very happy new owner! :-) Chamonix CSL

Drew20

Drew20

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Hi, I've done it at last. I've aspired to an E9 for years now and I've only just gone and done it! I am the happy new owner of a Chamonix city-pack CSL. Overall it looks to be very solid, but needs some cosmetic attention to get it right. I'm not sure how original it all is so originality will the subject of a few posts I'm sure, once I work out how to post piccies.

Mileage is approaching 130k, but the interior is pretty good, only real interior issue is the nasty set of speakers in the parcel shelf. The car currently has no stereo, and I may end up leaving it that way TBH, and get the shelf re-trimmed in vinyl.

I've a few questions:
how stiff should the gearchange be? it has a 4-spd box, and gears 1, 2 and 3 are pretty hard to shift, especially 1. 1st is easiest to get if the car is still moving slowly, and really tough to get if stationary. Does that indicate clutch drag? (it's just had a new clutch fitted as part of the purchase)

there's a strong smell of fuel when driving with the windows open, so I suspect a weeping hose in the engine bay. Are there any prime suspects for this?

Also fuel related, after a motorway run I noted a fuel smell inside the valve cover (lifted the oil filler cap), does this indicate rich running, I assume this is not normal!!

the car has no rad fan on the water pump, it has a single elec fan in front of the rad which I assume is automatic operation with a coolant temp sensor somewhere. Is this standard? any cause for concern? (I have most of the bits to fit a viscous fan, but I'll only do this if I need to)

on the run home (mostly motorway) the coolant gauge stayed very low, below halfway, again is this normal, I was expecting it to run a bit warmer than this, but it was motorway miles...

there is a single remote brake servo under the bonnet, my old E24 had twin remote servos and I expected E9s to be the same. Is this normal, and how does a single remote servo operate the dual brake circuits?

My car has no underbonnet light or heat proofing, were these omitted from CSLs, or do I need to look to get these replaced?

A PO has modified the headlight system, so all 4 lights come on for dipped beam. I really don't like this and was planning to go back to factory wiring. I have some Cibie CSR lights to go in (hope they fit). Any thoughts or opinions?
 
Hello there Drew
My car lives in Buckinghamshire so we are 'locals'
Is your CSL a LHD ? that would account for the single brake booster. RHD models have twin servos.
There should be fan blade on the water pump, either the oem red 5 blade non viscous fan, or the later 9 blade (normally black / grey but sometimes red) viscous fan. It's an easy enough job to replace either.
If you need a good local mechanic i can recommend Russell at DMWorx in Stoke Mandeville
Good luck - sounds like fun
 
Congratulations on your CSL. I know how it feels. I aspired to a CSL for many years and finally found one, in the colour and spec I wanted.

And whilst I am just a CSL novice, for some of your questions I can give you my POV:

- I have a 4 speed and it is very smooth through the gears at any speed and also stationary. Maybe your new clutch isn't quite right and not fully disengaging so needs adjustment. May also mean slightly worn synchros.
- I can also smell fuel sometimes but I know it is because my mixture is is currently too rich so the exhaust smells very petroly. My FI just needs adjustment (I have an aftermarket Haltech ECU so can easily remap mixture). You need to try to isolate if your problem is due to overly rich mixture (FI needs adjustment) or if it is coming from a leak somewhere in the fuel lines or near the tank.
- My coolant gauge always stays very low around 1/4. So if yours also does, that is good as often these cars are known for overheating issues. Sounds like your electric fan set up is working well so probably a worthwhile upgrade.
- Re under-bonnet insulation. My car doesn't have it and there seems to be no consensus on the benefits/reason for having this. All sorts of strange suggestions exist - e.g it's an engine noise reducer, insulation to stop heat damaging bonnet paintwork, it's a fire retardant so if an engine fire occurs it melts and oozes down all over the engine to put out the fire.

Good luck with your new CSL, and hope you can post some pics too.
 
Hi Drew, I'm only in Burnham if you need any help. just finished my CSL restoration so all is fairly fresh in my mind
Mark
 

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Drew20 said:
I am the happy new owner of a Chamonix city-pack CSL.
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Pictures or it didn't happen :)

Congrats on what sounds like a wonderful car...I'm only a lot jealous.

