Bogging Problem

[LegionHelium]

Next I decided to do the "mess under the intake" thing. My vaccum hoses where absolutely terrible. They were hardly connected to each other at all. They were all split at the ends. So after that I start her up and she seems to run fine so I go for a test drive and the idle is really rough again and it is still bogging. It doesn't seem as bad though, but its still really bad. I noticed that when I came to a stop light and was at idle for a minute the check engine light came on. I did the stomp test and got code 1222.
Accounding to this article (http://e30world.com/fuel/BMW-E30-DME...ic-fault-codes) that means:
1222 - Lambda control fault code is produced when Motronic system in Bosch control unit receives signal indicating that air/fuel mixture is either excessively rich or excessively lean for period of time loner then 10 seconds. Majority of the causes that affect drivability of the car can be responsible for DME flashing this error:
air leak
defective Air Flow Meter ( AFM)
bad engine temperature sensor
incorrect fuel pressure
problem with injector(s)
defective evaporation system
empty gas tank
issue with spark plugs
problem with valves
etc.

So since defective evaporation system and air leak are listed it makes me feel like I did the mess under the intake wrong. I've read that article and can't see what I did wrong. I do see that my car is different then others though. There is no heater plate and my throttle body does not have the line that runs to the valve cover. The intake elbow does have two connections though so I routed the valve cover to the intake elbow connection closest to the TB and the other one obviously still goes to the icv.

Ideas?

[Ceeker]

did you replace your valve cover gasket and the o-rings around the spark plugs? vacuum leak from the cover can also cause rough engine idle. The most common problem with the M42 in my experience is vacuum leaks due to old vacuum lines. Check ALL possible vacuum leaks.

the 2nd problem I encountered with mine as the fuel pressure dropping under load- changed my fuel pump and everything was fine.

since you did that- check the vacuum lines again to make sure everything is routed properly and has a secure seal.

[LegionHelium]

Thanks it looks like the vacuum lines I am using are not strong enough or not the correct type or something. They are collapsing in on themselves. The are labeled Anti-Smog/PCV Hose. I'll have to get some better hoses.

[LegionHelium]

Ok, i replaced the vacuum hose and it seems to be running better now. I took it for a drive and it was bogging a bit and sluggish but after hitting the rev limiter a few times it sparked back to life. Thanks for everyone's help. I'm going to take it for a nice long drive later. I'll report back with my impression but I'm hoping this is resolved.

[LegionHelium]

Nope, still not running right, idle is crap, everything else seems fine though. Still throwing the CEL at stop lights. Got me to work (~20 miles) without a problem though. I'll start looking into M42 idle issue as there are a million of those threads out there. Once I get it fixed I will post up what finally got it.

[mr ilia]

Possibilies: Bad ignition coil or coils, spark plug wires, AFM, vac leak in the lower and upper intake manifold, crank and cam positon sensors.

Check/replace/re-check the above and report back. It should be something simple...it seems like it is not mechanical, but rather electric issue.

Also - check code 1222 basically is untraceble, ECU throuths this code when there is something is wrong, and there is no proper code to flash.

Oh yes, do this simple test, from under the hood, unplug your o2 sensor and drive around, look for changes...you will have constant CEL, but it would not anything bad.

[LegionHelium]

Thanks, its got a COP kit so no coils or wires, coil packs are basically new but I have an extra set I could try. I'm going to redo all the intake gaskets I guess. Then i will try the sensors you mentioned. I appreciate you help!

[mr ilia]

Thanks, its got a COP kit so no coils or wires, coil packs are basically new but I have an extra set I could try. I'm going to redo all the intake gaskets I guess. Then i will try the sensors you mentioned. I appreciate you help!

I have a seen a lot of cars with COP having similar symptoms like yours. They all were saiyng it is not COP related....I never believe their statement was 100% innocent.

Swich back to coils and see if its helped.

[LegionHelium]

Ok cool, I will do that, thanks!
I actually have a second set of Coil on plugs I will use. Not sure where the old coil packs and wires are but I can dig them up if that recommended.

[smyleboyd]

Any updates?

[Schwartz-e30]

hey guys, I know this thread is a bit on the old side however I just purchased this 318is from my buddy John (LegionHelium).

Drove it around for the evening and consistently was bogging down and would hessitate around 2200 RPM all the way up and never had smooth power. This leads me to believe that it is a coil issue, OR a vacum leak... just reiterating what the entire thread suggests.

When I parked the car for the night, I noticed some steam coming out of the hood. Opened it up and could hear a hissing sound coming from just below the top of the intake manifold. There wasnt a ton of steam, but it is something to comment on.

also, any additional help with this issue would be great. This thing will be the perfect DD once the issue is resolved.

Thanks

[LegionHelium]

Alex, I have some extra COP kit stuff I think, if I didn't give it to you when you picked up the car. I'll take a look at home tonight. I think I might have a whole extra COP somewhere.

[Schwartz-e30]

Sweet deal, thanks man!

Also, for everyone else, I took the intake "runners" (for lack of a better term) off and found a few things of interest.

1st was the fact that there wasnt a hose from the FPR on the left to the throttle body valve... Could this be greatly affecting the performance?

2nd I found a fair amount of coolant in this picture below. I cannot for the life of me find where its coming from... It is my understanding that the seam just below/behind all the coolant is just from the intake manifold to the block. (air only) maybe Im wrong but any help would once again be appreciated.

[Schwartz-e30]

oh, dissregard that second one. It was just to show that the FPR was not connected to anything.

[Schwartz-e30]

update for anyone in the future - FIXED with a new T-stat and new spark plugs. Also while I was in there I replaced the plastic coolant piece since it was cracked and leaking.

She runs very well now.