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Got an E30!; But it runs rough...
Topic Started: Apr 26 2009, 06:12 PM (2,950 Views)
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Hey guys, I got an 84 325E that needs some work. The car runs very poor. It has spark to all plugs, but they're damp. The thing is getting tons of fuel. It has a vaccum valve thing that was somehow sending fuel into the manifold, and when a screw was put in it, it ran pretty good for a while, but now runs bad again. The gas is old, tarnish smelling. But I think this car has a vacum/fuel mixture problem. What are some possible options that would cause this engine to run so rich?
Edited by Aviator, May 2 2009, 11:05 AM.
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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mrsleeve
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Why was the resident E30 guru not informed of this earlier :wtf: :shifty:

Get some good fresh 91 octane fuel in there now, at least till you get it sorted then you can drop her back to the cheap stuff, and put the correct plugs in it get a copper core w8lcr is the old number that has been superseded, but NGK has a nice alternative that is a copper core M20's hate platinum plugs, and run like shit on them and will eat them in short order.

Could be a few things

Fuel pressure Regulator
Air Flow Meeter
Vac leak
Temp sensor
O2 sensor
ECM
TPS
Intake boot
ICV

1st off look over the intake boot good for cracks, I mean take it off and look it over good, do the same for the the tube the connects the ICV to the intake. Also while you have it all off clean out the ICV and the AFM with some carb and choke cleaner.

If that dose not help, pull off the TPS clean it good and see if that fix's it. The TPS get full of of engine oil because the M20 has no PCV system and the crank case vent tube vents into the Intake right above the TPS and it fills it up with oil some times. I will look up the volt limits for its range of operation and you can check that with a multi meter. I think Idle is .5 volts and WOT is 5 volts and as you open and close the throttle it should be a nice and smooth range up and down of the voltage, not just high and low.

Next if all that has not helped toss a 29 dollar FPR at it, it cant hurt.

try all that stuff 1st and let me know where you are at and what the results are and we can go from there.

Edited by mrsleeve, Apr 26 2009, 10:48 PM.
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"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." - Winston Churchill
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Funny thing about the intake, it has a homemade cold air (hahaha more like hot air), intake. Which includes a Ford rubber intake piece... Parts of the original intake are in the trunk. Also, the cat converter was cut off, because they thought it was plugged. I'm thinking of just weldin straight pipe in there. Could you pm me your phone # sleeve? Thanks for the tips.
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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Here's my plan of action, once I get it home. New NGK copper plugs, and look for a scan tool? to get some readings. :shrug:
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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mrsleeve
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Wait a freaking second here I missed the E part of 325E . I bet you have the dreaded cold start valve issue. I have been thinking 2.5 motor not 2.7 lol

Bet you need a fresh temp sensor that controls the cold start valve or you need a new cold start valve period. And being it has been redneck fixed I would bet on a new cold start valve.


AS a matter of fact forget everything above other than fresh fuel and new plugs and figure out if the cold start valve or the temp-timer switch for it or both are fubar'd then worry about the rest

is this thing a 5spd or autotragic?

I have been driving mine for almost 2 weeks now
and get yourself a Bentley manual.





