M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: dasfrogger on April 13, 2014, 05:50:09 PM
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Hello! I've been around 2002's (have a 73 and a 67) for a long time and finally decided to pick up a e30 to DD. I've been thru a few 325's as parts cars/flips/one that i almost became a daily driver. If you're interested you can see my 1600-2 adventures here ->http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/136403-1967-1600-2-some-assembly-required/ (http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/136403-1967-1600-2-some-assembly-required/).
This thread's purpose will be to keep track of the work I do to the 318is and the adventures it gets me into. I plan to keep the car mostly stock - with 'tasteful' mods focused on making the car a great DD. My goal is to make the car as reliable and comfortable as possible.
I picked up my 318is from the famous Mike Self. A lot of e30's in my area are pretty rusted out, and when Mike says there is no rust - there is no rust! Mike had a stack of receipts from the previous owner and with the car being enthusiast owned it's entire life it seemed like the safest bet I could find at the time. For a 23 year old car it runs and drives great! There are a few small projects around the car, but otherwise I think it'll be a good DD.
The Good:
Completely stock
NO RUST
Recent Clutch Job
Recent tires
AC system converted to R-134a with all new components!
Recent Steering rack replacement
The Bad:
Some various dents in unfortunate places (hood, roof, fender)
Interior is starting to age (cracked dash, funky carpet in the front, drivers seat is beginning to crack)
Central locking is a bit wonky.
Even though the mess under the intake was replaced, the hoses are already cracking again.
The car made the 3 hour trip home with no incidents and returned over 30MPG. Not too shabby!
Here's some photos of when I picked it up:
Me with my new purchase on the right and Mike with it's twin on the left.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/D8358016-3339-43B9-8EEA-9BA52822BFEE_zpsejy2fn9v.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/D8358016-3339-43B9-8EEA-9BA52822BFEE_zpsejy2fn9v.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-75131200-1395886789_zpse4aa9319.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-75131200-1395886789_zpse4aa9319.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-11931300-1395886685_zps9ab75ff1.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-11931300-1395886685_zps9ab75ff1.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-80239100-1395886708_zpsd5bf726b.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-80239100-1395886708_zpsd5bf726b.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-22301500-1395886758_zpsa9c9bcfa.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/classifieds-32035-0-22301500-1395886758_zpsa9c9bcfa.jpg.html)
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Welcome to the club! Looks like you have a great start there. Rust isn't quite as bad to the E30 as to the '02, but it's still a killer.
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Welcome, nice looking 318is. Get a front lip and it will look even better!
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Welcome, nice looking 318is. Get a front lip and it will look even better!
I need to snap a photo but i have the thin lip on it now. Pulled one of the thick lips off a parts car too, but It's speckled with overspray. I need to go back thru and paint both to make them look really nice. Not sure which one i'll run yet, I like the look of the thin lip and I've heard the thick ones get busted on parking blocks all the time.
Welcome to the club! Looks like you have a great start there. Rust isn't quite as bad to the E30 as to the '02, but it's still a killer.
I've learned the hard way from my time with 02's to find the best example I can afford and start with that. Should be a solid base to work with. Thanks for the welcome!
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Based on the service records it seems that this car has typically had conventional oil and I didn't want to upset the balance with synthetic now. Changed the oil with castrol 10w30 -I wanted 15w40, but I could only find it in synthetic. If anyone out there has opinion on oil weight let me know. I still need to do more research on the topic.
I seriously loved how easy it was to perform the oil/filter change compared to my 02 and jeep xj. lovely.
while I was waiting for the oil to drain I noticed a fresh film of oil covering the passenger side of the block all the way back to the transmission. I went ahead and wiped everything down to see if i can pinpoint the seepage point. The profile gasket has been replaced and I'm hoping it's not that. Seems like it could be the valve cover gasket. I'll order one with my next big order of parts and swap it out.
I had noticed a bit of a rough idle - kind of like a big cam'd V8. Idle speed wasn't searching a lot, but enough to cause concern. Mike McCarthy's shop had replaced almost all the rubber under the intake less than two years ago and I was hoping it was something simple like a dirty AFM. Cleaned the AFM, Throttle body and ICV, and in the process discovered that the hoses that hadn't been replaced really needed to be now. Then much to my chagrin I found that all the NEW rubber (that I could see, didn't remove the intake yet) that was installed is splitting at the junction points.
Mega. Bummer.
