Messages

1

Engine + Driveline / Cam cover torque

« on: August 14, 2009, 01:53:37 PM »

Being that the point of stripped threads was brought up, any suggestions on how to remedy that? I have 2 stripped, that wont tighten. I was thinking that it was the cam cover threads that was stripped, not the bolts. Any suggestions?  Thanks

2

Engine + Driveline / Sloww 318is

« on: August 12, 2009, 05:37:36 AM »

Your catalytic converter is probably clogged up and needs replacing. I had to replace mine, it was full of carbon build up. Cant get proper air flow through the exaust will cause this.  The vacuum linese are cheap and can be bought by the foot at any auto store. Also, most are easy to get to. These hoses dry rot and crack.

3

Engine + Driveline / Coil test results - Orange spark??

« on: June 08, 2009, 12:16:31 PM »

DD- I have a 93 318i. Yeah, my coils are mounted on the fender well too. Right next to the bolts for the strut. To me, the COP's seem like a bad idea. Heat has a bad effect on electrical components. Especially on softer metals, such as copper. A coil is essentially a copper wound transformer. I dont understand the reasoning behind COP's. I did go ahead and order 2 coils from FCP. After shipping the total is $57. I will replace the two coils with the weakest spark and see if it makes a difference. Right now, the car isnt running terrible, just feels a bit sluggish, especially when the engine is cold.

4

Engine + Driveline / Coil test results - Orange spark??

« on: June 08, 2009, 10:09:51 AM »

The stomp test, from what I have read, you have to stomp 5 times with in 5 seconds. All the way to the floor and all the way out. Im not getting any check engine light issues. I may go ahead and buy a couple of the $24 coils. I would think that a weak spark will produce these symptoms. In the back of my mind, Im wondering about my DME as well.

Here is the coils on Ebay for $23. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-BMW-Ignition-Coils-E36-E34-E31-E38-E30-95-96-97-98_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dSIQ26itsQ3dIQ252BCQ26ituQ3dFICSQ252BUAQ252BUCIQ26otnQ3d15Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d54QQ_trksidZp3907Q2em263QQcategoryZ33689QQitemZ250345432041

5

Engine + Driveline / Coil test results - Orange spark??

« on: June 07, 2009, 11:14:30 PM »

The check engine light comes on when I turn on the ignition. I just cant get it to start blinking codes any more. Last week, I was stomp testing like a champ. Now.. no go. The TPS that I put in there came out of a 95 318is. Not new. I did test it and it passes all ohm test, 1k to 3.87k. According to my Bentley manual, that's good.

6

Engine + Driveline / Coil test results - Orange spark??

« on: June 07, 2009, 07:22:43 PM »

DD- Ive already replaced many sensors and other parts on the car, pursuing another problem(stalling issue) 02, ICV, coolant sensor, plugs, TPS, MAF. This is like the last issue that I have with this car. For some reason, my stomp test isnt working any more, so I cant read the DME now. You helped me on my last post and mentioned the coils and to check for a blue spark. One thing I did in trying to resolve the last issue, was shuffle my coils around and created  a new ground. By the way, what is the best ground for this coil pack? Currently, the coil pack is grounded to the fender.
I think that these are the original coils and have 156K miles on them. I see someone selling new coils on Ebay for $23/each. Definately, not OEM, but the price is right. Its tempting.

7

Engine + Driveline / Coil test results - Orange spark??

« on: June 07, 2009, 06:33:53 PM »

This evening, I completed a coil test on my M42 engine. I left the spark plugs in the engine. I connected a brand new spark plug to each coil with the engine running. Cylinder # 4(closest to the firewall) had the strongest spark. Cylinder #1(closest to the radiator) had the weakest spark. I used one of the bolts to the strut tower for the ground. All of them had an orange colored spark. Cylinder #4, had some blue in the spark. The engine is running a bit sluggish.  I was told by a member here, that the color should be blue. What do you guys think? These coils arnt cheap.

8

Engine + Driveline / Timing cover gaskets - new gasket(s) seeping oil - questions within >>

« on: June 04, 2009, 06:06:11 AM »

Just replaced the oil pump and replaced all of the gaskets in question here. No leaks. Yes, we did use permatex to help seal the gaskets. Those gaskets are just paper gaskets and need a little help with permatex gasket sealer.

