A project compact from Cincinnati.

[Djhyperkid]

Hey all, I am new to the Bimmer world. Actually so much so, that I bought my first ever ti this past week. I got the 96 ti for $1100 from a tow company who had it in their lot forever. I know it needs some work (mainly a new cooling system) but I am optimistic that this will be better than it once was. I always loved Bimmers and thought this would be my perfect starter Bimmer. I don't have too much mechanical knowledge, but I have been researching Bimmer's for quite some time. I am hoping to start something big in my city because there really aren't too many European imports running around (mostly Japanese).
Anyway here are a couple of pics of my Bimmer, I think I got a good deal on it since it does run (it just runs hot).







The red wire in this pic goes to the fan. So whoever owned it before me would attach the cord directly to the positive of the battery to get it running (super ghetto rig)

[cooljess76]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the ti family. DON'T RUN IT HOT unless you have an extra 2 grand burning a hole in your pocket and feel like replacing a headgasket and possibly a new cylinder head. This should be very helpful:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost....41&postcount=7

As for the fan, It's likely a high speed fan relay, a low speed fan relay, a fuse or a temp switch. The fan should run in high speed mode when the A/C is turned on. It's supposed to run in low speed mode when the temp switch tells it to, but there's a circuit inside of the high speed relay that gets stuck open and prevents low speed mode from working. Read through these threads:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34064
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34013

[Djhyperkid]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the ti family. DON'T RUN IT HOT unless you have an extra 2 grand burning a hole in your pocket and feel like replacing a headgasket and possibly a new cylinder head. This should be very helpful:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost....41&postcount=7

As for the fan, It's likely a high speed fan relay, a low speed fan relay, a fuse or a temp switch. The fan should run in high speed mode when the A/C is turned on. It's supposed to run in low speed mode when the temp switch tells it to, but there's a circuit inside of the high speed relay that gets stuck open and prevents low speed mode from working. Read through these threads:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34064
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34013

Thanks man. Yeah I drove it around the block then I had to get it towed home (I bought it in a different city). So its been sitting in the parking spot since. Though I wonder if I need a head gasket, because the coolant doesn't seem to stay in, but there is no sign of liquid under the car, so I have no Idea where the coolant is disappearing to. I am hoping that if I just change the radiator and fan then I will be okay. I noticed that when it got hot there was light smoke/steam from the engine but not the exhaust. So I am gonna just put it on stands and buy the necessary parts.

[Mr.Squeelerz]

Welcome!

[lazoh]

Welcome to the org and get that cooling system fix ASAP!! Nice find by the way!

[2ndBimmer]

I approve of the color!

[Djhyperkid]

Originally Posted by lazoh

Welcome to the org and get that cooling system fix ASAP!! Nice find by the way!

So I started her up yesterday and she sounded like she was about to stall out while idling. So I am assuming that I need new spark plugs? Otherwise I am going to start detailing the interior (the back seat has some stains) any advice on how to really give the interior a really deep clean, that will breathe new life into it?

[slow_ti]

If you are losing coolant and there are no leaks, chances are you have a blown head gasket

[campaiar]

Love to see another Cincy member.

I'm in agreement, probably time to take the head off. If it was me, I'd do it just because of it's overheat history at this point. Plus all the plastic coolent hoses could be replaced at the same time.


Welcome........

[jca]

One episode of over heating ruined my head gasket. These engines are very, very sensitive to heat.

[Djhyperkid]

Originally Posted by campaiar

Love to see another Cincy member.

I'm in agreement, probably time to take the head off. If it was me, I'd do it just because of it's overheat history at this point. Plus all the plastic coolent hoses could be replaced at the same time.


Welcome........

Man, getting a new head gasket is not what I wanted to hear. I would be about doing it myself, but that is a bit beyond my mechanical knowledge. I hear that it cost mass as well.
As far as overheating, I have only driven it about 3 times (around the block) and two of those 3 times were heating up. I only put coolant in it once when I first got it, and after that it has been sitting for the most part (except for me just starting it to make sure it runs). Well I planned on overhauling the coolant system anyway, maybe changing the head gasket won't be so bad? I already am having problems installing this pioneer car stereo, so to say the least, the ti has been giving me the blues lately, lol.