M42 vs M44

[jex]

What is the easiest way to tell which is which? I have reason to believe the 91 318is I recently purchased has the M44.

Here is why:
The PO told me that a new motor from BMW was installed at 100k. The car now has 177k. I noticed some wiring at the ECU wasn't as "neat" as it should be from the factory. Also, I noticed the oil filter housing looked a little different, and the top of it was one whole plastic piece that screwed into the housing. Today I went to change the oil, and the oil filter is smaller than the M42 oil filter. I know I bought the correct oil filter for M42 (this is the 2nd 318is I have had).

Anyways, Is there anything else I could check to confirm what motor this is? Thanks!

[asubimmer]

pic?

[jex]

The motor looks just like an M42...at least so much so that a pic won't help.
It IS the M44 oil filter housing, I'm just wondering if there is anything else I can check.

[dude8383]

Does it have an EGR sensor on the exhaust side of the head?

Also, the design of the intake manifold is different than the m42.

check out

https://www.m42club.com

[AdamF 88iS]

Does it have an EGR sensor on the exhaust side of the head?

Also, the design of the intake manifold is different than the m42.

check out

www.m42club.com

It's an air vavle for the secondary air system, not EGR. And, if it's in an E30 it probably has an E30 intake manifold on it anyhow.

The oil filter housings are interchangable. The plastic cap housing superceded the metal one a looong time ago. Metal ones are no longer available. That explains why a new motor from BMW would have the later style one.

The best way to be sure is to pull the valve cover off. M44s have a crazy trick valve train with roller rockers and lubrication system built into the valve cover, etc etc. M42s are just straight forward cam-to-bucket valvetrain.

[kowalski]

or, the m44 valve cover has the breather hose on the fire wall end of the valve cover, and the m42 has the breather hose on the front end of the valve cover.

[AdamF 88iS]

or, the m44 valve cover has the breather hose on the fire wall end of the valve cover, and the m42 has the breather hose on the front end of the valve cover.

True, but there are some in-between oddball M42s that have the later breather hose position, after 9/93 production.

[red318is]

often times i wish my motor wasnt so darn confusing. nobody seems to even know what an m42 is except on this board :(

[Boosted E30]

[quote=AdamF 88iS;740633] And, if it's in an E30 it probably has an E30 intake manifold on it anyhow. quote]


Not true you can run the later style manifold with some mods it does fit.

[619E30]

Pic?