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Thread: Popping sound from exhaust

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    1995 BMW M3 Coupe

    Popping sound from exhaust

    Hi Everyone,

    I bought a new (to me) 1995 E36 M3 and I am having a few issues with it that I want to address.

    I am getting popping sounds from my exhaust and the idle is a little rough:

    * https://photos.app.goo.gl/De8fTJ2vW5cgn4T18

    In this video they sound more distinct than in real life where they just sound like a low rumble. Is this a misfire? Any idea what I should check?

    Thank you,

    Jaime

  2. #2
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    Sounds like "pops" every couple of seconds. Not sure what it could be but does it happen if you keep the idle constant at a higher rpm (maybe 1.5 or 2k)?

  3. #3
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    DE-spec E36 328i/M3 cab
    Hook it up to diagnostics first. Saves from wild guessing.

    Could be a coil and or injector.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
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  4. #4
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    @MParallel Do you have a suggestion for an affordable diagnostics that works with OBD1 20 pin? I tried looking, but I'm unsure if the 20 pin adapter works on all OBD scanners, or only certain ones.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by jaimerod View Post
    @MParallel Do you have a suggestion for an affordable diagnostics that works with OBD1 20 pin? I tried looking, but I'm unsure if the 20 pin adapter works on all OBD scanners, or only certain ones.
    Best thing to do is get an OBD1 to OBDII adapter. I found a few on Amazon for around $12. I am not sure however how it will work with a basic code reader with it being OBDI. Others might be able to help with that.

    Just search this in Amazon "20PIN OBD1 to 16PIN OBD2 Connector Adapter Cable for BMW E36"

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    1995 M3 - 2007 X5
    OBD1 Stomp Test to bring up codes:

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...e-pedal-faults
    https://boostmonkey.com/blogs/guides...des-stomp-test

    f you have a pre- ’96 (OBD1) e36, this trick will work to tell you why your CEL is on. It will even work on e30s:

    Turn the ignition on (not the engine, just ignition). The bulb check will come on. Quickly press the gas pedal all the way down and lift all the way up 5 full times. You have to do it quickly.

    If you did it right, the CEL will flash once and go out. Then it will begin flashing the fault codes. It will flash in four sequences, representing four numbers. Each sequence will be separated by a short pause of about a second. For example:

    Flash (short pause) Flash Flash Flash Flash (short pause) Flash Flash Flash Flash (short pause) Flash Flash Flash Flash (longer pause) indicates a code of 1444. Each number of flashes in each sequences represents the number in the code.

    After the long pause at the end of the fourth sequence, it will repeat itself and flash the same code again, unless there is more than one code, in which case it will flash that code in the same pattern.
    Not as accurate or intelligent as OBDII but hopefully will point you in the right direction to start diagnosis.

  7. #7
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    Cables are cheap nowadays and please, don't use some dumb code reader while you can use BMW software that tells you in exact words what the problem is.

    Many cables set come with this software included. (INPA/DIS)
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  8. #8
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    @MParallel I think you just made my day! I had no idea INPA would work with this car. I had the OBD2 to USB connector and software installed for my E93 M3, which I sold, but it was great to use.

    Do you mind sharing a link to a cable that will work with the car? Or can I reuse the one for my e93 M3 and just attach a OBD1 adapter?

    Finally some good news! lol

  9. #9
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    Yes, just add the adapter.
    Do keep in mind some modules only communicate through ADS protocol (K+L line), but luckily most work fine through USB-OBD like the DME and General Module.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by MParallel View Post
    Yes, just add the adapter.
    Do keep in mind some modules only communicate through ADS protocol (K+L line), but luckily most work fine through USB-OBD like the DME and General Module.
    He needs ADS for OBD1. What he currently has won’t work at all in his car.

    The issue is not found in scanning the DME. As noted in his other thread, he likely has supercharger remnants like the chip or more.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Braymond141 View Post
    He needs ADS for OBD1. What he currently has won’t work at all in his car.

    The issue is not found in scanning the DME. As noted in his other thread, he likely has supercharger remnants like the chip or more.
    ADS has no relation to an OBD version. It’s all module dependend.
    Otherwise my two OBD1 E36’s would need ADS by that definition, but they don’t.

    Only the KMB (cluster), OBC V, CVM (cabrio roof), URRS (rollover protection), ABS/ASC combined and FFB (EU remote control module) need ADS.

    All other moduies (DME, GM4, ABS, EWS, Airbag, SMG, PDC, GR2 (Cruise), HVAC) all work fine with just USB-OBD K-line cable.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by MParallel View Post
    ADS has no relation to an OBD version. It’s all module dependend.
    Otherwise my two OBD1 E36’s would need ADS by that definition, but they don’t.

    Only the KMB (cluster), OBC V, CVM (cabrio roof), URRS (rollover protection), ABS/ASC combined and FFB (EU remote control module) need ADS.

    All other moduies (DME, GM4, ABS, EWS, Airbag, SMG, PDC, GR2 (Cruise), HVAC) all work fine with just USB-OBD K-line cable.
    The DME on his car requires ADS.

  13. #13
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    That's specific.

    Unlike saying it needs ADS because it's OBD1.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
    SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL

    IG:
    https://www.instagram.com/iflok/



  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    1994 E36 325iC
    Any updates on this…? My 1995 M3 does the same thing, rich idle popping sounds (idle speed drops slightly when popping sound happens, you cant see the drop from the tach but you can definitely hear it,). I’ve replaced knock sensor, plugs, MAF, O2 and many other things (I’ll have to make a list). Tried coils from my other e36 M50, same thing happens. Mine doesn’t matter if it’s idling after cold start or hot start.

    Does you exhaust smell rich at idle as well? I wish I had an easy way to measure AFR.

    My next steps, when I get time, are to clean injectors and measure fuel pressure.

  15. #15
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    For me, the car had some Dinan Superchargers stuff still in place so I replaced the injectors, chip, turbotronic 11, and a resistor in the MAF.

    After removing all that stuff, it sounds much better and is running smoothly.

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