1997 E36 323i advice pls

[jungleman]

Still trying to track down this damn running issue
description of problem, hard to start will turn over for a second try to fire but stop kind like a compression lock up, when running will only accelerate with power after 2.5k-3k revs and at idle if i give the engine a slight rev i get a hooting noise from under the manifold and from the oil cap if i try to remove it.
quick update on what i have done so far,
1. cleaned icv
2. replaced oil/air separator and replaced hose to sump
3. replaced crank sensor
4. checked coil ohms (all ok)
5. replaced spark plugs

i am intending on removing intake to clean and check for broken vacuum hoses
is there anything else i should check for while the intake is off or any other place i should check for faults
thanks

[David Mc]

The hooting noise sounds like a vacuum leak/manifold gasket problem, read this http://www.beisansystems.com/ for more and see if you think it applies to the problems you are encountering.

[jungleman]

Awesome advice Dave i think you might be on to something! symptoms sound like that from the link you gave.
How bigger job is it to replace the seals on the vanos only have two days
and need to see if my local guy has them?

[David Mc]

Fortunately I haven't had to do it yet, but by the look of it, about 4-6 hrs. Beisan have a DIY link on their website and I think their seal kits are far and away the best. If you ever need parts, try Schmiedmann in Denmark - I bought a head gasket vrs kit and set of cylinder head bolts for my E21 for AUD$150 including delivery via DHL and had it in 6 days. Locals quoted me $274!

[jungleman]

yeah i called my local guy $280 think i will hold out and buy from Beisan
am taking car to a auto electrician mate who is going to do a full diagnostic scan tomorrow

if there is a problem with the vanos will it come up on the scan?

[David Mc]

You may get a cam or crank position sensor plausibility error, if you have a laptop and want to get into BMW diagnostics, send me a PM, I write a fair bit for the diagnostic forum on Bimmerforums.com and can help get you started.

[jungleman]

well went to start the car on saturday morning no start s#$t!!
so couldnt do scan so decided to order parts for Vanos from Besian Systems (thanks David Mc) there on there way
then decided to pull the intake off to give it a clean knowing there was some oil in there
what i found was a very nasty, very sticky oily residue throughout entire manifold,in the icv and oil/air separator ports and entries to vacuum lines and also in intake ports.
also found that gaskets where not sealing around 5th and 6th intake ports hense the black soot and oil residue there (having trouble posting pics)
trying to think what i can use to clean the inside of the combustion chambers
any ideas?

[jungleman]

UPDATE!!
Removed Vanos after fabricating tool for holding cams and crank and disasembled Vanos. After removing bolts the piston literally fell out of cylinder!!, seals barley made contact with cylinder walls hense the problems
still waiting for new seals and bearing to arrive hopefully not to long to wait
will post pics once finished.
cheers.

[jungleman]

Ok Vanos back in, had some drama with a burned out starter
WOW! what a difference absolute power from woah to go

[Manolito]

Question: How many miles on your 323? I have two '97 328s that don't run quite right and I wonder about their VANOS seals sometimes. One has 150k miles and the other has 250k miles and neither has ever had their VANOS touched.

[jungleman]

My 323i has done 175k but i found after replacing the seals in the Vanos the car seems to be far more responsive you can definately feel that the engine has quite a lot more power than before, but i would also recomend checking the sensor ie- crank and cam, i found after replacing the Vanos seals and doing a diagnostic scan found the crank sensor was playing up thus adding to the running problems
hope this helps.