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  4. 1991 325i m20 help, madison

1991 325i m20 help, madison

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  • B
    B
    B C
    wrote on last edited by
    #18

    Pick a different line , you will have a tough time removing that one. What are you using for the smoke test?

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    • jc43089J
      jc43089J
      jc43089
      wrote on last edited by
      #19

      Maybe it would be easier to unhook the ICV and use that connection. 

      Obviously getting a Sam's Club pack of Swisher Sweets and hyperventilating into the intake?

      2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
      3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
      '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

      '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

      '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
      '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
      '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

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      • C
        C
        cpandrewschmidt
        wrote on last edited by
        #20

        I could use the ICV but then won't I be missing if there's a leak from that a point forward through the airbox?  Is there a better part in the system to blow into to capture everything?  At the fuel pressure regulator hose?  If so, should I blow from point 1 or 2 attached?  Thanks, never done this before, should be fun.   

        Yeah, just using some old cigars.  Gonna have to be sure not to inhale too much or I'll get a mad buzz.  Wait, or maybe I should? :) 

        Andrew

        post-3545-0-72828700-1427318232thumb.jp

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        • jc43089J
          jc43089J
          jc43089
          wrote on last edited by
          #21

          cpandrewschmidt said:

          I could use the ICV but then won't I be missing if there's a leak from that a point forward through the airbox?  Is there a better part in the system to blow into to capture everything?  At the fuel pressure regulator hose?  If so, should I blow from point 1 or 2 attached?  Thanks, never done this before, should be fun.   

          Yeah, just using some old cigars.  Gonna have to be sure not to inhale too much or I'll get a mad buzz.  Wait, or maybe I should? :)

          Andrew

          The pressure drop happens across the ICV and throttle body plate so any leaks on the airbox side of those 2 things is not as much of an issue.  It will only let a slight amount of air through that did not get metered by the air flow meter (flapper thing in the intake).  The pressure on the airbox side of the throttle plate and ICV will be very close to atmospheric.

          2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
          3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
          '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

          '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

          '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
          '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
          '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

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          • C
            C
            cpandrewschmidt
            wrote on last edited by
            #22

            well, i didn't do the vacuum test yet.  Changed the fuel filter and went for a drive around the neighbor hood.  While compression could be better I don't think it's really a major vacuum leak.  Here's why.  While driving it starts out running pretty good, strong acceleration, reasonably smooth.  A little rough, but drive able.  The problem gets REALLY bad after the car warms up.  I'll try to attach a video. (video didn't work, ugh)  You can't hear sound all that well, but the engine is about to cut out.  Probably would if I let it keep going it sounds BAD.  You can see the temp gauge flicker, mpg, etc.  Again, only gets terrible after it warms up.  

            So, I think I can rule out bad plugs and wires cause it goes fine for a bit.  

            I noticed while jacking the car up to change the filter I have a bad gasket after my catalytic converter.  There was A LOT of water/exhaust liquid dripping out.  Not gas though, didn't smell. just vapor.  Could mean nothing, could mean something, i don't know.  Not sure how the problem only happening when up to operating temp might play into all that.  

            Thanks again for all your help.  Sure would be nice to get her running for spring.

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            • jc43089J
              jc43089J
              jc43089
              wrote on last edited by
              #23

              Interesting, does it idle low, high, or surging?  If you give it a little gas to bring the rpms up does it smooth out?

              2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
              3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
              '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

              '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

              '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
              '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
              '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • C
                C
                cpandrewschmidt
                wrote on last edited by
                #24

                idle is fine until it's warm.  it starting surging real bad while driving.  i limped it back to the garage, put in neutral and it would still surge badly.  i shut it down then and came on here.  

                been doing lots of searching online.  Does the fuel pressure regulator make any sense that it'd fail when engine is warm?  I gotta find some westsiders that I can swap parts with.

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                • B
                  B
                  B C
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #25

                  Have you considered the possibility of a bad head gasket? Is the coolant dirty or is the dipstick milky?

