BlowMyWhistle

Cheers y'all. far as I know no ones ever checked the valve clearances, it's got a new timing belt and tensioner... had the injectors serviced... Will check that connector and the temp gauges. Keeping the car as is, for the boy now, we spent enough on it already, just a 2l is fine as it is... It is pretty hungry on gas, and my guess is something to do with the cold start, feels like it's flooding? It's only the idle, and then only some of the time, it'll be fine, then gives a lurch and starts the hunting. Now next question, new post...

Hi Y'all, I've posted this before and no one has ever been able to answer it. 1990 e30 320i, was my daughters car,but she got so sick of it she went and bought an '07 ford 4wd... So now it goes to the boy... Sometimes it is fine, always runs well, but at idle it breaks down, starts hunting, the car jerks around and will stall. As soon as you accellerate it's gone. If you hold the brake and revto 1k rpm it goes away! Idles about 700rpm. It runs fine at first, then gives a skip and starts playing up. Not really a misfire, more a surge and dip. We've taken it to a few different people, ze german, Peter the master mechanic tested everything that could be tested, no faults came up, He put the idle UP, to over 1k rpm, so it was too fast for everyday driving. I've replaced the leads the plugs the rotor the coil. I took it in to Andy at beemer motor works, thought it might be a leaky butterfly, he rebuilt the throttle body, set the idle better, sits down lower now with a nice thump thump rhythm like a #2 cam, but some times idles smooth, and then breaks down. it's been suggested by ze German zat it could be leaky injector boots, these were all serviced a year ago, or a leaky intake. But it's been tested for leaks and nothing. I can't afford to take it places for them to experiment on it, so I want to have a go at it myself. My current thinking is the cold start circuit, does the e30 have an extra injector for cold start, or how does this work? Last time Andy had it, he spent 3 or 4 hours on it, only charged us a couple hundred bucks! But the 'plate' for the cold start dint seal well and leaked. I replaced the gasket, but it was still leaking, My daughter took it to the garage next to her work and they stuffed it up even more, pulled the thread and put a self tapper in it! Anyway I fixed that properly, but meantime I clamped the line in to stop it leaking. Could this be an issue with the idling? sumhow getting the wrong temp readings and 'flooding' the engine? Now it's my sons car, and He doesn't spend all his money on clothes and hairstyles, we're guuner bilstein the suspension and put a decent exhaust on it, and some big wheels! And change it to a manual. But wtf is wrong with this car? computer's okay. far as we know cam is original, been rebuilt by P.O. but old man, hardly likely to cam it up. possibly cam from another model? Just run out of Ideas, this has been a plague with this car, since before we bought it. P replaced head, all hoses ICV etc. Don't think it has a ICM but all that's been checked. Andy's had it for 2 weeks a couple of tomes now and can't find anything else. he can tune the 'miss'out of it, but it always comes back. Not really sure if there's a difference in running hot or cold? Think it's okay cold? Like I said I've posted this before, so it's a real poser!

Put new leads on it, It does run okay without the 'pulse generator'. I disconnected the lead from the end where it plugs under the plug in socket and it doesn't run without it! Meanwhile I have a spare lead floating around the engine bay... Naturally I'd like to simply unplug this, rather than hack at it with sidecutters! So what do I do?

Thanks! Why have it then?

nah, on closer inspection it does have one on No 6, it was right at the front of the leads bundle. Gunner send them back., they super leads ann 7mm thick, need 5mm leads wirth the pulse generator. It doesn't even need them, they been tested and come back as good.

Hi Y'all, I'm so over this car! '90 320i auto. We've had problems with this thing since we bought it. We took it into the German (peters master mechanic) and he reset the computer, a few minor faults was all, and he pushed up the idle to compensate for it cutting out. Now my baby comes round, stressed, her car's still not right, so somehow She goes off in my car again! So i cant see anything wrong with it, the idle is about 1500 rpm, but if you kick it, it drops to 7-800. So went back to the German, but He's off today, so went into see Andy at Beemer Motor Works, he spent 5 minutes on it and pulled the idle down, twiddled with the afm a bit and had it running nicely (ear-ometer). But sitting at the lights it starts playing up again, un der load, the idle will dip and then catch again. I was reading up about this and think it might be a correlation between the throttle body not closing properly and the circuit for running the icv? Or the throttle position sensor? Runs like a vacuum leak, witch it isn't! I'm not sure, but I'm sick of trying to fix it! I'll go back and see the German and run this by Him as soon as He surfaces again. He's full on busy with Mercs and Porsches etc. Have to book in a week or 2 in advance. Is there anytihng along these lines that comes 'under the radar' on a diagnosis? Pretty sure I was reading a post here last night about this, but can't find it? Cheers y'all I'm so over this thing! i'ma gunner buy a new computer and afm I think, they both out of other cars!It idles so rough, doesn't miss so much, but like the timing is out a fraction, like a pre-ignition? Idle Control Module???? Think I'll take a video, post that, sick of trying to describe what it's doing! Runs fine for a while, then gives a lurch and starts farting around?? Edit: cant see no ICM, is it under the dash behind the dme or something? I've been told to give it a tap, but apparently some models don't have one?? Looking for a green box? I've eliminated the Throttle Control switch, it wont run without it, and I had it looked at, it's okay! Still thinking the butterfly valve is not closing properly? reading like a vacuum leak with all associated symptoms. It's been suggested an injector boot pinched? Expands when the cars warm allowing a vacuum leak? But my favourite theory is the afm butterfly valve. Wow 43 reads, but no replies! I go back to work next week, so We'll take it back, and leave it there until it's fixed, or drive it over a cliff. To Andy at Beemer Motor Works, The German is stumped, and has a Maserati to fix first.. Any suggestions?

