1998 Jacksonville, FL

[R1326]

Great looking interior and terrific color! Congrats, and keep us posted.

[zoner]

Wow, looks super clean- especially that interior...

[BRADESTAR]

So Nothing new. I was on furlough and counting pennies for food. This rig has been sitting (in super fresh garage) with no plates.

Turns out I'm going to need emissions to register. Since I finally got paid I'm going tomorrow Sat Oct 26th. Any tips? I have a check engine light that is giving me something about 3rd cylinder misfire or secondary air system, both I think. Anybody know if this is going to be a problem?

I was told to run it pretty hot and then go to the testing....that is what I'm planning on doing in the morning. Then I'll run this thing hot the rest of it's time with me.

On my 79 jeep cj7 I used to disconnect the exhaust to go in for testing and it worked great....who knows some tricks?

[J_E]

Originally Posted by BRADESTAR

So Nothing new. I was on furlough and counting pennies for food. This rig has been sitting (in super fresh garage) with no plates.

Turns out I'm going to need emissions to register. Since I finally got paid I'm going tomorrow Sat Oct 26th. Any tips? I have a check engine light that is giving me something about 3rd cylinder misfire or secondary air system, both I think. Anybody know if this is going to be a problem?

I was told to run it pretty hot and then go to the testing....that is what I'm planning on doing in the morning. Then I'll run this thing hot the rest of it's time with me.

On my 79 jeep cj7 I used to disconnect the exhaust to go in for testing and it worked great....who knows some tricks?

Reposting this question in the Engine section might get you more views and replies. What I am about to suggest is not BMW specific.

Unfortunately the OBD-II is a little smarter than what was on the '79 CJ. That being said, OBD-II can also point you in the right direction to correct issues, sometimes. I would recommend going someplace like Autozone and getting the codes read for free. Ask them to clear the codes once you've written them down. Then, google those codes that you get to see what they are. Emissions and performance codes are generic. For example, a P0300 on a BMW is the same as a P0300 on a GMC and is a multiple cylinder misfire.

For a single cylinder misfire I would suggest, checking/inspecting the spark plugs and spark plug wires. If you've been running low grade and/or going to the cheapest stations, I would suggest adding some injector cleaner to your tank and driving it around for a bit. I generally use the Lucas fuel injector cleaner. I don't remember why I chose to start using that particular product, but I haven't found a reason to switch, and I usually add a whole bottle to each of the first few tanks of gas I run through any newly purchased used vehicle I acquire.

I do not know much about the secondary air system, so I can't make any suggestions in that department.

[COOPERDB]

This is one amazing story -

Great color - Great interior -

Great find ---

[BRADESTAR]

So quick update because I'm here most days and it has been a while. I've done some things, I feel it best not to compare my progress with others.

Anyhoo, I battled CEL's for about 6 months. There were a few different ones but mostly P1174, I figured because of the CAI that was on it when I got it. I got the intake back to stock (thanks to ARTEM) and replaced all the rubber in the intake and the SAP routing including the riviting.

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Finally got it decently sorted to get plates!! Was a glorious day!

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Then I took care of the paint issue that was going on when I got it. Love the color of this one so was stressed out trying to find a guy I trusted to get a match.

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Pretty much where I am at currently. Rolling around, Sunday driver style. CEL came back for multiple cylinder misfire. I can hear something going on in the engine bay, not always there but sometimes when it returns to idle there is a low knocking noise. Not sure, got an automotive stethoscope to try and figure out where it is coming from.

Other than that, now that I know my guy can get the paint acceptably close I'll be getting my M rear, mirrors, and twisty sides to him. I've gathered a lot of parts!

I keep looking on CL for a hardtop to do a swap on too, it is a sickness!

[jca]

Very nice work there on the garage! Nice garage...nice car! John

[BRADESTAR]

Thanks! Work on this Foreclosure is still eating my lunch!

