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Thread: I'm not going to keep my E21

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
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    ‘81 E21 320i

    I'm not going to keep my E21

    It needs a new flex plate / flywheel whatever. A new starter is included. I can't afford to spend more on it, so someone who wants to fix it or take all the good condition parts might have an opportunity here.

    Not sure where I'll make it available for purchase. But just in case anyone on this forum is interested, I'm posting here first. It's in Quartzite, AZ, and inoperable.

    Here's some photos, information:

    https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-bmw-320i-6

    https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-bmw-320i/

    https://bringatrailer.com/2018/02/21...-sf-to-dallas/

    IF I get back to Quartzite, AZ before it's sold I will add more detail photos that will paint a clear picture of its condition.

    Ask anything you want about it; I'm not going to hold back.
    Last edited by mcgee; 01-15-2019 at 08:16 PM. Reason: adding

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    1979 E21 320i
    Is there a difference between the auto and manual flywheels?
    -John

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    ‘81 E21 320i
    Yes. They're not switchable. There's an auto available on ebay at the moment. I might buy it to stick with the car.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    1981 320i silver
    You drove it from Atlanta to Arizona?

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    1980 BMW 320i E21 M10B18

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by Somjuan View Post
    Is there a difference between the auto and manual flywheels?

    Not really. BMW 11221278932

    BMW 3 Series (E21,E30,E36,E46,E90,E91,E92,E93) 318i Automatic Coupe 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
    BMW 3 Series (E21,E30,E36,E46,E90,E91,E92,E93) 318i Automatic Sedan 1984, 1985, 1986
    BMW 3 Series (E21,E30,E36,E46,E90,E91,E92,E93) 318i Manual Coupe 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
    BMW 3 Series (E21,E30,E36,E46,E90,E91,E92,E93) 318i Manual Sedan 1984, 1985, 1986
    BMW 3 Series (E21,E30,E36,E46,E90,E91,E92,E93) 320i Automatic Sedan 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
    BMW 3 Series (E21,E30,E36,E46,E90,E91,E92,E93) 320i Manual Sedan 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983

    https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...221278932.html


    I got BMW 11221270292 which are now NLA, 6 in the world when I bought my new one in 2016 from FCP Euro with lifetime warranty free- I still have- D215mm 8 Loch,,

    BMW 11221278932 some show flywheel sensor some dont show sensor, BMW 11221270292-Flywheel-No sensor or slot for sensor at all.

    https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...l/11221278932/



    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 01-16-2019 at 12:51 AM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post
    You drove it from Atlanta to Arizona?
    Yes. Atlanta > Lexington > Memphis > Texarkana > Dallas > San Antonio > El Paso > Tucson > Quartzite.

    Only problem was the starter was 'scratchy', and I'd guess it was the pinion not making it out all the way because of the very cold, damp weather. I drove through 3 pretty intense storms. 75mph most of the way, some 80, some 70.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by 320iAman View Post
    Not really. BMW 11221278932
    Randy
    Great find! Thanks, Randy!

    The part I've sourced is $80 shipped, used.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    '78 320i
    Find a way to get that flywheel in on the cheap. I really want this to work out for you.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
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    1983 320is
    I'm so sorry to hear about your problems. I watched the BaT auction and it looks like a really nice car. I hate to see you take a beating by selling it in its present state. I don't know your circumstances or tolerance for frustration, but stuff like this happens a lot with old cars and it's just part of the hobby. It's easier, though, if you have the time and money to devote to it and aren't relying on the car for everyday transportation. You might want to think of some alternatives. AAA has Premier membership for about $100 that will tow 200 miles for free after a seven-day waiting period. That might help getting the car closer to you where you could find an indy shop or a tech that would be willing to take it on as a side job. You might also try the local BMWCCA chapter. You might be able to find some folks willing to get together and do a flywheel intervention for a few cases of beer and pizzas. If all fails, try a Go Fund Me. Bet there would be some folks to throw in some bucks. You could probably make this happen if you really want it.

    Rick

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Cool

    Sure, Indeed with older cars they get reliable when all the old parts are renewed, patience works.

    Randy

  10. #10
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    Apr 2017
    Location
    Anaheim, CA
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    BMW E21
    It's stuck in AZ?

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    1981 320i silver
    Isn't there a way to start this thing with missing flywheel teeth, and drive it home? If it were a stick you would bump start it. I drove a truck to Los Angeles once with a really bad starter, and deliberately stopped for gas at a station off to the side of the 5 freeway that was up a hill. Filled the tank, then pushed it myself away from the pump, got it rolling downhill, jumped in, let the clutch out and started it that way.

    Maybe rotate the engine by hand, until the spot missing teeth is not where the starter is; it might crank and start then.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Yes it is sitting in Quartzite Arizona, and the owner took the Greyhound bus home to San Francisco.

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Somjuan View Post
    Is there a difference between the auto and manual flywheels?
    night and day. automatics do not run a flywheel.

    automatics have a flex disc which is very thin and very lightweight. they have the torque converter mounted on the flex disc, but the main reason for the disc is to mount the ring gear for the stater to engage. you can not use a manual flywheel in a automatic transmission car.
    Last edited by Tom D; 01-16-2019 at 01:10 PM.
    Tom D

    77 e21 - m42
    88 e30m3
    04 330 dinan3
    84 r1000rt
    02 r1150rs
    all of them gray
    14 f800gsa - red headed stepchild!

  13. #13
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    +1 on turning the engine a little so the starter can get a bite. I'm thinking the easiest way might be if you can get a wrench on the front of the crankshaft pulley? You can do this!

