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#1. Engine Misfiring - from Ron Buchalski
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 11:51:46 PDT From: "Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@hotmail.com> Subject: Engine Misfiring I recently noticed that my M3 seemed to be a little down on power. After taking a more detailed look, I've noticed the following: - At idle, the engine does an occasional stumble (every 2-5 seconds), which can be heard from the tailpipe, as well as felt in the car. - Just off idle, the engine doesn't rev up smoothly, and will shake a bit at 2500-3000 rpm - When accelerating, the sound from the intake isn't the same (doesn't sound as smooth when accelerating), and the car takes longer to accelerate. The car is equipped with the Eurosport/JimC intake, Euro HFM, and chip, so intake sound can be easily heard. Since I had replaced the spark plugs recently (June 3), drove it at a Driver's School on June 4, and parked it until last weekend, it took awhile to notice this. I pulled out the spark plugs and checked them (visually), and didn't notice anything unusual. To me, it sounds like a spark plug, or coil, that isn't firing all of the time. Other than buying a new spark plug (or two) and swapping out the plugs one at a time, is there any way a backyard mechanic can diagnose this problem? Or, does it need to be connected to an analyzer to determine which plug(s) aren't firing properly, or if it's something else causing this problem? By the way, I took the car in for it's exhaust emissions test today, and it passed with flying colors. TIA, -rb ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
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#2. Re: [E36M3] Start your engine... - from Miki Haraguchi
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 12:14:29 -0700 (PDT) From: Miki Haraguchi <mharaguchi@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Start your engine... I'll add another "random/meaningless" data pt as Jim B. described it <G>: My LTW (build: 10/95) *can* be started with the clutch out. But my 1997 328is *cannot* be started unless the clutch in. However, I always depress the clutch when starting up the LTW anyway. Whatever wear might be put on the throwout bearing sure beats the consequences of spacing it even one time and starting it without remembering to take the car out of gear. This happened at a race once when I was crewing, and I nearly got my foot run over. Miki > Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 11:06:33 -0400 > From: "Seth Thomas" <porsche993@mindspring.com> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Start your engine... > > On my 993 you can start it without the clutch and it is OBDII. So this must > be something with BMW OBDII. On my 318ti I can start it without the clutch > but now that I think about it I don't think that I can start my LTW without > the clutch in. The LTW has a build of 9/95 so maybe this is something they > implemented later in the builds. I will double check when I get home. > > Seth Thomas > www.m3power.com > www.m3ltw.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/
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#3. Re: [E36M3] it's been so long, i don't remember... - from david tow
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 12:31:01 PDT From: "david tow" <david_tow@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] it's been so long, i don't remember... Lowell, Having two kids and a happy marriage could probably help cure your short-temper - I'd been there before.:-) David Tow Red 95 M3 driven with care and patience. Lowell Seaton wrote: Carlos, Thanks. Yes I was trying to be exact. I knew there was more than one word in VaNoS. Thanks for the words of sympathy but I don't deserve them. I doubt if driving schools could help me unless they can cure my impatience and quick temper towards idiots on the roads... ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
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#4. Re: [E36M3] Start your engine... - from Jeff Thompson
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 15:45:55 -0400 From: Jeff Thompson <jthompson@telco.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Start your engine... If I remember correctly there are two schools of thought about the starting with the clutch debate. Japaneese and US manufacturers thought is was safer to use the switch so the clutch must be depressed before you can start the car, probably as a way of avoiding lawsuits for kids screwing around in their parents cars or some other form of litigation. Or may have been an offshoot of the Audi "uninteded acceleration" crap as Steve H. mentioned. European manufacturers thought that being able to crank the engine with the clutch out was safer so that you could leave the car in first gear and move it out of a dangerous situation (stalled in traffic, stalled on railroad tracks, etc). Apparently there are less lawyers in Europe, or the idea of accountability for one's actions still survives in some parts of the world. :) Later, -jeff
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#5. Clutch in or not? - from david tow
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 12:47:30 PDT From: "david tow" <david_tow@hotmail.com> Subject: Clutch in or not? So what do you suggest, Jim, if you have the option of either depressing the clutch or not? I've heard so far that one could hurt the clutch release bearing if pushing the clutch in when starting the engine. I've also heard that one could hurt something else if not pushing the clutch in (the Porche manual's suggestion?). Now I am confused... David Tow ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
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#6. Re: [E36M3] Engine Misfiring - from NickG
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 15:59:24 -0400 From: "NickG" <nikog@mediaone.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Engine Misfiring Just from the description you gave for idle and 2500-3000rpm operation, I knew you had a '95 M3 (later confirmed by the Euro HFM :)..... What you're experiencing is pretty normal for that car. You might try running a can of BG injector cleaner. Not the pour in the gas tank kind, but the style that's connected directly to the fuel rail. It helped a little on my car, but didn't totally eliminate the stumble/miss. Maybe a second can of cleaner would have done the trick? ;^) Nick '95 M3 > I recently noticed that my M3 seemed to be a little down on power. After > taking a more detailed look, I've noticed the following: > > - At idle, the engine does an occasional stumble (every 2-5 seconds), which > can be heard from the tailpipe, as well as felt in the car. > > - Just off idle, the engine doesn't rev up smoothly, and will shake a bit at > 2500-3000 rpm
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#7. Teenage driving school advice - from Jones, John
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 16:29:31 -0400 From: "Jones, John" <JJones@INTERGEN.com> Subject: Teenage driving school advice Howdy all - I have a compadre with a 17 year old son. He (the dad) is looking for a good school to teach him car control and defensive driving skills. I only know of the Bondurant program in Phoenix. Do any of you have better ideas? BTW, he is not interested in a racing school. TIA, John "I wish MY dad had sent me to Bondo" Jones 98 M3-4 (too fast for highway use) 00 MB 320 wagon (the ultimate kinder hauler)
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#8. Backpacking / fly fishing in Colorado - from Jones, John
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 16:38:37 -0400 From: "Jones, John" <JJones@INTERGEN.com> Subject: Backpacking / fly fishing in Colorado Howdy all - I will be going to Colorado this month with most of my kids, and was looking for advice on the best spot for some easy backpacking and fly fishing. I will be joined by three other adults, including my "I run every day at altitude" brother (who will be carrying more than his share, I assure you) and three of my boys (5, 10, 13) We will have two cars, and would like to do a loop, or a straight hike where we don't have to backtrack too much. Any of you Rocky Mountain types have any great ideas? TIA, John "I'm too fat for this" Jones 98 M3-4 (won't be seeing any jeep roads anytime soon) 00 MB 320 wagon (boy, I'm missing the 4x4 Suburban about right now) PS - I know this is WOB, Listress Suzy, but at least it's more interesting than the Car Starting thread
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#9. Start your engine... - from Burgess, Kim L
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 11:14:38 -0700 From: "Burgess, Kim L" <Kim.Burgess@PSS.Boeing.com> Subject: Start your engine... The '69 Chevelle I had required 'clutch-in' starting, as did my '91GTI. The GTI also required 'seat belt buckled'. This was truly a safety issue.....which proved interesting to folks I loaned my car to on more than one occasions. KLB99///M3/2
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#10. Lug Pattern / Offset? - from Peter Guagenti
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 14:43:03 -0700 From: "Peter Guagenti" <peter@guagenti.com> Subject: Lug Pattern / Offset? I know this is slightly off-topic, but can anyone tell me what the lug pattern and offset is for the E30M3? Is it likely that these wheels will fit an E36? -p