Replace?

[Bimmerboy91]

so with spring break comming up for me, i have a list of things that i need to do to my car. A couple of them im not sure about and i searched around.

Distributor Rotor and Cap, when do i know when i should change it? i have looked at them and the Cap's terminals looked pretty rough. and the rotor showed like it was burnt on its tip. but its been about 2 months since i last saw it, i believe. so what kind of symtoms would i have if its failing? i sometimes get the bucking and the hesitaiton.

Oxygen Sensor, what kind of symtoms would i have when its failing or if it has failed? i heard it was every 100k, to replace. i dont have the lambda control on my car since its an ETA, so i cant tell. i notice a really strong gasoline smell coming from the exhaust when the car is cold and a little when the car is warm.

ill add some more things as i get through my list.

thanks guys

[Jean]

The list of things to replace on an old e30 could get out of hand quite fast.....

Do you have records of what was replaced recently ? I would start with basics first. When you drive the car, what doesn't feel right ?....shocks, brakes, power, steering etc etc...

[uofom3]

so with spring break comming up for me, i have a list of things that i need to do to my car. A couple of them im not sure about and i searched around.

Distributor Rotor and Cap, when do i know when i should change it? i have looked at them and the Cap's terminals looked pretty rough. and the rotor showed like it was burnt on its tip. but its been about 2 months since i last saw it, i believe. so what kind of symtoms would i have if its failing? i sometimes get the bucking and the hesitaiton.

Oxygen Sensor, what kind of symtoms would i have when its failing or if it has failed? i heard it was every 100k, to replace. i dont have the lambda control on my car since its an ETA, so i cant tell. i notice a really strong gasoline smell coming from the exhaust when the car is cold and a little when the car is warm.

ill add some more things as i get through my list.

thanks guys

Your o2 is likely shot. The gas smell at cold start is not really bad, it's just rich at cold start.

I'd do the cap/rotor/wires as it's not super expensive. I'd check the plugs while you're at it.

Check the airfilter while you're at it if you are going to basic maintenance.

[Elephant]

so with spring break comming up for me, i have a list of things that i need to do to my car. A couple of them im not sure about and i searched around.

Distributor Rotor and Cap, when do i know when i should change it? i have looked at them and the Cap's terminals looked pretty rough. and the rotor showed like it was burnt on its tip. but its been about 2 months since i last saw it, i believe. so what kind of symtoms would i have if its failing? i sometimes get the bucking and the hesitaiton.

Oxygen Sensor, what kind of symtoms would i have when its failing or if it has failed? i heard it was every 100k, to replace. i dont have the lambda control on my car since its an ETA, so i cant tell. i notice a really strong gasoline smell coming from the exhaust when the car is cold and a little when the car is warm.

ill add some more things as i get through my list.

thanks guys

With respect to engine, I'd replace items based on budget and known history. Assuming you have basically no history and your budget is reasonable I do (in no particluar order as I'd do them all):

1. Cap/rotor
2. plugs (standard NGK, never run Bosch Platinums!)
3. ICV
4. O2 sensor
5. air filter, oil filter/change
6. tbelt/h20 pump
7. coolant temp sensor (the blue one)
8. Cold start injector (sorry, I wasn't paying attention, does this car have one?)

Additional parts which, if original, are likely to need replacing/service:

1. Rubber elbow/intake boot
2. Vacuum hoses
3. Do a valve adjustment (and replace the gaskets)
4. Have your injectors cleaned

Some of these thing may seem over the top but there's basic parts in a good tune up and then there's some extras. Do whatever you can afford to do starting with that first list. If you can't do the entire first list the first things you can cut out, if done recently, are tbelt/water pump.

Cheers.

[Bimmerboy91]

i have no prior record of the car. except some records that date back to its last service which i believe was around '94. anyway, the previous owner told me that the timing belt was done in june of '07 and i checked the t-belt and it looks pretty new. and well the title of the thread can be misleading. the list is more of a routine serivice or a to do list.

But what doesnt feel right is when it bucks and hesitates with light throttle, hard starts when cold and warm, its , low (600rpm) and unstable idle (meaning it sometimes idles at one speed most of the time, then idles at another) a lot of gear whine and gear rattle in the trans (which its probably needs new fuild both trans and diff) the clunking that occurs when it bucks.

[Jean]

Check / replace the throttle cable, check the TPS, check the tb to afm boot, clean the afm, change plugs.
Check engine/tranny mounts.

[Bimmerboy91]

what kind of things should i check for on the tps?

[Jean]

Search on how to verify if it's working correctly and how to adjust it for proper operation. Also, clean the ICV if you haven't already. It may also be affecting your idle.

[Bimmerboy91]

what about hard starts when the engine is warm? sometimes it will take me 2 trys so that it can start on its own. or most of the time i just give it some gas untill it idles at its regular 600 rpm spot.

so this is what im going to do to it so far or what im planning:

1) oil change and oil filter
2) spark plugs, distributor rotor and cap
3) O2 sensor
4) fuel filter
5) transmission and differential fluid change. (Any recommendations for fluids?)
6) Valve adjustment


so thats so far what im going to do. but im also wanting to know if all of this is really needed?

[Jean]

Don't forget to inspect the ICV and the AFM, maybe even clean them, won't hurt. As far as what you listed, if you have no idea when the last time it was done then do it, none of that stuff is too expensive.

[Elephant]

On my former iX I cleaned the ICV a few times...it was always temporary, finally I replaced it and what a difference it made.

Make sure you add vacuum leak checks to your list!

The TPS is switch, it either works or it doesn't. You can check the resistance, the Bentley has the specs. And of course if you don't have a Bentley, get one. ; )

Cheers.

[Bimmerboy91]

what are the symtoms of a failing Water Temp. Sensor? i think that mine could be the source for it having trouble starting when its warm

[Bimmerboy91]

also does my o2 sensor have a connector or do have to wire everything in?

[Elephant]

The O2 sensor does have a connector for easy changing (which of course does not include removal from the header : )).

On my iX when the coolant temp sensor started to fail it would idle erratically...high, then low, stumbling. It would refuse to start, even when hot, would stall when I pushed the gas pedal. I had to pull over once because it was stumbling so badly, the it stalled, would not restart. I sat for 15mins or so before it would finally restart.

Cheers.

[TopOfTheLine89]

Has a connector^, now go order a bentley or even buy a haynes at autozone, it has all the information your asking for about what to be replaced when.