BMW e46 m3 restarting after 2yrs questions?
Discussion
Hi Guys
Right some questions. One of my neighbours has an e46 m3 which has been sat stationary and hasnt been turned over in over 2 yrs. Now they will in all likelihood soon need to move it. What would be the best course of action. I spoke to a bm tech a while back (6 months maybe?) and he simply said start it up however the concern i have is that surely the engine oil may have gone a bit sludgy as if you were to take the oil cap off you will probably find mayo on it which i believe is caused by oxidation and if the oil has been sitting in the sump for two years surely that may have oxidation as well as its not air free?
Would it not be an idea to actually lift the car and empty all the oil out the sump then put fresh oil in before trying to restart the car as the oil would then line the engine preventing possible damage as i would guess there is little to no oil coating the pistons etc?
Also would it be an idea to have the brake fluid replaced for same reason as above as having not been used for two years surely it would have degraded?
And finally the brakes. I would assume they are going to be stuck. Car cannot be rocked back and forth as there is only about 3 inches between back bumper and a brick wall so suggestions?
Right some questions. One of my neighbours has an e46 m3 which has been sat stationary and hasnt been turned over in over 2 yrs. Now they will in all likelihood soon need to move it. What would be the best course of action. I spoke to a bm tech a while back (6 months maybe?) and he simply said start it up however the concern i have is that surely the engine oil may have gone a bit sludgy as if you were to take the oil cap off you will probably find mayo on it which i believe is caused by oxidation and if the oil has been sitting in the sump for two years surely that may have oxidation as well as its not air free?
Would it not be an idea to actually lift the car and empty all the oil out the sump then put fresh oil in before trying to restart the car as the oil would then line the engine preventing possible damage as i would guess there is little to no oil coating the pistons etc?
Also would it be an idea to have the brake fluid replaced for same reason as above as having not been used for two years surely it would have degraded?
And finally the brakes. I would assume they are going to be stuck. Car cannot be rocked back and forth as there is only about 3 inches between back bumper and a brick wall so suggestions?
I've hauled loads of cars out & started them up, some after a lot longer than 2 years.
Check all the fluid levels & top up if low. Replace battery, remove plugs & spray some engine oil or diesel fuel down, allow to soak for an hour or so, disconnect ignition, put rag over plug holes. Spin over until oil warning light goes out then carry on for a minute or so. Replace plugs with new & reconnect ignition. Spin over & it should start. Allow to warm & check for leaks oil & water. Inflate tyres up to 4-5 pounds more than normal. Restart & try to move, free off brakes if necessary. If clutch is frozen on then if adequate space in front, start & warm up. Check brakes can stop car. Then put in first gear & start engine, as it all moves away jump on brake & clutch simultaneously, may take more than one try. Sometimes the tyres recover, if they stay flat spotted then it's bin em & buy new. Once moving & able to get thoroughly warm, change oil, coolant & brake fluid. Check all brakes are freed off & all pistons moving.
Check all the fluid levels & top up if low. Replace battery, remove plugs & spray some engine oil or diesel fuel down, allow to soak for an hour or so, disconnect ignition, put rag over plug holes. Spin over until oil warning light goes out then carry on for a minute or so. Replace plugs with new & reconnect ignition. Spin over & it should start. Allow to warm & check for leaks oil & water. Inflate tyres up to 4-5 pounds more than normal. Restart & try to move, free off brakes if necessary. If clutch is frozen on then if adequate space in front, start & warm up. Check brakes can stop car. Then put in first gear & start engine, as it all moves away jump on brake & clutch simultaneously, may take more than one try. Sometimes the tyres recover, if they stay flat spotted then it's bin em & buy new. Once moving & able to get thoroughly warm, change oil, coolant & brake fluid. Check all brakes are freed off & all pistons moving.
Brakes could well be seized ,petrol tends to go off aswell if left stood, so the tank may need draining.
If it were me,i would pull it on to a low loader and take it to the nearest indy for a full health check,rather than turning it over(assuming the battery is not flat) and wreck something.
If it were me,i would pull it on to a low loader and take it to the nearest indy for a full health check,rather than turning it over(assuming the battery is not flat) and wreck something.
EDLT said:
Have a very close look at the tyres, leaving the car standing for that long will cause the tyres to crack/split and there will be a flatspot on them if it hasn't moved. I recommend taking the wheels off to check the condition of the inside sidewall too.
