2.5 E85 £300

[Z4paul]

Thankyou all for your kind words. I’m a little teary here!
I’m hoping to do my dad proud and honour him. I know I’ve got a mountain to climb but as some of you have mentioned. This ones going to be a keeper!
So where are we at?
This so far.
The engine seems to run fine on tickover and all the fault codes have cleared!
I’m going to carry out a full engine service.
I’ve just arrived out a compression test on the engine before changing the plugs. Some of the readings were down and the difference between the highest and lowest cylinders was over 20%! So not ideal! I’m hoping to try again once the engines had an oil change and fresh coolant. I’m in hope that the difference might be some carbon build up as the 3 highest cylinders was above 175psi.(lowest being 139) so not sure if it’s been completely hydro locked with water damage! Either way I’ll worry about the engine once the cars had an mot.
To get her moving I’ve just purchased new disc/pads/shoes for the rear as the brakes were locked on solid, plus they look terrible! I’m hoping the fronts might clean up, but ready to replace if needed.
The power steering doesn’t work, I’ve already removed the EPS motor, and hopefully sourced a second hand unit for £100.
The drivers window regulator has a snapped cable. Again second hand regulator sourced for £50.
There appears to be a substantial amount of oil on the under tray. I’ll investigate when she’s jacked up for the oil drop.
The roof doesn’t work. I’m hoping this is related to the window regulator.
No sport function with the button maybe steering related
No central locking, and only 1 key! The previous owner said he has it somewhere!!
The battery had been sat on the car 2 years so not to good, so a new Varta battery has been fitted today (this helped loads with the compression testing!)
The wheels are going to want renovating and 2 new rear tyres!!
Drivers door outer skin damaged, driver front wing damage (Been told it’s repairable by a body shop mate)
I/S headlight loose, (again been told it’s repairable) and both headlights need renovating due to looking like a bathroom window!!
So all in all not much to do really!!
And all this before I get underneath!!!

Absolutely love the can do approach / positivity so far; uplifting and great to read. Top marks to those who can offer technical support and 'enuff zed' for practical support. Good luck with this project

[True-Blue]

Typically if the engine has hydrolocked it results in big and very noticeable damage (big ends, crank, pistons etc). I would very much doubt it would run smoothly or quietly if you had that kind of damage so fingers crossed. You might just have some surface corrosion in the bores or valve seats which should clean up after a few hundred miles so I re-run the compression test again then before worrying too much

Exactly this, I’d have thought it would be rough as hell or not running at all if genuinely hydro-locked. The phrase ‘Italian tune up’ springs to mind, once it’s safe and road legal of course

[Chippie]

Congratulations on the new purchase, that certainly seems a great bargain, I watched a YouTube video recently where a mondeo had suffered from hydro lock, when it was restarted it ran fine for a few hundred miles until the conrod let go a punched a hole in the side of the engine, apparently it had bent the conrod and stressed it and then eventually let go wrecking the engine

[Zedebee]

Low compression and oil in the pan may indicate a leaking head gasket, no?

[enuff_zed]

Congratulations on the new purchase, that certainly seems a great bargain, I watched a YouTube video recently where a mondeo had suffered from hydro lock, when it was restarted it ran fine for a few hundred miles until the conrod let go a punched a hole in the side of the engine, apparently it had bent the conrod and stressed it and then eventually let go wrecking the engine

Oh you're cheerful!

[Chippie]

Congratulations on the new purchase, that certainly seems a great bargain, I watched a YouTube video recently where a mondeo had suffered from hydro lock, when it was restarted it ran fine for a few hundred miles until the conrod let go a punched a hole in the side of the engine, apparently it had bent the conrod and stressed it and then eventually let go wrecking the engine

Oh you're cheerful!

Sorry about that, it does sound all doom and gloom
Just something to be aware of, there could be some engine damage even though it runs

[craig3.2]

Roof not working us probably the Roof motor ring corroded due to water getting into it,as was an issue,more so on earlier cars.

Good luck with it all,look forward to seeing if you get it all sorted

[SCOTTY L]

A great story ,looking forward to your future posts.

[Chobbo]

Cheers guys. I’m just going to take each job on as I find it! It may be some time!
I’d never heard the term “Italian tune up” before but having Google’d it I’d say it’s definitely the order of the day. “Kill or cure!” I hope it’s the latter. But if it needs an engine so be it!
I’m genuinely overwhelmed at the help and offers of encouragement I’ve had form the Z4 community.

[pr117]

In the 80's and early 90's, if Bmw M10 and M20 engines started to emit smoke it was a sign of piston rings getting stuck. And the procedure to get them loose was to pour water (purified neutral ofcause) in carburator during medium/high rev's. And it actually worked. So if a little water goes through the engine it usually does no harm.
I have used this method at least once
Well.. it does harm all the todays electronics though. But what i'm trying to say, don't worry about this too much.

[joe85]

Sorry to hear about your father. But you're doing him proud. Ridiculous price. Unbelievable buy. If youre near Gloucestershire and need and extra set of hands give us a shout. Will be happy to lend mine while I'm home there's plenty 2.5s for sale around atm for about £350. Unless you really fancy splitting it apart and getting stuck in. But these all alu motors aren't keen on being split once theyre mated.

[buzyg]

That"s a great introduction. Best of luck with your project. Make him proud and welcome to the forum.