tomorrow: It doesn't have one! Apparently if they run without it they are okay without it?

Hi Y'all. my baby's car, e30 320i m20 10/93 She got some new leads thru her work (SCA) good Bosch leads etc. But no pulse generator! So what's my options? Pull a cap off and slip the old one back over the new lead? Bit reluctant to destroy brand new lead! Gunner have a look at it tomorrow! I know Y'all are sitting inside tonight on account NZ is land of great white cloud! Cheers!

Cheers guys, i saw some Falkens that have beads to protect the rims from gutter rash! Just doing the sums, about $280 a pair, plus delivery to WA $150 a pair, plus fitting and balance $40 each? My daughter works for supercheap, so she can get trade at some places, which might win out over ebay this time. Also sum nice dunlops for slightly more. Think if we were buying local weed go yoko or similar. not really a performance car! But by your advice I'll look at 225-40's. or 205's even cheaper! easier if we buy them local maybe? Not interested in flaring the guards or messing with the body. This little baby is so original, still got 5 gold basketweaves, including the spanner, 2nd owner. Old man first owner spent a bucket on it, new head, trans ann more! I'll go as far as replacing the suspension, and maybe a set of headers and a new exhaust. Cheers Y'all

Hi Y'all. I'm looking for some spacers for my old e23, the Messerschmidt! Got the 17's off my E34, but theyre a bit close to the strut. Can only find listings as far back as E32. Are they the same? Like hub centre! Otherwise fine!

okay.... So width is not going to be much of an issue if I pull the profile down to a 40 or 45? And yeah sorry it's an e30 3-20i, not a 520. There's not much differnce with 235's from 225's, just a little bit wider. I put 235x18x40's on my e34, rims off an e53 X5 with 20mm spacers (TMS) and she manages to scrape the rims on mine all the time. I'll go for something wider next time. Haven't bought them yet, gunner start looking around. tyre firms including fit and balance $? vs ebay plus fit and balance $? I have a wish list for her car, just cant help myself, I have to drive it occasionally! But cheers Y'all

Hi Y'all. We got some 16' tyres, lets say they std offset, think they are a 7" rim. Stock std car, 90 520i. Will 235's fit with no dramas? Where looking at getting some springs and shocks for it in the near future, but not lowering it substantially Prob HannR sports or HD. But how do 235's fit under e30 guards? Oh and whats the rolling height gunner be? 16 x50? 45's? I'd like a bit of cushion with the tyres on the rim, certain daughter tends to scrape the nice 18's on her daddys car! Otherwise fine!

Took the car into 'The German" He ran it up on his computer. reset a couple of faults. Put the idle up a little. Not quite perfect, still dives occasionally. But much much better. My girl has to take it back in there after a week and he's gunner recheck the readouts, see if there's any faults. Post closed methinks?

Hi Y'all. decided to wash the engine bay the other day, since it was such a nice sunny day. Glad winter's over, oh sorry NZ back on topic! Well I got water down into the spark plugs which was a pain, dint find out til the next day... But now the air bag light is flashing, stays on after about 5 minutes. Pretty sure the aid=r bags okay. Is there a sensor or a relay up front there I have managed to drown? Bit more than coincedence I think?

yeah I know that! saw this recently on utube, thought hello, I remember that car! Specially when I saw it bare,y get off the starting line! Do you know if an e23 radiator wood fit that e28? I've got 2 spares now!My old e12

Hi Y'all, is there much call for E21 parts? I'm looking ata rusted out 323! auto 3spd. Looking for a demo derby car, was after an e23, but this popped up. different classes for the local (Kwinana Motorplex) derby, large and small cars! If i get this I'll strip it out completely and sell all the glass, interior etc. Or just put them in a box and give them away, for credit on future stuff. Do these early 3 series still have computer controlled ignition etc? Thinking I can easily strip out the dash etc. Need to build a roll cage, mount a pet roll tank in the cabin, anna battery too. Quite likely to get it sponsored? Obviously I'm in WA not NZ, but are these becoming hard to find parts for/ worth me parting out. Having crap laying all over the place? I stripped an e30 and sold every single thing off it a couple of years ago, except a door anna petrol tank (minus the pump)Kwinana Motorplex Just read the rules... small cars 4 cylinder front wheel drive..

