3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
Specific models include: BMW 316i, BMW 318i, BMW 318iS/ti, BMW 320, BMW 323, BMW 320, BMW 324, BMW 325, BMW 328.
BimmerWerkz.com is the premier BMW Forum on the internet. Registered Users do not see the above ads.
So, my bimmer, 1992 318is, has never been a perfect vehicle, but here of late it's just taken the biggest, excuse my french, shit I've ever witnessed.
I guess I should start from the beginning.
I get in my car one day and turn the key, it delays for a bit and finally cranks up after much duress, I drive off and think nothing of it. Well the problem gradually progressed to the point to where one of three things would happen. One, absoloutely nothing happens, no cranking, no turning over, nada. Two, I'd hear clicking but no turning over. Three, the engine would attempt cranking and turn over endlessly with no results. I suspected the starter was going out but as I am military personell, I didn't really have the time or money to go and fix it. Well, I still needed a car, so I would push start the damn thing and pop the clutch. This worked for a while untill one fateful day, the engine would try to crank when I push started it, and then it would die.
I finally got some time to get underneath her and saw that the signal cable to the starter from the ignition switch had come loose and was missing a nut. I jerry rigged the contacts to the terminal and tried cranking it.... VROOOM. The engine started up however, it never became self sufficent. I had to keep the starter running and the throttle on full. If I let off on either, the engine died. This worked twice I believe. Now, even with the starter rigged, I get nothing. It's still not working... at all. To make the problem worse, hard to believe seeing as how I got so pissed off that I threw every tool I had at the time at the wall, the drivers side door latch quit working. My drivers side door is perminantly open. Great. I get super pissed off and go inside for the night. I come back to the project the next day and since the door was open all night and the following day, the battery was dead.
So, ladies and gentlemen, any advice, words of wisdom, or should I just go blow the thing up in the middle of the deasert and just watch her burn?
Respectfully yours,
Onepissedmarine
__________________ "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
The way it acts on start up makes me wonder about the fuel filter. Wishing you the best of luck on it!
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check it out and keep you all posted!
__________________ "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
I can't really help to much, but dude, you tell awesome stories!
are you stationed in Europe?
I appreciate the compliment. I'm stationed in the states in the middle of a freaking deasert. It sucks. I'd love to be stationed in Europe though.
__________________ "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
It seems that you have two (at least) things happening simutaneously. Starter issues for one. Start-and-run issues for two. Hopefully the battery recovers after a slow low-amp charge over several hours.(check the water/acid level...)
1. secure the wiring to the starter once and for all.do it right. I know it's not an easy thing an early M42's. check search on forums..this is a very active one:
2.check for vacuum leaks: esp. at air intake elbow, but anywhere that rubber is used in the engine bay that draws a vacuum. You can temporary half-azz duct/metal tape any leaks, but be prepared to change out bad hose(s) ASAP. The desert air is just drying out your junk! (where are you, 29 palms?)
KO Performance is the closest parts shipper if your in Cali. and they bump stuff to overnite-air or USPS next-day no extra charge almost all the time. Great prices too.
hope this helps a little. It's not much I know; but use the search on the forums to try and narrow down specific problems and solutions that have been identified and worked out in the past. The info you've posted is kinda too vaque still.
It seems that you have two (at least) things happening simutaneously. Starter issues for one. Start-and-run issues for two. Hopefully the battery recovers after a slow low-amp charge over several hours.(check the water/acid level...)
1. secure the wiring to the starter once and for all.do it right. I know it's not an easy thing an early M42's. check search on forums..this is a very active one:
2.check for vacuum leaks: esp. at air intake elbow, but anywhere that rubber is used in the engine bay that draws a vacuum. You can temporary half-azz duct/metal tape any leaks, but be prepared to change out bad hose(s) ASAP. The desert air is just drying out your junk! (where are you, 29 palms?)
KO Performance is the closest parts shipper if your in Cali. and they bump stuff to overnite-air or USPS next-day no extra charge almost all the time. Great prices too.
hope this helps a little. It's not much I know; but use the search on the forums to try and narrow down specific problems and solutions that have been identified and worked out in the past. The info you've posted is kinda too vaque still.
You ... rock my world. I'll definately try that stuff!
__________________ "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
So, quick question before I pay out the ass to have this thing towed from my garage and pay out the ass again to have it looked at... How do I check for the vaccum leak myself? Should I just wrap all the rubber bellows and what not in ductape and pray it works?
__________________ "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
I pretty much gave up and took it to a mechanic. They just have more tools and what not. I got it there and the guy took one look at me and said, well, i don't want to take your money, because it's gonna take more than the car's worth. So. Yeah. Im gonna have him give me the details, and if -I- can't fix it, it looks like my time on BMW's is over and done with for now. Wish me luck, I'll let you all know what happens. Thanks for all the advice!
__________________ "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
I pretty much gave up and took it to a mechanic. They just have more tools and what not. I got it there and the guy took one look at me and said, well, i don't want to take your money, because it's gonna take more than the car's worth. So. Yeah. Im gonna have him give me the details, and if -I- can't fix it, it looks like my time on BMW's is over and done with for now. Wish me luck, I'll let you all know what happens. Thanks for all the advice!
meh, a cars worth is relative to the relationship it has with it's owner...
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
318is Takes a giant crap... 
Linear Mode
