'new' 530i- no power steering and low idle/runs rough

[adamrobertg]

I just managed to acquire a '77 530i. My technical expertise is very limited, but the car cost me very little and seemed to be in good condition (minimal cosmetic rust, shock towers seemed solid, no window rust etc). The car has 189k miles on it, and I have most receipts with the car- it has new tires, brakes, front end (tie rods, control arms etc), lots of new hoses and belts, and a wide variety of other things. My dad had the same car when I was a kid...

Couple of issues though:

- major obvious issue is that there doesn't seem to be any power steering. I tried to find the fluid reservoir and... it doesn't seem to have one? In my other BMW's (I had an E30 years back, an E36, and now an E92), it's always been obvious and easy to get to. Here I just don't see it- only brake fluid and coolant. Did these cars all have power steering?

- it runs rough and the idle is very low. It seems to idle at 500rpm or less, and it feels like it's about to stall, especially when first starting it. If I rev it up to about 1100 it runs better. Driving it seems okay. I can't really tell if it's misfiring or not, but it definitely does NOT sound good at idle. Not sure how you'd set the idle.

I guess I'd like some ideas of things I can look for myself, and then... what to tell my mechanic since I'll probably have to get him to do the work on it. Thanks for any help you can provide!

[Falkenberg]

You should be able to see the power steering pump on the driver's side of the engine, below the alternator. You should have a V belt driving it. If you have AC, you should have 3 belts there. Otherwise 2. The fluid canister is metallic, positioned next to the fuse box.

[adamrobertg]

Think I found it. I saw the three belts... The canister wasn't what I was expecting to see- looks like it has one nut in the center that unscrews to fill it...

That being said, I notice what looks like a fluid leak around that metal canister.

Also noticed the hood has issues opening, but, that's another story!

[Falkenberg]

looks like it has one nut in the center that unscrews to fill it...

Yes, that is the one.

Hood opening issues? If you have closing issues, the lock mechanism and cable needs cleaning, oiling. But opening issue? Is the hood aligned ok on the body?

[adamrobertg]

It actually lines up perfectly... the issue is that the latch doesn't 'pop' the hood up like it's supposed to. It unlatched it, but you have to pull it forward manually while someone else lifts it up from by the windshield. It also hits the kidney grille and has already damaged it some.

Honestly, this is the least of the car's issues! I also discovered that when sitting idling it tends to get warm... start driving again it goes back to normal temps. I was thinking the thermostat, but a friend of mine suggested it might be a fan clutch instead. Additionally the passenger side floor pan is rusted through and needs to be replaced- can't wait to find out how much that will cost... hopefully I'll find someone who'll be able to do it inexpensively. I don't care how it looks as long as whomever's sitting in the passenger seat doesn't get wet when driving through a puddle!

[Falkenberg]

Sorry to hear about the rust. I'm afraid that you might find some more, in that case.
If the hood touches the kidneys, then something is not quite right still.
It should pop up when you pull the lever, maybe the mechanism on the hood is broken?

LE: running hot when standing still can be caused by a defective fan clutch indeed.

[GripGreg]

Welcome to the madness.
Your p/s canister leak may be as simple as the gasket settled into the top may not be perfect after all these years.
To open the hood, just go to the front & pull the hood forward; then go to the windshield & open it. Don't make it complicated.
As you pull it forward, it should pop up enough to by-pass the kidney grill.
There's a spray lube that gets a lil stiffer when applied. I have to go to my garage to find the name. Go to Auto Zone or whatever.
First spray on some WD-40 as a cleaner. No need to wipe off, but, not a bad idea either. Spray all the joints. But don't drown them.
Stay away from the 'stealership'!
Bavauto, azautohaus, rockauto & more for parts. Let your fingers do the walkin'. Get a book and some metric tools. Sears has good stuff for a decent price, plus they're guaranteed for LIFE. And a small tool bag. I got mine from Home Depot.
Where are you located? Pik-A-Part yards are a blessing in disquise!
Stay in touch here. These gurus are a life saver. Get a book!
Falkenberg is correct about the fan clutch. But, I would suggest you start small & cheap by bleeding the screw on top of the thermostat housing.
If you need guidance here, lemme know.
Did I say get a book?
What color is the anti-freeze looking thru the remote reservoir?
Green is good. More later, I'm tired for now.
Good Luck,,,,Greg

[adamrobertg]

Yes it's got sporadic rust, but better than most old cars in the northeast. This one was purchased new in New Jersey. Looks like someone had sprayed on a rustproofing coating underneath many years ago.

