My first E30, its taken apart....help pls.

[jmc1590]

Well, it did run last night with the crappy boot. I changed it and put a clamp on the isv hose because it was starting to split.

ISV? Perhaps the Idle Control Valve hose? (Should connect to the metalic cylinder next to the throttle body.) Did the vacuum boost line fit snug and is it clamped? (Other side of the intake boot.)

I am positive I have spark to the spark plugs, at least to #6 and #4. I checked 2 terminals.

Checked how? And define "terminals."

I am sure I am getting fuel because I can smell it after cranking for a while. I did notice fuel building up in the intake boot after cranking a while too, is this normal?

Fuel pooling in the intake boot? No, not normal. I can't think of anything that would cause or allow fuel to enter that side of the throttle body.

The only thing I can think of is the vacuum line going from the intake the the fpr is a little smaller than normal, but it ran last night with that size hose.

If the vacuum line fits snuggly on the manifold port and on the FPR, it's the correct size.

Also, I tied up the 3 wires going across the front of the motor making sure they did not come in contact with the water pump pulley. I used the factory plastic cover but could not figure out how it attached to the timing cover since I did not take it apart, so I zip tied them up. Maybe I will double check them.

The three sets of wires are the Crank Position Sensor, the Cylinder ID, and a small bundle that should contain the leads to the coil, the oil pressure sender, and the AC indicator. (Or at least that's what I have on my harness.) Just verify that none of them have been damaged by the pulley and are all still connected. (I had an old CPS connector that was a royal pain to get "latched" in place.) As far as the wire cover goes, there should be two small cllips that attach to the upper timing cover. The wire cover snaps into those from the top.

After cranking for about 7-10 seconds it sounds like it is wanting to start but never gets there. These are timed through the ecu right? There is no way to adjust it manually?

Yes, the ECU handles all of the timing. There are no methods to manually adjust it.

[vr2jetta]

I did notice fuel building up in the intake boot after cranking a while too, is this normal?

I was doing some research and was wondering, could this be from the valve adjustment being too tight and the valves not closing all the way? Could that be why it wont start now and ran crappy last night? It seemed to run crappy at low rpms but when I revved it up (last night) it was smoother. Anybody have this problem? I called a buddy and he checked the bentley and he said the valves were to be adjusted to .010. The thread I was reading said they were to be adjusted at .025.

[vr2jetta]

So I just came back inside from trying again and still nothing, so I pulled the spark plugs and every one of them were dry except #2. All of them had fuel on the threads but #2 had fuel on the threads and tip of the plug. Could it be bad plugs. I know this sounds crazy but I am using the ones from the head pulled from the junkyard, they appear good and they are bosch platinums with the v-groove tip. The only reason I havent replaced them is because I have dumped $$$$ everywhere else trying to get this running......new head, head gasket set, water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, timing belt, tensioner, intake boot, fuel line, vacuum line, and a few other things I cant remember.

[vr2jetta]

First thing I would do is take a look at the areas where you were working last. Double check all electrical connectors. (In particular, the AFM and ICV.) You're sure you have spark? If so, then it is either air or fuel. Too little or too much of one. (Vacuum leaks come to mind first, especially if you were replacing the intake boot.)

If it ran last night, there's no good reason that it shouldn't run again today.

Well, it did run last night with the crappy boot. I changed it and put a clamp on the isv hose because it was starting to split. I am positive I have spark to the spark plugs, at least to #6 and #4. I checked 2 terminals. I am sure I am getting fuel because I can smell it after cranking for a while. I did notice fuel building up in the intake boot after cranking a while too, is this normal? The only thing I can think of is the vacuum line going from the intake the the fpr is a little smaller than normal, but it ran last night with that size hose. Also, I tied up the 3 wires going across the front of the motor making sure they did not come in contact with the water pump pulley. I used the factory plastic cover but could not figure out how it attached to the timing cover since I did not take it apart, so I zip tied them up. Maybe I will double check them. After cranking for about 7-10 seconds it sounds like it is wanting to start but never gets there. These are timed through the ecu right? There is no way to adjust it manually?

