[BMWMusician]

Due to covid and a host of issues in my life, my 08 335i e93 sat in a garage in tx about a year. I finally got the battery situation resolved so it has a new battery, I ordered a oil kit to do the oil change, and I’m wondering any thing else I should do before starting it?

Would I need to go get a gas can and put 91 gas and mix it with Techron?

Im assuming tires might need to be replaced, coolant and brake fluid checked too? And not to drive it until I do the oil change?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

Due to covid and a host of issues in my life, my 08 335i e93 sat in a garage in tx about a year. I finally got the battery situation resolved so it has a new battery, I ordered a oil kit to do the oil change, and I’m wondering any thing else I should do before starting it?

Would I need to go get a gas can and put 91 gas and mix it with Techron?

Im assuming tires might need to be replaced, coolant and brake fluid checked too? And not to drive it until I do the oil change?

I would just do an oil change and take it very easy if there is old gas in the tank. Over a year it should be okay but will probably have lost some octane.

Cars really should be lifted off the ground so they don't get flat spots in the tires so it is also good to take it easy on the tires until you know if they got flat spots. I have heard of tires blowing up from overheating after they get flat spots but it really depends. My car also sat a lot during Covid and I haven't had any major issues other than the battery and my turbo seemed to smoke a bit in the first few weeks of operation (It seems better now so it might have cooked some gunk out but I will still be changing them due to WG rattle shortly)

-Rich

[BMWMusician]

I did start it for a few minutes last year and yes I think there was some smoke for a few minutes, but then the battery died again. So now I have a new battery programmed, I'm thinking about pouring out this current gas, and putting new gas with techron. Yes, the tires I think might need to be changed, but I'm wondering anything else? Wanted to do a 100 mile drive soon.

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

I did start it for a few minutes last year and yes I think there was some smoke for a few minutes, but then the battery died again. So now I have a new battery programmed, I'm thinking about pouring out this current gas, and putting new gas with techron. Yes, the tires I think might need to be changed, but I'm wondering anything else? Wanted to do a 100 mile drive soon.

It would be good to check the air filters depending on where you live I have seen some bad things happen with mice...

I would also do a quick general fluid check for coolant, etc.

-Rich

[BMWMusician]

So its ok to start it? I just need to back it up so I can put it outside and do the oil change? What about gas? Fill up a can and put techron in it, and pour it with the existing gas?

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

So its ok to start it? I just need to back it up so I can put it outside and do the oil change? What about gas? Fill up a can and put techron in it, and pour it with the existing gas?

Unless the gas has gummed up or something I wouldn't worry about it. You could put some stabilizer in it but it is really kind of too late for that.

If I had less than 1/4 tank I would probably just fill it up with high octane and still take it easy on the first tank. If you have a full tank then you will either have to drive it or drain it. If you only fill it with half a tank or less of new gas then it will take quite a while to dilute out the bad stuff.

I would probably just drive it and baby it (no boost) until the tank is at 1/8 and put new gas in to get the old stuff out. The tank was sealed so really the gas is just going to be degraded a bit (lower octane) 1 year is probably not a problem as long as the system was sealed.

If you are paranoid add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner or drygas to the tank. After a year gas can gum up or start to varnish but that is usually after more than a year and more of a problem for carburetors (among their many other problems).

If you were running E85 then that can break down faster.

-Rich

[whyzee125]

Just run it, you'll be fine. Run some Techron in it at your next fill up.

[E93Dude]

Yeah, just run it and it will probably be OK. Electronically controlled fuel injection engines are really good about altering a variety of engine parameters to account for different octane levels, ambient temperatures and altitudes.

My 335 sat for 6 months with < 1/4 tank plus a bottle of Stabil, I still threw in a bottle of octane booster when I came back and started it. Car ran just fine. In your case, I'd maybe throw in a bottle of Techron with the next couple of fill-ups to help wash away any varnish build up.

[BMWMusician]

So after an oil change the car is shaking at idle and reving by itself. I still haven’t put new gas yet (was waiting on tires because one is shot). I did order new spark plugs from fcp euro. Maybe put a full tank with techron and change the spark plugs?

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

So after an oil change the car is shaking at idle and reving by itself. I still haven’t put new gas yet (was waiting on tires because one is shot). I did order new spark plugs from fcp euro. Maybe put a full tank with techron and change the spark plugs?

It might just get better when it burns through the fuel, but can't hurt to see if any codes are getting thrown. Sounds like plugs or coils.

[BMWMusician]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

It might just get better when it burns through the fuel, but can't hurt to see if any codes are getting thrown. Sounds like plugs or coils.

So you were right, it was the coils. Car feels like a new vehicle. The issue I have now is clearing SES codes on inpa or ista. My laptop had I think over 60gb of the programs on a virtual drive, but my computer went out so I have to find it again. The black one was on Cy. 6 and made a SES light.

[StradaRedlands]

WOW!

That was due!