I'm going to go ahead and order everything brand new from BLUNT in the next few days and take the weekend to get everything patched up right. Considering deleting the TB heater plate and associated hoses per Simon's writeup (http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=225616). It does get below freezing in Kentucky and I will drive the car year round. Should I be concerned at all about condensation freezing my throttle open? I don't think it would be much of a problem on trips long enough to get the motor up to full operating temp, but could be an issue on very short trips?
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/1B72BE01-5A30-499C-B4F3-D711C76E2AEF_zpsygdcqbvi.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/1B72BE01-5A30-499C-B4F3-D711C76E2AEF_zpsygdcqbvi.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/5F532739-F675-45EE-80A2-6729C0912C19_zpsli0aw5v1.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/5F532739-F675-45EE-80A2-6729C0912C19_zpsli0aw5v1.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/C18429F4-5CFA-475E-A783-0426BFDEC8C6_zpshmxnjhyz.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/C18429F4-5CFA-475E-A783-0426BFDEC8C6_zpshmxnjhyz.jpg.html)
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For conventional oil I've been happy with Castrol or Quaker State 10w40 for the past 12 years. It's thick enough to suppress engine noise and you get minimal vapor, yet thin enough for cold starts and to feed the hydraulics. I would go with something thicker for racing or somewhere often seeing above 90 degrees.
I drive my car into late November up in Canada, often frosty mornings and nights below freezing and I have not had an issue without the heater plate. You can always remove the air box snorkel and block the cold air passage in the winter months. This should raise the intake temp a few degrees and reduce excess moisture. You could also move the exterior sensor from the air duct to the intake so you can keep a better eye on things. Worst case you shut the motor down in the event of the throttle body freezing open. I've done this on diesel trucks before where the spring would fail causing WOT. In the case of a 318 it think the brakes could easily overcome the engine, even at WOT. LOL
Good luck.
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I use RotellaT 15w40 conventional oil and been quite happy with it. Love buying heavy duty diesel oil.
I recommend the mess under the intake, really simplifies things.
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Took the 318is out for about an hour of spirited back road driving last night. Even though i've had the car for a couple of weeks now, I've really only had the opportunity to get it on the back roads a few times, and this was the first time I could take it out solo. Being alone last night allowed me to focus on the car a bit more and think about how it's doing. Some things I noticed, Good and bad:
(1) I love revving this thing all the way out. The feels are amazing.
(2) I need a Limited slip. Considering changing ratio to 3.73 to accommodate highway driving (this is a commuter after all).
(3) Some time at a drivers school would go a long way.
(4) Transmission grinds gears, especially in 1,2 if i don't have the clutch to the metal. Perhaps I need to adjust the clutch stop?
(5) The steering/handling from the front end are seriously lacking and I'm nervous thru the twisties at higher speeds.
The last item is the most concerning to me. I drive these roads a lot in my 73 2002, and even with it's WELL worn suspension it handles the road much better at speed. My 318is feels like it's got a lot of body roll / play in the steering / that it's not planted to the road.
I know the steering rack has been replaced and doubt there's any issues there. From what I can tell all the bushings are in good shape too. I have a new set of Billy sports that came with the car - perhaps the old inserts are just that tired and a new set would firm things up? Is this just how the car acts on stock swaybar and springs?
I need to carve out some time to install the front shocks and see how that improves things. I'm going to try to restrain myself and only add one thing at a time - to save my wallet and to see how each component changes the feel.
In other news i placed an order for all new rubber and gaskets to do the mess under the intake. Can't wait for stuff to start rolling in from BLUNT.
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A few things that may help with shifting.
- Flush the transmission and top up with Red Line D4 ATF or your brand of choice. Also install a magnetic plug if you don't already have one.
- Check over the shift linkage for excess wear and tear, replace with autosolutions if you have the budget for it.
- E21 transmission mounts help improve shift accuracy during spirited driving
- Bleed the clutch
- Check the pivot pin on the clutch release arm, replace with brass pivot if needed.
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A few things that may help with shifting.
- Flush the transmission and top up with Red Line D4 ATF or your brand of choice. Also install a magnetic plug if you don't already have one.
- Check over the shift linkage for excess wear and tear, replace with autosolutions if you have the budget for it.
- E21 transmission mounts help improve shift accuracy during spirited driving
- Bleed the clutch
- Check the pivot pin on the clutch release arm, replace with brass pivot if needed.