Very true. That could cost the owner a grand straight away.jimmyb said:
Would it not be an idea to actually lift the car and empty all the oil out the sump then put fresh oil in before trying to restart the car as the oil would then line the engine preventing possible damage as i would guess there is little to no oil coating the pistons etc?
take out the fuse which serves the fuel pump and turn the engine over with the original oilthis will allow the engine to get oil up to the top end without it firing, thus protecting it as much as you can
once you can see the oil through the filler cap put the fuse back in
once it runs hot, swap the oil for clean
All good advice.
My 2p worth:
Spraying some form of lube into cylinders with plugs removed is a good way to do it but if you turn the engine over with plugs removed then disconnecting the fuel pump in some way is useful to protect the cats as they dont like unburnt fuel.
I left my Porsche stood for 7 months and it developed a judder when moving which was more noticeable braking. I think it was brake discs as you could see an imprint of the pad shape on disc where they had been touching. So even with new tyres it took couple months to clear off this mark and the judder went away.
My 2p worth:
Spraying some form of lube into cylinders with plugs removed is a good way to do it but if you turn the engine over with plugs removed then disconnecting the fuel pump in some way is useful to protect the cats as they dont like unburnt fuel.
I left my Porsche stood for 7 months and it developed a judder when moving which was more noticeable braking. I think it was brake discs as you could see an imprint of the pad shape on disc where they had been touching. So even with new tyres it took couple months to clear off this mark and the judder went away.
The only real problem i think would be finding a GOOD indy. Also not my car merely serving as an adviser to a degree so whether advice is taken or not is a big question. They arent exactly short of money (own a penthouse in the complex i live in and another house elsewhere) and the mini was bought with all options on the list ticked lovely car tbh but also barely used so spending a bit of money getting it back up and running shouldnt be an issue.
Just dont want to see a lovely car damaged through incorrect procedure.
My other concern was the engine management. Its computer controlled in the straight six with the vanos sytem etc. My concern would be that the battery having been flat for well over a year now surely any electronic info would be lost and therefore when restarting valve timing could be out and do substantial damage to engine though bm say it shouldnt be an issue?
Just dont want to see a lovely car damaged through incorrect procedure.
My other concern was the engine management. Its computer controlled in the straight six with the vanos sytem etc. My concern would be that the battery having been flat for well over a year now surely any electronic info would be lost and therefore when restarting valve timing could be out and do substantial damage to engine though bm say it shouldnt be an issue?
00161wj said:
My advice. Battery booster, start it and give it a good thrashing round for 5 mins, Then service it
Erm, don't do this.Do as previously posted, take the fuel pump fuse out, take the spark plugs out, turn over for perhaps 15-20 seconds at a time, 3-4 times. Drop oil, change filter and oil.
If possible (easy on a 944 s2), unscrew the hose to the fuel tank, empty, fresh couple of gallons of fuel.
Don't just start it up whatever you do.......!
Most of the wear to an engine is the first few seconds when starting up - hence why you often hear Ferraris and Lambos turning for quite a while before they start.... it's to build oil pressure. (Correct me if I'm wrong .... )
2 years is a long time, fluids degrade. We're not talking a 500 quid banger, which would't matter so much ...
jimmyb said:
The only real problem i think would be finding a GOOD indy. Also not my car merely serving as an adviser to a degree so whether advice is taken or not is a big question. They arent exactly short of money (own a penthouse in the complex i live in and another house elsewhere) and the mini was bought with all options on the list ticked lovely car tbh but also barely used so spending a bit of money getting it back up and running shouldnt be an issue.
Just dont want to see a lovely car damaged through incorrect procedure.
My other concern was the engine management. Its computer controlled in the straight six with the vanos sytem etc. My concern would be that the battery having been flat for well over a year now surely any electronic info would be lost and therefore when restarting valve timing could be out and do substantial damage to engine though bm say it shouldnt be an issue?
I would guess that the tables for all the engine timings and vanos config will be stored in non volatile memory so will not be lost. Just dont want to see a lovely car damaged through incorrect procedure.
My other concern was the engine management. Its computer controlled in the straight six with the vanos sytem etc. My concern would be that the battery having been flat for well over a year now surely any electronic info would be lost and therefore when restarting valve timing could be out and do substantial damage to engine though bm say it shouldnt be an issue?
polus said:
jimmyb said:
The only real problem i think would be finding a GOOD indy. Also not my car merely serving as an adviser to a degree so whether advice is taken or not is a big question. They arent exactly short of money (own a penthouse in the complex i live in and another house elsewhere) and the mini was bought with all options on the list ticked lovely car tbh but also barely used so spending a bit of money getting it back up and running shouldnt be an issue.
