No Idle.

[JasonBates]

I have had my '84 318i sitting in my garage for a long time now. Little progress has been made. She ran when I first picked her up, but it wasn't very good. Plugs fouled out really quick, dark black. Then she just didn't not want to start. I got her running but still no idle. And she doesn't run smooth under 2500rpm.
Any ideas on what can be done to fix this?

[Jaxx_]

check timing... try pulling out spark plug wires and see if it runs worse. if it doesn't you know you have an issue with that cyl, or more cyls.

and of course, check to make sure firing order is correct. if a plug fouled quick maybe it's not firing.

[JasonBates]

I tried to do the timing. It looked okay. But I can't keep the rpm's at the range Bentley tells me to. I believe I have the firing order right.
I'll try pulling the plugs and try to figure out what top do from there.

[Vtec?lol]

if it runs smooth above 2500 don't worry about pulling wires as it isn't cylinder specific...

check the distributor cap
change plugs
clean injectors
disconnect the icv and spray with carb cleaner then wd40.

check and replace all rotten vacuum lines

make sure the vacuum advance on the distributor has the vacuum line attached.

[Jaxx_]

if it runs smooth above 2500 don't worry about pulling wires as it isn't cylinder specific...

missing will smooth out at higher RPMs

[Vtec?lol]

missing will smooth out at higher RPMs

true that's why he should change his plugs

[JasonBates]

if it runs smooth above 2500 don't worry about pulling wires as it isn't cylinder specific...

check the distributor cap
change plugs
clean injectors
disconnect the icv and spray with carb cleaner then wd40.

check and replace all rotten vacuum lines

make sure the vacuum advance on the distributor has the vacuum line attached.

Forgot to mention, I have a new Cap and rotor, have changed the pulgs twice now and I put on a new ICV.
I'll get on the vacuum lines and advance today. And I'll see if I can get my injectors cleaned up too.

[Hey_You]

Could be dumping too much fuel, make sure your warm-up injector isn't stuck open.

[JasonBates]

Could be dumping too much fuel, make sure your warm-up injector isn't stuck open.

Do you mean the cold start valve?

[Hey_You]

Yeah, that thing

[JasonBates]

Yeah, that thing

I have a new one of those.

Nothing has changed since I cleaned the injectors.

[Smelser]

just curious, how imposrtant is the vacuum line on the dist? is it like a chev's where if its disconnected you loose the vacuum advance and just set the dist for running at wide open??