Engine Trouble. Help.

[Vazquezp]

Ok guys I am at my wits ends. I originally went into work on my 98 318ti to replace the coolant line on the back of the engine block.(both plastic lines that are prone to break over time.) I replaced all the associated hoses as well. To more easily put in the coolant line on the back of the engine block, i removed the valve cover. I replaced the valve cover gasket afterwards. I topped of my radiator reservoir, and attempted to start my Ti. It was cranking, but the starter was skipping. I attempted to start several times to get fuel pressure. Finally she cranked over, but was running extremely rough. Like the car was shaking. I went to investigate. It sounded as it were running on just two cylinders. I pulled off the #4 coil/wire and it kept running, I pulled #3 coil/wire, kept running. I pulled #2 coil/wire and the engine shut off. What am I dealing with here. Where did i go wrong? I got a check engine light, but i do not have a scan tool. Please Help

[bluoval6]

Sounds like you either got some plug wires mixed up or damaged one or more plug wires pulling them off. What do you mean by "the starter was skipping"?

[Vazquezp]

It was sounding like the starter was not catching. I replaced it and the starter works every time now. How much trouble would I be in if the wires got mixed up and started the engine that way? This was my assumption as well so i checked my wires and I tried them in order 1-4 and then i tried them in the cyl. firing order. Could i have broken something internal?

[bluoval6]

I don't think you would have hurt anything by running it for a short time with plug wires crossed. I would check for spark at the plug end of the wires, or do a resistance check from end to end. If the resistance on 3 and 4 is high, I'd throw a set of plug wires on it. There was a recently revived thread on here about plug wires being damaged internally taking them off. Hope this helps.

[Vazquezp]

so i replaced my wires and coil pack with a know good set and i still have the same problem. For the life of me I can not figure what could have possible gone wrong. The only things replaced were the coolant lines and hoses. Valve cover gasket and starter.

[paul somlo]

Did you reattach all of the vacuum hoses? Especially ones that might terminate at the lower intake manifold/throttle body.

Paul