new here... need some help

[oldbimmer]

Ok... first question. my 92 325i has been backfiring alot. On acceleration, deceleration, idleing etc... I thought it was the spark plugs so I changed them. Found considerable oil in my 2nd camber, so I changed my valve cover gasket. doesn't leak anymore, but still backfires. I looked in the repair manuel and it says something about my timing, but that's a major repair. Anyone experience this before? Do you guys think it could be my coil packs are not working or what?? Any help would be appreciated guys.
Thanks...

[thekid]

what do you mean by it could be your timing? Do you mean your timing belt or the timing it's self. If it's just your timing it is not a major repair, timing belt just involves changing the belt.

[El Presidente]

FYI, the e36 uses a timing chain. If you changed the gasket already and its not leaking then your timing could be off, but there could other things too.

[oldbimmer]

yeah it could be other things. That's why I was wondering if you guys think it's the spark plug coil packs? I'm trying to keep it to unecessary repairs. Yes, when I say timing I meant timing belt. Thanks.

[MyCrowsSoft]

Does your car have gas? cause that could be a problem, are you embarrassed when your car rips a few in public?

sorry,,, on a serious note..
How much is a shop going to charge you to resolve the problem?

[oldbimmer]

funny dude, ...that's cool... a timing chain change is gonna run 500-600 bucks. That's why I'm hopeing it's something else. A bit less spendy.

[hodges76]

I need to change my valve cover gasket. I noticed oil in the spark plug camber in two cylinders while changing the plugs. Is it easy to change or does in require much time and tools?

[oldbimmer]

Pretty easy to do... just becareful to keep the area around clean so nothing falls into the valves. the gasket is pretty cheap too.

[EXtech]

What events led up to the backfiring? Did you just start the car one day and it start backfiring? Have you mis-shifted at highspeed or over-revved the engine? There are a couple possibilities here. Either bent valves from over-revving, the engine has jumped timing, fried coil or you have a coil driver in the DME that fried because of the oil in the spark plug cavity. Most likely the engine hasn't jumped timing unless you have extremely high mileage or you over-revved the engine which also may have bent the valves. Because you stated there was considerable amounts of oil in the number 2 hole, I would look towards the number 2 ignition coil as your problem. Go buy one and try swapping it out. If it works then great. If not, return it. Then I would be concerned about the DME.

[007ben]

Originally posted by El Presidente@Feb 4 2004, 02:35 PM
FYI, the e36 uses a timing chain. If you changed the gasket already and its not leaking then your timing could be off, but there could other things too.

all e36s?

and about when do they need replaced... I'm a noob i know it...

[EXtech]

typcially you do not need to replace them unless they are noisy. It is recommended if ever you rebuild an engine or replace the head that you replace it (since you are already there). Sometimes the hydraulic tensioners will fade over time and make noise also. That is a simple fix.

[///M Power]

A major weakness on e34's are the timing belts...replaced pretty often...maybe it carried over onto the e36

[007ben]

not from the sounds of things so far....