Hard starting/running very rough/wont rev past 2K HELP!!!

[EEE30BRKLVR]

Just picked up a 1987 325is. The car was in a minor front end collision. It is currently in a non-running state with the symtoms stated above. Can any of you point me in the right direction here? What should I do first before I start throwing money at this problem? Am I having a fuel delivery problem? Could the timing belt be off or not on right. Car cranks fine gets a very good spark But once it does finally start the problems in the title is all it does. Please give me a hand here.

Abe

[moatilliatta]

Crank sensor, Or sprocket.

[Fidhle007]

Massive vacuum leak, faulty AFM, a host of other things...

Has it thrown any codes yet?

[EEE30BRKLVR]

Massive vacuum leak, faulty AFM, a host of other things...

Has it thrown any codes yet?

I'm going to check tomorrow. How do I do the check process? Is it the same as the press the gas pedal one on the later model E30s? Can you direct me to the lambada code check write up?

Abe

[SpecM]

I'm going to check tomorrow. How do I do the check process? Is it the same as the press the gas pedal one on the later model E30s? Can you direct me to the lambada code check write up?

Abe

87i's had motronic 1.1, there are not much you can get from them in terms of codes

I doubt its your lambada senser

You need to start checking things. Check fuel pressure, compression, spark, timing... check the stuff out.

[HST]

Shit that could be tons of things. I'd start with vacuum leaks, check the intake boot and all around there. Check the TPS for sure. Spark plugs are cheap. It does not read from the O2 sensor until the sensor warms up so I doubt it is that. I also like crank sensor, plug wires, distributor, coil pack, ECU, injector harness, injectors, AFM. This is why I like to keep a parts car around.

[HST]

Another thought is to check your grounds, I've seen bad grounds cause all kinds of weird stuff.

[EEE30BRKLVR]

Thanks for all the help. I'm going to start with checking my fuel pump relay. Then go from there. I'll do the laundry list check process you guys are suggesting. Thanks.

Abe

[sticksdaman]

id go with the AFM sounds similar to the symptoms i was experiencing when mine crapped out.

[Fidhle007]

Unplug your afm with the motor running and make note of what changes. Also remove your oil cap and see if it dies out at all.

[EEE30BRKLVR]

Ok. Distributor, cap, rotor are fine. All plugs are clean and unfouled. Crank sensor wiring was not severed or frayed. Tomorrow I will clean the ICV, AFM, and TPS. If I can get the car to idle with out dying I will check for vacumn leaks. I'm going to reinstall the exhaust manifolds as well. One thing I did find out. The fuel pump relay is bad I think. When I have the key in the on position the pump is primed but it will barley start. I bridged 30 and 87 with a piece of wire and I can hear the fuel pump come on and start working. The motor starts MUCH easier but still runs very rough and still won't rev past 2K. So tomorrow is another day. I will update you guys with what I find out.

Abe

[E30SPDFRK]

Fuel filter.

$5 says I'm right :p

[EEE30BRKLVR]

Fuel filter.

$5 says I'm right :p

Checking that tomorrow as well. If you are right I will Paypal you a crispy Lincoln.:nice:

Abe

[Fidhle007]

I'm not sure your fuel pump will run without the motor running so the relay may be fine, but to be sure, you can always swap it with another relay from a less critical location (lights or something) and see if anything improves.

[EEE30BRKLVR]

I'm not sure your fuel pump will run without the motor running so the relay may be fine, but to be sure, you can always swap it with another relay from a less critical location (lights or something) and see if anything improves.

Really? I heard it running. I guess it could have been the in tank pump maybe? The sound I heard was definatley coming from the driverside rear and outside the car where the primary pump is located.

Abe