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                  • C
                    C
                    cpandrewschmidt
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #26

                    i think that's OK.  nothing milky in oil.  i've popped the cap and looked good when i did the valve cover gasket before changing the oil

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                    • jc43089J
                      jc43089J
                      jc43089
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #27

                      Surging when warm can be caused by the ecu coolant temp sensor.  My e30 would surge once warmed up randomly until I cleaned the connector that plugs into it.  It can be a misleading problem because the dashboard gauge is a separate sensor.  It will cause a too rich condition because it thinks the engine is still cold.  I would check this to rule it out.  Do you have a multimeter?

                      Here is a detailed testing procedure.  http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Blue_Plug

                      2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
                      3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
                      '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

                      '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

                      '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
                      '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
                      '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • YoungCRY
                        YoungCRY
                        YoungCR
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #28

                        This is very similar to what I have going on with my e30 except mine doesn't surge at idle when up to temp, it high idles instead.

                        As a side not when I was looking for sensors online shopping via ECS and BluntTech they both had the ecu and dash sensors listed as "water temp sensor". I'm replacing both just cause.

                        Chris Young
                        BMWCCA #458972
                        1986 528e/5  | 1994 530i/5 | 1995 540i/6 | 2013 X5 35d | 1998 C1500 Suburban | 1995 K2500 Suburban

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                        • C
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                          cpandrewschmidt
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #29

                          I picked up an ECU coolant temp sensor cause it was $16, figured i'd just try that and I'm not out much if it isn't it.  Probably on its way out anyways if I have the original.  I'll get that in tomorrow and let you know.  Badger game to watch tonight!

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                          • YoungCRY
                            YoungCRY
                            YoungCR
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #30

                            Did the one you bought have two contacts on the connection?

                            Chris Young
                            BMWCCA #458972
                            1986 528e/5  | 1994 530i/5 | 1995 540i/6 | 2013 X5 35d | 1998 C1500 Suburban | 1995 K2500 Suburban

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                            • C
                              C
                              cpandrewschmidt
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #31

                              Yes

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                              • C
                                C
                                cpandrewschmidt
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #32

                                well, the ecu coolant temp didn't do anything.  next guess is fuel pressure regulator i think unless someone else has another idea.  Anyone know if I could take one off of a e28 5 series?

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                                • YoungCRY
                                  YoungCRY
                                  YoungCR
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #33

                                  Compare the part numbers on realoem

                                  Chris Young
                                  BMWCCA #458972
                                  1986 528e/5  | 1994 530i/5 | 1995 540i/6 | 2013 X5 35d | 1998 C1500 Suburban | 1995 K2500 Suburban

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                                  • B
                                    B
                                    Boris3
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #34

                                    Just out of curiousity disconnect the O2 sensor and see if that makes a difference with the surging.

                                    1990 325i racecar (ITS, former Spec E30); 2004 330i ZHP

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                                    • C
                                      C
                                      cpandrewschmidt
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #35

                                      Ran to the junk yard and got a fuel pump regulator used. It didn't work. Tried o2 sensor idea and no difference. I have no idea. Could a bad catalytic converter do something like this? Would that just suddenly go? I'm out of ideas for cheap parts.

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                                      • B
                                        B
                                        Boris3
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #36

                                        If disconnecting the 02 sensor made no difference in the surging then perhaps there is a problem with the O2 sensor. An O2 sensor on its way out would cause idle problems once the engine is warm.  

                                        I don't remember reading in the thread but are you throwing any CELs?

                                        1990 325i racecar (ITS, former Spec E30); 2004 330i ZHP

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                                        • B
                                          B
                                          Boris3
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #37

                                          One more in the cheap fix column, have you put any gas in it since you bought it, and how long was it sitting before you bought it? You might want to throw in a bottle of HEET and some fresh gas, drive/run it for a while and see if that makes a difference.

                                          1990 325i racecar (ITS, former Spec E30); 2004 330i ZHP

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