Edited by mrsleeve, Apr 27 2009, 03:52 PM.
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"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." - Winston Churchill
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The cold start valve has been a big topic of discussion! Is it on the passenger/back side of theintake manifold? There was gas dripping on the outside of it at one point, then they crimped the line to it to stop the gas leak... I actually understand the Ford intake piece, the original rubber intake was trashed. So he put that on there for now, just to make sure that it's getting clean air. But I do need to go to the factory intake. It's a 5 speed as well.
Edited by Aviator, Apr 27 2009, 07:32 PM.
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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Sixer
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Aviator, I agree with most of what Mrsleeve says, but in addition I would verify the fuel pressure regulator dosen't have a ruptured diaphram, not very common but I see it on occasion, and it will dump fuel in to the intake through the vacum line that controls it. Also there is a throttle position switch on under side of the throttle body the is subject to corrosion from coolant leaking from the throttle body preheater, it is very comon for the housing, and the coolant hoses to the preheater to be corroded, and rotten, particulary on high milage not well maintained car. This may not be your problem, but it will give you trouble sooner or later so put it on you to do maintenance list. If you need any help locating parts let me know I have excelent resources. Oh by the way I drive mine to the shop every day, and I got the convertable out of storage, about a month ago, Spring where are you? I'm sick of winter. You will have the D shaped diagnostic conector which is used for resetting your SI lights "don't buy a tool a jumper wire works just fine", You can also use it for a remote start conection handy for when you adjust your valves. I will get you the pin positions, and proceedure if you don't already have them. I just can't remember everything. You will find that the diagnostic conector is little use for anything else. Time to break out the Bently, and a good DVOM. It's late and I just got home from the shop, and I'm tired.
G'night Mark
Mark
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Sixer
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Also it was very common for techs to install a resistor in the wire to the temp senor to the ECU this resitor will fool the ecu into thinking the engine is colder that it is and richen up the mix. it is ussually a 480 ohm resistor. It was done to mask cold drivability. Also look for an additional temp. switch installed during a engine campaign done at the dealer. It will be installed in one of the water hoses to the throttle housing, and is mounted under the intake manifold. These failed when engine got hot and caused a rich running condition and smoke.
Try disconnecting the O2 sensor to see if ichanges your drivability in closed loop. it is possible to have a faulty O2 sensor which will throw your closed loop mix out of whack. If your handy with a DVOM you may want to verify O2 sensor crosscounts, as well as O2 sensor heater operation.
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Wow. Thanks for the info guys! But, I need to know what items you're talking about. So, are these the two possible problem locations? Btw, this pic is from Google, it's an 85 325e...

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Edited by Aviator, Apr 28 2009, 07:32 PM.
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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Sixer
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Yes you are correct.
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Good, the fuel pressure regulator was dumping fuel into the manifold. So they put a screw in it, and she ran decent for a good while. But later on it started running rough again. So they thought because the cold start was leaking on the outside that might be it, and they crimped the line. That didn't help. I think they have a wire dissconected somewhere that has something to do with the coolant temp sensor as well I remember him saying.
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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S52 swap????

:devil-naughty:
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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Sixer
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I put a ford 302, and a C4 in a 1978 320i about 15 years ago. It was a low buck major hack job but it was a hell of a lot of fun!!! It was truly a tire melting drive shaft breaking unsafe at any speed wild ride while it lasted.
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Sixer
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http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/1986%20BMW%20325%20Electrical%20Troubleshooting%20Manual.pdf

This may come in handy for your trouble shooting.
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Sixer
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Bosch WR9LS is the correct plug for your car, The NGK works okay, and is cheaper, but I prefer the OEM. Also NEVER EVER put a bosch platinum in an M20 or and M30 engine. Unless you like chasing missfires because the electrode has migrated, and is shorting the plug.
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Damn Sixer that looks like something a rocket scientist would love. :lol: I'm hoping for something a little less complicated. But I will try to decipher that manual, thanks.
Edited by Aviator, Apr 29 2009, 06:56 PM.
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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Sixer
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Well if you need some help you know my number. So a is the 3 you ended up with the browmish looking one with the black wheels listed in GF on CL a few days back 74,000 miles, and no title for $475. Well at least it has recaros, and they look to be in pretty good shape. I hope they got the title for you. If you need help don't hesitate.
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mrsleeve
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Apr 29 2009, 06:11 AM
S52 swap????

:devil-naughty:
this what I will be doing but with a big ass turbo pouring about 30psi of hell to her (lots of custom work 1st though)

Oh and Yes the temp sensor (the one for the ECU) can play some serious havoc on drive ability. Will cause it to pour too much fuel (thinking its colder than it is) and run like shit because then you have the 02 sensor seeing way too rich getting pissed off and jumping ship then you have open loop with way too much fuel and a shitty ignition advance curve so it runs even worse.

I still say its the cold start valve.
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Yeah, the title issue is a lil spooky to me. He's working on it. So, those are recaro seats? Overall, if this car truely has 75k, and I get it running well with minimum effort, I think I got a pretty good deal on it. It does need a lot of work though.

I have a cold start valve and a fuel pressure regulator on the way from a 528E. Hopefully they're they same. Because I only had to pay my buddy $20 for pulling them and shipping. :biggrin:

I might just put that Turner chip on this lil beast. It gives 24 hp and 25 torque, and a redline to 5500 I guess, all for $199.
Edited by Aviator, May 1 2009, 08:44 PM.
1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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Couple quick pics. This car needs a paint job to say the least. But, that's a way's down the road.

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1984 BMW 325E 5 speed Burgundrot S52 M Tech 1 in progress.
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