The parts came in and I replaced the headlight switch to see if that helped. It did. I managed to turn on the dash lights, headlights and get things working to some degree. The defroster switch still needs replacing (bet I have that in my garage somewhere...) and the newly-refurbed hazard is still giving my issues. When I activate it, it doesn't work.
By the way, I accidentally hit the starter with the key and the car lurched forward about a foot. Guessing the starter is in good shape. Good thing that I managed to vacuum out the gas tank before doing that.
I cannot wait until the weather improves and I can revive this car.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Lunchtime mechanic, part ?
Today was the day to finally siphon out the fuel tank and the setup went something like this:
1) metal canister (one used for deck sealer, with the screw top spout on the lid); 2) 3/8" diameter tubing (silicone, clear. about 6 feet); 3) a 3/8" spade drill bit and hammer; 4) regular household vacuum cleaner with hose attachment.
First step, punch a hole in the canister lid at the opposite end of the spout. Hammer the bit and rotate and repeat until you get a decent hole that is TIGHT for the hose. Second step, detach the flex hose from the vacuum attachement and screw it into the spout of the canister lid (may need tape to complete the seal). Both hoses should only go in as far as needed to complete the seal and prevent them from pulling out.
Insert silicone hose into access hole of fuel tank and turn on the vacuum. The siphon action keeps the gas from entering the vacuum and allows you to use the clear hose to suck out the tank and sediment.
I had about 2-1/2 to 3 gallons and now I am waiting until the tank settles a bit before pulling out any more. The E21 tank is really 2 tanks, so the best spot to pull the fuel out is right at the low-point or exactly where the sending unit goes.
The fuel ranged from yellow to dark brown (with nasty bits in it!). It was interesting to see the consistency of the fuel the farther down I got in the tank. I can only imagine the damage done if this was allowed to be sucked into the fuel lines!!
Okay, break time over! Back to work!
1) metal canister (one used for deck sealer, with the screw top spout on the lid); 2) 3/8" diameter tubing (silicone, clear. about 6 feet); 3) a 3/8" spade drill bit and hammer; 4) regular household vacuum cleaner with hose attachment.
First step, punch a hole in the canister lid at the opposite end of the spout. Hammer the bit and rotate and repeat until you get a decent hole that is TIGHT for the hose. Second step, detach the flex hose from the vacuum attachement and screw it into the spout of the canister lid (may need tape to complete the seal). Both hoses should only go in as far as needed to complete the seal and prevent them from pulling out.
Insert silicone hose into access hole of fuel tank and turn on the vacuum. The siphon action keeps the gas from entering the vacuum and allows you to use the clear hose to suck out the tank and sediment.
I had about 2-1/2 to 3 gallons and now I am waiting until the tank settles a bit before pulling out any more. The E21 tank is really 2 tanks, so the best spot to pull the fuel out is right at the low-point or exactly where the sending unit goes.
The fuel ranged from yellow to dark brown (with nasty bits in it!). It was interesting to see the consistency of the fuel the farther down I got in the tank. I can only imagine the damage done if this was allowed to be sucked into the fuel lines!!
Okay, break time over! Back to work!
Friday, February 5, 2010
From 0 to 180.... dollars.
This lunchbreak included finally pulling out the fuel suction unit. One contact for the fuel gauge broke off, but was fixable and upon pulling the unit the sweet smell of VARNISH met my nose. Gas is not supposed to be brown. Well, it's not exactly brown but a dark yellow color. The expensive issue is that the units filter screen is totally ripped and the intake is also gummed up with some sort of tar-like substance. This is NOT going back in.
Add to the shopping list: 1) Bavarian Auto Fuel Sending Unit - $179.00, 2) some new high-pressure hoses to fix the ones damaged by previous repairs - $20.00, 3) not having to fix an entire fuel/ injection system -- priceless.
Pelican Parts is already sending the fuel filters, oil filters, o rings, light bulbs and a partridge in a pear tree next week, so what the heck. This will give me time to think about how I'm going to remove 3 gallons of nasty gas out of the tank and clean it.
Until next lunch hour!
Add to the shopping list: 1) Bavarian Auto Fuel Sending Unit - $179.00, 2) some new high-pressure hoses to fix the ones damaged by previous repairs - $20.00, 3) not having to fix an entire fuel/ injection system -- priceless.
Pelican Parts is already sending the fuel filters, oil filters, o rings, light bulbs and a partridge in a pear tree next week, so what the heck. This will give me time to think about how I'm going to remove 3 gallons of nasty gas out of the tank and clean it.
Until next lunch hour!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Lunch hour mechanic
With the weather still not cooperating, I spend about 1/2 an hour with lunch and then the next 1/2 hour just trying to get familiar with the '80 323i. The dash has been wiped down (not a crack in it!!) and cleaned. The headlamp switch is shot and totally frozen up, so Ebay and $15 bucks later one is being shipped to me.