I'll put all those on the list. Flushing the transmission fluid was already high up on the list, I'll try to do it sooner rather than later.
Parts are starting to flow in from Blunt. Got about 1/4 of what I ordered. woo hoo!
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So i've got this parts car....
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/F18D0777-B50A-43B2-A78B-D7E21455E601_zps65duxbnq.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/F18D0777-B50A-43B2-A78B-D7E21455E601_zps65duxbnq.jpg.html)
Really, it's too nice to be a parts car though, and this is the dilemma. This 325is used to be the PO's daily driver until he smashed the oil pan on some train tracks and yanked the motor/transmission/driveshaft and let it sit until i came to get it. I came upon it quite on accident, went up to buy a transmission from the guy and he made me haul this car and another one not as nice back with me. It was quite the deal and I had a place to store it so no big deal...but I didn't know what i'd do with it. It would be a great candidate for a m50/m30/v8(!!!) swap, but it's pretty rough around the edges and I have no idea what works and what doesn't electrically. With the 1600-2 project eating all my spare cash I wasn't going to start anything with this car. I've got to find a buyer for it, but then there's the problem with all the goodies it's got on it...
Now that I've got the 318is I have a reason to want some of the nice parts on this car. It's got US Ellipsoids, 16'' Borbet wheels, Premium sound (that matches my interior!), Map light rear view mirror, fancy computers, Sport steering wheel, LSD (possibly 4.10) and the very best part - Ground control coil over suspension!
So I've got to figure out what I want to pull and what I'm ok with selling. The head lights are definitely coming out - i've got a spare sealed beam set that I can put back in. I pulled the borbets and replaced them with a set of 14's that I had laying around the shop. (not sure if i'll run them or not, i really like my weaves). I want the rear view mirror and steering wheel, but I don't have anything to replace them with. Not a big deal on the mirror, but more so with the steering wheel.
The biggie is the GC suspension. It's a $1700 option. I want to pull it because I don't believe It'll add any value to this car with the rough shape it's in. I don't want to pull it because it'll be a pain in the ass, I don't have anything to replace it with, and I don't know if I want to put it on my car. I don't even know if the spring rates would be good for a 318is.
It's time to do some thinkin. I hate to take all the good stuff off this car because I need to sell it sooner rather than later and it needs to be easy to sell/ get out of my basement shop. At the same time, I'm not going to ask very much for it so I aught to pull off some of the nice parts. hmmmm....
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/2B595CB0-3FCB-47EA-849A-3BA6BC002747_zpstftbsnzn.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/2B595CB0-3FCB-47EA-849A-3BA6BC002747_zpstftbsnzn.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/731D991D-98A2-483F-8D84-869E37FF874D_zps5iizsagc.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/731D991D-98A2-483F-8D84-869E37FF874D_zps5iizsagc.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/17323990-AF41-412C-91AD-F1E339C1DC1B_zpsieqar7vr.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/17323990-AF41-412C-91AD-F1E339C1DC1B_zpsieqar7vr.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/355FF6F0-4F68-491E-BFBD-5268DC671BF5_zpsdtefaf7s.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/355FF6F0-4F68-491E-BFBD-5268DC671BF5_zpsdtefaf7s.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/FD5AFB00-B6D2-4FA1-B289-39384C3F159C_zps25hai7m6.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/FD5AFB00-B6D2-4FA1-B289-39384C3F159C_zps25hai7m6.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/9867AAEC-EE77-4BE6-AEEF-C459F5AB3855_zps7lt5egey.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/9867AAEC-EE77-4BE6-AEEF-C459F5AB3855_zps7lt5egey.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/0ED43512-92CE-4A4E-9F88-5DA44AC36C33_zpsn6b5889i.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/0ED43512-92CE-4A4E-9F88-5DA44AC36C33_zpsn6b5889i.jpg.html)
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Did the 'Mess under the intake' mod this past weekend. It took about 4 hours from start to finish and I didn't have any unexpected issues that would have held things up. This was the main circuit that got removed along with the throttle heater plate:
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/34D2289B-DFE1-4890-8870-8CA97782C393_zpse7rtv1dd.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/34D2289B-DFE1-4890-8870-8CA97782C393_zpse7rtv1dd.jpg.html)
The multi junction hose on the left was the major culprit for vacuum leaks:
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/AE5E0F0A-A92D-4AB3-9844-B68D30DB3DCD_zpszgvt96v1.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/AE5E0F0A-A92D-4AB3-9844-B68D30DB3DCD_zpszgvt96v1.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/F58C1E6D-7692-4DCD-B3D7-0114B3ADAB23_zps1qetu7t5.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/F58C1E6D-7692-4DCD-B3D7-0114B3ADAB23_zps1qetu7t5.jpg.html)
After everything got buttoned up it fired right up. Much to my dismay my idle is still rough. It's better than it was, but still not right. I'm thinking injectors, O2 sensor, AFM. A friend brought me an 02 sensor and AFM from a parts car. I got the chance to try the AFM today with no change. I'll try the O2 Sensor tomorrow and change plugs afterwards to see what happens.
