Calling all engine specialist. My sketch M20 engine

[Black0ut07]

So it was warm today so i attempted installing my DDM Hids and failed miserably but thats besides the point. More importantly this was the first time I had really been in the engine compartment for a good amount of time with daylight. I don't know diddly about engines but I did notice a few sketch areas that don't look ok. You guy's are the guru's so im presenting the evidence to you all:

In the first two, that spot under the "BMW" letters looks like its been burnt/obliterated. What is that? Is that safe? wtf?

In the second two look at the black thingamajig box. It looks like there is supposed to be some sort of cover over that thing. ANd it looks like the top was cut or sawed off intentionally. What is that? is that normal/safe??

The strangest part to this story is that I just took the car to our "trusted" and prestigious mechanic (who also happens to be the guy that sold me the car and did all the work on it) for an oil change and general check up etc today. So he definately saw and knows about these issues. Are these things minor or is something really sketch going on?:help

Also i wonder if this has anything to do with my windshield always fogging up like theres steam or heat coming from the vents up front or the engine itself

[russiankid]

You're suppose to have a filter there. Don't tell me you do not have a filter?!?!

And the lettering is normal. The valve covers are covered with something that I forgot the name off, and over time it turns yellow and sometimes leaves spots. You said your windshield ALWAYS fogs up? If so, you may have a faulty heater core. If it does it sometimes, then you just need to turn on your defroster.

And the DDM HID's are plug n play...

[David325e]

Is this for real?

That oil stained area seems like oil leaking or leaked from an extremely blown valve cover gasket.

The last two pics show where someone has taken off the factory filter housing too make some sort of straight air intake. Thats just murder. Car also has no air filter, I wouldn't drive it.

Last problem sounds like a bad heater core or pipes leaking around the heater core. Does the steam smell kind of sweet?

[wastedincome]

The Air intake box has been FUBAR'd and looks like the wrong intake boot. The heatshield by the sparkplugs looks just really old and corroded (OEM?)


EDIT: I was post at the same time as above posters

[clevertd]

That's a hacked together M30 AFM

[russiankid]

That's a hacked together M30 AFM

I also thought the same thing, but I didn't want to comment and sound like a dumbass. :stickoutt

[zubbie]

I would have to question the term "trusted mechanic" at this point. Good thing it's an M20 and therefore pretty tolerant of abuse.

Time to get a little learned brotha!

[Black0ut07]

I was thinking thats where the air filter is sposed to be but i couldn't remeber what it looked like before he serviced the car. And my interior smelled slightly weird. Did he really change my oil and leave out my fucking air filter. The dude specializes in euro cars and I've seen several e34's at his shop. He's got tons of experience and credibility but my car seems to contradict it all. I really wish i knew more about engines and stuff so i don't have to be dicked by stuff like this. I pick up on things fast but this is my first with cars.

Ok so u guys think i shouldn't drive the car? Sadly iv'e been driving it all day since the oil change at noon. And it was getting better mpg....crap i really need the car this weekend too. starting to get super angry

[mtg729]

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/bronx_nyc/motor2.jpg



Here is a picture of my M20. it looks like your exhaust heat shields have worn through. replace them or you will melt your plug wires. also your airbox is trash. get a new one ASAP

and as for your trusted prestegoius mechanic who sold you the car like that.. find a new mechanic. or ask one of us on the forum near you to help with your car.

believe it or not there are members here who are more qualified to work on your car then techs at the dealer. we know our cars better than anyone else. also invest in a bently manual. they are worth thier weight in gold maybe even twice that. start doing things yourself and you will learn so much about your car or you are always welcome here to ask for advice!

[zubbie]

Yep it's a hack job M30 afm bucksheed onto the old housing with some 10 cent air horn attached. I would put some kind of air filter in front of the horn (tape it there if you have to) until you can find the proper M20 AFM and related hardware to return it to stock.

Otherwise you will have to fab some fitting to add a cone filter on the end to keep the M30 AFM

M30 AFM is a popular upgrade with the E30 crowd. I am not convinced of it's value

[russiankid]

^^ Agreed. I am not saying I am a pro but I've done quite a bit of work in the past 6 months of ownership and I hate half ass'ing things.

[mtg729]

do the m20 and the m30 have the same AFM shape? mine looks the same. :dunno

[russiankid]

They are probably the same shape but if you look close at his pics the AFM isn't mounted in its special "pod".

[thespeedfactory]

m30 AFM is slightly laager and you have to stretch the AFM boot with a hairdryer to fit it. as long as it is 027 it should be plug and play. Do you hav a rough idle at all?

THe horn should be a part from the inside of the m20 airbox top half. Get yourself some new heatshields, and new copper manifold nuts. Pick up a used m20 AFM and airbox from a junk yard. ASAP

Take your valve cover off and hit it with steel wool to clean it up a bit. Spend $2 on a can of black 1200 deg BBQ grill paint. Works well and CHEAP.

M20's can take alot of abuse...

[Black0ut07]

thanks alot you guys. It's starting to look like this guy is setting me up. I have no choice but to ride the car till monday since I move back into college this weekend and since the mechanic doesn't open his shop again till' monday. I'm gonna make him fix all of these things since he started it and since I havent' fully paid him for the car yet. He's a really genuine and cool guy, im stunned that this is happening.

I don't regret buying the car, since i was a desperate noob itching to drive and my parents offered me it. But knowing what i know now it's easy to get pissed. I paid ALOT of money for the car but thought it was justified since he promised all was ok with the car and that all major E34 issues had been taken care of. Guess I learned the art of car buying the hard way. I even overlooked getting maitenence records since the damn seller was my own damn mechanic.

And yeah the car does idle really rough. My only problem with the HID's was finding a place to mount the ballasts. I got the huge ballasts and there seems to be nowhere to mount em.

[Binjammin]

Don't worry man, we're here to help you put your car back to right. All the things wrong with your car you can fix yourself.

[jfj707]

What a joker (the "mechanic")
GL getting it all fixed dude. Lots of helpful guys here that will keep this stuff from happening in the future hopefully.

[Black0ut07]

I would do it myself but i don't want to come out of the pocket for this one. I just payed him for a "complete checkup" yet my car comes out worse than before and he didn't mention any of the above problems to me whatsoever. Theres no way someone checked all the fluids and changed the oil without seeing anything. I was merely installing HIDs and my amateur eye noticed my engine looked like hell.

After this though I will be doing my own work. Haha this forum reminds me of the Verizon commercials where the guy has the whole network behind him.

[Binjammin]

Not a bad way to put it actually. We're all standing outside btw. Open up the tool box and get some ice and beer.

[jfj707]

The E34 subforum also specializes in hits on dishonest people, so just round up a few people from your area and take care of the problem at the source ;)

[David325e]

Not a bad way to put it actually. We're all standing outside btw. Open up the tool box and get some ice and beer.
And pics of mom right?

Blackout, is that silver spring Maryland? If so me and a couple guys are doing a 6speed swap this spring in Md and I'd be glad to swing by and check-up the M20 with you. I absolutely love mine. Where do you go to school?

[Black0ut07]

Yea I'm in Silver Spring Maryland. I go to University of Maryland College Park.

It's weird cuz I'm still driving the car and it seems smoother and not as sluggish as before. But then again it's the only car i've ever driven so i really don't know any better lol. If I hadn't looked under the hood like my mechanic was probably hoping, I'd say the car runs perfect.

Where can I buy heatshields?