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Engine + Driveline / Re: Cylinder 1 isnt firing
« on: December 11, 2022, 12:45:07 PM »
Reading 130 compression might be too low. What's acceptable?
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Engine + Driveline / Re: Cylinder 1 isnt firing
« on: December 11, 2022, 12:22:29 PM »
Here is plug 2 (left) and plug 1 (right). Plug one clearly hasn't been igniting for awhile. 
[img][
[img][
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Engine + Driveline / Cylinder 1 isnt firing
« on: December 11, 2022, 10:31:28 AM »
I have been living with a rough idle and pretty gnarly harmonics for awhile (certain RPMs would cause the car to vibrate from the cabin). I just thought she was running rough but when I drove up to a car meet, my buddy said it sounded like a cylinder was off and I was running on 3 cylinders!
So later that day, I cranked her up, we pulled the ignition wire for cylinder 1/coil 1 (closest to the radiator, do I have the # right?), and it made no difference to how it ran. Wild.
A few baseline items: Its an e30 m42. I have a coil on plug set up. I have newly rebuilt orange top bosch injectors.
So I limped home in shame and started diagnostics. Here is what I have found.
1) I removed the coil and kept the spark in. Cranked the engine and she's sparking.
2) I checked compression and I have 130 psi in cylinder 1. Not great. Not bad (I think). Should be enough to fire (a little concerning however).
3) I checked the continuity from each coil wire to each ECU pin as prescribed below. All match.
Coil #1 is DME connector pin 25.
Coil #2 is DME connector pin 52.
Coil #3 is DME connector pin 24.
Coil #4 is DME connector pin 51.
4) I pulled out my stethoscope and I can hear each injector ticking. Some sound slightly different than others, but each have a distinct ticking sound, particularly injector 1.
So Im not sure where to go from here. How can I test that Im getting fuel down the cylinder? What else can I do?
So later that day, I cranked her up, we pulled the ignition wire for cylinder 1/coil 1 (closest to the radiator, do I have the # right?), and it made no difference to how it ran. Wild.
A few baseline items: Its an e30 m42. I have a coil on plug set up. I have newly rebuilt orange top bosch injectors.
So I limped home in shame and started diagnostics. Here is what I have found.
1) I removed the coil and kept the spark in. Cranked the engine and she's sparking.
2) I checked compression and I have 130 psi in cylinder 1. Not great. Not bad (I think). Should be enough to fire (a little concerning however).
3) I checked the continuity from each coil wire to each ECU pin as prescribed below. All match.
Coil #1 is DME connector pin 25.
Coil #2 is DME connector pin 52.
Coil #3 is DME connector pin 24.
Coil #4 is DME connector pin 51.
4) I pulled out my stethoscope and I can hear each injector ticking. Some sound slightly different than others, but each have a distinct ticking sound, particularly injector 1.
So Im not sure where to go from here. How can I test that Im getting fuel down the cylinder? What else can I do?
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Engine + Driveline / M42 will not idle once entering closed loop
« on: October 14, 2018, 10:38:51 AM »
E30 M42, completely rebuilt. New rubber, MUTI removed, refreshed engine completely except for...
crank sensor, cam sensor, coil plugs (COP conversion), IACV, MAF
The engine starts first crank every time and does not have any idle issues until it enters closed loop. As soon as it enters closed loop, it starts idling rough like it is being choked out and eventually it can fail if I dont keep the throttle on it.
I dont want to start throwing expensive parts at this until I know what it is. I have 2 idle air control valves in my garage and even purchased a used, working ICV from ebay. All result in the same issue. Now Im not going to rule out the ICV but I feel like that isnt the issue unless Im unlucky.
What components should I look at and are there any bench tests I can do?
Edit: tried unplugging the afm. It runs better for a bit then after a minute it's back to a rough idle
crank sensor, cam sensor, coil plugs (COP conversion), IACV, MAF
The engine starts first crank every time and does not have any idle issues until it enters closed loop. As soon as it enters closed loop, it starts idling rough like it is being choked out and eventually it can fail if I dont keep the throttle on it.
I dont want to start throwing expensive parts at this until I know what it is. I have 2 idle air control valves in my garage and even purchased a used, working ICV from ebay. All result in the same issue. Now Im not going to rule out the ICV but I feel like that isnt the issue unless Im unlucky.
What components should I look at and are there any bench tests I can do?
Edit: tried unplugging the afm. It runs better for a bit then after a minute it's back to a rough idle
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Engine + Driveline / Re: Cranks But Won't Start—Fried O2 Sensor and Main Relay
« on: June 01, 2018, 11:08:40 PM »
I would say cracked cam. Open up the valve cover and verify. Takes 10 mins
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Engine + Driveline / Looking for input on M42 exhaust.