I've got a set of 19# mustang injectors too. They've been sitting for over 2 years, so I need to have them sent off to be cleaned before swap. My injectors were pretty nasty when I pulled the intake, so hopefully the swap will really show a lot of benefit. The picture below was taken after i did a little cleaning.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/F2F39D81-71FE-46D9-BA7A-5FC2AF8F5F73_zpslj5z7ckb.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/F2F39D81-71FE-46D9-BA7A-5FC2AF8F5F73_zpslj5z7ckb.jpg.html)
Hopefully it'll be running well shortly. I've got some cosmetic mods to do after - maplight rearview mirror, epsilloid headlights, 2nd light in the trunk (need to find some LED's for those too.
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Would like to see some after pictures of your solution to 'mess under the intake'.
Your old injectors don't look too bad but the 4-hole injectors are a nice upgrade.
Second trunk light is great... if you wire them in parallel and not series. ;D
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Would like to see some after pictures of your solution to 'mess under the intake'.
Doesn't look like much honestly. Throttle body looks a little bit tidier. You can see the breather hose on the left goes to the intake boot and you can kind of see that the hose from the ICV valve goes to the intake itself. Those are the most obvious changes. I didn't take any other photos because I was in a hurry to get everything back together. The "simon's take on mess under the intake" has some great pictures of what things look like under the top intake manifold.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/A0DD84B7-90D6-43DC-8A31-F52CA50CE03D_zpsfrqoco5m.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/A0DD84B7-90D6-43DC-8A31-F52CA50CE03D_zpsfrqoco5m.jpg.html)
Had about half an hour to work on the car today. Went to autozone and bought some NGK plugs and borrowed the O2 sensor socket set. Unfortunately the O2 sensor from the parts car didn't want to budge, and the metal siding was cracked and flared near the end anyway. It actually prevented me from getting the socket in place- had to use a hammer. I still plan to change out the sensor, or at least test my current one. The car drives great, only problem is at idle. Since it's livable i'm going to put off dropping another 150 bucks into the car since I'm still mid restoration on my 1600-2.
I did install the plugs though. Love how easy it is on this car. Old plugs were showing some age, but had uniform wear and were probably fine.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/65CB0641-0FAC-4A5E-92DE-063319649E18_zps3llatknf.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/65CB0641-0FAC-4A5E-92DE-063319649E18_zps3llatknf.jpg.html)
Installed new NGK's. Idle seems a tiny bet better - doesn't search as much but is still pretty lumpy. Not sure if that's the truth or just placebo effect.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/369EB678-FBC7-4C92-B6F1-588A95A2611B_zpsjtpvhcq2.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/369EB678-FBC7-4C92-B6F1-588A95A2611B_zpsjtpvhcq2.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/CA67D524-D77A-4749-AF35-98218EC07088_zpsztdy9sk0.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/CA67D524-D77A-4749-AF35-98218EC07088_zpsztdy9sk0.jpg.html)
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I was just curious to see what parts you used. I did this last year and also deleted the heater core bypass valve. I found some coolant residue on the carpet so I might look into installing a simple bypass using 1/4 inch hose and T fittings, that shouldn't effect heat too much.
Might be mistaken but I think you mixed up two of the hoses. To my knowledge the valve cover goes to the throttle body and ICV goes to the intake boot.
Aside from that it looks like a good job.
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I was just curious to see what parts you used. I did this last year and also deleted the heater core bypass valve. I found some coolant residue on the carpet so I might look into installing a simple bypass using 1/4 inch hose and T fittings, that shouldn't effect heat too much.
Might be mistaken but I think you mixed up two of the hoses. To my knowledge the valve cover goes to the throttle body and ICV goes to the intake boot.
Aside from that it looks like a good job.
