which engine is this???

[kalimot]

is it possible to have an m44 style oil filter on a '92 production date? my 318 puzzles me!!! the sticker says 5/92 but the filter is that of an M44, but it has OBD 1 (i installed a Dinan chip), and the ICV is easier to access (unlike in M44s where you have to remove the intake manifold to access it). weird

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by jetblackbimmer

emissions? How big of a polluter is this?

The M44 is a TLEV (Transitional low-emissions vehicle), meaning that it *just* flies under EPA radar.

http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/en/gv/faq/index.asp#2

[jetblackbimmer]

This is weird because I havent had to get it smogged yet. Have had it for a year and a half

[pdxmotorhead]

Originally Posted by kalimot

is it possible to have an m44 style oil filter on a '92 production date? my 318 puzzles me!!! the sticker says 5/92 but the filter is that of an M44, but it has OBD 1 (i installed a Dinan chip), and the ICV is easier to access (unlike in M44s where you have to remove the intake manifold to access it). weird

The housings are interchangeable, my 95TI has the plastic top unit for the M44. I've heard that if you got a reman motor from BMW that at
one point they put the M44 oil housing on all the 4 cyl no matter what
year because it was considered in their book an upgrade.

Dave

[dave45056]

ok, all U.S. 318ti's used the M42 engine in 1995 and are OBD1, 96 and on use the M44 engine. My 1995 318ti was made in 10/95 (and yes it really is a 1995) and it has the M42 engine. It's unlikely that pre-1996 cars have m44 engines and vice versa due to the OBD1-OBD2 issue. The valve train is the dead givaway. M44's use rocker arms and M42's have hydraulic lifters. But there are probably some other external differences which are not interchangeable between the two engines.

[jetblackbimmer]

What is it exactly that makes the smog so bad? Can I fix that? Now I have something that I don't like about the car.

[dave45056]

ok, I just changed my oil. My car has an M42 engine but uses the M44 oil filter arrangement (Plastic Cap and filter from '96+). The production date is quite late (10/95), but it is late on all '95 Club Sport models. And it REALLY is a '95. I'm sure this engine has not been replaced. Jet Black, I bet you are in the same boat as me as you have a CS, too.

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by jetblackbimmer

What is it exactly that makes the smog so bad? Can I fix that? Now I have something that I don't like about the car.

You should pass, as it's a 50-state car. Your car need only meet the emissions requirement for the build year (i.e. a 96 must meet the standards in 1996).

Change air filter before the smog check and you should be okay. If not, plugs and maybe o2 sensors (the latter can be just cleaned).

If you don't pass after that, there's a more complicated (but probably easy/cheap) problem. Come back when you need help with it.

[jetblackbimmer]

Know of any reason why the DMV wouldn't make me get it smogged? This is the first time in 7 years that a car hasn't had to be tested. I even remember my parents complaining about it every year. Why wouldn't I have to. The CarFax report said that it got marked as a 'gross polluter' a couple of years ago.

[andyman7931]

here in NC if you don't have OBD2 you don't have to be emissions checked.. don't know if it's the same everywhere else or not

[jetblackbimmer]

NC dropped OBD1 inspections??? When? There's a plus for moving back. In CA, last I heard was 1980 was the last year that doesn't have to be inspected. It could have changed as I heard that in 2001.

[andyman7931]

here in Henderson county in NC we never had any emissions testing until this past year, and it's for cars newer than 95 (obd2) since they really don't test from what I understand, just hook up to the diagnostic port and read codes. I'm kinda bummed about it because I wanted to do fun stuff to the ti, but now have to leave OBD2 intact. That's why I'm toying with another e30 for fun stuff.

[jetblackbimmer]

that makes more sense because in Mecklemburg County, Charlotte, they were always pretty tough on emmissions. You had to make sure you prepped for it on older cars.


I like those rims too.