Mike's Alpine White 1991 318is

[mike.bmw]

I changed the transmission oil in my 1991 BMW 318iS today and made a little video: https://youtu.be/OuJUq-BsTlw

20241110-Screenshot 2024-11-10 at 3.02.13 PM by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

Another video! This time I changed the rear differential oil: https://youtu.be/qKAm0Pe9hzk

The 318is has been running the best it ever has. I'm still in a bit of disbelief. I didn't know it could be this good.

20241013-DSC_5550 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20241013-DSC_5538 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

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20241013-DSC_5599 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

Today I replaced the O2 sensor, which corrected cold-start stumbling and operating-temp idle drops when coming to a stop. After all the work I've done over the past three weeks, the M42 is running the best it ever has in my 8.5 years of ownership.

Here's a short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGhxsaeDiV8

[mike.bmw]

A short video about changing 318is (M42) accessory belts: https://youtu.be/KrCajT8-ZL4?si=MEw5BzLjQZNXDe57

[mike.bmw]

Did I see this car at Kate's Cars and Coffee in Northern VA today?

Yep! :-)

20241005-DSC_3591 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[Turbo30]

Did I see this car at Kate's Cars and Coffee in Northern VA today?

[Northern]

And let's see if the embedded version works on r3v....

I love the optimism

[mike.bmw]

After 8.5 years (and after replacing it with all OEM parts after I bought the car) I have bypassed the mess under the intake. I put together a short video showing the reassembly, what's removed, and the routing of the new (1) cooilant line and (2) vacuum lines.

Direct youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut-LfV6KIdc

And let's see if the embedded version works on r3v....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ut-LfV6KIdc?si=V2iI40pLrodHmDIF" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[mike.bmw]

A little something something in last week's BimmerLife feature: https://bimmerlife.com/2024/09/10/se...-a-1991-318is/

20231229-DSC_5881 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

I had a pulsing idle which would bounce between 600 and 900 rpm. My first thought: vacuum leak. But it wasn't a vacuum leak!

I used a smoke machine to test for vacuum leaks. There were none. For good measure I retorqued the upper and lower intake manifold bolts, and the throttle body to intake manifold bolts.

PXL_20240911_160719162 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240911_162014581 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I discovered it only happened when accessories like the fan or lights were turned on, so I looked at the alternator belt tension. This is when I disovered the lower alternator bolt was "free" and the nut was missing. I installed a new alternator in the beginning of 2023, so apparently I didn't tighten that bolt enough. Oops.

PXL_20240912_182605116 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240912_183748978 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I fixed the alternator mounting and properly tensioned the belt.

I installed a new voltage regulator and alternator ground bolt.

PXL_20240914_170437440 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240914_171917019 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I cleaned and swapped ICVs numerous times.

I swapped multiple DMEs, one of which has a bad coil driver.

PXL_20240913_181053706 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240913_181729362 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240913_180929257 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I swapped multiple ignition coils.

PXL_20240913_200036767 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I tested the AFM, TPS, and ICV with a multimeter. I readjusted the throttle body stop screw, which had worked itself loose last year.

And finally, I installed new spark plugs.

PXL_20240916_214545351 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240916_214935569 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

The voltage regulator and spark plugs had the biggest impact, really smoothing out idle in all situations. Catching the loose alternator mounting bolt was a blessing as that could have been catastrophic left unattended. Even with the stock DME, chip, and ignition coils, the car is running better than it has in a while.

Random E30 photo time!

20240913-DSC_1427 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240913-DSC_1442 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240913-DSC_1450 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

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20240721-DSC_8979-2 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240721-DSC_9025 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

Do you have an automotive project that you've put off until next year? Did “next year” turn into almost ten? I’ve owned my 1991 318iS for eight-and-a-half years, and for the duration of that ownership I’ve been saying that I would recover my ripped and torn driver’s seat “next year.” It’s something that time and time again has been demoted to lowest priority amidst other projects.

I typically don’t shy away from a challenge, but I had major reservations undertaking this project. Thankfully, my friend Jerry Valega, whose 1986 325e I wrote about earlier this year, offered to showcase his skills and restore my driver’s seat. Jerry has plenty of experience, having repaired at least twenty sets of BMW sport seats, with the results of his first BMW interior restoration still residing in his beloved 325e. He has specialized tools, spare parts, and strategies for handling what lies beneath the surface, making even the most horrendous seats look, feel, and operate like new.

I watched Jerry work his magic and couldn't be happier with how the seat turned out. His work speaks for itself...

The old seat:

20240527-DSC_4542 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240524-DSC_3288 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Loaded up and heading to Jerry's:

20240527-DSC_4580 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

New upholstery:

20240527-DSC_4564 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240521-DSC_3260 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Right to work:

20240527-DSC_4588 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240527-DSC_4721 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240527-DSC_4710 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

All done!

20240528-DSC_4765 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

Hey Mike, I randomly thought of this for a different buddy, but figured I would also pass it to you. Not sure if you are into day drives, but I used to do them often when I lived in NoVA. I wanted to suggest one. From NoVA it's Point of Rocks > Cunningham Falls > High Rock > The Gettysburger > back home, all along scenic Route 15. Just a good way to spend 4 hours.

I will have to do this, thanks!

[Vantablack]

Hey Mike, I randomly thought of this for a different buddy, but figured I would also pass it to you. Not sure if you are into day drives, but I used to do them often when I lived in NoVA. I wanted to suggest one. From NoVA it's Point of Rocks > Cunningham Falls > High Rock > The Gettysburger > back home, all along scenic Route 15. Just a good way to spend 4 hours.

[mike.bmw]

Every year I get a little jealous when you share your coverage of the Vintage. Easily one of the best events I've attended. Seems like every year is rainy though.

It's such a great weekend of fun with classic BMWs. I've only been to the past four events, but it always seems to rain for at least one of the days. Given the forecast for this year's event, we lucked out. It was overcast and cool on Saturday, with only some rain on the drive back to Asheville after the show.

Stay tuned for the full story! It should be published in September. :-)

[Reichart12]

Every year I get a little jealous when you share your coverage of the Vintage. Easily one of the best events I've attended. Seems like every year is rainy though.