« on: May 13, 2018, 02:16:42 PM »
I am running an M42 in my e21.. Setting up exhaust from scratch. Im in TX and dont need a cat, but I was thinking cat, resonator, muffler exhaust system. With either E30 stock 2.25" or upgrade to 2.5". I know a lot of folks go up to 2.5" but I was wondering about what I would be losing from losing that back pressure? Is the mid-range softened up or do the RPMs fall pretty quickly?
I feel like a lot of folks go from a 20+ year old stock exhaust system to a new 2.5" so of course its improved but Im wondering about folks who may have tried multiple setups and can compare apples to apples?
THANKS!
I feel like a lot of folks go from a 20+ year old stock exhaust system to a new 2.5" so of course its improved but Im wondering about folks who may have tried multiple setups and can compare apples to apples?
THANKS!
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General Topics / Re: The mess under the intake
« on: February 16, 2018, 09:49:57 PM »
I wanna give my $.02 about improving the MUTI, particularly with the ICV.
I found that the e36 intake boot has a good spot for the ICV air hose, so that'd be worth picking up.
E36 air hose from the ICV to the intake also works well. 13411739649
I repurposed a heater hose from the E36 as well for the boot to ICV air hose. Just trimmed off the end. 64211387010
Finally I bolted the ICV directly to the intake. Not sure if this was done on the E30 already.
Im happy with the final result, seems to be very slim and all bolts directly to the M42.
I found that the e36 intake boot has a good spot for the ICV air hose, so that'd be worth picking up.
E36 air hose from the ICV to the intake also works well. 13411739649
I repurposed a heater hose from the E36 as well for the boot to ICV air hose. Just trimmed off the end. 64211387010
Finally I bolted the ICV directly to the intake. Not sure if this was done on the E30 already.
Im happy with the final result, seems to be very slim and all bolts directly to the M42.
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For Sale / Re: Coil on Plug Kit $145
« on: November 07, 2017, 09:45:03 PM »
sounds good, sent a pm
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Engine + Driveline / Re: E36 M42 and E30 M42... possibilities?
« on: November 06, 2017, 06:33:59 PM »
I dont know about removing the plastic sleeve but the face of the injector is a wider diameter, I was thinking more to boring out more of the injector port/passage on the e30 intake, but thats a fool's folly.
Unfortunately that's the one truth ive found in this whole project.
Quote
Pi is apparently the multiplier for your engine swap budget as well.
Unfortunately that's the one truth ive found in this whole project.
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For Sale / Re: Coil on Plug Kit $145
« on: November 05, 2017, 04:55:28 PM »
How much are you asking for your kit?
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Engine + Driveline / Re: E36 M42 and E30 M42... possibilities?
« on: November 05, 2017, 09:49:25 AM »
Ran a deeper dive on the fuel rails today. Again, I am not a knowledgeable resource, I just have the luxury of having all the parts in front of me to compare.
At first glance, the E36 injectors are much larger than the e30 injectors..
https://imgur.com/MayX7Vo
The E36 intake, obviously, allows for these larger injectors
https://imgur.com/5BhkOCr
Fortunately the e30 and e36 fuel rail plugs are identical and I could swap them (assuming it would work when swapped)
https://imgur.com/M9M9M0p
The only fear I have is that this is *all* guesswork here. I *have* to get a chip for the E36 ECU to delete the EWS-II system. Part of me wants to at least try it and see if it can be done, part of me just wants to play it safe.
There's a few other hoses going around the e36 I have to work out. The DISA, some hoses from the throttle body, etc. I dont know where those go or went so it will take more research.
I also wonder if I could take the E30 lower manifold and see if they can match the injector ports to the e36?? Probably a crazy thought there.
I'd love to know if size matters on those injectors and the E36 M42 is an improved injector.
Edit2: Just ran in to this site: http://users.erols.com/srweiss/tableifc.htm
It looks like the E36 injectors are inferior to the E30 injectors, which is honestly surprising.
At first glance, the E36 injectors are much larger than the e30 injectors..
https://imgur.com/MayX7Vo
The E36 intake, obviously, allows for these larger injectors
https://imgur.com/5BhkOCr
Fortunately the e30 and e36 fuel rail plugs are identical and I could swap them (assuming it would work when swapped)
https://imgur.com/M9M9M0p
The only fear I have is that this is *all* guesswork here. I *have* to get a chip for the E36 ECU to delete the EWS-II system. Part of me wants to at least try it and see if it can be done, part of me just wants to play it safe.
There's a few other hoses going around the e36 I have to work out. The DISA, some hoses from the throttle body, etc. I dont know where those go or went so it will take more research.
I also wonder if I could take the E30 lower manifold and see if they can match the injector ports to the e36?? Probably a crazy thought there.
I'd love to know if size matters on those injectors and the E36 M42 is an improved injector.
Edit2: Just ran in to this site: http://users.erols.com/srweiss/tableifc.htm
It looks like the E36 injectors are inferior to the E30 injectors, which is honestly surprising.
| BMW | Part No. | cc /min | Est. HP - 80% | Est. HP - 95% |
| e36 | 0-280-150-501 | 191.8 | 28.1 | 33.3 |
| e30 | 0-280-150-714 | 213.9 | 31.3 | 37.2 |
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Engine + Driveline / Re: E36 M42 and E30 M42... possibilities?
