850 CSi - first steps
Discussion
niki0712 said:
I'll write about the history of the car, or at least the little that I know, tomorrow - as my better half only allowed one car day this weekend, hence the late posting of the photos etc. My apologies about that! I am fascinated and very appreciative about all the interest, absolutely amazing. Thank you!
First roof over its head since 2002!
Cracking pic, light's just right on it.First roof over its head since 2002!
niki0712 said:
I am fascinated and very appreciative about all the interest, absolutely amazing. Thank you!
Are you kidding ?, this is great stuff, that's a dream find for a lot of guys on here, finding any 90's 8 series but an 850 CSI no less.I'm running an E38 750 at the moment but hope to progress onto an 8 someday, i'd love that car in my garage right now.
The engine may not need plugs but it WILL need a drive belt on the front (sometimes called a serpentine belt), if you have a look at the ribs on it they will have cracks (if not now it will when it runs as the rubber will have hardened in 12 years), this will need changed along with the idler and tensioner pulleys, also adviseable to change the water pump, the waterpump has a plastic impeller known to break, replacements have an alloy impeller.
I spent several thousand miles behind the wheel of one back in 1997. It was reg number M85 VTM if anyone reading this happens to know of its whereabouts these days. Velvety smooth with a fabulous wall of torque. Did feel under-braked though, but apparently that's more of a perception thing where they perhaps lack a bit of feel, as statistically they stop pretty well. Very small cabin for the size of the exterior, although I did mange to do 100 miles in the back of it once. 
niki0712 said:
Not much more happened on the day. The only technical update is that we believe the spark plugs do not need replacing, they look brand new (at least no 1 did).
Of course very tempted to just turn it on but didn't dare to, reluctantly. Lights all come on, wipers work - the car overall looks, feels and smells not at all like a car that was parked outside for 12 years!
Found some rust under the spare wheel, next to the water tank for windscreen wash and the AHK (I think, pls confirm!) The floor there is very brittle and can be poked through.
I bet number 12 needs replacing! Its a devil to get at and mmost dealers never bothered.Of course very tempted to just turn it on but didn't dare to, reluctantly. Lights all come on, wipers work - the car overall looks, feels and smells not at all like a car that was parked outside for 12 years!
Found some rust under the spare wheel, next to the water tank for windscreen wash and the AHK (I think, pls confirm!) The floor there is very brittle and can be poked through.
Yes, the AHK pump and accumulator is in the spare wheel well in the middle of the screen wash bottle. The rust in the well is very common and an easy fix.
It does look good. A very lucky find indeed! The engine looks tightly packed but its not bad at all. Most parts are perfectly accessible (except plug 12!). Obviously the brakes and clutch will need flushing and bleeding. The clutch can be tricky to bleed so patience is needed. It has its own reservoir and the water in the fluid will have migrated to the slave cylinder so be aware that it could be corroded.
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