M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: arcter on March 03, 2010, 09:36:58 PM
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Okay guys, so I've posted a lot recently about my recent car problems. Here's a summary:
The car had the timing chain job done, as well as a new radiator, ignition wires, all relevant gaskets (when doing the timing chain job), and a few new intake hoses. I'm left with the same rough startup problem when ice cold, and after giving the car to the shop to find what was wrong, it also developed a pretty hefty smoke problem from the tailpipe. I had noticed a small amount before only after sitting overnight and it went away very quickly, but there's a lot more coming out now, until I get totally warmed up.
Anyway, what do I do? I've got a lot of money in the car recently. It's got 210K miles and it runs great other than those two problems. Do I try to sell the car and buy something else, or should I just run it as long as I can and save up for a new engine? And by the way, how long can I expect to keep driving it do you think?
Anyways, I love the car so I'd rather not get rid of it but I need to know what's most practical moneywise also. Thanks!
Joe
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Sold it :(
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Looks like a beautiful example to me, I'd suggest you hang on to it. A compression test was mentioned in your idle problem thread. The results of that test might be a good indicator as to the extent of your engine issues. Did the shop put fuel treatment in your tank to try and clean out the "carbon buildup"? I have seen excessive amounts of this cause engine exhaust to be smokey. Also, a fuel injector could stick open and wash a cylinder of it's oil causing poor fuel economy, rapid ring/cylinder wear, and rough idle. This might look like poor ignition at one spark plug. It's none of my business the shop you're dealing with, but based on what I've read it seems like the people you're dealing with may not be the best choice.
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Looks like a beautiful example to me, I'd suggest you hang on to it. A compression test was mentioned in your idle problem thread. The results of that test might be a good indicator as to the extent of your engine issues. It's none of my business the shop you're dealing with, but based on what I've read it seems like the people you're dealing with may not be the best choice.
I think I agree with that. I've got a few friends that can help me work on the car myself, I usually just don't have time so I bring it in to the shop to have them diagnose a problem.
So as far as hanging on to it goes... how long can I expect to drive it like this, and what should my goal be? Rebuild or should I aim for a totally new motor?
Admittedly, after having put so much money into the car, selling it for half what I've got in it and then gambling on another used car doesn't sound so good. I'm a college student so funds are limited :( I'd certainly hate spending money on a car I didn't even like.
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sell it. to me. now.
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Do a compression test and post the results. Then we'll know. If it needs engine work I'd garage the car and shop for a low cost used Japanese beater to drive until you're in the position to repair the car.
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Do a compression test and post the results. Then we'll know. If it needs engine work I'd garage the car and shop for a low cost used Japanese beater to drive until you're in the position to repair the car.
Well, the thing is, I doubt I'd have the money to hang on to this and find another car to buy. If I could, I would, but that's why I'm wondering whether I should sell it now or just try driving it and saving up.
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i'd say to hang onto it. keep monitoring the oil level to make sure you wont run out... and so what if you smoke a little??? honda's smoke A LOT, even when barely used. IMHO, i dont beleive that your car is about to explode or die very soon. it might start running like crap, but it'll still be drivable.
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When I say used beater I'm talking $500. One of my co-workers has been driving a Geo Metro (Suzuki) for which he paid $400 back and forth 30 miles a day for the last 4 years. It's a total piece of embarrassing shit, but hey.
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When I say used beater I'm talking $500.
Haha, alright. I'm not that broke, $500 I can do. But what should I look for? Seems like it'd be hard to find something that runs good. Wouldn't I just end up paying to keep the beater running?
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I would keep it and keep poking around on it. Maybe you'll find the idle problem and be happy. There are getting to be fewer of these cars out there, yours looks like an extremely nice one.
Like with any car, be prepared for what you will do when it dies. If I had $500 for a second beater I think I'd be looking for a used M42 instead.
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look into the oil separator thing inside the valve cover. The gasket got ruined on mine and it started sucking alot of oil and smoking like grandma.
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The thing is uber clean; keep it and fix it.
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Thanks guys, I'm definitely keeping the car. But what should my goal be? How hard would it be to find a good motor for a good price? Or should I just rebuild this one totally?
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compression and leakdown #'s before rebuild!!!
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Word.
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I bought a 1984 BMW 533i for $550. Runs perfect. All it needed was a new PS pump and wheel bearing. Got the entire hub/strut assembly from a junkyard for $60, scored a PS pump off a forum member (myE28.com) for $50, and its a great car!
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I'll try to get the numbers maybe by this weekend.
While we're on the subject of putting in a new engine, might it be an ideal time to go for an M50 swap? I know it'll cost more but I'm maybe able to have a guy I know do the work for me for $25 an hour which will save me some money. My only concerns are how much money this would cost and getting it smooged in California.
