Author Topic: New to me 318is - Tune Up - Am I missing anything? (Read 4180 times)

applecran · « **on:** March 17, 2008, 10:03:54 AM »

Just picked up a '91 318is. It is running pretty well but a bit of a rough idle, hovers areound 700-800.

So, i'm going to do a major tune, just wondering if I'm missing anything

(Exhaust was just done, no CEL and no codes on my PEAKE)

Oil and filter (20w50)
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Bosch High Performance Plugs
Coolant Temperature Sensor
Coolant
Manual Tranny Fluid
Diff Fluid
Clean ICV
Replace Air hoses (x 5)
vacuum lines (just getting about 2 meters of this for now as I don't have the manual for this engine yet)
Replace intake upper and lower gasket
Drop the lower pan, fish any bolts out, put them back
Lower Pan Gasket
Chain Tensioner
Valve Cover Gaskets
Throttle Body Gasket

Brake fluid (might have this done for me)

Thanks!

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2008, 10:54:13 AM »

Where are you located? That oil is a bit thick for an engine in good condition, unless you live in a hot climate.. As your bearings and other internals wear over time, a thicker oil helps to quiet the engine and will raise your oil pressure slightly. A m42 in good condition will like 5w40, or 5w30.
Manual Tranny Fluid=ATF
What are Bosch High Performance Plugs?
Don't just check for loose bolts. While you're in there, go ahead and remove the internal bolts and re-install with loctite. Make sure the male and female threads are clean before you apply loctite.
After installing your new hoses, get a can of spray carb cleaner with the red nozzle extension, and check ALL of your connections for leaks by spraying a small amount on each joint. You will know when you have found a leak, as the engine will speed up. Also check your upper and lower manifold gaskets using the same technique.
Your brake and clutch fluid should be replaced and bled every 2 years, You might as well do both, as they share the same reservoir.
You might want to go ahead and perform the throttle body heater plate delete while your manifold is off. Do a search for that info.

applecran · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2008, 11:28:34 AM »

Quote from: Wise Old Dog;44927

Where are you located? That oil is a bit thick for an engine in good condition, unless you live in a hot climate.. As your bearings and other internals wear over time, a thicker oil helps to quiet the engine and will raise your oil pressure slightly. A m42 in good condition will like 5w40, or 5w30.
Manual Tranny Fluid=ATF
What are Bosch High Performance Plugs?
Don't just check for loose bolts. While you're in there, go ahead and remove the internal bolts and re-install with loctite. Make sure the male and female threads are clean before you apply loctite.
After installing your new hoses, get a can of spray carb cleaner with the red nozzle extension, and check ALL of your connections for leaks by spraying a small amount on each joint. You will know when you have found a leak, as the engine will speed up. Also check your upper and lower manifold gaskets using the same technique.
Your brake and clutch fluid should be replaced and bled every 2 years, You might as well do both, as they share the same reservoir.
You might want to go ahead and perform the throttle body heater plate delete while your manifold is off. Do a search for that info.

Bosch High Performance Spark Plugs

Which Loctite should I use when reinstalling those bolts?

I'm in Vancouver BC. Probaly -10celsius to 30 celsius are our extremes, but usually somewhere in the middle. The engine is a bit noisy, so I was hoping to quiet it down a bit.

Thanks, I'll look into the throttle body heater plate.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2008, 02:37:26 PM »

If your going to drive the car in winter don't do the throttle body delete!

applecran · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2008, 03:32:49 PM »

Quote from: RED IS 91;44942

If your going to drive the car in winter don't do the throttle body delete!

Thanks, I was thinking the same thing after I read about it.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2008, 04:29:27 PM »

welcome to the club fellow canadian! hope you enjoy the west coas'ts weather. i used to live in whistler and miss BC so bad!

if i were you, i'd check the battery to make sure it keeps its charge and also the alternator. (its unpleasant to be stuck somewhere with a car that wont start, and its easy to check)

you might also want to change all your belts since its cheap :
-powersteering
-alternator
-A/C

good luck with the car. i'm sure you'll enjoy it!

applecran · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2008, 04:52:34 PM »

Quote from: hoevesruperd;44951

welcome to the club fellow canadian! hope you enjoy the west coas'ts weather. i used to live in whistler and miss BC so bad!

if i were you, i'd check the battery to make sure it keeps its charge and also the alternator. (its unpleasant to be stuck somewhere with a car that wont start, and its easy to check)

you might also want to change all your belts since its cheap :
-powersteering
-alternator
-A/C

good luck with the car. i'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Love it out here. Although it is quite wet right now.

Good call on the belts... i have no AC so that is one fewer belt.

Battery is brand new (although not the correct shape, they bought it at costco. It will do for now I guess. Seems to hold a charge fine.

Thanks for the tips.

John W · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2008, 07:41:37 PM »

Do a Search here on spark plugs. IIRC, these cars do not like certain Bosch plugs (Platinums, etc.), although I think the Supers work just fine. I could be confusing this with another kind of car I owned, though ...

How old are your spark plug wires.? If you don't have a record, consider replacing these as well or doing a coil on plug conversion.

applecran · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2008, 12:31:48 AM »

Quote from: John W;44966

Do a Search here on spark plugs. IIRC, these cars do not like certain Bosch plugs (Platinums, etc.), although I think the Supers work just fine. I could be confusing this with another kind of car I owned, though ...

How old are your spark plug wires.? If you don't have a record, consider replacing these as well or doing a coil on plug conversion.

The plugs are what Pelican Parts has up for the m42. Bosch "High Power" Spark Plug FGR-7-DQP (4417), BMW E30 318i M42, 318iC.

I don't know how old the spark plug wires are, but a visual inspection shows them in pretty good shape. I guess these are easy to change later if I find I need tem. What kind of issues can old wies cause?

haledj · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2008, 12:38:05 AM »

Quote from: applecran;44977

What kind of issues can old wies cause?

A world of hurt man, a world of hurt.

stuttering, misfiring, loss in power, inability to rev, and all kinds of really weird stuff.

I recommend not using plug wires.

:D

applecran · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2008, 12:55:51 AM »

Quote from: haledj;44978

A world of hurt man, a world of hurt.

stuttering, misfiring, loss in power, inability to rev, and all kinds of really weird stuff.

I recommend not using plug wires. :D

That is what I thought. I'm not having any of these issues right now, and wires look good.

I think i'll hold off on replacing these untill i see what affect changing everything else has. Considering the cracked up air hoses i have, it can only get better.

I loke the look of your COP mount, I think i'll keep an eye out for some used coils and go from there.

twinpop171 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2008, 04:41:05 AM »

I would not use Bosch Platinum +4's. (I didn't check your PN). Stick with stock Bosch or NGK's.

If your wires seem OK, which it sounds like they are, consider doing the COP conversion down the road. M42 wires are pricy and for the cost you are better off with COP. The cheapest Bosch wires I found were from Euro Depot for ~$95 two years ago. I saw prices from $95-$240 for a set when I was looking. If I didn't have the Bav Auto HP coils I would do the COP conversion.

Have fun with those vacuum lines!

Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Dan.