« on: November 04, 2017, 11:28:51 PM »
The goal would be to maintain as much of the E36 wiring and piping as possible, but delete the unnecessary bits along the way. Looking at the E30 'The Mess under the Intake' mod, it looks like after removing most of the junk, the e30 and e36 are pretty similar. I have not cracked out the wiring diagrams for each system and traced wires... yet.
First thing..
The E30 intake and E30 valve cover have to go together. The position of that vent hose is relocated on the e36 M42. That vent hose goes to the throttle body directly on the e30. On the e36, it goes to an early CCV, which is bolted on to some type of thermal housing between the upper and lower intake. On the E30, this goes right to the throttle body. I feel like its not much of a step back (if at all?) to vent to the throttle body and esentially delete the ccv.
The throttle position sensor looks identical but I havent found it yet on the wiring diagram to confirm differences.
I'll look at the fuel rails tomorrow. Odds are I can the e36 fuel rail in the e30. Or maybe they are interchangeable.
Otherwise it *could* be plug and play. This is all guesswork here on my part. This could be a lot of fuss for not a lot of gains. To be honest Im only doing this because I've already bought new rubber for the e36 and Im hard headed. I like to imagine 1.7.2 is a highly refined system that will get the most oomph from the M42 compared to the 1.7. Realistically I know thats not the case and I'll probably be better off just taking a few steps back and going to the e30 system.
It wont be a loss at the end of the day. E36 M42 head has lighter valves and the e36 timing case is improved from the E30.
First thing..
The E30 intake and E30 valve cover have to go together. The position of that vent hose is relocated on the e36 M42. That vent hose goes to the throttle body directly on the e30. On the e36, it goes to an early CCV, which is bolted on to some type of thermal housing between the upper and lower intake. On the E30, this goes right to the throttle body. I feel like its not much of a step back (if at all?) to vent to the throttle body and esentially delete the ccv.
The throttle position sensor looks identical but I havent found it yet on the wiring diagram to confirm differences.
I'll look at the fuel rails tomorrow. Odds are I can the e36 fuel rail in the e30. Or maybe they are interchangeable.
Otherwise it *could* be plug and play. This is all guesswork here on my part. This could be a lot of fuss for not a lot of gains. To be honest Im only doing this because I've already bought new rubber for the e36 and Im hard headed. I like to imagine 1.7.2 is a highly refined system that will get the most oomph from the M42 compared to the 1.7. Realistically I know thats not the case and I'll probably be better off just taking a few steps back and going to the e30 system.
It wont be a loss at the end of the day. E36 M42 head has lighter valves and the e36 timing case is improved from the E30.
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Engine + Driveline / E36 M42 and E30 M42... possibilities?
« on: November 04, 2017, 04:51:54 PM »
I have a whole E36 motor and an early E30 M42 in parts so the possibilities are limitless.
The plan was to get this all in my e21, and as Im rounding the corner to the finish line, Im seeing that my plan to use the E36 late intake just isnt worth it. Its too tall and too large, and the more I read the more I am seeing that the late E36, disa style, intake is more tuned to low-end torque but takes it from the top end (I could be wrong).
That being said, I would like to find a way to maintain the E36 knock sensors. Is that possible? I dont have a particular use for the sensors today since this engine is going to be stock NA, minus a performance chip tune. My thought was the sensors would help the engine run better with the ECU but I really dont have an idea otherwise.
I wonder also if I could just take the E30 intake and plug it up to the e36 everything else. Just looking at everything side by side... I think I could make it work. I just wonder if the ECU would know what to do with the E30 intake?
The plan was to get this all in my e21, and as Im rounding the corner to the finish line, Im seeing that my plan to use the E36 late intake just isnt worth it. Its too tall and too large, and the more I read the more I am seeing that the late E36, disa style, intake is more tuned to low-end torque but takes it from the top end (I could be wrong).
That being said, I would like to find a way to maintain the E36 knock sensors. Is that possible? I dont have a particular use for the sensors today since this engine is going to be stock NA, minus a performance chip tune. My thought was the sensors would help the engine run better with the ECU but I really dont have an idea otherwise.
I wonder also if I could just take the E30 intake and plug it up to the e36 everything else. Just looking at everything side by side... I think I could make it work. I just wonder if the ECU would know what to do with the E30 intake?
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For Sale / Re: Garage full of M42 Parts
« on: October 30, 2017, 10:02:41 PM »
Itll be packed away in my garage nice and neat, ready for you. It's currently in 6 large home depot bins and I wish I was joking.
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For Sale / Re: Garage full of M42 Parts
« on: October 29, 2017, 05:17:15 PM »
Updated post with location, I am in Houston.
Hoses arent really worth selling, they arent in like new condition.
Hoses arent really worth selling, they arent in like new condition.