Today's break was spent crawling around the backseat (still the catty smell, but it's dissapating) and pulled out the rear bench to get at the Kraftstoffbehalter und leitungen. Or for you non-deutsch speaking volk -- the fuel tank and lines. Specifically the fuel suction unit. That's my best bet at seeing what's in the gas tank and getting it out. I've got a 16 gallon wet/dry vac and there should only be about 3 gallons in the tank, plus who-knows-what-else!!
Anyone interested in knowing what 3 year-old gas looks like???
I also shopped PelicanParts and ordered a new oil filter (for a 1986 E30 325i), fuel filters for both cars, lots of new hose clamps (non-crimping type, I hate the crimping ones), 12v bulbs and the ever-important fuel suction O rings for resealing the tank once I have triumphed in removing and cleaning out the fuel tank.
More on this later.
Today's break was spent crawling around the backseat (still the catty smell, but it's dissapating) and pulled out the rear bench to get at the Kraftstoffbehalter und leitungen. Or for you non-deutsch speaking volk -- the fuel tank and lines. Specifically the fuel suction unit. That's my best bet at seeing what's in the gas tank and getting it out. I've got a 16 gallon wet/dry vac and there should only be about 3 gallons in the tank, plus who-knows-what-else!!
Anyone interested in knowing what 3 year-old gas looks like???
I also shopped PelicanParts and ordered a new oil filter (for a 1986 E30 325i), fuel filters for both cars, lots of new hose clamps (non-crimping type, I hate the crimping ones), 12v bulbs and the ever-important fuel suction O rings for resealing the tank once I have triumphed in removing and cleaning out the fuel tank.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Battery or Goodery?
That was the question posed to me by some old guy at the auto parts store. I just stopped in and am completely shocked at the battery prices being asked now! $124 for a regular E21 battery??? WTF? Dude, I just want something to check the electronics on my car. Thankfully, the guy behind the counter took me in back and found a battery for $35! so that I could just use it for checking the 323 out.
I got it back to the lair and installed it (it is too tall, but for now it's fine for what I'm using it for) and of course the HAZARD SWITCH IS BROKE! They should sell these by the dozen! I can't check anything unless I push it in juuuust right to allow the clock to turn on and it's fun to see what the clock reads each time you push it in: 5:40, 30:90, 30:50, etc. what time is 30:50 anyways?
The fuel gauge reads 20 litres, YIKES! 20 litres of rotten, old, nasty gas to siphon out! That's going to be fun!! I have to do it if I want to restart this bad boy.
As for the switches, I'll check into my parts reserve to see what I've got. Maybe I still have the switch from the white E21 to put in....
I got it back to the lair and installed it (it is too tall, but for now it's fine for what I'm using it for) and of course the HAZARD SWITCH IS BROKE! They should sell these by the dozen! I can't check anything unless I push it in juuuust right to allow the clock to turn on and it's fun to see what the clock reads each time you push it in: 5:40, 30:90, 30:50, etc. what time is 30:50 anyways?
The fuel gauge reads 20 litres, YIKES! 20 litres of rotten, old, nasty gas to siphon out! That's going to be fun!! I have to do it if I want to restart this bad boy.
As for the switches, I'll check into my parts reserve to see what I've got. Maybe I still have the switch from the white E21 to put in....
My Wife is Better Than I am...
It takes a big person to make someone else feel better, even after you've really felt that the other has really been an a**hole. Right? Well, that's just what my wife did today. After being really mad at me taking another 3-4 hours getting the car, she let me know that it's not about the Bimmers (thank goodness!). Whew! Now, this does not mean I can go out and buy more 323i's, so don't start contacting me about another lost one in a barn or garage somewhere! My wife's had enough of my pulling out BMW's from garages/barns in non-starting condition!!!
This is my escape, my hobby. Although it's sometimes frustrating and takes time, it's something that allows me to stop thinking about everything else and get a breather.
I love my wife.
This is my escape, my hobby. Although it's sometimes frustrating and takes time, it's something that allows me to stop thinking about everything else and get a breather.
I love my wife.
Rescue Completed.
Well it finally happened! After several false starts and hurdles, the car dolly was hooked up on Saturday night and on Sunday I spent 6 hours on what should have been a 3 hour tour. I didn't feel right taking the car dolly on the Thruway and so that tacked on about 2 hours of added time and figure in the 2 hours it took to prep and get the 323i on the car dolly itself. Not to mention the ad-lib storage area issue. It's here now.The van did just fine towing the car, it was driving with just to dolly that was pretty hair-raising. The darn thing kept wanting to go left and it even shimmied the back of the van while doing it. Once the E21 was on it, that problem went away. Glad to have it close by, now to rub the sore muscles out. Yes, the fit was VERY tight getting inbetween the buildings!
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