I had my friend look over the car today- we determined that the differential mount had been reinforced, no issues with the head gasket or valve cover gasket, and he said the engine was running 'a little rough' but nothing too abnormal. There's one vacuum hose which he suggested that I replace. He said the suspension was in great shape, front end was good, electrical system had been redone recently.

Greg, you were right about the gasket... there was no gasket on top, and it was spraying out all over inside the engine compartment when I put power steering fluid in it and drove the car. I made a new one out of cork, and will drive the car tonight to see if that solved it.

I live in Weston, CT... I'm glad I managed to find this site. Not many people with these cars anymore. I went into the local auto parts shop today to get a few things, and the owner there (he's owned this place for 40 years), knew a fair bit about the E12 and said mine's the only one he's seen in the past few years.

I've got two service manuals- one says for the 530i, the other says for the 530i and 528i. The one for the 530i got wet at some point and has disintegrated a fair bit. The coolant looks to be blueish or greenish. It's hard to tell because the plastic of the reservoir has turned pretty yellow.

Interestingly enough about the fan- there's a button on the dash labeled in German, which the previous owner said it was for an external auxiliary fan, or something... when I push that in, the car's temperature seems to go down a bit. So I've left it pushed in and haven't had an issue. The temp varies a little bit- when driving fast it stays at just below halfway, when stopped in traffic it stays just above halfway. My friend's attitude- 'oh that's normal'. My E30 and E36 always stayed exactly at halfway all the time. My E92 varies depending on driving conditions...

[GripGreg]

Glad that I could contribute at all!
How rare that you found an auto parts store owner that knows the E12!!!
Buy him a beer for me too! Stick with him & pick his brain. Along with us, you have another new friend with connections. WOW!
HAH! I just thought about it! Omigosh, make him your friend!!!
Join the local BMW club & maybe take him with you to an event?
I'm glad to know you made a gasket. Then you can use your hands. Very kool!
These E12's are ole skool & a lotta fun!! Not too many electronics to go bad; just enough to help.
WOW; I'm envious,,,,Greg

[Mike W.]

The temp varies a little bit- when driving fast it stays at just below halfway, when stopped in traffic it stays just above halfway. My friend's attitude- 'oh that's normal'. My E30 and E36 always stayed exactly at halfway all the time. My E92 varies depending on driving conditions...

I'm surprised that the E92 moves, I have an E36 and E39 and they're both buffered, they never move past the midpoint even if warm enough for the aux fan to come on. But E12s had weaker cooling systems and the gauges reacted with the temp, so movement is normal, although ideally not too much, nor too warm.

[adamrobertg]

I do need to join the BMW CCA, haven't gotten around to it but will. This car actually has a BMW CCA sticker in the back window.

Well, not sure if it was my lousy job at making a gasket (though it didn't look THAT bad), or if the problem's not what I thought. But all the power steering fluid did manage to leak out. It seems to spray under pressure- just above the fluid reservoir on the hood, and over to the right near the coolant and brake fluid reservoir, and onto the shock tower. I've attached a photo. You can see the top of the power steering reservoir and the top of the shock tower are shiny from the fluid. Was wondering if it could be coming from UNDER the reservoir... my dreaded fear is the steering box (I had the rack fail in my E30 years ago... NOT a cheap repair).



The other random thing... the pre-bent hose that runs vertical (turning to the left on both ends) in the center of the photo, is cracked and I'll have to replace that. The guy at the auto parts store didn't have it and couldn't order it, he said to go to BMW or Bavarian Auto... any idea of what the name of that hose is? I don't want to sound like a complete idiot!
[/img]

[David in Seattle]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=11&fg=35

At this link, I think you are looking for part #13. I would e-mail steve@blunttech.com for BMW parts. His prices are great and he owns several BMWs. He is a true enthusiast. I ordered a differential mount and CV boots on a Monday, and I had them on Tuesday. [/url]

[Falkenberg]

There should be no pressure in the canister, but there could be some movement in the liquid, both supply and return lines are connected to the canister.

[adamrobertg]

David: Thanks, that looks exactly like the hose. Did a Google search and managed to find it on eBay for $10+5 shipping. I'll add Steve to my contact list because I'll undoubtedly be needing other things for this car in the near future.

The fluid may be leaking from under the canister, I'll have to take a look at it this weekend. The good news is it drives alright without power steering, just a bit hard to park.

[Falkenberg]

Are you sure that powersteering is not working?
Try the difference of the force needed to move the wheel with engine starte, and with engine stopped, while the car is not moving.