Warm start issue and check engine light 1222 code

[Trelos]

Ok need some help diagnosing code 1222
A hot/warm start issue, and check engine light after warming up and idling for a couple min.

Specs
89 325i
Major mods:
Schrick 284 cam
ported and polished head
Dinan chip (old from probably ‘99)
Supersprint headers and cat back.
BMP fuel press regulator
Lots of other small things.

Car sat for 5 years and was resurrected 2 years ago. Has not been driven often, and this issue has persisted since getting back on road.

So far I’ve replaced:
Plugs
Plug wires
o2 sensor
Air flow meeter.
Also removed and cleaned ICV

ICV makes a whistle sound sometimes. Pretty sure it’s working because it buzzes when key is in and it clicks when you disconnect and reconnect while idiling.

Smells like it’s running rich, also big puff of whiteish smoke from tailpipe on hot start.
See vids below for more

https://youtu.be/0CNktMdpgu4

https://youtu.be/H0E-aUayN9U

https://youtu.be/HZhaPx_40gc

https://youtu.be/4Vy34arBv88

[dnguyen1963]

The first troubleshooting item should be smoke-test for vacuum leaks. Don't do anything else until this is done.

[Trelos]

Made a smoke tester out of a soldering iron, mason jar some clear tubing, a rubber glove and a bike pump....turns out my valve cover gasket has more holes than a gold digger’s diaphragm.

Watch:

https://youtu.be/OSJTHCKmVl8

[zaq123]

Made a smoke tester out of a soldering iron, mason jar some clear tubing, a rubber glove and a bike pump....turns out my valve cover gasket has more holes than a gold digger’s diaphragm.

Watch:
https://youtu.be/OSJTHCKmVl8

Obviously it is good that you found your potential oil leak area, Leaking valve cover won't give you any idle issues. Where are you pushing the smoke? You need to push it into the vacuum system, everything after TB butterfly. Unplug the crank breather hose at the valve cover and plug that hose if you are pushing the smoke into the intake box. Best way is to undo the intake boot and cap/plug your TB. Unless your IN valve seals are gone, you shouldn't be getting smoke under the valve cover when .

[Trelos]

Obviously it is good that you found your potential oil leak area, Leaking valve cover won't give you any idle issues. Where are you pushing the smoke? You need to push it into the vacuum system, everything after TB butterfly. Unplug the crank breather hose at the valve cover and plug that hose if you are pushing the smoke into the intake box. Best way is to undo the intake boot and cap/plug your TB. Unless your IN valve seals are gone, you shouldn't be getting smoke under the valve cover when .

Smoke was coming out of back of valve cover, near the rocker arm plugs I think.

You can see it on video attached on my above post.

[zaq123]

Smoke was coming out of back of valve cover, near the rocker arm plugs I think.

You can see it on video attached on my above post.

I get it...just saying that it is an oil leak, not a vacuum leak that will mess up your idle. Where are you introducing the smoke?

[Trelos]

I get it...just saying that it is an oil leak, not a vacuum leak that will mess up your idle. Where are you introducing the smoke?

Just before Throttle Body, took off AFM and used a rubber glove and hose clamps ;)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's Vacuum in the valve cover no? If you take the oil filler cap off it totally screws up the idle right? So if there's a leak in the gasket or one of the rocker shaft plugs that can throw everything off no?

[zaq123]

Just before Throttle Body, took off AFM and used a rubber glove and hose clamps ;)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's Vacuum in the valve cover no? If you take the oil filler cap off it totally screws up the idle right? So if there's a leak in the gasket or one of the rocker shaft plugs that can throw everything off no?

the vacuum under VC is very insignificant as it vents before TB butterfly valve. Some people vent VC to the catch can/atmosphere with no idle issues (zero vacuum). Think about it.... your TB is closed during idle, so air only goes thru the small butterfly opening and ICV so anything upstream doesn't matter much. You definitely want to make sure VC gasket does no leak (oil) though.

I would take off the VC breather at the VC and plug it, remove everything before TB (intake boot etc), leave ICV attached but plug it...plug any other open lines. Then cap TB and send smoke anywhere after TB butterfly (FPR vacuum line on the intake etc). Look for leaks at TB, ICV, intake manifold, vacuum booster lines etc. Removing the airbox and the intake boot will give you all needed room to look around properly

[Trelos]

the vacuum under VC is very insignificant as it vents before TB butterfly valve. Some people vent VC to the catch can/atmosphere with no idle issues (zero vacuum). Think about it.... your TB is closed during idle, so air only goes thru the small butterfly opening and ICV so anything upstream doesn't matter much. You definitely want to make sure VC gasket does no leak (oil) though.

I would take off the VC breather at the VC and plug it, remove everything before TB (intake boot etc), leave ICV attached but plug it...plug any other open lines. Then cap TB and send smoke anywhere after TB butterfly (FPR vacuum line on the intake etc). Look for leaks at TB, ICV, intake manifold, vacuum booster lines etc. Removing the airbox and the intake boot will give you all needed room to look around properly

I'll give it a try today.

I noticed one other thing, when I took off AFM there was a fairly strong gas odor. That, the plugs and the exhaust smoke on warm start lead me to believe it's running quite rich.
What's the Ideal Fuel pressure under Idle and load? I have an old BMP Adjustable FPR with a gauge and want to set it correctly

[zaq123]

Warm start issue and check engine light 1222 code

I'll give it a try today.



I noticed one other thing, when I took off AFM there was a fairly strong gas odor. That, the plugs and the exhaust smoke on warm start lead me to believe it's running quite rich.

What's the Ideal Fuel pressure under Idle and load? I have an old BMP Adjustable FPR with a gauge and want to set it correctly

Take the vacuum line off between FPR and the intake manifold and smell for gas, maybe FPR is raptured and vacuum is sucking gas into the intake? If M20B25, 3 bar FPR pressure


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[Trelos]

Take the vacuum line off between FPR and the intake manifold and smell for gas, maybe FPR is raptured and vacuum is sucking gas into the intake? If M20B25, 3 bar FPR pressure


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just did smoke test...only a very small amount coming out from elbow from TB to ICV valve. I’ll try the FPR next

[zaq123]

Warm start issue and check engine light 1222 code

Just did smoke test...only a very small amount coming out from elbow from TB to ICV valve. I’ll try the FPR next

Aluminum press fit elbows on TB are known for leaks


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[Trelos]

Take the vacuum line off between FPR and the intake manifold and smell for gas, maybe FPR is raptured and vacuum is sucking gas into the intake? If M20B25, 3 bar FPR pressure


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fuel in the vacuum line....BMP closed up shop years ago...so looks like I need a new one.

[Trelos]

Aluminum press fit elbows on TB are known for leaks


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I know...any luck sealing them?

[zaq123]

Fuel in the vacuum line....BMP closed up shop years ago...so looks like I need a new one.

go OEM 3 bar Bosch unit, it lasted 30 years on the majority of this cars. Why did you need adj. one anyway?

You can use some aluminum compatible 2 part epoxy for the quick fix.