I have had an issue with my car for about a week and cannot figure it out. Please help.
Car:
88 325is with s52; M50 manifold; OBDII; Kassel Performance ECU matched to this application
When it occurred:
Car was running well, however, I was not running the car for about a week since I was making an e-fan setup. I got the fans set up, ran the car for a test drive, 15 mins, all good; power and response, everything. Next day, removed the A/C pulley (to gain more space for the fans), filled up in gas (91 octane), tested it again in the night to gain confidence for taking the car to work the next morning. Next morning, I heard a scratchy sound, so I sprayed carb cleaner around the A/C pulley (and serpentine belt area) thinking it was surface rust when the serp belt was moving. Ended up being the power steering pulley, it was loose, tightened the bolts, and the engine was sounding, smooth, quiet, and nice.
Drove the car for 12 blocks, max 35-40 MPH, not pushing it at all, and BAM! Car instantly cut in power like Hulk grabbed my rear bumper while driving. It happened after going over train tracks and on a rough street road. I pulled over immediately to check under the hood.
Problem and symptoms:
Car was idling VERY rough. The engine has Condor solid Poly engine mounts and the engine was shaking the chassis. I took the car back home in a crawl. Massive Loss of Power. Car was sputtering and hesitating. Car would backfire or “spit” through the intake. Popping in the manifold. Car seems to be acting this way warm or cold. Seems like misfiring. NO CEL! NO Check ENGINE LIGHT! NO OBDII Codes can be found!!
What I have tried:
Cleaned MAF
Cleaned MAF again while also cleaned the K&N Air filter
Changed the MAF
Checked for leaks by spraying carb cleaner to listen for revs - NONE found
Switched around coil packs and unplugged them to listen for changes. - nothing alarming and no changes
Disconnected Vanos = Same
Disconnected fuel rail = Same
Checked spark plugs - seem fine
Took out intake manifold to better inspect vacuum leaks visually - nothing loose. No Cracks. All hoses are clamped well and new and pliable
Compression test performed = 180 182 179 181 170 180 ; Good compression; solid
Took out fuel rail to check fuel injectors - Nothing alarming; just changed the injector on #3
DISCONNECTED O2 sensors from the exhaust manifold - This is where I noticed a change. The car was stronger, seemed like it was idling better (ignoring the exhaust leak sound), more responsive. Basically like a normal car with O2 sensors hanging out of the manifold.
Next Steps:
Check fuel pressure through schrader valve
I could smoke test, but need to google that on how to do it.
Questions:
What can I do next? I know that these symptoms can happen because of MAF, bad plugs, bad wires, bad crank sensor, cam sensor, fuel filter, fuel pump, FPRegulator, Bad injector(s), bad vanos seals, bad O2 sensor.
What Should I do next?
I dont want to just throw money at it. I want to properly get to the issue and address. This is a new swap and almost everything is new and the car was running amazingly before this week.
Car:
88 325is with s52; M50 manifold; OBDII; Kassel Performance ECU matched to this application
When it occurred:
Car was running well, however, I was not running the car for about a week since I was making an e-fan setup. I got the fans set up, ran the car for a test drive, 15 mins, all good; power and response, everything. Next day, removed the A/C pulley (to gain more space for the fans), filled up in gas (91 octane), tested it again in the night to gain confidence for taking the car to work the next morning. Next morning, I heard a scratchy sound, so I sprayed carb cleaner around the A/C pulley (and serpentine belt area) thinking it was surface rust when the serp belt was moving. Ended up being the power steering pulley, it was loose, tightened the bolts, and the engine was sounding, smooth, quiet, and nice.
Drove the car for 12 blocks, max 35-40 MPH, not pushing it at all, and BAM! Car instantly cut in power like Hulk grabbed my rear bumper while driving. It happened after going over train tracks and on a rough street road. I pulled over immediately to check under the hood.
Problem and symptoms:
Car was idling VERY rough. The engine has Condor solid Poly engine mounts and the engine was shaking the chassis. I took the car back home in a crawl. Massive Loss of Power. Car was sputtering and hesitating. Car would backfire or “spit” through the intake. Popping in the manifold. Car seems to be acting this way warm or cold. Seems like misfiring. NO CEL! NO Check ENGINE LIGHT! NO OBDII Codes can be found!!
What I have tried:
Cleaned MAF
Cleaned MAF again while also cleaned the K&N Air filter
Changed the MAF
Checked for leaks by spraying carb cleaner to listen for revs - NONE found
Switched around coil packs and unplugged them to listen for changes. - nothing alarming and no changes
Disconnected Vanos = Same
Disconnected fuel rail = Same
Checked spark plugs - seem fine
Took out intake manifold to better inspect vacuum leaks visually - nothing loose. No Cracks. All hoses are clamped well and new and pliable
Compression test performed = 180 182 179 181 170 180 ; Good compression; solid
Took out fuel rail to check fuel injectors - Nothing alarming; just changed the injector on #3
DISCONNECTED O2 sensors from the exhaust manifold - This is where I noticed a change. The car was stronger, seemed like it was idling better (ignoring the exhaust leak sound), more responsive. Basically like a normal car with O2 sensors hanging out of the manifold.
Next Steps:
Check fuel pressure through schrader valve
I could smoke test, but need to google that on how to do it.
Questions:
What can I do next? I know that these symptoms can happen because of MAF, bad plugs, bad wires, bad crank sensor, cam sensor, fuel filter, fuel pump, FPRegulator, Bad injector(s), bad vanos seals, bad O2 sensor.
What Should I do next?
I dont want to just throw money at it. I want to properly get to the issue and address. This is a new swap and almost everything is new and the car was running amazingly before this week.
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