'92 325i won't start?!--suggestions?

[325some]

I have the E36 (4-dr) 325i and it has never given me trouble. I change the oil every 4000 with mobil 1. and it had new plugs 12000 ago. it has 110,000 on it now and I just changed the oil but not the filter this time--I ususlly skip every other oilchange. So, All I did was drain and Fill.--should be no problem.

That was last night, this morning--it would turn over, and over, and almost...but nothing...it tries to start--everything seems to be fine, except the thing wont start!

Yall have any Idea on what I can check? I am Very mechanical, and I have checked the fuses, the o2 plugs are 12,000 mi old, new cat at same time new muffler, and lets see...I thought maybe the MAF? no, I don't know where to look next---fouled plugs?--bad coils?--maybe the tubes under the coils?---any ideas?

Thank you very much in advance,
John

could it be the fuel filter?!---I cant tell if its getting gas--it seems to get some spark, cause it kinda starts then keeps crankin--but it doen't start enough to let the key go and let it sputter...

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

John,


This is interesting. I cant think of anything that would cause the engine to not start simply by changing the oil.

I would maybe check to see that you didnt unplug or disconnect any connectors.

I would also suggest using a code reader on it. There is a small diagnostic port on your car that the reader fits into, then you should have a clear idea of what the problem is. We sell them here at pelican, or any BMW shop should be able to do this for you.

[Wayne 962]

This sounds like a typical vacuum hose problem. You probably knocked one loose when you were changing the oil. Also, make sure that the seals are on properly at the oil canister - a leak there can also descrease vacuum, which will cause the car to not start...

-Wayne

[325some]

I got it to run buy having the engine turned over while I held the coil tube to ground to check for spark!--I know this did not make the engine run, but it just started at this point!--

then I heard a sound. It sounded like a baby food jar top being popped over and over.---I thought about the worst, spring, valve,etc..but figured it didn't sound right---I bet its a loose plug and sure enough-I had two!

Here are som pics of the plugs in the order they came out--the left one being the closest to the windsheild. the two that are rel black are the loose ones and they have som oily stuff all over them..I hope I don't have bad rings! I think that maybe it is grime from being loose and getting som gas blow-by on them. they are also yellow/orange on the porcelin part.and very sooty---

The stock plugs are the 2 prong ones these had 4. and the tube I am holding in the pic---does anyone know how I can tell if they need changed?--someone said they can arch and make your car run like poop...

LAST thing, where can you get the tubes sepperate? And the stock bosch 2 prong plugs I can't find either....

Thanks a million,
John

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

This got me thinking,

BMW is real specific about how much oil is in the crankcase. When they say 4.7 quarts, thats exactly what they mean. You cant put in 5 quarts, you have to measure it out. I have read this is BMW technical bulletins before, and there have been people that have blown main seals, oil control seals and even rings simply by overfilling.

You mentioned that you did not change the filter during the oil change, did you subtract the oil quantity that is held in the filter? Perhaps oil is passing the rings. The pics arent too clear, but are they oil soaked?

Personally, I never re-use filters, I always replace the filter at every oil change, then measure out the correct amount of oil, as per BMW's specs. I would highly reccommend you drain the oil, change the filter, and measure out the correct amount, then re-fill. Be sure to use an OEM filter when doing this, (i.e. Mann, Mahle, etc..) I'd stay away from "el cheapo" filters like Fram and Purolator.

Also, I have heard from many people that you do NOT want to run Platinum 4's in the E36. They arc, as you said, due to the nature of the individual coil pacs on your car running at high voltage. Bosch Silbers or regular Platinums are the way to go.

Hope this helps,

[325some]

well, this car takes alot more than 4-5 quarts! I think it is closer to 6-7 total, I always skip the filter in all my cars everyother oilchange(same in my racebikes). when I worked at Toyota and avis lube the way we made sure not to over fill was to add almost all the oil and then run it for one minute and let it settle, this way it fills the oil filter gets the air out of the galleys, and then you add the rest--and the dipstick shows perfect on the line...
As far as the plugs go, I cant tell if it is oil---or old gummed up gas...?---The car does not smoke at all....????

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by 325some
well, this car takes alot more than 4-5 quarts! I think it is closer to 6-7 total, I always skip the filter in all my cars everyother oilchange(same in my racebikes). when I worked at Toyota and avis lube the way we made sure not to over fill was to add almost all the oil and then run it for one minute and let it settle, this way it fills the oil filter gets the air out of the galleys, and then you add the rest--and the dipstick shows perfect on the line...
As far as the plugs go, I cant tell if it is oil---or old gummed up gas...?---The car does not smoke at all....????

I was using 4-5 quarts simply as an example. It's still a bad idea to skip the filter every other oil change, in my opinion. I wouldnt do it on my car. What I usually do is this, I first measure out how much oil I need. I then usuallly run an engine cleaner prior to draining my oil, and let it idle for around 10 mins. then I drain it all out, fill the filter with oil, put it on the housing, then fill the engine up. I then remove the coil wire, and crank it over for a few seconds to circulate the oil, then re-attach the coil wire and re-start. I know it seems a bit much, but better safe then sorry.

About your plugs, can you get me a clear picture of the elctrodes? I can probably tell you what it is if I see a clear pic.

[325some]

I wasn't flamming I promise!-- --I to have done oil the same way--although with six coils, it is hard to unplug my ignition system--so I start it for a minute. as far as the filter goes--the skip one change one is per the owners manual. for this car as well as all my bikes and the 91 c4---I don't know if this is the same for every car but it is in the manual for these ones. So I kinda got in the habit...

Here is a picture of the diodes, i see a combo of rich, and heat--two things that usually DON'T go together?!- my temp gauge never fluttered from dead center, so maybe just the wrong plug(couldn't take the heat?-in other words-even though the engine was running at normal temps, maybe the plugs got to hot?) Thanks again for your help.




I hope these are good enough--those little bugars are herd to take photos of!

[325some]

they are very sooty--the center diode-(the penticle of BOSCH plats) is pitted,but not worn down- it looks as though they were diped momentarily in acid.hmmmm

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

To me they look fouled. I'd try cleaning them, or simply replace them. When was the last time they were replaced?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

They actually look oil fouled. Has the car been smoking at all on start-up previous to changing the oil? It's possible that if you have bad valve seals, when you filled the oil up, that it leaked passed the seals, and fouled the plugs.

[325some]

Oh it is time--it was about 12,000 ago--yeah they are fouled but could you suggust a plug?--These are not the origional ones the car came with, and they are not near as good!--I want to try something better, and I cant get the originals---gosh, I need to type more often.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I'd say use regular Bosch Platinums. But first, I'd check that oil level. Something caused these plugs to foul out pretty quick. I'm suspecting that either oil leaked past the rings or the valve stem seals.

[325some]

my local BMW said last time they were on back order and said the origionals now in stock!--pt# 12129064617 @ 8.99 a pop!--so I think I will get those....

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

We have them cheaper than that. We have Bosch Platinum 2's for your car for $3.99 each. We also have Bosch Supers for $5.59 each

[325some]

Yeah, I figured that they could be had for less and I got som at advanced auto for $4.00 ea. thanks for the info!--I will probably get other parts from here!---these were a rush type thing so I had to get them quickly...
Thanks for all your help!
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