Just dont want to see a lovely car damaged through incorrect procedure.
My other concern was the engine management. Its computer controlled in the straight six with the vanos sytem etc. My concern would be that the battery having been flat for well over a year now surely any electronic info would be lost and therefore when restarting valve timing could be out and do substantial damage to engine though bm say it shouldnt be an issue?
I would guess that the tables for all the engine timings and vanos config will be stored in non volatile memory so will not be lost. Just dont want to see a lovely car damaged through incorrect procedure.
My other concern was the engine management. Its computer controlled in the straight six with the vanos sytem etc. My concern would be that the battery having been flat for well over a year now surely any electronic info would be lost and therefore when restarting valve timing could be out and do substantial damage to engine though bm say it shouldnt be an issue?
Let me guess, new build block with cars just left standing?
My block in London has this, people leaving Porsches etc sitting for months without moving.
It became so much of a joke that we have had a sweepstake just for a laugh on which of the 4 sports cars would be moved last? in 6 months, the 4 have not moved yet.
Madness
My block in London has this, people leaving Porsches etc sitting for months without moving.
It became so much of a joke that we have had a sweepstake just for a laugh on which of the 4 sports cars would be moved last? in 6 months, the 4 have not moved yet.
Madness
Rags said:
Let me guess, new build block with cars just left standing?
My block in London has this, people leaving Porsches etc sitting for months without moving.
It became so much of a joke that we have had a sweepstake just for a laugh on which of the 4 sports cars would be moved last? in 6 months, the 4 have not moved yet.
Madness
Yup but were talking 2+ YEARS that this one hasnt moved. An inch. My block in London has this, people leaving Porsches etc sitting for months without moving.
It became so much of a joke that we have had a sweepstake just for a laugh on which of the 4 sports cars would be moved last? in 6 months, the 4 have not moved yet.
Madness
Guy who owns it and his wife have a place in the iom and spend a lot of their time there and he has been quite ill for the last year or two and hasnt been around much and nnor has she. His wife comes and stays for a little while every now and again and thats how come its not moved and how come her 5 ish year old mini cs conv has only about 8k miles on it.
Really nice people.
Really nice people.
If it's only been a couple of years I wouldn't muck about with taking the plugs out and squirting stuff down the bores and trying to get oil pressure up and so on.
Check you have air in all the tyres. Check the oil, water and petrol levels. Try to start it. If you're lucky it will turn over briskly as normal and start. More likely the battery went flat 18 months ago. You could try recharging it if but after being left flat for 18 months it's probably scrap and you'll need a new battery. With a new battery it will probably start as well as it ever did. If not, cross that bridge when you come to it. Once it's running get it warmed up and try to pull away. Don't be surprised if the brakes have seized - be prepared to (briefly) pull hard on the clutch to try to get it moving. If you can't shift them like that you can either try tipping some fluid over them to weaken the rust chemically (the old wives tales vary but coke seems to be a recurring theme) or get the spanners out.
Two years is not long enough to worry about oil breaking down, and if it was running when it was parked up the insides of the engine will still be coated with oil. The only significant risk is seized rings, which will be blindingly obvious when you come to crank the engine over but is pretty unlikely to be a problem after a mere two years.
Once it's running and moving, assume it will need a major service before being roadworthy.
Check you have air in all the tyres. Check the oil, water and petrol levels. Try to start it. If you're lucky it will turn over briskly as normal and start. More likely the battery went flat 18 months ago. You could try recharging it if but after being left flat for 18 months it's probably scrap and you'll need a new battery. With a new battery it will probably start as well as it ever did. If not, cross that bridge when you come to it. Once it's running get it warmed up and try to pull away. Don't be surprised if the brakes have seized - be prepared to (briefly) pull hard on the clutch to try to get it moving. If you can't shift them like that you can either try tipping some fluid over them to weaken the rust chemically (the old wives tales vary but coke seems to be a recurring theme) or get the spanners out.
Two years is not long enough to worry about oil breaking down, and if it was running when it was parked up the insides of the engine will still be coated with oil. The only significant risk is seized rings, which will be blindingly obvious when you come to crank the engine over but is pretty unlikely to be a problem after a mere two years.
Once it's running and moving, assume it will need a major service before being roadworthy.
Edited by GreenV8S on Saturday 14th February 20:55
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