YACT Damn BMW

[Xionide]

Some of you may remember this thread about my car. Well I got it taken into the shop. They said there was a vacuum leak and it seemed to fix some of the problems. So here is what it is doing now. Its gutless. I mean I know 318i's arent known for power but I seriosuly think its doing about half of what its supposed to.

Going from 1.1k rpm (idle) to 2k there is barely any power. Once I hit 2-3 there feels like there is power but after that it only sound like it going faster but not really accelerating. The car is supposed to redline at 6.5k but it will not under any circumstances go above 4.5k. I could floor it all day but it just wont do it. It smells gasy too.

It isnt a head gasket (I had the mechanics do a compression check on the fuel system). All of the cylinders have good compression. Its got good spark and a new cap and rotor. The spark plugs are in the correct order but are kind of old and they shocked my friend when he put his hand by it (could the wires be the problem?).

I am starting to hate my car. I have had it for five months and can count how many times I have driven it on my hands. I just want the damn thing to run so I can sell the pos and be done with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-Xionide

 

[Eli]

If your friend got zapped just by touching the wires, they definately need to be replaced. Replace the plugs while you're at it if they're old.

If that doesen't help, and the engine checks out mechanically.. hmmm.

It won't even rev passed 4.5k in neutral?

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: Eli
If your friend got zapped just by touching the wires, they definately need to be replaced. Replace the plugs while you're at it if they're old.

If that doesen't help, and the engine checks out mechanically.. hmmm.

It won't even rev passed 4.5k in neutral?

Its crazy I know but thats the truth, even in neutural. I will go for the spark plug wires first.

-Xionide

 

[Red]

Try replacing the wires and spark plugs. How are the other maitenance items? Fuel / Air filters, etc. Is your throttle cable pulling the throttle body fully open?

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: Red
Try replacing the wires and spark plugs. How are the other maitenance items? Fuel / Air filters, etc. Is your throttle cable pulling the throttle body fully open?

Havent changed the air filter but last I looked (not too long ago) it seemed new. Brand new fuel filter and plugs. And I am not sure about the throttle thing but it doesnt seem like thats the problem. But I will check into it.

Oh and I also forgot one other major problem I am having with the car. It randomly just floors it by itself or sticks at 3k. I will just be riding around then BAM it acts like the pedal is to the floor. I mash the gas a few times and it goes back to normal.

-Xionide

 

[Chadder007]

....seems like you have missed a BMW Inspection or two.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Limited RPM, piss-poor power at the low end, etc. It sure sounds like 'spark' to me.

When you mention old plugs and wires, I'm just about willing to cover bets on this one. Not sure how old the car is, but plugs and wires should be done every 1-2 years, especially once you replace the original ones, which may last a little longer.

Start with plugs and wires, and if that doesn't fix it, test the coil.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Xionide

Originally posted by: Eli
If your friend got zapped just by touching the wires, they definately need to be replaced. Replace the plugs while you're at it if they're old.

If that doesen't help, and the engine checks out mechanically.. hmmm.

It won't even rev passed 4.5k in neutral?

Its crazy I know but thats the truth, even in neutural. I will go for the spark plug wires first.

-Xionide

Well a lot of cars won't goto redline unless they're moving. On my car VTEC won't engage unless you're going over 17mph or something.

 

[crab]

Is your cat plugged?

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: crab
Is your cat plugged?

No I just got new exhaust for it. The cat was plugged. I am still using the old muffler tho.

-Xionide

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Xionide

Originally posted by: Eli
If your friend got zapped just by touching the wires, they definately need to be replaced. Replace the plugs while you're at it if they're old.

If that doesen't help, and the engine checks out mechanically.. hmmm.

It won't even rev passed 4.5k in neutral?

Its crazy I know but thats the truth, even in neutural. I will go for the spark plug wires first.

-Xionide

Well a lot of cars won't goto redline unless they're moving. On my car VTEC won't engage unless you're going over 17mph or something.

Its an 1984 so I dont think that would make a difference. It was the first year they used fuel injection so its kind of a fussy engine.

-Xionide

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
....seems like you have missed a BMW Inspection or two.

Umm you could say that, Like ten times.

-Xionide

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Limited RPM, piss-poor power at the low end, etc. It sure sounds like 'spark' to me.

When you mention old plugs and wires, I'm just about willing to cover bets on this one. Not sure how old the car is, but plugs and wires should be done every 1-2 years, especially once you replace the original ones, which may last a little longer.

Start with plugs and wires, and if that doesn't fix it, test the coil.

Yes the wires are my first priority. They dont look like they have been replaced once in the last 20 years.

-Xionide

 

[MaxFusion16]

check if the cat is plugged