O2 Sensor Issues/Backfire
 

Wayne,

I recently purchased your 101 projects for E36 and was able to change a head gasket using the book. However, when I finished the CEL was coming on like Christmas tree lights and most codes were multiple misfire codes. Of course I had rough idle, backfire on acceleration, etc. The next day I thought I may have had the O2 sensors (new) plugged in the wrong place at the top of the fuel rail. I reversed the plugs and the car had power and idled perfect. The next day, I started experiencing cold start issues and it almost seems like no fuel or spark but it eventually catches and starts perfectly afterward. Today I am looking for vacuum leaks, plugs, etc. I traced the wires back to the O2 sensors and found that the plug closest to the radiator is on the exhaust manifold that runs 4,5,6 cylinder and the other near the firewall is running 1,2 and 3. I don't know what is correct and if I have them reversed I will be back to square one with coding and backfiring. As a side note, I failed to listen to your book and changed both injector rings without removing the tips and may have did some damage but it runs to good to think I'm not getting proportionate fuel release. I'm stumped on this one, any help I would be grateful.


Walter Cook

Fixed! New injectors off Ebay for a 100 bucks and cleaned MAF, more power than ever. I was hesitating on the calibration from an Ebay seller but delivered as promised. Now if I could get some help with my latest post on the secondary air pump I'm all set.

Glad you got it fixed.

Do you think you damaged the injectors?

cruizinperformance would have been a good place to have you injectors serviced.