RM European Auto Parts
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: At my wit's end

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Middleburg Pa.
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2000 328i 1986 528e

    At my wit's end

    I have a 1986 BMW 528e..put lots of tune-up parts in it lately..things are getting worse..bucks..sputters ..has no power n can hardly go up hill..temp and fuel gauge also have slight tick..revs up to 2000 rpm when start up..then idles around 1000..misses in drive with brake on..please HELP..I can't be beat by a machine..thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,933
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    It sounds like you have multiple vacuum leaks. Have the intake smoke tested. Search YouTube to see his to do it yourself.

    What did you mean when you wrote that the gauges tick? Do they make noise or do they jump around a bit? How old is the battery? Is the alternator original?

    Is the fuel pump original? When was the fuel filter last changed? What about the distributor cap and rotor, and the spark plug wires?

    The diagnostics in that car are pretty primitive compared to today’s cars. I owned a 325e for 15 years, but luckily it was very reliable.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Casablanca, Morocco
    Posts
    780
    My Cars
    2001 e46 323i
    Since it's an "e" I'm guessing it's not fuel injected and has a carburator. You might want to check that as well...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Middleburg Pa.
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2000 328i 1986 528e
    Thanks for your input..I changed cap..rotor..plugs..wires..O2 sensor..battery seems good but you no how that goes..cleaned all grounds..gauges jump a bit sometimes..seems more when you use turn signals..it is fuel injected..don't no if alternator is original but can have it checked easily..don't no about the fuel pumps..cleaned sock on tank pump..cleaned fuel filter till I could get another one..also cleaned idle valve..something tells me it's gonna be one of those really stupid things right in front of my face..

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Middleburg Pa.
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2000 328i 1986 528e
    Ok...put smoke into intake via fuel pressure regulator hose..smoke comes out top of throttle body around I think stud with nut and large return spring...anybody no how that seals in there around that stud?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Aberdeen, NC (yes, again)
    Posts
    23,672
    My Cars
    E39M5, E500 4WD
    Have you adjusted the valve clearances? (0.010" cold)
    Have you tested the fuel pressure? 2.5 bar -36psi)

    You really need a real smoke test, too, using a professional smoke machine.
    And then, you need to find out whether the intake is clogged, or the exhaust is clogged. The intake is easy: make sure the filter's clean, the air-fuel meter door's opening fully, the throttle plate is opening fully. The exhaust is more difficult: you need to do a backpressure test in the O2 sensor hole. A common vacuum / pressure gauge should do fine, although it's not as easy to plug into the O2 port without the special adapter. Still, it can be done, with a little ingenuity. Max backpressure, revving, must be less than 2 psi.

    Oh, what spark plugs are you running? Hopefully no bling-bling "Platinum 4's" or anything. These engines like old school, dead stock plugs.
    Last edited by bmwdirtracer; 06-22-2018 at 07:40 PM.

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,933
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    It’s definitely fuel injected.

  8. #8
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,483
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Don't forget to check the Crank and positon sensors, for they too can cause funky stuff to happen.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Middleburg Pa.
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2000 328i 1986 528e
    Well..thought throttle body air leak was the problem...car ran great till it warmed up then did it's missing and sputtering on acceleration ...revs up to 2000 rpm at started up then drops to 1100..brake in gear idles rough at 500 or so..garage I go to doesn't have smoke test equipment so gonna have to check around I guess ,..not really anybody in my area that works on BMW..I live in Central Pennsylvania..anybody live in my area and knows 528e feel like making couple bucks to let me know..hate to be beat up by my ride..thanks for all the input..not done yet..

  10. #10
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,483
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    So how about testing the Coil? On those cars, they tend to run fine while cold, and when the windings get hot, start to fail.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

Similar Threads

  1. I am at my wit's end with the HK stereo system. Please help
    By old skool in forum Car Audio & Electronics sponsored by Bavsound
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 07-02-2009, 02:33 AM
  2. My E36 has cancer, wit's end, need opinions
    By carguy01 in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 58
    Last Post: 04-30-2009, 03:54 PM
  3. Auto Shifter Swap: At Wit's End With DIY
    By ryanmkincaid in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 01-18-2009, 01:24 PM
  4. Opinions on trans issues. At my wit's end. (and my wallet's)
    By turbosporttsi in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 06-05-2008, 04:47 PM
  5. ADVICE needed...at my wit's end!? HELP?
    By Mitchy540 in forum Georgia sponsored by Harrison Motorsports
    Replies: 40
    Last Post: 12-29-2005, 07:38 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •