850 CSi - first steps

850 CSi - first steps

Author
Discussion

niki0712

Original Poster:

135 posts

122 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
annoying, but also fairly low on priority list


niki0712

Original Poster:

135 posts

122 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
some more of the boot rust




misaligned sunroof? or the seal?


gf15

980 posts

265 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
That looks incredibly smart for a car that has been outside for 12 years. Exhausts look like new.
Bosch batteries and oil, try Costco.
M Parallel's are in my view the nicest wheels ever, there should be a good supply, judging by the number of E38's that are being consigned to the scrappie. I would check that they fit your car.
Get some Gliptone on the leather, you will notice a fantastic difference.
Please keep us updated on progress.
A manual V12 Coupe. cloud9

niki0712

Original Poster:

135 posts

122 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
right, at least the one-picture-per-post issue was resolved.

some rust in the pop-up lights




I hope and pray it'll start!




not dead


Spuffington

1,203 posts

167 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Best of luck - a huge task ahead of you but I take my hat off to you and slightly jealous at the same time. What a project?

Lovely cars these and would love to own one one day.

rossi1

773 posts

201 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Gorgeous motor. love everything about the 8 smile

keep the style 5 wheels, look spot on !

Best of luck, i will keep my eye on this smile

RichardM5

1,733 posts

135 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
I think if it were me I'd take the car to a specialist and get a full engine rebuild before attempting to start it. 12 years is a long time to sit, there are so many rubber parts, tensioners, guides etc. that could have failed (or will fail as soon as put under pressure) that tearing it down first would be prudent to prevent big damage on startup.

Fantastic motor by the way!!

vincenz

689 posts

231 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Fantastic looking car, manual as well.

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
vincenz said:
Fantastic looking car, manual as well.
850 CSI is manual only

GaryThomlinson

537 posts

174 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
My eyes are pinned on this thread, its going to be a labor of love.

8Tech

2,136 posts

197 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
The CSi has 2 of most things. 2 fuel pumps, filters, MAF's, fuel regulators, throttle bodies and distributors to name but a few.

You need 2 air filters and 2 fuel filters, plus you missed the cabin filters. Make sure the wipers operate and park correctly as that is a major task.

When you remove the fuel filters, you can put the disconnected hoses in a container and then bridge the fuel pump relays to run each pump individually to drain the tank, then refit the hoses with the new filters.

Most of the bushes will be fine, as they are balljoints rather than rubber, so check all the balljoint gaiters and the only rubber bushes you will probably need are the thrust arm upper rear bushes and the rear trailing arm front bushes.

You can get a pair of 019 batteries in there but those are the largest that will fit. Remember they are connected together so the first and last terminal to connect is the one in the boot, passenger side, on the boot slam panel. Check the fusable link on the drivers side battery too.

Drain oil and change filter. Refill with a cheap 10W40 for now to use as a flushing oil, when its done a couple of hundred miles, change it again for something good.

If the wheels are the same size all tound, they are the wrong ones and you have bought the wrong size tyres. 235 on front, 265 on rear on 17's, 245 and 265-85 on 18's.

Check for seized pistons in the 4 pot calipers.

Suroof can probably be reset and adjusted, but you will need a new seal anyway.

The headlamp frames can be cleaned and painted, or removed and powder coated.

Check to see if you can spin the electric fan in front of the condenser, if its seized, you will obviously need a new one.

The car does not have coil packs, but you will need new dizzy caps and rotors, the same as an E36 325 but half the price.

No need to tear the engine down, you may need cam cover gaskets and thats not for the faint hearted either. You will need to check the cam banjo bolts if you decide to replace those gaskets and gimme a PM on the inlet manifold gaskets as they are about £400.00 and I have a far cheaper option available.

Open the boot and let it dry, that will almost all be condensation.

Good luck with changing #12 plug.

You need more tools!!!

8Tech.


Edited by 8Tech on Wednesday 22 January 14:54

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
8Tech said:
The CSi has 2 of most things. 2 fuel pumps, filters, MAF's, fuel regulators, throttle bodies and distributors to name but a few.

You need 2 air filters and 2 fuel filters, plus you missed the cabin filters. Make sure the wipers operate and park correctly as that is a major task.

When you remove the fuel filters, you can put the disconnected hoses in a container and then bridge the fuel pump relays to run each pump individually to drain the tank, then refit the hoses with the new filters.

Most of the bushes will be fine, as they are balljoints rather than rubber, so check all the balljoint gaiters and the only rubber bushes you will probably need are the thrust arm upper rear bushes and the rear trailing arm front bushes.

You can get a pair of 019 batteries in there but those are the largest that will fit. Remember they are connected together so the first and last terminal to connect is the one in the boot, passenger side, on the boot slam panel. Check the fusable link on the drivers side battery too.

Drain oil and change filter. Refill with a cheap 10W40 for now to use as a flushing oil, when its done a couple of hundred miles, change it again for something good.

If the wheels are the same size all tound, they are the wrong ones and you have bought the wrong size tyres. 235 on front, 265 on rear on 17's, 245 and 265-85 on 18's.

Check for seized pistons in the 4 pot calipers.

Suroof can probably be reset and adjusted, but you will need a new seal anyway.

The headlamp frames can be cleaned and painted, or removed and powder coated.

Check to see if you can spin the electric fan in front of the condenser, if its seized, you will obviously need a new one.

