Messages

1

General Topics / Post Your Current Problems

« on: March 11, 2012, 02:30:14 AM »

the "to do " list......

auto tranny filter and flush,no record from PO if it was done at all
cooling system flush and swap out 247K OEM plastic water pump...:eek:
power steering flush and fix leaking hoses
replace subframe bushings,only ones left on car that are factory
fix my broken sunroof,inner liner is stuck between the cassette and panel.:mad:
central locking is EPIC FAIL!:(
ABS light comes on randomly
front hubs are on there way out,prolly related to ABS light being triggered
front seat leather is cracked and floor matts are falling apart
clearcoat is peeling from paint:(

2

Engine + Driveline / 1994 318i failed emissions test. please help

« on: February 12, 2012, 01:23:16 AM »

It's that time of the year again... the dreaded smog test.

The last time I tested was a couple years ago and I barely passed. I have a 1994 318i all stock.

I went to the smog guys a couple of times this week (utilizing the free retest#. No go. Here are my numbers:

1st test #drove 20 miles on freeway before taking test):
/////////// 15mph // 25mph
RPM ////// 1716 // 1698
CO (mea# 15.1 // 14.9
O2 #mea# 0.1 // 0.2
HC #max# 61 // 35
HC #mea# 26 // 19
CO #max# 0.34 // 0.47
CO #mea# 0.15 // 0.21
NO #max# 486 // 502
NO #mea# 626 // 658

2nd test #drove 7 miles on surface road at 45mph max before test, idle 5 mins):
/////////// 15mph // 25mph
RPM////// 1929 // 1781
CO (mea# 14.8 // 14.4
O2 #mea# 0.0 // 0.0
HC #max# 61 // 35
HC #mea# 3 // 1
CO #max# 0.34 // 0.47
CO #mea# 0.01 // 0.01
NO #max# 486 // 502
NO #mea# 909 // 617

I was so close on the 1st one, I thought, after filling it with new gas #always premium#, I should pass. I thought way wrong. When I drove there, the car was fine. Then after idling for 5 mins and the guy drove it up to the dyno, the idle started acting a little funny and revved up and down for a sec. It's happened before, but always randomly #like this time#. I've read cleaning the ICV may help this problem.

I've read up for the past couple hours on what high NO means and it seems like I"m stuck possibly looking at a new CAT. I've read differing opinions about the O2 sensor. I haven't changed my spark plugs in about 4 years #though only driven <15k miles in 4 years#.

Before taking the 1st test, I did do:
1. change oil #Mobil 1 5/30#
2. clean the throttle body w/ toothbrush and TB cleaner
3. 1 bottle of Lucas fuel injector cleaner

Any thoughts on what I should do to attempt to pass smog? From what I've read on tonight, cheap things might be to change the O2 sensor #Ford goes for $35 or so) and spark plugs at $4/each or something. I'll definitely clean out the ICV this weekend. I saw the DIY and it's hopefully doable.

Some folks have mentioned checking the EGR valve. I'm not sure where it is and not sure how difficult it may be to replace or even it exists for the 1994 318.

Also, I recently got the CEL and pulled the code: 1222.  The CEL only comes up when I'm stopped at a light for a while.  From reading up, it's almost anything intake related. I thought it may have been a vacuum leak so did the throttle body cleaner test and sprayed a bunch of TB cleaner around the intake while the car was on idle.  The idle never changed so I'm led to believe that it's not a vacuum leak.  Maybe O2 sensor?

Thanks in advance for any insights into this problem and helping me get through the dreaded smog test this year.

Cheers

so i am having the same issues with failing smog with my '95 318I with 246K miles with factory O2 sensor and cat.:mad: Here are my numbers....

http://www.m42club.com/forums/album.php?albumid=194&pictureid=1147

i am guessing my 17 year old O2 sensor has outlived it's life span and causing my lean condition as i too am spitting out VERY high NO's. i am just hoping my cat isn't fried from driving around with a bad O2!:eek: did the O2 swap and spark plug changes fix your issues and did you pass emissions?:confused:

3

Engine + Driveline / oil filter housing o-ring

« on: March 14, 2011, 11:42:05 AM »

anyone hav pics of the o-ring above the oil filter housing gasket before replacing and after?

4

General Topics / my m42 keeps on ticking!

« on: September 11, 2010, 02:34:22 AM »

218k on my m42 and still averaging 32-34 MPG'S!:p

5

General Topics / When does the auxilary fan come on?

« on: October 25, 2009, 01:43:45 AM »

The most likely fuse is #18 IIRC.  Just look to see if they're all good (various circuits use 3, 18, 19 & 20 for the fan per the ETM).  The resistor is mounted to the shell of the fan in front of the radiator.  It'll be a silver or black cylinder ~4" long screwed to the shroud.

Does the aux fan come on when you turn on your A/C?  Then you know high speed is good (unless your A/C isn't charged, that is).

To test both high & low modes, pull the connector off the switch on the upper radiator passenger side.  Get a bit of wire and short the center wire (green?) to each of the outer wires (black, black/brown?) in turn.  One controls low-speed, the other is high-speed.  If both work shorted, test or replace the switch.  If only one speed works, it might be the switch, resistor or relay.  Low speed is K1, high speed is K6.

I had a heck of a time removing that resistor BTW.  I pulled the radiator & condensor out of the way and yanked the entire fan assy. out through the engine bay.

my aux fan also doesn't come on when i turn on my a/c,so i did the wire short method and the fan doesn't come on at any speed but i can here the relays clicking when i short the wires so i am thinking it's my relays cause i took the fan out to check the connector and  plugged a 12-volt power source to the fan and it spun so i know the fan works. my car doesn't have the resistor on the fan so i was wondering if i have to put one on?:confused:

6

Off-topic discussion / Bulletproof 4 bangers!

« on: October 18, 2009, 01:47:55 AM »

M42's rule!:d

7

Engine + Driveline / M42 Water Pump replacement options

« on: October 18, 2009, 01:41:08 AM »

sweet!:D

8

Engine + Driveline / Guibo?

« on: August 21, 2009, 11:35:38 PM »

what are the signs that your flex disc is worn other than the obvious like cracks and warping? i hav a small vibration when i accelerate in 1st and second gears only and just wondering if just replacing flex disc will be sufficient or do i hav a more serious problem?

9

Electrical / parking light delete

« on: July 10, 2009, 03:16:17 AM »

anyone here done a parking light delete mod? pics would be nice!

10

General Topics / How many miles do you have? [NOW WITH POLL!]

« on: July 05, 2009, 02:43:01 AM »

M42,178k

11

General Topics / Post Your Current Problems

« on: June 28, 2009, 02:04:18 AM »

95 318i , 178,000 miles

the bad-
oil leaking from lower timing chain cover
aux fan doesn't come on when a/c is on
occasional rough starts in the morning
valve train sounds like a typewriter in the mornings
steering wheel squeeks when u turn
steering rack leaking
fan belt tensioner squeeks
grinding noise coming from front wheels
guibo needs to be changed
need front struts,car sways on freeway
need rear shocks
previous owner used rear trailing arm to jack up vehicle ,IDIOT!consequence,bent trailing arms!
cracked rear window weatherstripping
alarm installed but doesn't work
sunroof freezes in hot weather!WTF!
primered front hood has now rusted
hood does not line up when closed
minor rust spots on body
paint needs work,jet black.