Please help- Losing my F'ing mind, my patience, and my money.

[MTechnikII]

Try this before taking the head off, put the same timing belt back correctly then see if you're getiing the same low compression, the low compression might be due to bad timing and valves not closing when they are supose to, if this doesnt change anything then go with head removal
let us know how it goes.
Henry

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah nope, not the distributor..
The only thing I can complaint from the distributor is that my rotor is rubbing slightly against the distributor but im still getting good spark so that's ruled out

Nope, back that shit up right there.

Tear that fucker down and fix it. BMW didn't build it like that.

[lolcantturn]

Try this before taking the head off, put the same timing belt back correctly then see if you're getiing the same low compression, the low compression might be due to bad timing and valves not closing when they are supose to, if this doesnt change anything then go with head removal
let us know how it goes.
Henry

I'm getting compression in every cylinder except cylinder 3. The timing belt is lined up perfectly and correctly this time. I'll make a final test before taking my engine apart though, thanks!

Nope, back that shit up right there.

Tear that fucker down and fix it. BMW didn't build it like that.

I'm trying to see on realOEM the part that im missing, but It doesn't show up. regardless it's not the distributor :(

[DaveSmed]

Still have your engine lifting lug?

[lolcantturn]

Still have your engine lifting lug?

Is that what goes between the distributor? If so, then nope.

In the process of taking the head out, I found this underneath the valve cover...Must be some sort of necklace? :nice:


I didn't get a chance to remove the head however, kinda sucks on this nice day. My 3/8ths ratchet looked like it was about to snap trying to remove the headbolts so I have to go to the hardware store tomorrow and get a 1/2 inch ratchet.

[98turbo]

I was just gonna suggest that. My car had the same problem it felt like it was running off 4 cylinders

[StereoInstaller1]

Is that what goes between the distributor? If so, then nope.

In the process of taking the head out, I found this underneath the valve cover...Must be some sort of necklace? :nice:


I didn't get a chance to remove the head however, kinda sucks on this nice day. My 3/8ths ratchet looked like it was about to snap trying to remove the headbolts so I have to go to the hardware store tomorrow and get a 1/2 inch ratchet.

Mystery solved!

and yeah, get that lift point bracket back in there. If you don't like the look, cut it down, but your distributor needs that to maintain proper alignment. You are gonna destroy crap in there quickly.

[lolcantturn]

Mystery solved!

and yeah, get that lift point bracket back in there. If you don't like the look, cut it down, but your distributor needs that to maintain proper alignment. You are gonna destroy crap in there quickly.

Yep yep!
I've actually never seen that engine bracket lift point, I wonder why the PO would remove it?? Gotta head to Guten and get a new one.

On the other hand..





My valves look ok right? I'm not sure how obvious a bent valve looks like. (yes im aware my coolant passage is not good)

[lolcantturn]

IT STARTS!!!
i am single handedly the most happiest person alive right now.
swapped the head out and rewired C191. put the new head back in, checked compression on one cylinder only, 140psi. fucking awesome. I hooked up only the electrical connections needed to start the engine, with the exhaust manifold only mocked on. primed the fuel, all the coolant hoses were not even attached to my engine. turned the key, started IMMEDIATELY, like instantanous. I only let it run for .4 of a second since coolant was probably going to rush out and my exhaust manifold wasn't on properly, but im so fucking happy right now.


this a big lesson that I think every E30 owner goes through. DIAGNOSE, DIAGNOSE, DIAGNOSE, DIAGNOSE. That is IMPERATIVE if you want to come out alive from E30s..

[sticksdaman]

kudos! this is inspiration to me as i am tackling a recent no start myself

[DaveSmed]

Nice! glad to hear it's alive!

Diagnosis isn't just an E30 thing, it has to do with everything and it is the hardest part of working on shit. Anybody can throw parts at a problem.

[The Dough]

Nice work