, H&R's/Bilstein sports/E.A.T. chip, and some misc crap will end up on the wagon. The rest will be sold off.

This wagon is getting a new lease on life at the expense of a rust bucket lol.

**dschneider** · 06-27-2017, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by atl530i

This wagon is getting a new lease on life at the expense of a rust bucket lol.

I always enjoy seeing a touring get some love. It's a bummer they never brought any of the fun engines to the states.

**atl530i** · 09-04-2017, 01:59 AM

So I ripped thru that parts car and started disassembling the wagon today. I'm going to pull the motor, clean the rest of the fire extinguisher residue, reseal the engine, and drop it back in but with a 5 speed instead. I also rebuilt the hatch harness (few month ago). I found the trim pieces at the junk yard so the missing trim is no longer missing.

Bumpers, wheels, and a few other items also made their way on the wagon. I think I'll stick with the Borbet's for a while, I kinda like them.

Left it as this for the evening, I probably have another hour or two before the engine is on the stand and the slushbox is in the trash.

**atl530i** · 09-13-2017, 01:01 AM

Made some more progress. I got the engine on the stand, cleaned up, and resealed. I sold my obd2 stuff to help offset the cost of that kick ass interior (priorities right?) so I have been thinking of other options. The thought of megasquirt 2 with a turbo since the motor is very healthy if the car sticks around a while. The car pulled very nicely thru the RPM range. Even if I decide to go M52 or S52, I can always get another OBD2 harness made. Good to have options.

I have a lot of work to do to the engine bay, disgusting.

Parts pile.

Cleaned up engine the best I could without a complete disassembly. Painted the valve cover and resealed the engine. I put a safety nut from Bimmerworld on the oil pump since I had the oil pan off. Came out nice.

Cleaned the transmission up as well.

Picked up some new wheels with good Michelin tires.

**Racerhoze** · 09-13-2017, 07:33 AM

Awesome progress! Do you want to sell me any black interior pieces? I just wish you weren't so far away

Also... that is the F'ing longest Philips head screwdriver I have ever seen
7.jpg

**ross1** · 09-13-2017, 09:42 AM

Sure is a labor love there, more than I'd be up for.
Curious about smell, does it stink of fire? I've had cigarette smokers cars that were nigh on impossible to make clean smelling again.

**atl530i** · 09-13-2017, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Racerhoze

Awesome progress! Do you want to sell me any black interior pieces? I just wish you weren't so far away

Also... that is the F'ing longest Philips head screwdriver I have ever seen
7.jpg

I bought that screw driver when I had my first E34. I use it to get the grill off. The black interior is sticking around as it's all back in the car.

Originally Posted by ross1

Sure is a labor love there, more than I'd be up for.
Curious about smell, does it stink of fire? I've had cigarette smokers cars that were nigh on impossible to make clean smelling again.

Most of the smell was from the ABC fire extinguisher stuff. That smell is gone from the interior. There was never any smell of fire or burnt plastic though. It was present in the engine bay because most of what was left of the powder was piled on top of the transmission. That smell is also gone since I cleaned everything off and removed the transmission. The engine bay is getting degreaser and a power wash this weekend so I can start assembling the car.