quick engine check

[R&D man]

How can you tell the difference from a m50 and a m52 engine >?

[FredK]

Do you suspect the M52 been converted to OBD-I / 413 DME?

[etxxz]

location of oil cap on the valve cover. if in the back. m50. if towards front (towards vanos) m52. that's the easiest (visible that is) way.

[R&D man]

difference

The engine i bought had 320i in yellow paint in the plastic valve cover .I am trying to find out which cam sensor to get The old one has the end cut off and the wires inside were all cracked.The end of the sendor plug would not match the engine harness plug.I thought also the valve cover could have been from another car........I found out why it wouldnt crank yesterday.the orca cd said not to hook up the unloader relay wire .I could not see the other point were the wire went until I removed the starter.The manual picture is poor.I hooked up the wire and all the electrons went where they were supposed to.I feel dumb know...I guess I am in a hurry to get it done being it is my daily driver and borrowing my wifes car.

[etxxz]

m/s50's have the crank sensor... at the crank. m/s52's have them at the rear of the block even though they also have the "bracket" for the crank sensor at the front (used by OBD1 conversions)...

[e30s52]

Look at the engine tags.

[MR 325]

VIN number always works too.