Project 1992 BMW 325i

[PDenbigh]

I'm too lazy to make a webpage for this project, and since I'm not a BMW guru I will be looking for advice and opinions from the members.

So, as most of you know I got this car from a UVA student in Charlottesville. She said it broke down where it was. She was driving and it just died. She left it there and went on vacation. She came back from vacation and said it wouldn't start. She said "All it did was click but wouldn't turn over." I smiled :-). (however she laughed last as she drove off in her brand new 330i something-or-other).

Before (As Delivered):




Specs:
1992 BMW 325i 4 door
Leather interior
Dual Zone Climate Control
Sony 10 disc CD changer, radio, MiniDisc Changer (old school!)
218,000 miles
Baby Blue (not sure what the BMW name for the color is)

$400 later, I winched it onto the trailer and brought it home. It had sat for almost a year, under a tree. It was also below "E" on fuel (Thus explaining why it just "died" about a year ago).

Known Problems:
Encounter with a deer resulted in a bent/slightly tweaked hood, missing blinker, missing passenger mirror, broken foglight, and slightly cracked lower front bumper
Sunroof is not functional
Headliner is sagging
At least two locations of too-much-to-drink-soriorty-girl-memories in the back that were not cleaned well at all
Nasty curb rash on one rim, to the point it is not safe to use and will need repaired or replaced




Step 1 was to get to get it running. It was four (4) quarts low on oil which scared me a little. I topped that off. I also added a can of drygass and ~7 gallons of 93 octane gasoline. Replaced the battery with one I use on my trailer, and gave it some cranks. Nothing. So, I tried starter fluid without success (telling me it wasn't a fuel issue). Next, I took out and cleaned the (incredibly dirty) plugs, testing each one for spark before reinstalling. As I was testing the 5th plug for spark the engine burpped a little which got me exited. I got the 6th plug reinstalled, sat in the car and did the little "comon, you can do it" speech we all know so well. Worked the gas (even on a FI engine) and it started coming to life. Once it was running on its own (without the starter's help) I kept it at low RPMs to let everything warm and lube up. Then I gave it some juice and watched the smoke fly!

I then proceeded to use Seafoam. 1 can in the tank, 2/3 can in the crankcase, and 1/3 of a can in the intake tract. I didn't catch the best of the smoke, but here it is after about 3 minutes of bellowing:
.
I ran it for about 10 minutes going between idle, hard revving, and soft revving to about 5k up and down.

I then changed the oil/filter and the plugs with some new bosch plugs.

Last night I started cleaning the interior and I washed the exterior. The seller worked at Ruby Tuesdays, banks at Suntrust, had relations with a guy named Greg (note said so!), been to Mexico and Europe, Is a member of OXO or something like that, and hates change in her pockets so she throws it everywehere :-).


Still needs a good wax job, but here's how it's looking after washing:








I'm still having a drivability issue though. I'm not putting any money into appearence until I have this resolved.

The car hesitates at random and unpredictable spots in the RPM range. Sometimes it pulls fine, sometimes one can really feel a lack of power. Sometimes it will barely idle, while sometimes it is fine. It will pop and sputer, and the smell goes between rich and lean. I'm putting my money on:

O2 sensor (pre-cat), and
Intake/vacuum leaks.

I hate to blow $90 on an O2 sensor but with 218k miles I'm sure it's due and the symptons really sound like the O2 sensor unless someone knows of another common failure on these cars...

[ViPER1313]

Try unplugging the MAF. If it runs better there is your problem. A failing O2 should not create the symptoms that you are describing. My bet is the MAF, a bad ground somewhere or a vacuum leak. Have you tried to read any of the codes from the computer? Is the CEL on?

[.RJ]

I wouldnt suspect the MAF just yet - clean it, and then start testing the ignition coils. On those engines the coils will show intermittent functionality.

Nice work pete - I love those wheels! I'm a bit jealous I didnt go get it myself

[Andy]

Deal of the century. Good work Pete.

[PDenbigh]

I wouldnt suspect the MAF just yet - clean it, and then start testing the ignition coils. On those engines the coils will show intermittent functionality.

Nice work pete - I love those wheels! I'm a bit jealous I didnt go get it myself

I actually did clean the MAF a little but I can work on it more.

Is testing coilpacks the same as testing a coil? Any idea what the internal resistance should be? (don't yet have a shop manual for this car).

Adam, No CEL unfortunately...

[.RJ]

Well ideally you would have an scan tool of some sort, and see which one is misfiring - then move the coils around, and see if the misfire moves with the coil(s).

Also -

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Check the big rubber tube between the MAF and the intake. If it gets a crack in it it will cause this exact problem, as any air getting in has not been detected by the MAF. The crack opens when you give the car gas and causes the engine to bog. The crack in mine was underneath where I couldn't see it.

Could be coils, could be o2 sensor.

[ViPER1313]

Don't clean the MAF, just try to run the car without it plugged in - the car will run using the computer's default settings. Should become apparent if that is the problem or not.

[PDenbigh]

Thanks for that link. Give me some good direction. I'll try all of the above suggestions and report in (maybe after lunch :-) ).

Pete

[CaptainHenreh]

Pete, geez man. Take a looong lunch. You're worse than Jeff for making us look bad.

[PDenbigh]

Lol, I have sporatic OCD.

[ScottyB]

i would have to say this purchase is looking like a really good idea, which may be the first and last time i ever say that in light of an MM'er picking up a cheap dirty car

[Evan]

damn, that car actually looks pretty decent all cleaned up!
good work pete

[Mike]

dude, awesome buy!

[PDenbigh]

Ok, here's the post-lunch update. Uplugged the MAF and it didn't change anything (good or bad?).

Checked the MAF-TB Hose, no cracks.

Going to get an O2 sensor.

On a side note, I got the oil and inspection maintainance lights to go out w/o the $200 tool thanks to a tech article on how to use your own jumper to groud :-).

[Maengelito]

good work pete... i'm still kicking myself sorta for not getting it

[BLINGMW]

Going to get an O2 sensor.

I'm sure it could use one, but if the 02 sensor was erratic, the check engine light would be on, and the comp would ignore it. A bad 02 sensor wouldn't be causing the problems you're having IMHO... . unlplug it and see if the check engine light works, it probably won't run any different. For an inttermittant problem like yours, I'd start checking grounds. And yes, swapping coils like RJ said.

And if you do decide to replace it, I'm sure you'd jump at the chance to put a Ford part on there! Many save $$ by getting the Mustang's 02 sensor and wiring it themselves. The double cost BMW one just has the right pigtail, otherwise it's the same thing.

[HAULN-SS]

Heh, that thing does look sweet for 400$. I like the reumzz

[Mike]

yeah, i'd think the wheels alone would be worth more than $400?

[PDenbigh]

Going to get an O2 sensor.

I'm sure it could use one, but if the 02 sensor was erratic, the check engine light would be on, and the comp would ignore it. A bad 02 sensor wouldn't be causing the problems you're having IMHO... . unlplug it and see if the check engine light works, it probably won't run any different. For an inttermittant problem like yours, I'd start checking grounds. And yes, swapping coils like RJ said.

And if you do decide to replace it, I'm sure you'd jump at the chance to put a Ford part on there! Many save $$ by getting the Mustang's 02 sensor and wiring it themselves. The double cost BMW one just has the right pigtail, otherwise it's the same thing.

Thanks for the advice, I'd mich rather do that!

I'll find the following info if you don't know off hand, but:

V6 or V8 Mustang?
Any idea what the resistance should be in the coils?

Thanks!
Peter

[.RJ]

You could test all the coils... if there is one or two bad it should be apparent