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#1. [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs - from Andrew E. Skopp
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 09:56:09 -0400 From: "Andrew E. Skopp" <AES@GEJLAW.com> Subject: [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs This weekend I set to replacing the spark plugs in my 1998 E36 M3. After much trouble removing two of the six Bosch BMW plugs, which some technician had clearly installed with an impact wrench, stripping the threads, I installed NGK BKR6EQUP. The NGK's are not gap adjustable. Once I had put the NGK's in, the car barely holds an idle without stalling, and feels as if one or perhaps even two cylinders are not firing. I drove it around the block, and it has almost no power, and sounds like a puttering lawnmower without a muffler. To test the plugs last night, I reinstalled the four good Boschs, leaving two NGK's in. No real difference. I did not have time last night move the two remaining NGK's to different cylinders to test them with different ignition wires. I noticed that the electrode end of the NGK is a bit shorter than the Bosch's. Any thoughts on a) what the problem is and b) how to solve it. Thanks in advance. Andrew E. Skopp
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#2. OBC Language - from Ahmad Lutfeali
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:03:42 -0400 From: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com> Subject: OBC Language How can I change the language on my OBC? I can swear I saw it reading out in German in one of my students car. TIA A.L.
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#3. Re: [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs - from LoweSeaton@aol.com
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:24:25 EDT From: LoweSeaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs Andrew, I doubt it has anything to do with the spark plugs. Engines are amazingly immune to spark plugs. They will run on anything. I've seen spark plugs come out of engines after 100,000 miles that had no electrode. You said the threads were stripped? Is this true? If yes, then you have a big problem. The new spark plugs are not sealing. You are losing all your compression. You won't have any power. You have to try to rethread the head with a tap & die set or worst case, put some sort of thread insert into the head. You may need a professional mechanic to save the head. The spark plugs have to seat tight. The other possibility is you may have the spark plug wires on the wrong spark plugs causing the engine to misfire. Are you absolutely sure you have the spark plug wires on correctly? On my M3 I think it is impossible to mix them up since they are so short they only reach the correct spark plug. Make very sure you have the spark plug wires on correctly before you drive anymore. You can do damage to the engine if the spark plugs are firing at the wrong sequence. Good luck! Lowell Seaton '95 M3 Dallas, Texas
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#4. Eisenmann Exhaust - from Junaidi Irwan
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 08:39:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Junaidi Irwan <cuwei@yahoo.com> Subject: Eisenmann Exhaust Listers, I am thinking of getting an aftermarket exhaust for my 95. Has anyone installed Eisenmann Race exhaust on their car? If you do, how do you like it compared with others? (UUC, Rouge, Supersprint, etc) Which tips do you get? I am thinking of getting the 83 mm ones. Thanks beforehand for the reply. Jay __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
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#5. Info needed - from Edward N Frank
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 12:47:24 -0400 From: "Edward N Frank" <enf@iglou.com> Subject: Info needed Unlike most everyone that posts here I am not one that has the confidence, time, or tools to do maintenance on my car myself. However, when I started investigating and found that many tasks can be accomplished easily I began to change my position. So, now the question is; What parts to use. I plan on changing the oil and would like to know which oil is the most widely used (Mine is not a track car). Mobil 1 is my first choice. And is there any reason to stay with BMW's oil filter or can I go to Pep Boys and get one? (Purolator I think). Next, Spark Plugs. Bosche? Which kind? Thanks in advance. Ed Frank 97 M3/4 And until now(hopefully), totally dealer maintained.
