Ignition Coil question! All reading 1.1

[Jeffersonwillis]

So my car (94 325i) has a misfire that seems to be keeping it from passing the scam that is smog testing (PA). My first thought is to test the coils (plugs are brand new a week ago). When resistance testing them they all turned up with 1.1 to 1.2 ohms on a multimeter. I know that there is no cheap way to accurately test them, but using this test, I've been informed by a local BMW mechanic that they should return 0.4-0.8. Since my readings are higher, I would believe that they are just as no good as if they read lower. Thoughts and input from someone who knows more than I would be appreciated.

[WadiM3]

Let's begin with abit more information, which new sparkplugs have you bought ? Are there any vacuum leaks ? Smoke test the intake!!!

[bmwdirtracer]

The fact that you're getting the same reading on all the coils indicates they're not your problem.

Why are you describing this as "a misfire"? Is the engine running on 5 cylinders?

What were the actual results of your emissions test?

[Jeffersonwillis]

Attachment 598952



Attachment 598953

The higher numbers are from a bad aftermarket cat the car came with. Low numbers from a car that passed emissions two months ago.
The plugs were BKR6EKs which I know people have reported problems with before. They're on my short list to switch.

My buddy who owns a shop did me a favor and said he smoke tested the car and it came up with no leaks. I didn't do the test nor was I there, so I can't vouch that there wasn't a leak somewhere.

There is a highly audible sound when each coil is disconnected while the car is running.

The "misfire" is a quiet but lowly audible pop/putt sound heard from the exhaust. Very similar to when I was working in a garage with older cars a couple years back and someone would bring in a car with plug wires mixed and cylinders firing out of order. Same sound as when a coil is disconnected but with a couple seconds in between (not consistent enough i thought to measure the time) rather than almost all the time (as with coil not connected).

[Jeffersonwillis]

I should add that when starting the car this morning, it shakes and rattled strongly to the point i didnt think it was a good idea to leave it run. Felt shake/contact under my feet.
Edit: shake unrelated to issue. Pulled coils and plugs were damp. Must not have covered them well enough when i cleaned the engine bay. Dried them with compressed air, no shake.

[bmwdirtracer]

The attachments didn't work.

The NGK BKR6EK would be the only plug I'd use in your engine.

[Jeffersonwillis]

The attachments didn't work.

The NGK BKR6EK would be the only plug I'd use in your engine.

Test 1 (bad cat):
CO % x liters- test value 1.50 / limit 1.10 (Fail)
HC ppm x liters- test value 700 / limit 275 (Fail)
NO ppm x liters- test value 8715 / limit 3600 (F)
RPM- 1744
Dilution- 14.3%

Test 2 (good* cat):
CO% x liters- test 1.70 / limit 1.10 (f)
HC ppm x liters- test 642 / limit 275 (f)
NO ppm x liters- test 3870 / limit 3600 (f)
RPM- 1741
Dilution- 14.5%

*Good cat is used, but has passed PA inspection on a 95 325i two months prior.