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i wouldt do a 6pot swap. id rebuild what you got. it is my goal to save as many 318's from being ruined with a 6pot swap as i can lol
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i wouldt do a 6pot swap. id rebuild what you got. it is my goal to save as many 318's from being ruined with a 6pot swap as i can lol
What exactly does the "pot" in 6pot or 4pot mean? I know it refers to the # of cylinders but why pot?
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What exactly does the "pot" in 6pot or 4pot mean? I know it refers to the # of cylinders but why pot?
Good question... :confused:
I agree with other and say keep the car, fix it up and enjoy it! If you're even a little bit mechanically handy you'll be able to keep it running nice for not a whole lot of money. Hopefully you can figure out what's messing it up. Worst case, I've seen guys on here selling motors on occasion for not a lot of money.
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I know the "6pot" swap would ruin the 318iS in the sense that it would no longer be a 318iS, but is there anything else wrong with it? I mean, if I'm committing to keeping this car, I wouldn't mind more power, even though I do find the m42 to be plenty of fun. If I'm doing any sort of engine replacement it'll probably just boil down to what I can do for a reasonable amount of money, and what sort of engine I can find. I don't see many m42's for sale and some of the other engines are quite a bit more common.
I have a guy that will do the work, whatever it ends up being, for $25 an hour. So because I've got that help I've got a little more freedom with what I do, but I still want it to be reasonably cost-effective.
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What exactly does the "pot" in 6pot or 4pot mean? I know it refers to the # of cylinders but why pot?
its a european thing. being irish born my self and living there untill i was 16. old habits are hard to break.
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I know the "6pot" swap would ruin the 318iS in the sense that it would no longer be a 318iS, but is there anything else wrong with it? I mean, if I'm committing to keeping this car, I wouldn't mind more power, even though I do find the m42 to be plenty of fun. If I'm doing any sort of engine replacement it'll probably just boil down to what I can do for a reasonable amount of money, and what sort of engine I can find. I don't see many m42's for sale and some of the other engines are quite a bit more common.
I have a guy that will do the work, whatever it ends up being, for $25 an hour. So because I've got that help I've got a little more freedom with what I do, but I still want it to be reasonably cost-effective.
weighs more. it wont handle as well. it throws off the near perfect 50/50 weight distro the 318's have.. i you want a 6pot car sell the 318 and buy one.
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Why not fix up the m42 for a bit more power? There seem to be plenty of options to get more power (turbos etc) Not sure how the cost would compare to a 6 cyl swap... but might be more original.
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Why not fix up the m42 for a bit more power? There seem to be plenty of options to get more power (turbos etc) Not sure how the cost would compare to a 6 cyl swap... but might be more original.
Well, it mostly comes down to the cost of fixing this engine up, and of course FI isn't quite as reliable as an engine swap.
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I was considering an S52 swap myself and I had just as much work done on my M42 as you have. I noticed the biggest difference in my M42 when I have my valve cover gasket replaced and a good cleaning of each fuel injector. When I started looking at $3800-$4500 for a S52 engine and transmission and another $3500 for labor to put it in, it didn't make sense to do it now. I know two people here in New Jersey that have done an S52 swap on their E30 and they regret it now. They were unfortunate to end up with engines that already had serious issues before they put them in and did not realize it until they had them installed. That's why it's better and cheaper to keep what you already have, because you don't want to make an expensive mistake on an engine that's been dogged out. Let's face, people that own any M BMW don't buy it to cruise around being cool. They buy them to dog the hell out of them.
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I was considering an S52 swap myself and I had just as much work done on my M42 as you have. I noticed the biggest difference in my M42 when I have my valve cover gasket replaced and a good cleaning of each fuel injector. When I started looking at $3800-$4500 for a S52 engine and transmission and another $3500 for labor to put it in, it didn't make sense to do it now. I know two people here in New Jersey that have done an S52 swap on their E30 and they regret it now. They were unfortunate to end up with engines that already had serious issues before they put them in and did not realize it until they had them installed. That's why it's better and cheaper to keep what you already have, because you don't want to make an expensive mistake on an engine that's been dogged out. Let's face, people that own any M BMW don't buy it to cruise around being cool. They buy them to dog the hell out of them.
Well admittedly I'm looking mostly into M50s which are typically pretty reliable engines if you find a good one. I miss my E34 sometimes :)
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I always thought an M60B30 would be an interesting swap.... probably too heavy though.
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Hey Arcter,
Where are you and how much do you want for it?
P
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Hey Arcter,
Where are you and how much do you want for it?
P
Not selling the car. I've put too much money into it and another used car would just be a new gamble. I'm driving it now and saving up to buy a new motor (not settled on which one yet) or rebuild this one, whichever makes most sense.