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#6. ASC & ABS Lights on - from eevans@planetc.com
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Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2003 12:54:30 -0400 From: eevans@planetc.com Subject: ASC & ABS Lights on This happened on a '99 M3. Anyone experience this one? My ASC and ABS light came on last night. One time it came on after only a few feet of driving and then one other time it waited 5 miles before it came on. Please tell me it's a sensor and not the ABS pump. Evan
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#7. re: question about bushings - from daanesh chanduwadia
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 13:05:47 -0400 From: "daanesh chanduwadia" <daanesh@hotmail.com> Subject: re: question about bushings hunt, one of the reasons the rear suspension has bushings is to give it elastokinematic properties, i.e. it is designed to passively steer the wheels depending on load. when you harden the bushings and negate some of this effect. one example: the deflection of the bushings provide stabilizing toe in when you corner hard or lift off the gas mid corner - be sure you don't want to retain these aspects before deviating too far from stock... just refreshing the stock may gain you all the precision you want without the tradeoffs ahmad mentions. just so you know, daanesh p.s. thanks to those who responded to my RTAB question - a response is in the works but the short answer is *my car finally feels right - or at least damn close - after 2+ years*! ------------------ 5 -------------------- Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2003 18:40:22 -0700 (PDT) From: Hunt Hodgetts <hhodgetts@yahoo.com> Subject: question about bushings I was inspecting my 97 M3 Coupe with 122k miles this weekend for an upcoming driver's school at Road Atlanta. One of the bushings on my rear control arm has a small tear. I figure it's a good time to replace all my bushings with urethane bushings. I found some bushing kits for the rear subframe and one for the rear trailing arms but was wondering if anyone sells a complete set of urethane bushings for the entire suspension?? Also, I'm assuming urethane bushings are superior to rubber because of increased durability. Is this correct? Since I use my car as a daily driver, are there any negative side affects I should be aware of such as a harsh ride, constant squeaking noises, etc? Thanks, HuntGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com
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#8. RE: [uuc] ASC & ABS Lights on - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:23:39 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: RE: [uuc] ASC & ABS Lights on > This happened on a '99 M3. Anyone experience this one? My ASC and ABS > light > came on last night. One time it came on after only a few feet of > driving > and then one other time it waited 5 miles before it came on. Please > tell me > it's a sensor and not the ABS pump. I've had this happen a couple of time on my '98 M3/4. After parking the car, and re-starting it the lights are out and all appears normal. My guess is it's dirty/gunked up ABS sensors. I've been too lazy to get in there to clean them, though. Hope that helps, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP/A5
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#9. RE: [uuc] [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:30:04 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: RE: [uuc] [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs > This weekend I set to replacing the spark plugs in my 1998 E36 M3. > After much trouble removing two of the six Bosch BMW plugs, which some > technician had clearly installed with an impact wrench, stripping the > threads, I installed NGK BKR6EQUP. Well, I've not heard good things about any plug other than the stock Bosch plug in the 96+ M3s. I've faithfully run the FGR8KQC (now KQE) in the '98 M3 without any problem. The one problem I did have was when I didn't torque them properly, and they had loosened after a week or so, resulting in rough idle and poor acceleration. I have had no problems since using my 3/8" torque wrench and torquing to spec. Like Marco said, also check that the ground straps are in place. Other than that, after getting 6 Bosch plugs in there, is to change the coils. Expensive though. Hope that helps, Jim Bassett
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#10. RE: [E36M3] Info needed - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:40:32 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Info needed > However, when I started investigating and found that > many tasks can be accomplished easily I began to change my > position. Welcome to the DIY club :-) I find I really enjoy working on both cars. It's cheaper and there's a sense of accomplishment after it's all done. Plus, I like really knowing what's going on with my cars, and seeing all the "stuff" up close and personal :-) > I plan on changing the oil and would like to know > which oil is the most widely used (Mine is not a track car). > Mobil 1 is my first choice. As long as you use a viscosity appropriate for your climate, any good quality oil will do. (FYI, I use Red Line in the M3, Mobil 1 in the race car.) > And is there any reason to stay with BMW's oil filter > or can I go to Pep Boys and get one? (Purolator I think). I'm not aware that you can find a correct BMW filter at Pep Boys <shrug>. I use BMW OE filters (Mahle is one brand, the other brand escapes me). I get them either from a local mechanic or from Bimmerparts.com. They come with the o-rings/washers that you'll need as well. > Next, Spark Plugs. > > Bosche? Which kind? As mentioned in another thread, the stock Bosch plugs work just fine for me. FGR8KQE is the current, correct plug. Hope that helps, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP/A5
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#11. RE: [uuc] [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs - from Chester Wong
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Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:46:17 -0700 (PDT) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: RE: [uuc] [E36M3] Trouble with spark plugs I've been running the '95 stock plugs in my 3.2 '99 with preetty good results. Of course, I think my timing is off from the whole VANOS thing...but....I haven't had the pinging I had when I had the '96+ plugs in the car. FWIW, Chester --- Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> wrote: > Well, I've not heard good things about any plug other than the stock Bosch > plug in the 96+ M3s. I've faithfully run the FGR8KQC (now KQE) in the '98 M3 > without any problem. =====