Newb Help - United Bimmer Community

**skip0pot2mus** · 01-13-2008, 10:28 AM

Hello there,
New to the forums, My partner owns a 1982 BMW E21 316 Auto.

I've searched already and cannot find a thread similar to my problem.

The car has started to misfire under load and even stall, between 1 and 3,000 RPM, which is very annoying at roundabouts and junctions. I've taken the dizzy cap off, cleaned the contacts, sprayed contact cleaner on the contacts, and HT lead connectors, but the fault is still apparent. I haven't checked the plugs admittedly, but it doesn't misfire at higher revs.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

Many thanks for your time.

witeshark · 01-13-2008, 10:52 AM

I'd have a look at the ignition wires, are they old? And also the fuel system. Might be a dirty fuel filter. Could also be some dirt in the fuel tank.

**Exilion** · 01-13-2008, 11:55 AM

^ +1. If none of those check out go see when the last time you did a valve adjustment. Should be done every 60k miles or something like that.

**skip0pot2mus** · 01-13-2008, 12:08 PM

Thanks for the quick replies.

I'll check the HT leads for cracks, maybe even get some new ones for when I service it.

The fuel filter, is there only one [a clear plastic filter in the engine bay] or is there another one closer to the fuel tank.

We've only owned the car for a few months, so I have no idea when the valve clearances were done, I'll look into that also.

Thanks.

**skip0pot2mus** · 01-14-2008, 12:44 PM

Okay checked the HT leads, all okay, filter, fine.

My girlfriend drives it and has also said that for the first 5 minutes, it runs fine, then as it warms, it misses.

That makes me think that there is a fuelling issue, it's got the original carb on it, it was adjusted not long ago to richen the mixture, but before that it was running fine anyway, just a little lean.

**Exilion** · 01-14-2008, 04:01 PM

Oh wow I forgot e21's had a carb. Yeah that would be a good thing to check

**f16dude** · 01-17-2008, 08:48 PM

haha exilion, im class of 2012 most likely. If im lucky 2011. I feel your pain.

(sorry bout the off topic. I cannot offer any help on the e21. As far as I know, there arent any in the Okc area. sorry. The two post above are trustworthy. I would follow them)