89 325IC starting problem, gas smell & valve/lifter noise

[gigisbeemers]

I hope someone can help us with our problems, suggest parts, estimated costs, etc. Whatever help is greatly appreciated. We've had a 1989 325IC sitting mostly for the last 6 months and only drove about 3,000 miles in the last year. I'm noticing a few problems now.

Problems:
1. When starting it seems to have problems getting started right away without first pumping the gas. Sometimes when it is warm it will start right away. Mostly it seems to be having troubles getting started even if warm. I tried to give it a bit of a burst of gas just before shutting it off, and the next time I start it seems to start OK (not sure if this really helped or not). Could the problem be a fuel injector problem or spark plugs or what?

2. The car has a gas smell. I am not sure what that is, or if it is connected to the same problem as the starting problem (if something with fuel injection).

3. At least 4 people have commented that it sounds like the car is running on 4 cylinders or needs a valve job or something. One friend pointed out a noise and told me to listen to it. He said it was a lifter problem. I was not sure what I was listening for but, I've been researching some forums and heard about valve or lifter noise, and I am not sure If I have a valve or lifter noise or not. I finally did hear something odd. The noise I do hear sounds a bit like a diesel engine or a ticking noise. Is that a valve or lifter noise? Then I took one suggestion and put a screwdriver tip to the valve cover and put the plastic handle to my ear bone and heard a more distinct clicking coming from 2 areas above two spark plugs. I not sure what cylinders they are exactly, but they seem to be the 2 middle one's of the 6 (near the BMW letters). One mechanic where I just took the car for smog said it was fine, that is how BMW sounds. I am worried though that there may be a problem especially since I did notice a more distinct sound comparing different parts on the valve cover with the screwdriver test.

By the way, when I first started the car after sitting for 6 months straight I asked the guy at the parts store where I bought a new battery (had to replace after leaving sitting for 6 months) if I should be aware of anything when leaving a car sit so long...he said change the oil because it has rested in the pan. I did not change the oil yet, and I wonder if the valve or lifter noise could be a result of not having had enough oil worked into them since it sat for so long. Could an oil change do the trick?

What could these problems be? How much would they cost to repair? I am not sure If I could do them myself or else I would have to pony up for new tools too, since I have not done work on cars for a while and have since gotten rid of all the tools. The thing is I don't really plan on putting much money into the car because we have three kids now, and the convertible won't fit us all anymore, and I have two other cars for one driver. I just don't have a chance to drive them all, so I'm going to sell the convertible. The last thing I want is to sell the car and have someone coming back on me saying the engine seized up or something. Other than that the car is real solid and clean (well AC isn’t cold but I heard I can recharge it for $40-$60). Overall the car still has plenty of power, just the other day I took it past 80mph in just a few seconds while getting on the freeway. By the way, would I be able to do that if I was running on 4 cylinders or had a bad lifter or something? Many people have commented that this engine is strong and powerful, especially with 104K miles.

Anyway, if anyone can shed some light it on the starting problem, gas smell, and noise, it would be great.

[7hills]

The first two problems may be related - There are fuel lines under the intake manifold that may need to be replaced. You usually don't see these leak, but the gas smell is a good clue. If they are leaking, it may also mean that the fuel is not staying in these lines for the next time you start the car.

You should not have to "pump the gas" to start a fuel injected car, the fuel pump should pump enough fuel before you start the car. The fuel filter could be partially clogged from sitting for an extended period.

If this car is about to be sold you can make it easier with a little maintenance after sitting so long. Change the oil and filter and the fuel filter. Adjust the valves. That will probably solve the noise from the center of your valve cover. I might think about taking it to a mechanic that doesn't say "That is how BMW's sound".

Just these things would probably turn your car back into the screamer it wants to be - easier to start, easier to sell and a blast to drive!