so I test drove a 1988 BMW and i was wondering if it is normal to have to pump the gas to start a car that is older. After you start it, it runs fine. If not what could the problem be and expense to fix. Basically should I buy this car?
2007-09-18 00:59:00 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You could buy a brand new Kia for the price you would pay for the old thing. I just read on the web that the Kia had more safety features then the BMW and the Mercedes Benz. And half the price. Wish I would have read that before I bought my X3 - which has been in the shop 7 times so far and I've only had it 12 months!!
2007-09-18 02:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by J*Mo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should not have to pump the gas pedal on any car that has fuel injection, however it could be possible if the car has a carburetor instead of fuel injection. I'm not sure if the 1988 BMW has fuel injection or carburetor. If you don't know how to tell by looking at the engine you can find out by calling the service department of any BMW dealer and asking. I would check that out and if it has a carburetor then it may not be anything more than a carburetor adjustment. However if the car is fuel injected that's another story. Either way you are looking at big repair bills and expensive upkeep on a 20 yr old Beamer. BUYER BEWARE!!
PS, J*MO is right about the KIA, I sold them new and used for 4 years and they have improved 100% since they first came on the market. I highly recommend finding a late model pre owned KIA or Hyundai with low mileage. They are among the most relaible vehicles on the road and have the best warranty in the biz. Also they have a killer customer satisfaction rating, which says it all. Same is true with Hyundai, same company basically. They are sisters. Both made in South Korea and have super quality control at the factory level. Beamer is a nice ride but no car lasts forever and buying a 20 yr old car is asking for trouble, and expensive trouble at that.
2007-09-22 01:50:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a computer controlled fuel injected car, so according to the owner's manual you shouldn't have to touch the accelerator pedal to start the car. You can do a test next time you start it to see if it may need a new fuel injector or fuel pump. Cycle the ignition key from off to on (not start) 3 times, waiting 10 seconds in the off and on positions to allow the computer to time out. This should prime the gas lines and if the car then starts on the first try without touching the accelerator, you'll know what the problem is. A new fuel pump may require lowering the gas tank to install it.
2007-09-18 08:12:11 · answer #3 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No not normal if the fuel system is not adjusted properly you might have to give it throttle. Is this a 1988 320i? it may have intake air leaks. 20 year old BMW's can be frightfully expensive to repair. There are very well maintained examples out there. Please check the BMWCCA web site and the classifieds for the very best maintained BMW owned by people who live and breath BMW's. I would also have a BMW independent Or BMW dealer check the car as a condition of sale.
2007-09-18 08:14:07 · answer #4 · answered by John Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
THAT IS TRUE WITH CARBURETOR VEHICLES AND THE PROBLEM WILL BE MOST LIKELY AN INTERNAL LEAK WHICH IS DRAINING THE FUEL BOWL.
IF FUEL INJECTED YES THERE COULD BE MANY THINGS THAT ARE CAUSING THIS.
YOU SHOULD GET THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SCANNED AND CHECK FOR ANY PROBLEMS AS WELL AS CODES AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD IDEA ON WHAT THE PROBLEM TRULY IS.
TRY FINDING AN INDEPENDENT SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER OR A CHAIN STORE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE OVERALL MORE PLEASED WITH THE FINDINGS AND THE SERVICE.
LEAVE IT THERE WITH THEM SO THAT THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM FOR YOU, IT WILL BE A LOT BETTER THAN JUST REPLACING PART AFTER PART AND NOT DOING ANY GOOD.
2007-09-18 08:14:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
for BMW 1988...rather old car so it is quite normal for it to happen...besides not only BMW's have this problem.If it's expensive to fix i rather you buy a much newer one such as the BMW Z8 or something? =X but if you do not have that kind of money and you think this car is ok...you should buy it..its normal for this kind of problems...bentley cars also happen
2007-09-18 08:27:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont buy a 20 year old bmw unless u want to live at the repairshop...if you r getting it for 500 dollars take a shot...but b ready for repairs...expensive repairs.
2007-09-18 08:42:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is very common on cars with a carburetor.
If it is fuel injected, there is a problem
2007-09-18 08:09:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For a car that has a carburator this is normal.
2007-09-18 08:10:28 · answer #9 · answered by nbr660 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