9

Engine + Driveline / Engine running rough - fault code 1214

« on: June 01, 2009, 07:50:49 AM »

It is the crank position sensor.  The other end of that goes to the front, bottom of the engine. I used a zip tie and now have it securely attached to its connector. Thanks for checking around, but I think its held in place pretty snug now. Im thinking that we have fixed the stahling issue. I believe that if it was going to show itself, it would have yesterday, at some point during our 200 mile trip.

By the way, on that oil pump job, i had call in re-inforcements. My step son. He is a ACE mechanic and he had this bracket that lifts up on the engine, so that he could get the oil pan out. Couldnt have got that oil pan out with out it.
Here's the thread on that job. http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8237

10

Engine + Driveline / Engine running rough - fault code 1214

« on: May 31, 2009, 06:25:32 PM »

Dave,
Thanks for that tip. I have tested them with an ohm meter and they all read the same. I didnt put much credit into my test. I will definately go through this test. My coils are all bolted together, and with out the fancy plastic cover that's supposed to be over them. So, I should be able to use the ground that is already there. They are all grounded to the body with this one heavy black cable. Actualy, since my last post, I did some things that seemed to help. We just got back from a nearly 200 mile trip and it didnt stall on me once. But, it seems to me that it is running lean. My mpg is to high, and it is still sputtering a bit. Im getting close to 40mpg. But, when I put my foot in to it and get her up to 80, it gave an occasional sputter, but nothing that made her stall out.
Here is what I did today to it. Re-positioned the coils. Meaning, what was going to plug wire 1 is now going to 4 and so on. Created a new ground wire to the coil pack. Also, ran a 1/2 can of Sea foam directly through the intake manifold and through the system. Poured a can of Heat, water absorbing stuff in to the gas tank. Also, a 1/2 a shot glass of Acetone. My wife was helping me. She discoverd a sensor, under the throttle body that was kind of falling out of the connector. That metal clip on that particular sensor isnt springing back up, and that connector was loose. I think its the "Pulse Generator" sensor. We had to take that particular sensor off when we fixed a prior problem, replaced the oil pump. (That was a whole other thread and big job, then came to find out, it wasnt the pump, but problem was remnants of the prior timing chain guides were laying around in the oil pan, getting sucked up in to the sump.)
So, now, I will check those coils. Autozone, actually has 1 in stock. $79 x 4=ouch! again.
Thanks for the tips.

11

Engine + Driveline / Engine running rough - fault code 1214

« on: May 30, 2009, 01:14:07 PM »

Test drive results:
Failed!
Im getting a sulfor smell(catalytic converter has been replaced) Problem is still there. Seems to be a bigger problem when the AC is on. Electrical? Maybe spark issue. Where does the ignition coils get theire spark from?

12

Engine + Driveline / Engine running rough - fault code 1214

« on: May 30, 2009, 11:52:51 AM »

Update.
This morning, I removed the plugs and brushed, around the spark plug threads, some gasket sealer, (indian head brand, its made to brush on bolts that hold in the water pump) then put the plugs back. Im am a bit relieved, cause, it looks like the oil is coming in from the top of the plug, then was seeping down in to the piston area and causing a miss. Also, replaced the ICV with the new one that came. Test drove it for 30 miles or so and all seems better so far. I feel 95% sure that this is going to do the trick. Getting ready to take a longer trip and see how she does.

13

Engine + Driveline / Engine running rough - fault code 1214

« on: May 30, 2009, 08:00:02 AM »

Desktop Dave. Thanks for the your response. I have replaced the plugs with the AC delco plugs. That is also what was in there before(from when I replaced them). Question. The rings that come with a new spark plug. Am I supposed to put the around the spark plug?

14

Engine + Driveline / Engine running rough - fault code 1214

« on: May 29, 2009, 05:41:55 AM »

I just went and checked my spark plugs out, being that I just replaced them, this past weekend. I discoverd that one of the plugs, has a lot of oil on the threads. I did replace the valve cover gasket recently, but didnt replace the spark plug gaskets. Oil is seeping in to the cylinder from around the sparkplug, therefore loosing spark casing the miss. This is what Im thinking. So, I will replace those small gaskets around the plug next and hopefully that will do the trick.

15

Engine + Driveline / Engine running rough - fault code 1214

« on: May 29, 2009, 05:26:20 AM »

Derek, Yes, We did replace the fuel filter. I will get my new ICV today. If this doesnt fix it, The next thing I will be looking at is the coils.