    The BMWCCA intervention idea is also really good! I broke down once far from home in Carlsbad, NM on my airhead bmw bike and managed to get in touch with someone who was able to talk me through diagnosing a charging issue which got me home safely. From experience I can say, BMW fans are an amazingly supportive bunch!!

    I can definitely empathise with how much frustration you are probably feeling though after the excitement of the purchase and getting stranded in the middle of a long roadtrip, and probably thinking after this much hassle what ELSE is going to go wrong?

    However it turns out for you, I wish you the best of luck!

  14. #14
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    Supposedly the first two are Automatic flexplates and the third is the manual transmission flywheel.

  15. #15
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    1983 320is
    From a quick look at realoem it looks like there is an inspection cover in the transmission that might give you access to the flexplate teeth that could allow you to turn it with a tool like this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900178 Take the sparkplugs out so you're not fighting compression. Any local garage should be able to try moving it either with the crank nut or flywheel tool to at least get you running again.

  16. #16
    Join Date
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    1983 320I, 1986 325E
    This situation sucks. Stuff like this has deterred me from taking my 320i on trips. It did cover around 25k miles of city driving in around 3 years. Its only gone on 4 2 hour+ drives in that time.

    I wish I could help you out in some way.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post


    Supposedly the first two are Automatic flexplates and the third is the manual transmission flywheel.
    Same ones I found.

  18. #18
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    Cool

    Thats odd , it shows they are interchangable.

    bmw 11221284675--is Automatic flywheel.

    best thing since there is conflicting information is too take it a part and get whats there.

    Heres the same picture

    s-l500.jpg

    This part will fit these makes and models with these options
    BMW 320i 77-83 AT
    BMW 318i 84 AT; (3HP22, 3 speed)

    Definitely different than manual transmission flywheels,, its flywheel with a driving dog(bmw 24401205588).




    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 01-16-2019 at 09:13 PM.

  19. #19
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    I appreciate all the help in here. It's encouraged me to look into more options and I might end up driving that car into my parking spot at home. We'll see.

  20. #20
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    flexplate.jpg

    Look in your Haynes manual Randy. It shows how the torque converter is attached to this square plate. And the square plate is held up against the flywheel by the same bolts that hold the flywheel to the crankshaft. But in the case of the automatic it is not really called a flywheel; it is instead the thinner "flexplate."

    The photo above shows them both, the manual flywheel, and behind it the "flexplate" with the square plate thing that holds the torque converter.

    Here is what realoem says. Note you get different results depending on if you specify auto or manual. And the extra square plate is used with the auto flywheel/flexplate only. Of course the manual uses the clutch pressure plate, instead of this simple square metal plate used to attach the torque converter.

    Automatic - 10 Flywheel 3HP22 1 11221284675 $343.05
    Manual - 10 Flywheel D=215MM,8 LOCH 1 09/1982 11221270292 $278.24
    Last edited by okieflats; 01-16-2019 at 08:10 PM.

  21. #21
    Join Date
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    flywheel | ˈflīˌ(h)wēl |
    noun
    a heavy revolving wheel in a machine that is used to increase the machine's momentum and thereby provide greater stability or a reserve of available power during interruptions in the delivery of power to the machine.

    one of the reasons a manual trans uses a heavy flywheel is for maintaining engine momentum while shifting. automatics don't require chopping the throttle while shifting so the weight of the flex plate is not as important, plus the weight of the torque converter full of oil adds to the rotating mass.
    Tom D

    77 e21 - m42
    88 e30m3
    04 330 dinan3
    84 r1000rt
    02 r1150rs
    all of them gray
    14 f800gsa - red headed stepchild!

  22. #22
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    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by okieflats View Post
    flexplate.jpg

    Look in your Haynes manual Randy. It shows how the torque converter is attached to this square plate. And the square plate is held up against the flywheel by the same bolts that hold the flywheel to the crankshaft. But in the case of the automatic it is not really called a flywheel; it is instead the thinner "flexplate."

    The photo above shows them both, the manual flywheel, and behind it the "flexplate" with the square plate thing that holds the torque converter.

    Here is what realoem says. Note you get different results depending on if you specify auto or manual. And the extra square plate is used with the auto flywheel/flexplate only. Of course the manual uses the clutch pressure plate, instead of this simple square metal plate used to attach the torque converter.

    Automatic - 10 Flywheel 3HP22 1 11221284675 $343.05
    Manual - 10 Flywheel D=215MM,8 LOCH 1 09/1982 11221270292 $278.24
    I see thanks I'll check that out, yet that does not explain why-----the interchangability that is listed on several sites, BMW Dealerships, who get there information from BMW itself. Square Plate is called a driving dog, I was looking thru internet items and you posted before I was done editing. lol

    Since I have not tried an interchange(BMW 11221278932) I dont know if it would work, maybe someone here has tried it and state his results on what happened, I have a Getrag 245 5sp-two of them not an automatic transmission..

    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 01-16-2019 at 10:05 PM.

  23. #23
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    OP- are you sure the flywheel teeth are damaged? It could be just the starter, I've had that happen before. I had my original starter fail this way. Did anyone remove the starter and inspected the condition of the starter gear and flywheel?

    It's hard to believe that the flywheel gears are damaged...


    Max

    PS 80MPH is way too fast for an auto, it is like 5K RPM no wonder everything started rattling...
    Last edited by mxl556; 01-17-2019 at 07:37 AM.

  24. #24
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    Yes, the starter was pull off and its housing is broken, and the flex plate teeth were felt.

  25. #25
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    Maybe that new starter wasn't installed correctly, misaligned, and the teeth on the gears got damaged.

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