Haha, I'm working on it, she's engaged to a kiwi fulla, she loves them maori boys, sure enough of them over here. She's giving the E30 to my son and moving down to His Audi! \PS buy my E28, sick of it sitting there costing me money!

Okay so it's definitely the beam adjuster, cant seem to find anew part. Just pulled the wire off of it! The 2nd hand one I got yesterday don't fit, different size, different wiring. I want to have a go at fixing this up, the casing is split, on the seam, witch could be part of the trouble? I can see by pics on oem that there's a shaft. and looks like just an Oring seal? Whst will happen if I just pull this out? Is it gunner break something? Really I need to take the whole grille out anyway, got a cracked headlight. Isn't there some kind of trick to this, poking a screwdriver somewhere?

must be early there? 1.30 am here. yeah figured thnat, the old Messerschmidt e23 had vacuum lines to the adjuster, so i guess there's a motor or something down there, mite have worked loose, have a look in the morning, cheers.

Just got my car back from my favourite daughter, sick of lending it out, ann she tells me it's making a noise, coming from the LHS headlight. Grr must be the altenator right? Is she just gunner keep driving it into the ground like she dooes with her car? But no. turn the car off and this noise continues, from behind the LH headlights. Until i switch the lights off. Whats that about? Engine off, noise continues, like a bearing in altenator, or a switch open ann closing real fast. turns lights off. noise stops, immediately.. What the...? Was doing this a few days ago, when I checked it next morning with lights off, it was fine. What's with the beam adjuster? There seems to be a motor or servo down there, it stops and starts!

I've been looking into this, later e24's are an e28 base. So how much difference is there from e28 to e23, a 535 M20 is the same as a 735? The running gear is much the same. The rust I can deal with. I looked up for sales on these, $8k for a roughie to $30k for a minter, with prices varying in between. Have to pull finger and relicence old Messerschmidt! no room for 2 cars in the drive, or the garage. There's plenty of spares USA, forums there, people are parting them. I'll have to go see this car, now I know a bit more about them. But to keep it original. or to 'hoon' it up a bit?

I've been looking into this, later e24's are an e28 base. So how much difference is there from e28 to e23, a 535 M20 is the same as a 735? The running gear is much the same. The rust I can deal with. I looked up for sales on these, $8k for a roughie to $30k for a minter, with prices varying in between. Have to pull finger and relicence old Messerschmidt! no room for 2 cars in the drive, or the garage. There's plenty of spares USA, forums there, people are parting them. I'll have to go see this car, now I know a bit more about them. But to keep it original. or to 'hoon' it up a bit?

Hi Y'all, latest thinking, after it's been to the shop for wheel bearings and another tune up... The computer has been changed out in the past... Were taking it to the German Peter Erlemeyer Master Motor Mechanic rockingham, where we live. Wear gunner do a diagnostic on it with his $40k machine. Run it for an hour on his computer, take it for a drive and then bring it back. Everything imaginable has been done to it, so time to take it to the german! He is good, but expensive! $150 to diagnose this thing, and hopefully we'll get an answer from it? Do the computers remap themselves? Or do they need to be remapped when changing it from 1 car to another? The car's going fine, but the idle breaks down, not really missing, like x firing, just dipping and surging, the car rocks and rolls a bit at idle under load. Excuse my non technical explanations..

Head set from the US is about $150 Turners or Pelican.

I looked at buying an E39 540i sports, but couldn't see the difference to the e34.. Just an upgrade really. Not that much difference in body style, air bags-fear bags... No one lives for ever! I'd need to do the exhaust, the wheels and the suspension, just to get the feeling right, then it wood be my e34 again... Nice car, but not that much difference to what I've got to justify buying another car. Have you thought about rebuilding your M60? Get a little blower? twin turbo's? I think e34's are classic looks, well the V8's with the wider grille anyway. I get a lot of looks in mine, people think it's a much later model, doesn't look like 1994 styling. I'm thinking project car, leave my car as is.. Got my eye on a e24! Or importing a hell motor, and 6 speed? My 2c worth!