Gasoline smell in the oil is not a good sign. Over-rich running will allow unburnt fuel to wipe the cylinder walls of oil and could score the walls or scuff the piston skirts. I'd get that FI system looked into pretty quickly. Change the oil, regardless.

Stiff gear box may just need a fluid change. Drive it to get the gear lube hot, then drain it. Replace with any number of recommended lubes... I've used RedLine synthetic in Getrag boxes with good results, plain old dino-lube of proper viscosity will also work just fine.

Best of luck to you, I'm certain you will have it sorted out quickly.

Ed Z
 
Difficulty in shifting is most likely the clutch master or slave cylinder not releasing the clutch. Post your VIN so we can help.
 
I haven't had much good weather so photos are a bit limited, this one shows the car in its natural environment (on a rainy day), ie the garage!

BI7teDz.jpg


thanks for the replies, sounds like it needs to go back to the garage for some fettling. I bought it through a reputable specialist so I hope there'll be no problems there. I really just need the transmission looked at, and the fuelling as a priority (and new oil) to get it driveable. I think clutch drag is the first assumption for the gear change issues, surprised the garage did not pick that up before handing it over though.... I'd rather not "resort" to redline MTL yet, as it is quite hard on old 'boxes (so I'm told, although I have used it previously)

re the fan, I assume the original five blade fan seized and a PO took the opportunity to replace with an electric fan, this worked fine on an easy drive on a clear motorway (actually it was likely not needed at all). I have some of the parts to put the later viscous fan in (I got parts from an E23, but the viscous unit itself is seized, so that would be a chunk of cash to complete the retro-fit)

re the brake servo, my car is a UK RHD city-pack car (2285182 IIRC). I'll get a photo of the set-up under the bonnet. I could only see the one remote servo

and yes, great to meet up, although I fear my car might look a bit shabby compared to some of the cars I have seen on this site. I've only see a few E9s previously, so it would good to know what I am aiming at for my finished car, I'll drop a line to suggest a South Bucks get together. Need to get my mechanicals sorted first though
 
Drew - the second servo is slightly hidden from view. It sits under the radiator expansion tank.
 
Honestly, I love the garage photo. It's an unpolished but intimate look at the car. The Chamonix looks really good with the black CSL stripes and the stripes!
 
Drew, your car definitely doesn't look "a bit shabby" at all. It looks mint and you're very lucky to have those amazing wheels. Are they period correct Rial, BBS or Mahle?
 
Welcome. Now to get it ready for spring....
 
Mal CSL 3.0 said:
Drew, your car definitely doesn't look "a bit shabby" at all. It looks mint and you're very lucky to have those amazing wheels. Are they period correct Rial, BBS or Mahle?
Click to expand...

Honest answer = don't know!

I really like them too and have changed my mind about 16" Alpina rims ( I love Alpinas but they're quite a price these days aren't they). I assumed they were BBS?? They're 15" and I don't think the offset is quite right so I don't think they're original though.

Plenty of jobs to do, but I do plan to drive it over the winter too, when dry and salt-free of course. Once the dealer sorts the fuelling and transmission I'll be well on the way.

Paint is not perfect, some nicks, knocks and cosmetic rust spots on the door skins.
 
Drew20 said:
Honest answer = don't know!

I really like them too and have changed my mind about 16" Alpina rims ( I love Alpinas but they're quite a price these days aren't they). I assumed they were BBS?? They're 15" and I don't think the offset is quite right so I don't think they're original though.
Click to expand...

Your car looks gorgeous! The wheels are Rial Mesh. They look great IMO!
 
It won't go away, I've been pinching myself for 7 years now, after kicking myself for 25 years for selling my first one. I'm on the back deck looking into the garage at it now.

Drew20 said:
Thanks

I'm really having to keep pinching myself, I can't quite believe this beauty is all mine. E9s really are the most stunning cars ever built....
Click to expand...
 
Congratulations Drew !
Beautiful CSL. You will find that what adds more to your enjoyment is people on this forum. there are so many people on the forum that have been associated with the group for a long time. Much more than me. There is wealth of information and resource available. I also think the format and structure of the site is really good making it easy to navigate. You will be coming back for more and more, for all types of reasons!!
The Love of cars is one thing and for E9s gets to higher level.
Best wishes and stay in touch!
Cheers!
 
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