Help!! 1995 325i - United Bimmer Community

**rosesette** · 03-09-2012, 06:15 AM

Hello to all! A newbie here! Found this forum searching for info on trouble shooting our 325i.

It will not start! We have ingnition spark with new laser plat plugs,good injection pulse but when turning to try to start to much fuel foul's out plugs.

Any insight to this problem would be greatly appreciated!

Rosesette

**3050rpm** · 03-10-2012, 07:12 AM

There could be a number of things causing start problems, but one thing you'll need to do to narrow the list is to replace those plugs you put in with original specification ones, either Bosch F7L DCR or NGK BKR 6EK. When it comes to spark plugs, with this engine, you must stay with only those two, don't fall for all the imagined hype of anything else.

DEATH2000 · 03-10-2012, 09:30 AM

As posted in the Bentley Manual thread:

If you get blue smoke on start-up, that means oil has leaked into the combustion chamber when the engine has been sitting idle. Possible cause is leaky valve stem seals, which ideally would be fixed by replacing them. That would involve removing the head. Im assuming you mean on the electrodes, which would be indicative of oil getting into the combustion chamber. Oil can get into the combustion chamber via worn piston rings or valve stem seals.

**rosesette** · 03-10-2012, 09:40 AM

Hi Thank you for the reply!! Hubby did put in the NGK's you mentioned. Did a compression test ,the back 4 are even 2 front are high.No differance when oil is squirted in.
We just downloaded the E series manual,he is thinking electrical or timing chain. Car has 240 miles! Original owner said it was never replaced!
Looking at the work involved,he just shakes his head! He is a mechanic but never worked on a BMW!! Said our 86 300z ,is a breeze ! (R&R motor to a turbo motor)

Thank's Again!! Rosesette

DEATH2000 · 03-10-2012, 09:55 AM

The timing chain is a lifetime component and should never need replacing. The chain tensioner can wear out causing slack in the chain. Mine has over 262,000 and I haven't replaced mine and it still runs fine.

Is it gas fouling the plugs or oil?

**rosesette** · 03-10-2012, 12:04 PM

You got us beat 262 thou miles!! He is thinking maybe electrical(sensor etc..) Sure would be a lot easier then doing a timeing chain!!(2?).He does not have any diagnostic units to test for,if that would help .

The plugs are fouled with fuel.

Thanks !! Rosesette

DEATH2000 · 03-10-2012, 12:22 PM

I would have had 300,000+ by now but the car went into storage for the winter. I used to drive 80km per day (40 each way) so it added up fast. now my commute isn't as bad thankfully.

Try the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) or the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). It may be the cause.

www.pelicanparts.com
12-14-1-726-066-M85
Crankshaft Position Sensor, 325i (1992-95) Sedan with M50 Engine (E36),
Brand: Facet
Price: $48

Remove the radiator and lower hose. It sits right under the thermostat housing. 5mm hex head bolt holds the CPS in. All the DIYs i saw told you to remove the intake manifold, which is completely ridiculous.

**rosesette** · 03-10-2012, 06:00 PM

I sure can relate to driving all those miles! In our younger years! We use to drive 55 miles one way ,and for sure makes it nice now we just have a short commute to work!

Is there a way to test the CPS or the TPS? But probably wise to replace being they have not been replaced?

Thank you for the link on where to get the sensors and the easy way to replace it!!

Rosesette

DEATH2000 · 03-10-2012, 07:44 PM

You can test the CPS with an Ohm meter. If you dont have an Ohm meter and dont want to buy one then i would just replace it with one that you know works, and see if that solves the problem. However i do advocate for them as they are quite handy in diagnosing many electrical problems. Ive been needing to get one for a while.

**rosesette** · 03-11-2012, 11:46 AM

Hi, Thanks again for all the insight!
Hub has a OHM meter and a multi. He checked out the TPS/good.

Now he is tackleing the CPS! Hopefully that may be the problem!

Will keep a update going!!

Rosesette

**rosesette** · 03-11-2012, 03:49 PM

The CPS tested 508,the Bently said 1280+ -10%OHM, searching some say the Bently specs are wrong on the M50 CPS. Mind boggleing!! Maybe the ECM(puter).

We will keep on keepin on till we get er running!! Rosesette

DEATH2000 · 03-12-2012, 11:31 AM

Well one option is to find a CPS that you know works out of a car that runs fine and compare the reading. It is possible that the Betley is wrong as their are a few known errors.

**rosesette** · 03-12-2012, 08:26 PM

Sounds good! Just throws you in a loop when some of the comments I had read about the CPS specs for a M 50 are not right in the Bently manual!

A few more tests and hopefully we will get er running!!

Thanks,Rosesette

DEATH2000 · 03-12-2012, 09:20 PM

When they wrote it they didn't use a brand new E36 so a few things contain errors but most arnt major.

**rosesette** · 03-13-2012, 06:27 PM

For sure! Hub took a break from working on it! He will hit and miss and hopefully he will find the problem!
For now we have the Z and the truck to get around in! Could tow to the dealer(stealers!!) being they have the technology to pin point(maybe!) the problem. Hub said the onboard diagnostics were not working?Nothing showed up when he followed the manual description to activate it!
We got this car for a ham sandwich! (employer,we maintain his farm ,horse training center) Hub dubbed it his farm truck!! Cannot beat the ride with this car! Will keep updates!!