Let me know how your bypass works out. I'm interested in finding a way to reduce likely hood of catastrophic heater core failure.
I'll swap the hoses around, maybe that'll help things - thanks for the advice!
Took the 318is to the Rivertown Gear Busters spring run yesterday. My 2002 could have made it, but it needs a little work and I haven't had the e30 out yet. The RGB is primarily a 2002 (and 70's era BMW) group, but we had a pretty interesting mix this year since 3 guys with 02's brought different cars.
Met at FUEL! coffee in Cincinnati for cars and coffee then set off to the hills of Kentucky for a spirited drive. a few hours later we ended up at Hoffbrau house for beers and eats. It was a beautiful day and great to catch up with old friends and to give the motor a chance to sing all the way to 6k.
The 318is did great. Ran over 250 miles, a lot of which was thru the hills in 2,3,4 all at high RPM.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/1388FA09-1DFF-4435-B6C3-A182D2C5E775_zpsmimqjubv.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/1388FA09-1DFF-4435-B6C3-A182D2C5E775_zpsmimqjubv.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/B3D39430-AD17-497F-8FA8-6703A6D3086D_zps7af7hlbn.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/B3D39430-AD17-497F-8FA8-6703A6D3086D_zps7af7hlbn.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/B5BC5C39-E86A-479E-A72D-02751B2AA6A5_zpstwuftmiq.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/B5BC5C39-E86A-479E-A72D-02751B2AA6A5_zpstwuftmiq.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/19681A1F-4302-42E7-A7E9-323902F209CB_zpsrojcip7h.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/19681A1F-4302-42E7-A7E9-323902F209CB_zpsrojcip7h.jpg.html)
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Sounds like a quality time (regardless e21 or e30). I always make a stop at Hofbrau Beerhall for a boot and schnitzel when I'm in Miami, it's great. Hope to make the drive down south through Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia one of these years. Timing is crucial as I don't have A/C in the 318, I don't want to be stuck driving at night because it gets too hot during the day.
I have all the parts to build the bypass, two 64118367832 and a 64218367834. Gotta get some other projects out of the way so I can do a proper before/after. I'm thinking the heater output will be reduced slightly or completely, really not sure so I would hold off if I were you.
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Sounds like a quality time (regardless e21 or e30). I always make a stop at Hofbrau Beerhall for a boot and schnitzel when I'm in Miami, it's great. Hope to make the drive down south through Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia one of these years. Timing is crucial as I don't have A/C in the 318, I don't want to be stuck driving at night because it gets too hot during the day.
I have all the parts to build the bypass, two 64118367832 and a 64218367834. Gotta get some other projects out of the way so I can do a proper before/after. I'm thinking the heater output will be reduced slightly or completely, really not sure so I would hold off if I were you.
It's always a good time getting out on those roads. It's a blast ripping thru the backroads with 8 other cars.
You're getting close to out of time for Kentucky. Once mid june hits it's pretty rough and it'll be late september before it's nice again. My 73 2002 doesn't have AC, and ithasn't been terrible, but not a lot of fun.
Good luck with the bypass. Looking forward to hearing how it works out
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I recently got a new job (the reason for the e30 purchase) and am now having to commute downtown and park in a parking garage. Today was my first day and I didn't enjoy it one bit. My problems are:
1) lumpy idle (not the end of the world, but it really bothers me)
2) sometimes its very difficult to select a gear, especially 1st and 2nd, especially after it's been sitting for awhile.
3) the clutch goes all the way to the metal and the only way I can get it there is by using the big toe part of my foot. My toe didn't feel great after the weekend and driving in dress shoes was the least fun today. I don't really care if that sounds like a wuss problem. It's not comfortable to operate the car and something's gotta change.
I'm hoping that bleeding the brakes and clutch slave will solve my gear selection issue and that it's not my slave cyl on it's way out. I'll plan to bleed this weekend and update.
To solve my clutch/uncomfortable foot issue I figured I'd try a DIY clutch stop mod. Did about 20 minutes worth of research and I was off to Lowes. $4.85 later and I was back home ready to start.
