my 92-318is is running slow

[92BMW318is]

I hope it's something that cheap & simple too.  Try to avoid driving the car until you figure this out.

The engine is definitely 1-2-3-4 from the radiator.  Plug wires might have numbers on them...they have to go to the matching cylinder or your timing will be off...it'll make the engine run like a moped.  My coil harnesses had numbers on two plugs, I used paint marks to make sure I didn't get them mixed up...

Coil harnesses each have three wires.  All of them have a brown ground wire, a green ground wire, and a colored positive wire to fire the coil.  Each of those positive signal wires is a different color.  Look up the wiring diagram or download the electrical troubleshooting manual & make sure you have the right plugs in the right coil.  You can do a continuity test from the harness to the correct DME/ECU connector pins if required.

are there any specific sites that would have this diagram?
i have this hanes bmw book but it doesnt include spark plug wires in thier diagram

i have this book

[DesktopDave]

Membership has its benefits:
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7748

IMHO the Haynes is only adequate, the Bentley is the best.  You're lucky to have an e36...us e30 guys need two...the M42 isn't in the e30 manual...

[92BMW318is]

also i almost forgot would not having a cadilitic converter mess with the o2 sensor, and after i changed the spark plugs i jacked up the car & put this muffler sealent cream on this weld on the muffler that was leaking by the o2 sensor i put the cream around the o2 sensor too would that of messed it up?


going to buy a new o2 sensor tommarow

[dvmotorsports]

Do not get an OEM sensor. Get the Ford unit Dave was talking about.

And simply out of curiosity, did you disconnect the harness at the coils when you changed the wires? If you did, i'm betting you reversed two of them.

And you should be getting well over 30mpg. I was getting near 42hwy before my stroker and 36hwy after.

[92BMW318is]

Do not get an OEM sensor. Get the Ford unit Dave was talking about.

And simply out of curiosity, did you disconnect the harness at the coils when you changed the wires? If you did, i'm betting you reversed two of them.

And you should be getting well over 30mpg. I was getting near 42hwy before my stroker and 36hwy after.

i just got this car like 2 or 3 weeks ago so far i think im doing good fixing it, besides all the hang ups im having. the motor is hard to work on seems the germans put 10 to many parts on it ha,

but... actually you are correct i did have the first and last wire mixed up, but im still going to replace the o2 sensor for good measure,

also what kinda clutch do you have in your car?
would a diffrent stage clutch decrease gas milage like a 2nd stage clutch


cant thank you guys enuf for your help

[dvmotorsports]

I have a Euro 323 clutch and FW in my car. FW weighs in at 11.9lbs. Not sure of the weight on the clutch and pressure plate.

[92BMW318is]

I have a Euro 323 clutch and FW in my car. FW weighs in at 11.9lbs. Not sure of the weight on the clutch and pressure plate.

stage 1 or 2 or 3?

i have a stage 2 clutch, didnt know what the big deal was between the stages

[dvmotorsports]

Custom setup. Not a particular stage. The stock flywheel is over 28 lbs. And this one is 11.9 but all OEM parts. So a 16lb reduction is as much as you can get IIRC. There may be an 8lb aluminum aftermarket for a 325 that you could put on. But I don't recommend it. The setup I have is very stiff and holds plenty of power. It also makes a shit load of noise from the TOB.

BMW opted for the heavier dual mass for a couple reasons. The main reasons were the noise and the difficulty of engagement on that motor. It's not bad by any means, but it does get a little annoying.

But there is somewhat of a power difference and it flies through the RPM range now.