So....I was going to change wheels. When I jacked up one side of the rig I noticed a pretty good pool of oil forming on the ground below the engine (medium pizza sized). After running around in circles panicked for a minute I figured that it must have been oil pooled up somewhere that ran off when tilted. So I got it on stands, that was 3 weeks ago.

Oil was Everywhere! Old oil, new oil. I figured it must have been leaking out of the Oil filter housing for a long long time. I used 3 cans of brake clean under there trying to clean things up. Whilst under there I noticed several of the cooling hoses displayed oil damage amongst other issues, so I decided now was that time.

Attempting to do the oil filter housing and cooling system. Noticed that the valve cover is also leaking, but I'm going to save that for another time. I've decided NOT to do the starter at this time (fingers crossed it'll keep going).

I finally got my lower intake off today. Not in as clean a fashion as I've seen elsewhere.

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I may have found the P1174 issue that I've been getting.

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Do I really need to remove the power steering resivoir to get the alternator off? Bentley doesn't seem to say so, but why this?

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[BlackBMWs]

First time I've seen pics of your Cali. Very Nice!

Yeah, I just unbolt the resivior and be done with it. I need to do this soon too to replace the alternator on my 97, but not so motivated just now as I am working odd repair ends on the Cali.

I do have to sort a oil leak on my wife's 95. I'l renew the cooling while I replace the oil filter housing gasket.

Looks like you may do your VC gasket, do the Y cooling connector at the back of the head when you do.

[BRADESTAR]

Thanks! I have a picture of your car on my wall both at work and in my garage.

I was planning on hitting that back connector now, from the intake side, though I haven't tried yet, is it wicked hard without removing the valve cover?.....and the list grows.

I've been cleaning tons of oil, it is hard to imagine all this came from the Oil filter housing, but one thing at a time I suppose....

[BlackBMWs]

Haha! Thanks for supporting the club's calendar. That's the 97 Sport, not the Cali.

Just not a lot of clearance for the two bolts, even if you have small girl hands. Pulling the VC gets you closer and provides a little more room to get a 10mm speed wrench in to loosen the bolts. A low clearance socket would probably get to it as well. I'd think you could pre attach the hoses on the connector to be able to position it place while you work the bolts if the VC was off.

The last two connectors I did was when I had the motors out of the car. I will install a black powder coated VC like the 97 has and that's when I will renew that connector.

I'll check tonight if the gasket and O-ring made any leak improvement. I know replacing the vacuum line from the fuel pressure regulator and cleaning the injectors made a positive difference according to Wifey to and from the office today.


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[Coyoteh]

Is that Sierrarot? It looks delicious

[BRADESTAR]

Finished it! A few weeks ago I dropped the front wheels back to earth. It took me about 5 weeks of slowly plugging away. All in all pretty fun and recommended. I’ve put about 300 miles on it. No CEL yet.
The car has been running better than it ever has in my ownership. I noticed a difference on the first drive, that vacuum leak had a large impact on drivability. I'd describe the throttle before as spongy. NOW it's a lot more fun!

I finished the cooling system and the vacuum tubes. My plastic connector at the back had an '07 date on it. Around 160K miles. Was still holding on.




Fuel filter. Cool thing is they have the date stamped on them so it was extremely gratifying to see the ’97 on it as well.



Cabin Air filters. PO must have parked exclusively under trees.





Water pump. I got the BMW (plastic impeller). I used long bolts and patience to get the old pump out.



Belts, new radiator



Cleaned injectors



Cleaned intake mani. Took it to local auto parts store and they put it in the parts washer? they had there. I was really impressed how clean they got it, bunch of gunk came out. Wish I hadn’t spent 2 hours trying to clean it a bit myself the night before.




Oil filter housing




Next I’m going to attempt a LSD rebuild kit for one I got resting on the ground. It should make the turns more enjoyable. Other odds and ends too, but mainly I'm just looking to drive it!

[BlackBMWs]

Send your DME to Barrie to have him flash it. Best bang for the buck. Quick turnaround.


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[BRADESTAR]

Pictures from a recent trip to the penninsula.