OK, general topic probably already covered somewhere but multiple questions about how to bring a 1987 535i back to life, after “sitting” for 10 yrs.
OK, it’s my “barn.” For years I would at least fire this baby up every so often to keep the motor lubrication condition in check, but that lapsed a good 5 yrs ago. IE, it hasn’t been cranked lately. Battery has been dead since, therefore no attempted crank. Up to that point, it always cranked up instantly and it sounded smooth. Will try again soon, just wanted some advice before trying.
So:
1) should I use a fogging oil (such as Sta Bil, sprayed into the spark plug holes…or otherwise) before attempting to crank?
2) Sta Bil fuel stabilizer went into the gas tank…but probably 5 yrs ago. I would love to skip draining the gas tank! Thinking maybe I can siphon / pump out most the old gas.
3) oil is relatively clean: Castrol 20w50 GTX. See attachment. But it’s old…I mean OLD. Can I fire it up just to see, before doing an oil change?
4) I think I can find updated GTX, but should I switch to M1 5w-50 or 15w-50? Or other? Note on attached: notice how service manual (1991 vintage Bentley manual) shows 20w-50 pretty good for our local Texas climate, whereas 15w-50 deficient for over 104 F, better below 14 F which we rarely see. Of course, oils back then were SE or SF…obviously conventional, not synthetic. Modern oils probably better at high temp, unless there is something specific to that vintage BMW that REQUIRES such thick oil.)
5) if I replace with Mobil 1, I believe the 5w-50 is a Euro spec, whereas the 15w-50 is more ILSAC (???). Looking for Walmart alternatively, initially. Any comments/suggestions?
6) obviously I need to flush brake fluid, maybe some other fluids, (SAE 80 in the manual trans??
Once resurrected, I intend to sell. As cool as this car was, I prefer my 07 Subaru Outback Turbo (suspension heavily modified) for several reasons (love wagons, for my lifestyle).
The body is a 9-, the interior is an 8+, the wheels are still metric (beautiful German spec “ALCOA” wheels …perhaps Alpina level, but yeah, 390mm is an obsolete spec. North Texas car, no rust, no bodywork. Tires are OLD, though 90%+ tread. TRX 220’s like 6 & 7 series instead of 200’’s, looks right. Too bad. Service records were kept, but I would need to locate them.
In garage for 10yrs. Suggestions? Especially about protecting engine…that lovely inline six.
Curious what @edyvw would say
OK, it’s my “barn.” For years I would at least fire this baby up every so often to keep the motor lubrication condition in check, but that lapsed a good 5 yrs ago. IE, it hasn’t been cranked lately. Battery has been dead since, therefore no attempted crank. Up to that point, it always cranked up instantly and it sounded smooth. Will try again soon, just wanted some advice before trying.
So:
1) should I use a fogging oil (such as Sta Bil, sprayed into the spark plug holes…or otherwise) before attempting to crank?
2) Sta Bil fuel stabilizer went into the gas tank…but probably 5 yrs ago. I would love to skip draining the gas tank! Thinking maybe I can siphon / pump out most the old gas.
3) oil is relatively clean: Castrol 20w50 GTX. See attachment. But it’s old…I mean OLD. Can I fire it up just to see, before doing an oil change?
4) I think I can find updated GTX, but should I switch to M1 5w-50 or 15w-50? Or other? Note on attached: notice how service manual (1991 vintage Bentley manual) shows 20w-50 pretty good for our local Texas climate, whereas 15w-50 deficient for over 104 F, better below 14 F which we rarely see. Of course, oils back then were SE or SF…obviously conventional, not synthetic. Modern oils probably better at high temp, unless there is something specific to that vintage BMW that REQUIRES such thick oil.)
5) if I replace with Mobil 1, I believe the 5w-50 is a Euro spec, whereas the 15w-50 is more ILSAC (???). Looking for Walmart alternatively, initially. Any comments/suggestions?
6) obviously I need to flush brake fluid, maybe some other fluids, (SAE 80 in the manual trans??
Once resurrected, I intend to sell. As cool as this car was, I prefer my 07 Subaru Outback Turbo (suspension heavily modified) for several reasons (love wagons, for my lifestyle).
The body is a 9-, the interior is an 8+, the wheels are still metric (beautiful German spec “ALCOA” wheels …perhaps Alpina level, but yeah, 390mm is an obsolete spec. North Texas car, no rust, no bodywork. Tires are OLD, though 90%+ tread. TRX 220’s like 6 & 7 series instead of 200’’s, looks right. Too bad. Service records were kept, but I would need to locate them.
In garage for 10yrs. Suggestions? Especially about protecting engine…that lovely inline six.
Curious what @edyvw would say
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