So here's the exploded parts. Part numbers from Left to right below the picture - everything purchased from LOWES.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/05563930-C1B8-40DC-B11E-D9E40EF4EAB6_zpssflhwfsd.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/05563930-C1B8-40DC-B11E-D9E40EF4EAB6_zpssflhwfsd.jpg.html)
+ SoftTouch Felt Pads #0053801. 1.5" round, light tan felt, adhesive back
+ Elevator Bolt 3/8-16 x 1-1/2
+ Nut, 3/8"-16 #67341
+ Lock Washer 3/8" #61816
Got out to my car and found that the carpet one of the PO's had glued in over the stock carpet obscured the view of the clutch stop.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/DF8C097E-0151-483F-803B-029F9C41588B_zpsveuvlbei.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/DF8C097E-0151-483F-803B-029F9C41588B_zpsveuvlbei.jpg.html)
Peeled back the nasty overlay carpet to find even nastier original carpet...and the location of the clutch stop.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/D1A8CA8A-3D1E-4A48-9D08-D6A3AD897A42_zpsoapz8ryn.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/D1A8CA8A-3D1E-4A48-9D08-D6A3AD897A42_zpsoapz8ryn.jpg.html)
I cut a hole in the overlay carpet to expose the stock clutch stop
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/AB4DB17E-11D0-4C95-9408-821B6AD4E6DA_zpsbr7jod7q.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/AB4DB17E-11D0-4C95-9408-821B6AD4E6DA_zpsbr7jod7q.jpg.html)
Removed the stock clutch stop with a Phillips head screw driver. gave no resistance and came out in a few seconds
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/01A94CA8-4E9B-4E8A-9F39-3E14BDC7CE1E_zpsio1fnt0r.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/01A94CA8-4E9B-4E8A-9F39-3E14BDC7CE1E_zpsio1fnt0r.jpg.html)
A comparison shot
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/9F0FF231-FCC9-41AC-9FC4-C78BA0E52393_zpskzdfqqax.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/9F0FF231-FCC9-41AC-9FC4-C78BA0E52393_zpskzdfqqax.jpg.html)
I threaded the nut all the way up the Elevator bolt and then slipped the lock washer on after it. Twisted the elevator bolt in by hand till it couldn't turn any more then turned the nut down by hand till it was finger tight.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/86BA9F01-5313-46D4-9048-C5926BD5E57C_zpsmwqulfk3.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/86BA9F01-5313-46D4-9048-C5926BD5E57C_zpsmwqulfk3.jpg.html)
Picked myself up off the ground and started the car right up no problem. Did a quick test drive around the block and no problems using clutch. Too much traffic around my house to enjoy a testdrive so I'll go for one tonight.
Preliminarily it feels really really good. Way easier to shift and foot position is better too. I could probably back the bolt out a little more to minimize clutch travel, but for a driver this is really nice. Very happy with this mod, it yielded great results (so far), and was truly plug and play. Best $4.85 I've spent in a long time.
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This is a good news / bad news post.
First the good: took my e30 to my first autox a few weeks back. I ran the bottom of my class, but improved my time 10 seconds from the first run to the last and was pretty happy with that.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/photo6_zps1fd91e70.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/photo6_zps1fd91e70.jpg.html)
Video of my runs here: http://youtu.be/xZUjW9ByuBQ?list=UUtFavXCB4mNmZdXlN-0eeYA
I've had the car 2000 miles so far with only one issue (other than the idle) - It ate a waterpump on the interstate 72 miles from home. I was coming home from Indianapolis on July 6 and i heard a noise like i had run something over and trapped it under my car. I couldn't figure out what the problem was, but the car still felt fine and had good power. I had dark glasses on and couldn't really see the dash lights, but luckily a few minutes after hearing the noise i saw the check engine light was on. Immediately noticed every other warning light had come on and my temp was in the red. Thankfully I was able to safely merge into a rest area within a few seconds of noticing the problem. Had i been a few miles down the road i'd have been stuck in a construction area with no shoulder for a few miles. Pulled into the rest area with a trail of coolant behind me. The car proceeded to puke coolant from the waterpump for about 15 minutes.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/D4ADB023-6E70-441D-BBC7-80A2AABB8658_zpssejr1jvc.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/D4ADB023-6E70-441D-BBC7-80A2AABB8658_zpssejr1jvc.jpg.html)
Took a look around and noticed that the belt had snapped. I'll bet that's what I heard under my car.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/52860C6C-F525-4CB6-BF8D-7159401C6798_zpsyj0cl0hx.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/52860C6C-F525-4CB6-BF8D-7159401C6798_zpsyj0cl0hx.jpg.html)
Even though by a fluke I had a full tool set, jack and jack stands I didn't have any spare belts and no way to get to a parts store that would more than likely be closed on a holiday weekend sunday night. Bit the bullet and had it towed home.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/3EAA9A03-B1AF-47AE-AA74-E6AA68BC627F_zps6wfxgu4j.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/3EAA9A03-B1AF-47AE-AA74-E6AA68BC627F_zps6wfxgu4j.jpg.html)
New water pump, thermostat and all three belts and we're good to go. I was worried about the head but everything looks good. Had a shop check it and they gave it a thumbs up and I haven't noticed any coolant in the oil. I dodged a bullet there!
