is my 85 318i supposed to suck this bad?

[a3ternus]

Yea def needs a good tune up. I was getting around 20mpg driving like a grandma.

I seafoam'd, new air filter, new cap & rotor, new sparkplugs/wires, oil change. Now she runs like a champ & I'm getting about 34 highway. still need to do a vavle adjustment & see if I can sqeeze out another mpg or two.

That worked even with a 4.27 LSD! Definately better economy...
N.

[severnrc]

2 most probable causes for your complaint are plugged/restricted exhaust, and timing issues. If your timing was WAY off, you could have been passing unburned fuel and as a result could have melted your CAT, plugging your exhaust

just my 2 cents

[Chabs]

check O2 sensor

[gone002]

id check for vacum leaks
mine had a ton
the last one was at the brake booster
oh yeah check the exhuast mani for cracks...
kinda notrious for failure

[kway]

No, it's not supposed to suck that bad.

The raging shitbox '85 I had years ago was dog slow when I got it, but I'd had an '84 before that, so I knew it wasn't supposed to be THAT slow. I went through all the same shit you're going through with no luck. I finally threw a fuel pump at it (I might have done both, I don't remember) just as a shot in the dark, and the car woke right up. AMAZING difference.

A pump can produce enough pressure to run the car, but not put out the volume it needs for higher load/rpms. The bad fuel mileage has me second guessing that, but if you have to run wide open just to get anywhere, you might still burn a bunch of fuel just because of how inefficiently it's running. The other possibility I thought about was a plugged cat, how freely does it r3v when you're just sitting still?

[Rampelsauce]

Also keep in mind that you drive the slowest BMW known to man at 6000 ft. It's going to run like shit anyway and if a Bentley manual is too pricey for your broke ass perhaps this is not the car for you. I hear Civics are really cheap these days...

lol to the power of two.

[Fidhle007]

Also keep in mind that you drive the slowest BMW known to man at 6000 ft. It's going to run like shit anyway and if a Bentley manual is too pricey for your broke ass perhaps this is not the car for you. I hear Civics are really cheap these days...

[SLOWER]

I've seen rotors pass with visual inspection and gone over the entire ignition system only to come back to replace the rotor and rough idle issues gone away.


It's cheap, just do it.

word I went and picked some up. didnt help so far, but i need to get a timing light.

LOL @ my sweet N11YC's. Fuckin NAPA

[Jaxx_]

Do you really think it could be the rotor? Ive turned the distributor all over the place and nothing helps. Leds me to think timing isnt the problem...

Also, where is the o2 sensor located on this beast? I was thinking about trying to clean it and see if that does anything for me, just for kicks.

I've seen rotors pass with visual inspection and gone over the entire ignition system only to come back to replace the rotor and rough idle issues gone away.


It's cheap, just do it.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Lol.

Champion Spark Plug / CHAMPION / N11YC
Description: CHAMPION SPARK PLUG
CHAMPION / N11YC
Pack Size: 4
Replaces (OEM): CHAMPION N11YC

Fits Models:
CLUB CAR GOLF CARTS -- with Kawasaki 9 and 11 HP OHV engines
EZ-GO GOLF CARTS -- with Robin EH35C engines
HONDA GAS ENGINES -- 4.0/GX120, GXV120, 5.5/GX160,GXV160, 6.5/GX200, GXV200, 8.0/GX240, GXV240,9.0/GX270, GXV270, 11.0/GX340, GXV340, 13.0/GX390, GXV390, 18.0/GX610, GXV610, 20.0/GX620, GX640, GXV620, GXV640, 24.0/GX670
KAWASAKI GAS ENGINES -- 4.0/FE120D, 5.0/FC150V, 5.5/FE170D, 6.0/FC180V, 8.0/FE250D, 9.0/FC290V, 9.5/FE290D, 11.5/FE350D, 13.0/FC400V, FC401V,14.0/FC420V, 17.0/FC540, 18.0/FH531V, 19.0/FH601V, 21.0/FH641V, 23.0/FH680V
Type: Standard
Origin: U.S. Made

Part No. 130542

Swap them out for the correct plug. Also, gap them correctly. Also, a small dab of copper anti-seize on the threads is handy, not a frigging huge blob, but a small dab.

[SLOWER]

Right, but I've moved the timing tiny amounts at a time to no avail. Anyways, I went and bought a cap and rotor, but my light is busted. So I'll have to call around and see if I can find one to rent. Napa and Autozone dont rent...lame.

Checked the plugs theyre Champion N11YC

[Rampelsauce]

Haha, funny thread. Also very informative. When I got my 84 318i, I was like, crap. M10s are as slow as dirt. Plus Im a loser because I got one with the 3spd auto. Lame. My distributor is out of alignment too, but I didnt know that could cause a major malfunction. And x2 on the bosch platnum 4's. Lame plugs for lame people who think the most expensive product is the best for your car. What the mfg or a well respected tuner recommends is the right plug. Usually the two agree.

[Farbin Kaiber]

LOL.

Timing is surely a problem, as said above, even two degrees off can cause havoc, Most o2 sensors are found in exhaust manifolds.


Ive got five dollars that you will end up blowing your m10 like e30trooper did when he didn't listen to me.

[SLOWER]

Do you really think it could be the rotor? Ive turned the distributor all over the place and nothing helps. Leds me to think timing isnt the problem...

Also, where is the o2 sensor located on this beast? I was thinking about trying to clean it and see if that does anything for me, just for kicks.

[Jaxx_]

Yah, I will when I can afford it. Ive actually got the digital copy but need to find a mac proggie to open it.

Did a valve adjustment today to no avail. That leaves me with o2 sensor (a pricey little fucker), dist. cap and rotor...

distro cap and rotor can be had for less than $15 out the door. go to advance and have them hook you up. I just bought a rotor button for $6 and change iirc...( http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=169772 )