The car does not have coil packs, but you will need new dizzy caps and rotors, the same as an E36 325 but half the price.

No need to tear the engine down, you may need cam cover gaskets and thats not for the faint hearted either. You will need to check the cam banjo bolts if you decide to replace those gaskets and gimme a PM on the inlet manifold gaskets as they are about £400.00 and I have a far cheaper option available.

Open the boot and let it dry, that will almost all be condensation.

Good luck with changing #12 plug.

You need more tools!!!

8Tech.


Edited by 8Tech on Wednesday 22 January 14:54
The very definition of someone that knows their onions! Love that.

Franky84

120 posts

134 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Fantastic effort matey, kudos on finding the car, and also on the size of your plums for taking it on! Will watch with interest

niki0712

Original Poster:

135 posts

122 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for that 8Tech, that is most helpful.

Just cancelled the tyres, will need to readdress that at a later stage. Winter tyres apparently are not available in 265/40 17, but not that important as I won't be driving around too soon. For the moment I will also hold onto the alloys, maybe have them refurbished. Any opinion on specific tyre brands?

Unless you say these tyres are still good...


niki0712

Original Poster:

135 posts

122 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
8Tech said:
The CSi has 2 of most things. 2 fuel pumps, filters, MAF's, fuel regulators, throttle bodies and distributors to name but a few.

You need 2 air filters and 2 fuel filters, plus you missed the cabin filters. Make sure the wipers operate and park correctly as that is a major task.

When you remove the fuel filters, you can put the disconnected hoses in a container and then bridge the fuel pump relays to run each pump individually to drain the tank, then refit the hoses with the new filters.

Most of the bushes will be fine, as they are balljoints rather than rubber, so check all the balljoint gaiters and the only rubber bushes you will probably need are the thrust arm upper rear bushes and the rear trailing arm front bushes.

You can get a pair of 019 batteries in there but those are the largest that will fit. Remember they are connected together so the first and last terminal to connect is the one in the boot, passenger side, on the boot slam panel. Check the fusable link on the drivers side battery too.

Drain oil and change filter. Refill with a cheap 10W40 for now to use as a flushing oil, when its done a couple of hundred miles, change it again for something good.

If the wheels are the same size all tound, they are the wrong ones and you have bought the wrong size tyres. 235 on front, 265 on rear on 17's, 245 and 265-85 on 18's.

Check for seized pistons in the 4 pot calipers.

Suroof can probably be reset and adjusted, but you will need a new seal anyway.

The headlamp frames can be cleaned and painted, or removed and powder coated.

Check to see if you can spin the electric fan in front of the condenser, if its seized, you will obviously need a new one.

The car does not have coil packs, but you will need new dizzy caps and rotors, the same as an E36 325 but half the price.

No need to tear the engine down, you may need cam cover gaskets and thats not for the faint hearted either. You will need to check the cam banjo bolts if you decide to replace those gaskets and gimme a PM on the inlet manifold gaskets as they are about £400.00 and I have a far cheaper option available.

Open the boot and let it dry, that will almost all be condensation.

Good luck with changing #12 plug.

You need more tools!!!

8Tech.


Edited by 8Tech on Wednesday 22 January 14:54
I was getting fed up with comparing three different online shops, article numbers etc. I have now ordered at my local BMW dealer, as the prices are quite competitive, apart from brake pads. they were more than 100 quid each, and those I will buy online.

So, ordered two batteries, two oil filters, two fuel filters, two air filters, wiper blades...I think that's it. I am hoping I can change all those myself, let's see.

Thanks again for the fuel drain tip, I am kind of looking forward to that.

The tyre size was my fault as I only had the photo of the rusty spare wheel to go by. I should've just googled standard E31 tyre size.

What other tools should I get? Or should I maybe wait until I am actually in possession of the car? 3 more days...

Again, the advice from all of you is invaluable for me! Thank you.

8Tech

2,136 posts

197 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
You still forgot the cabin filters and the plugs. Caps and rotors.

You will need a circuit tester or power probe. Torx bit set and a 7mm allen key.



Edited by 8Tech on Wednesday 22 January 18:41

NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
Following with interest, love the 8 series. Have been tempted by the ones around for 4 or 5 grand but would they use able no just heart ache?

Brave pills needed!

niki0712

Original Poster:

135 posts

122 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
8Tech said:
You still forgot the cabin filters and the plugs. Caps and rotors.

You will need a circuit tester or power probe.

Edited by 8Tech on Wednesday 22 January 18:39
Haven't found those. Do you have the article numbers by any chance?

8Tech

2,136 posts

197 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
NiceCupOfTea said:
Brave pills needed!
And DEEP pockets. Time and enthusiasm required in large quantities also, especially when things are going wrong.

8Tech

2,136 posts

197 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
niki0712 said:
8Tech said:
You still forgot the cabin filters and the plugs. Caps and rotors.

You will need a circuit tester or power probe.

Edited by 8Tech on Wednesday 22 January 18:39
Haven't found those. Do you have the article numbers by any chance?
64319071932 Microfilter, 2 required
12129065062 plugs, 12 required
12111725070 distributor cap, 2 required
12111734110 rotor, 2 required.

Get the caps and rotors aftermarket for a 325i though. If you get aftermarket plugs then STANDARD cheap NGK's are the best, platinums and iridiums do not work with the stock coils.