Oops...lol

[bmwman91]

Already gave the idle sprocket a good look over. Its in good shape. I did not replace the timing equipment yet. I was doing it now, but with the knocking coming from elsewhere Im holding off.

Picking up a hoist to hold the motor while I remove the upper pan. I want to check out the bearings before I go any further. It's not looking good.

Yikes. Well, it's good that you are willing to do your due diligence and check things properly. If the bottom end is yucky...maybe it's time for a stroker?

[jntar]

Yikes. Well, it's good that you are willing to do your due diligence and check things properly. If the bottom end is yucky...maybe it's time for a stroker?

Honestly I don't have the money right now. My flight training has demolished any type of budget I once had.


On another note. I drained the oil through a filter and found no metal. I did find two small chunks of plastic from the bottom timing guide. Still waiting to pick up that hoist. In the mean time I have placed the turbo kit up as a tentative sale. If the motor work ends up being minor I'll keep it, if it's a full rebuild it's getting swapped for an s50. Love the turbo m42 but sometimes you have to do what's financially reasonable.

[bmwman91]

Well, fingers are crossed for you that it was just the busted guide or something else minor!

[jntar]

Good news! Rod bearings are fine.

Bad news! I have no idea wtf this noise is lol!


Still need to get this stuck water pump off and we'll go from there.

[bmwman91]

Well, that is good. It might just be all that worn out original timing equipment. It can be really hard to target where a noise is coming from on a running engine.

I still say swap in a later M42 timing case that uses a guide rail instead of that stupid idler sprocket (it IS a time bomb that will blow eventually). You can fined them used for like $50 probably. It does make the job 2x as shitty, but you can at least have peace of mind that the sprocket isn't there waiting to screw you over! The original sprocket in mine blew out its bearings at around 200k miles, and then the boss that the replacement sprocket mounted to snapped off the timing case at around 220k miles. A number of other M42's have had similar bad experiences.

Anyway, if you are at that point where you are saying "F it" to any additional complication then ignore me and just get it back together and enjoy it!

[jntar]

Well, that is good. It might just be all that worn out original timing equipment. It can be really hard to target where a noise is coming from on a running engine.

I still say swap in a later M42 timing case that uses a guide rail instead of that stupid idler sprocket (it IS a time bomb that will blow eventually). You can fined them used for like $50 probably. It does make the job 2x as shitty, but you can at least have peace of mind that the sprocket isn't there waiting to screw you over! The original sprocket in mine blew out its bearings at around 200k miles, and then the boss that the replacement sprocket mounted to snapped off the timing case at around 220k miles. A number of other M42's have had similar bad experiences.

Anyway, if you are at that point where you are saying "F it" to any additional complication then ignore me and just get it back together and enjoy it!

I put all the new timing guides in with a new tensioner. If when I fire it up my noise is gone I'll order the parts to convert. It's a good idea and I'd like to, but I want to see the end of this noise before I throw any further funds at this motor. I have already found an s52 and trans for extremely cheap so its possible everything will be pulled.

[jntar]

Whew! new water pump on, new guide rails on. Now to button up the pans and covers to see if we are successful.

Had to use heat and a mini sledge!

[bmwman91]

The big driver side guide rail you replaced was the original metal one right? Did the new plastic rail also come with a new 45mm socket cap screw? The old one used a 40mm screw and you need to use a 45mm one with the newer guide or it will strip out the threads in the head. Happened to me years ago, was weak sauce!

S52 E30.....mmmmmmmm. That would be a lot of fun, and a hell of a sleeper.

[jntar]

I feel like an idiot. Tracked the noise down to the flywheel/trans. Pulling it now.

[bmwman91]

What do you suspect it is?

[jntar]

What do you suspect it is?

Not sure but I'm leaning to either a stuck pinion in the starter or something with the flywheel, clutch, tob combo.

[jntar]

Turns out the flywheel had two to three bolts that were under torque spec. Weird because I know I used the correct settings. Oh well, its on there and the noise is gone. Now I'm fighting with a new issue. The car fires up and idles perfect, but once its warm or you put load on the engine it feels like its misfiring. Once this happens it wont hold idle without giving it throttle.
When the turbo went on the car got the following.
New 42lbs injectors
New HQ auto sports cop
New TRE 255 lph fuel pump
New fuel filter

Replaced the plugs because they were a bit dark and it's still happening. Going to test swap a couple of good coils and test.

[bmwman91]

Did you connect the loose single-wire plug up on the firewall under the plastic cover? A lot of people see the connector loose and connect it, which is not supposed to be connected on cars with O2 sensors.

[jntar]

Did you connect the loose single-wire plug up on the firewall under the plastic cover? A lot of people see the connector loose and connect it, which is not supposed to be connected on cars with O2 sensors.

I'm running megasquirt with a wideband. That connection does nothing on my car.

[jntar]

Ok so I checked the coils and found the #3 cyl isn't firing under load. Swapped coils and it still is misfiring.
Tomorrow I'm going to swap injectors and see if the misfire moves. Should help diagnose a bad injector. If that isn't it, then I'm clueless.