Messages

1

Engine + Driveline / How to remove and replace a BMW M42 head.

« on: April 27, 2011, 06:15:25 PM »

Great description mate, ive had a few problems and will def be using this for guidance thanks!

2

Engine + Driveline / Surging idle 500-1300rpm

« on: December 19, 2010, 05:10:44 AM »

great to hear! what lead you on the o2 track?

Well id checked everything for air leaks, multiple icv's and a new airflow meter  but i was reading up on 02 sensors when i spotted the bit that says it should be replaced every 30,000-50,000 miles + the sensor looked in pretty bad nick from the outside, best thing was i bought a universal one for £29.95 and re-wired the connector and it works great
The funny thing about the M42 and probably alot of BMWs is that so many sensors on them do a similar job, ie.. airflow meter does fuel/air mix as does the 02 sensor. Im just glad it works

3

Engine + Driveline / Heres my Boston green M42 318is :)

« on: December 19, 2010, 04:58:30 AM »

looks good...
id say S54 swap it but thats just me lol

Ok so i sound thick but whats the S54? i love the m42 but an extra bit of power never goes amiss

4

Engine + Driveline / Heres my Boston green M42 318is :)

« on: December 19, 2010, 04:56:56 AM »

Looks good, don't move it.

Cheers mate, your wheels look bloody good! Im after a set of shiny deep dishes to replace my OZ's.. it looks good in black too, hmm lol

5

Engine + Driveline / Intermittent Idle Bounce

« on: December 19, 2010, 04:54:00 AM »

thanks bud, well a new icv isnt too expensive and also if you hold the icv while plugged in and turn the ignition on it should vibrate if its working.
Everyone everywhere told me it was a vacuum leak but id checked everything, the only reason i decided on the lambda sensor is because apparently they're meant to be changed every 30,000-50,000 miles and my car had done 84,000! plus it was in a sh*t state to look at lol.

6

Engine + Driveline / Intermittent Idle Bounce

« on: December 18, 2010, 05:10:54 AM »

It could be the icv then, one thing ive learnt is the car is more intelligent than you think and when you change or disconnect something it normaly componsates elsewhere to keep it going.. Ie, disconect the electric wire on icv it will hunt slightly but wont surge, do the same with airflow meter and itll do the same thing.. I found it strange that when i opened the oil filler cap that made my m42 idle perfect, thats the engine trying to compensate for air change, weird! Lol..
Anyway i fixed mine last night, it turned out to be the lambda/02 sensor.. Good luck mate

7

Engine management / Erratic idle on my M42

« on: December 18, 2010, 05:01:50 AM »

You guys were right its my Lambda sensor, i changed it last night with a cheap £30 universal one and its purrfect! thanks for help!

8

Engine + Driveline / Surging idle 500-1300rpm

« on: December 18, 2010, 04:59:25 AM »

It was the Lambda sensor!! I bought a universal one for £30 and adapted the plug and the car works like a dream.. Finaly!

9

Engine + Driveline / Surging idle 500-1300rpm

« on: December 16, 2010, 02:55:04 PM »

My idle on my 1995 318is is acting so weird. when i start the car cold itll run almost as normal but as the temperature increases to normal running temp the idle will just start dropping then surging, Ive no idea what it can be. i changed the icv then cleaned the new one, Ive changed the airflow meter and checked every hose for leaks but nothing found as yet. its also drinking more fuel and has occasional power loss. Has anyone seen this before?

10

Engine + Driveline / Intermittent Idle Bounce

« on: December 16, 2010, 02:43:43 PM »

Im having a similar problem with my 95 318is although its not intermitent and havent solved it yet, however these are the things ive looked at so far
check your airflow meter ( AFM) you can take that off and make sure the flaps opening freely but if its an electrical fault youll need to replace it. The other thing is the throttle position sensor, located on the throttle body this tells your ecu how much fuel to dump and may be sending the wrong signal? 1 more option is the Lambda sensor located on the exhaust under the car, this is another fuel/air regulator and that too could be worth checking.
Hope that helps

11

Engine management / Erratic idle on my M42

« on: December 14, 2010, 02:42:04 PM »

I also have a dithering idle and had my buddy put it on his GT1 BMW diagnostic computer and found the issue to be with the O2 sensor.

Cheers,
~Ralph

thats something im looking into, i think despite already looking that the airflow meter could be my problem.. i started the car without it connected and it ran better! soon as i re connected it started surging again. Im going to replace AFM then if that doesnt work the lambda sensor. Its also possibly the Throttle position sensor which turns out to have similar symptoms.
Ill get there and post when ive solved it.
Thanks for help, Alan

12

Engine management / Erratic idle on my M42

« on: December 10, 2010, 05:52:33 PM »

interesting, i hadnt thought of that, ill check it and see, thanks

13

Engine management / Erratic idle on my M42

« on: December 10, 2010, 05:18:17 PM »

My idle is hunting up and down from 1000rpm down to nearly 0 then back up again, occasionaly it goes so low it cuts out.
Ive replaced the Idle control valve and it didnt change, ive checked the boot rubbers and the airflow meter, Im just at a complete loss to whats causing it Please can anyone help?

14

Engine + Driveline / Heres my Boston green M42 318is :)

« on: December 02, 2010, 11:31:13 AM »

unless you move the suspension points in the car at the same time, you are only limiting the total distance the suspension can travel.  in other words, no free lunch.  

if you're doing this for cosmetics, do what you will, but lowering a car reduces handling in my experience once you move past a certain point.  it's like sawing off a coil on the springs.  you lowered it, great, but now you got less suspension.  if your car was designed to move the suspension to absorb street conditions, you lessened that ability now.

To be honest mate i prefer it as it is, the car handles well and absorbs most bumps at same time. i just wasnt sure what the total effect would be, im sure it wouldnt handle worse lower but id have to put some sort of belly pan cover on it. dunno lol i suppose ill probably leave it.

15

Exterior / Heres my Boston green M42 318is :)

« on: November 27, 2010, 10:49:42 AM »

i dont really have many pics of it mate, although i have a few more on my profile.
I fitted drilled and grooved discs already. they are good but would the m3 brakes be better?