Hey everyone! Been searching for solutions to my problem but at this point I'm coming to the forums to ask for help. The car is an automatic 1987 325is. Here's what I've got going on
Problems started initially as the car not holding an idle, stalling at stop lights. It had been driving fine but became worse after I pulled the ICV and AFM to be cleaned. Parked the car as it was undrivable and I didn't have the time to work on it then.
I started by replacing the FPR, the coolant temperature sensor, and the valve cover gasket. The gasket was replaced mainly because I hadn't replaced it recently, and I had noticed oil in the plug channels. The old coolant temp sensor was oxidized. The gas gauge had been malfunctioning and I believed the FPR there was original so I replaced that as well.
The idle became better, but still not great. Next replaced was the AFM, which didn't change anything. Fuel filter was replaced. Car was giving code 1222, so I replaced the O2 sensor (old one was extremely dirty). At this point the car would start and run, but suddenly lacked any sort of power above 1/3 throttle. Replaced the plugs, old were dry but blackened. I performed a dry compression test at some point this day, returning numbers of 120, 118, 118, 115, 112, 110.
Replaced top oil return tube O-ring, cleaned the oil out from the TPS (there was a lot) and drill a hole in the circular boss on the case. Adjusted the TPS. After putting everything back together this time, the car would not run. It would crank and start, but would not run. I unplugged the AFM and it started and ran. A short drive up and down the street confirmed it still lacked power above 1/3 throttle, unless hitting the kickdown button. The engine would run okay if throttled in neutral. Upon getting home the stomp code was returning 1215, which I assume was because the code hadn't been reset from running with the AFM unplugged. The car wouldn't start with the AFM plugged in.
So here's where I'm at. Breather hose is cracked and I'm ordering a replacement, but I don't think that's the culprit to everything
In the last week I've replaced:
Fuel Filter
O2
Valve cover gasket
Plugs
AFM
FPR
Coolant temp sensor
In the last 6,000 miles I've replaced
Water pump
thermostat
6 valves
3 rocker arms
head gasket
timing belt
tensioner
couple aux belts
aux fan
Timing was spot on upon replacing the belt, car ran very well. Head was professionally cleaned, had valve adjustments done, and had the bottom milled before re-installation.
At this point I think it could be
Injectors
AFM wiring
vacuum leak still (intake manifold gasket possibly?)
Fuel pump
Bad rings (LOTS of blowby with oil in intake boot and AFM)
But I'm tired of throwing money at it and not getting anywhere. I probably need to check the fuel pressure, but what would that test tell me? The vacuum hose from the FPR to the throttle body is clean. I'm about to go check the C191 plug and make sure thats clean. Any other plugs I should clean? I wish I had another stomp code to use but the car won't start without the AFM unplugged and that stores 1215 upon starting.
Any help is appreciated! I'll do whatever I can to answer questions and hopefully get a video of the car running up here shortly. Thanks!
Problems started initially as the car not holding an idle, stalling at stop lights. It had been driving fine but became worse after I pulled the ICV and AFM to be cleaned. Parked the car as it was undrivable and I didn't have the time to work on it then.
I started by replacing the FPR, the coolant temperature sensor, and the valve cover gasket. The gasket was replaced mainly because I hadn't replaced it recently, and I had noticed oil in the plug channels. The old coolant temp sensor was oxidized. The gas gauge had been malfunctioning and I believed the FPR there was original so I replaced that as well.
The idle became better, but still not great. Next replaced was the AFM, which didn't change anything. Fuel filter was replaced. Car was giving code 1222, so I replaced the O2 sensor (old one was extremely dirty). At this point the car would start and run, but suddenly lacked any sort of power above 1/3 throttle. Replaced the plugs, old were dry but blackened. I performed a dry compression test at some point this day, returning numbers of 120, 118, 118, 115, 112, 110.
Replaced top oil return tube O-ring, cleaned the oil out from the TPS (there was a lot) and drill a hole in the circular boss on the case. Adjusted the TPS. After putting everything back together this time, the car would not run. It would crank and start, but would not run. I unplugged the AFM and it started and ran. A short drive up and down the street confirmed it still lacked power above 1/3 throttle, unless hitting the kickdown button. The engine would run okay if throttled in neutral. Upon getting home the stomp code was returning 1215, which I assume was because the code hadn't been reset from running with the AFM unplugged. The car wouldn't start with the AFM plugged in.
So here's where I'm at. Breather hose is cracked and I'm ordering a replacement, but I don't think that's the culprit to everything
In the last week I've replaced:
Fuel Filter
O2
Valve cover gasket
Plugs
AFM
FPR
Coolant temp sensor
In the last 6,000 miles I've replaced
Water pump
thermostat
6 valves
3 rocker arms
head gasket
timing belt
tensioner
couple aux belts
aux fan
Timing was spot on upon replacing the belt, car ran very well. Head was professionally cleaned, had valve adjustments done, and had the bottom milled before re-installation.
At this point I think it could be
Injectors
AFM wiring
vacuum leak still (intake manifold gasket possibly?)
Fuel pump
Bad rings (LOTS of blowby with oil in intake boot and AFM)
But I'm tired of throwing money at it and not getting anywhere. I probably need to check the fuel pressure, but what would that test tell me? The vacuum hose from the FPR to the throttle body is clean. I'm about to go check the C191 plug and make sure thats clean. Any other plugs I should clean? I wish I had another stomp code to use but the car won't start without the AFM unplugged and that stores 1215 upon starting.
Any help is appreciated! I'll do whatever I can to answer questions and hopefully get a video of the car running up here shortly. Thanks!
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