[jmc1590]

First thing I would do is take a look at the areas where you were working last. Double check all electrical connectors. (In particular, the AFM and ICV.) You're sure you have spark? If so, then it is either air or fuel. Too little or too much of one. (Vacuum leaks come to mind first, especially if you were replacing the intake boot.)

If it ran last night, there's no good reason that it shouldn't run again today.

[vr2jetta]

Well, the car started last night and now it wont start at all. The intake boot was swiss cheese so I changed it and put all the belts on and a few other things, went to start it again and no go. It is getting spark so I dont know if it has some clogged injectors or bad fuel. It sounds like it wants to start but it doesnt.

[bejbis]

congrats, im going to PM you my # when you want to pick up or me to bring over those seats, they are taking up space.

[vr2jetta]

It's alive!!!!!!!

[vr2jetta]

It's good to hear progress and how you're bringing an e30 back to life. Sometimes it's hard to get started with everything left to do but once work is being done it's awesome. I know it all too well with my 2002....

Thank man! It is a little frustrating, but I just keep taking a break and sitting in the drivers seat waiting for the day....
Today I got a little more done, even though I have to take a couple steps back. I put the injectors back in the intake, but not before removing the manifold first, damnit. Then put the water pump and timing belt on. After that was the thermostat housing and new thermostat. Had clearance issues with the housing hitting the intake I think.......anyway, I ended up pulling the lower stud and slipping the housing in then re-threading the stud for the win!! Tomorrow I will be replacing the fuel lines, putting the pulleys on the front end and getting all that buttoned up. I dont think I will have time to try to crank it, so it looks like Friday will be D-day. We'll see if all this work is going to be worth it. I think so. I would get pics up but I am sure you all know what a 'half taken apart' M20 looks like. I will however get finished pics up, hopefully one with a fat cloud of smoke bellowing from both back tires!!!

[Justin B]

It's good to hear progress and how you're bringing an e30 back to life. Sometimes it's hard to get started with everything left to do but once work is being done it's awesome. I know it all too well with my 2002....

[vr2jetta]

Well, the head is on, the exhaust and intake is bolted up and the spark plugs are in. Tomorrow is another day!

[vr2jetta]

BTW, to head was decked at 'Coastal machine' on the corner of Pace and St. Marys here in Pensacola. They did a good job IMO, but we'll see when I get it on. Only charged me $50 and got it done in an hour and a half.

[vr2jetta]

I got the head all together and the valves are adjusted, now I just need to get a dowel pin and I will be ready to put this thing on!! Here are some pics.





Here is a pic of the intake manifold ports:







Of course I smoothed out the ports but this was just the rough out. Here is a pic of 'King Tuts' soon-to-be spec e30 car:




He lives right around the corner and he was kind enough to let me come by and take some pics of the engine bay and flip through the Bentley. Here is a pic of his "beater"





I hope you dont mind me putting these up, if so, let me know and I will remove them. Post up a couple pics of your car too Dan, let me see what you are working with. Thanks for all the help so far guys, I'm sure I will need more but just want to let you know you help is greatly appreciated!

[vr2jetta]

went to the car show at NAS in pcola on saturday, dont think i saw you there if you went. there were 4 E30's you coulda checked out to see if you were headed in the right direction. let me know if you need any help.

Oh, yea, totally forgot! I had to go to Orlando for a family emergency and it slipped my mind when I got back......damnit! As of now, I need to find a dowel pin to locate the head. When the PO removed the head one pulled out with it, and he threw the old head away. Dumbass! Anyway, If I cant find one from M&D I will run to the junkyard and pull one from the car he got the shitty head from. I will definatly keep this thread going until I get it all back together and running. Then I may bring it over to show you, I will probably be super stoked and want to drive the crap out of it!

[bejbis]

went to the car show at NAS in pcola on saturday, dont think i saw you there if you went. there were 4 E30's you coulda checked out to see if you were headed in the right direction. let me know if you need any help.