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A construction zone in Ohio?! Say it ain't so?!
Good to hear you didn't warp the head.
What area are you from? I live in the Springboro, Ohio area.
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I'm in Louisville, KY.
I actually bought my car from a fellow a bit north of you between xenia and yellow spirngs. For whatever reason A lot of my cars (current and former) have come from that area - e21 from xenia, 1600-2 from yellow springs, 318is... i tried to buy a pair of 2002's up there a few months back too!
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Small update - still chasing the idle issue.
Swapped ecu last night with no success. No change when removing fuel pressure regulator, idle control valve, or both. No change in idle quality by adjusting idle speed screw either. At this point it's gotta be injectors, coils/wires, or timing/cam issue.
Does anyone know how long it takes an ecu to learn a new O2 sensor? I still need to replace with a good one (even though it didn't make any change in the idle quality.) I plan to use a good m20 sensor and splice m42 wire harness. Seems like sensor is the same and need to save as much dough as I can.
At this point it's gotta be injectors, coils/wires, or timing/cam issue. I need to get my mutstang injectors rebuilt and installed. I plan to install the valve cover gasket this weeknd and will check the condition of the timing chain and sprockets as well as if the cam timing is out of spec.
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over the holiday weekend i broke down and swapped out the old O2 sensor with a new unit from autozone. 77 bucks later and the idle smoothed out pretty well with the AC on (big improvement) and a little bit with the AC off. If anything i'm hoping for an extra MPG or two from the repair.
This past weekend I changed the oil, bled brakes and clutch, and replaced fuel injectors with Mustang 19# units. I had been having problems shifting from neutral to first intermittently when the transmission was cold and figured the first step would be to bleed the system. hooked up the magic bav auto pressure bleeder and went to town. got a lot of air out of the system and flushed some nasty nasty fluid. Shifts a bit better now from N to 1, but still not what it's supposed to be. I'll probably do a trans fluid flush sometime soon for the peace of mind and then will do shifter bushing (and probably guibo and trans rear seal while I'm in there)
I'd been dragging my feet on having my injectors cleaned, but i finally got them sent out and carved out some time to do the swap. I'm glad i did, i'd just had the injectors out a few thousand miles ago when i did mess under the intake and they were super nasty again. I'm not sure if it's placebo or just the fact that the injectors are fresh and clean, but i feel like the car has a little more power down low than it used to. Driving in 1st/2nd in my parking garage (or other low speed situation) is a lot more comfortable too -doesn't seem like the engine struggles anymore. All in all it's a pretty cheap mod and i'd recommend doing it if you want a project or if you're doing mess under the intake and are in there anyway. I used MEPEH from R3V to do mine and it only cost 20 bucks for the service...super deal. Link to his thread is below.
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/5C5D90A9-366B-43E7-80FE-30A47A17D07F_zpsbrkocsxc.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/5C5D90A9-366B-43E7-80FE-30A47A17D07F_zpsbrkocsxc.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/7960E7B3-1ECE-4FEF-AEBA-DF86E29A8658_zps9q40eudp.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/7960E7B3-1ECE-4FEF-AEBA-DF86E29A8658_zps9q40eudp.jpg.html)
(http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss345/johndmetz/1991%20BMW%20318is/95955645-465B-4BBC-97D9-90702F1872F2_zpskualq8uf.jpg) (http://s590.photobucket.com/user/johndmetz/media/1991%20BMW%20318is/95955645-465B-4BBC-97D9-90702F1872F2_zpskualq8uf.jpg.html)
So still trying to chase the idle issue. At this point i'm thinking timing. still need to pop the valve cover gasket off to inspect. Part of the issues is how the exhaust rattles, and at this point i'm almost wondering if the idle isn't actually that bad and the exhaust rattle is amplifying the problem.
Injectors cleaning service: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=266477&highlight=injector+cleaning