jc43089 Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 I am not sure if the version of Motronic you have adapts like the ECU in the e36 but you should reset it by disconnecting the battery and touching the cables together to clear the ECU and force it to relearn the engine. On the e36 you have to do this anytime you make a modification and/or fix a problem like that. I installed a lightweight flywheel in a 328 and it would hardly idle until the ecu was reset, then it relearned and smoothed right out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpandrewschmidt Posted April 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 Drove it more last night. Still has some sputtering issues, but not NEARLY as bad. I at least feel like I can drive it to places. It smooths out more after its warmed up. Still might have to take up a couple of your offers to look things over to see if I'm missing anything if you're still willing. Looking online it doesn't look like my ECU resets like the e36. I unplugged the battery last night and am letting it sit all day today. Will try again tonight. As for the smoke test I just modeled it after these two posts. I put a hole in a soda can and the can fits nicely into the intake hose. Just tape it and seal it off good before putting smoke into the system. Dont forget to open the throttle. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=292791&page=2&highlight=smokehttp://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=274418&highlight=smoke jc43089 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpandrewschmidt Posted April 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 hooked the battery up again and turned on. Still sputters like before. Still bad enough that its definitely not right. I have no idea. Ugh. I'm thinking this still might go back to those Bavauto performance wires and plugs. I did find one buried topic online of a person having issues with those wires. Is there anyone I could meet up with that has an m20 engine that would be willing to let me try their plugs / wires to rule that out? Thanks again for every ones help here. Oh, I did also hook the vacuum test back up and I got 16-17 psi, so that was much improved from before and where it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc43089 Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 Is the vacuum gauge steady? I have some i wires that are used but worked fine. I work with a guy from Mount Horeb, he could probably get them to you on Sunday maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 My new wires came from ECS but I won't be around this weekend. Not sure what brand they are yet. I think I rememeber hearing some issues with Bavauto wires too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 Sorry to hear it's still not cooperating. I've got an old set off my 90 325i you can try if anyone is heading Madison way from New Berlin/Milwaukee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpandrewschmidt Posted April 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 Thanks JC - sent you a message. I can meet up today after noon or tomorrow if possible to grab those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpandrewschmidt Posted April 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Ugh, frustrated. Changed out the wires (thanks JC) and put in some NKG plugs just in case. Still getting the same problem. Out of ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Afm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc43089 Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 Snap, what happens with the afm unplugged? Does it use default safe tables? That could be a way to test by trying to run it with the afm unplugged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 I am in Madison and am more than willing to take a look at your car. I am sure we could get to the bottom of this in a few hours. You should compose a list of everything you swapped out or replaced in attempt to diagnose the problem. Shoot me a text and when you have time, swing by my shop and I can help you get this sorted, like you said, I am sure its something simple. 414.eight52.five943 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpandrewschmidt Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Thanks guys, you all rock for offering to help like this. I've tried unplugging the AFM and the car just stalled and died so I'm not sure it can run without that plugged in, i don't think so. I'm going to try cleaning the AFM tonight and moving the track slightly on the electronic sensor like this guy does. I opened it up and I definitely have two distinguishable spots of wear along the track. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=247831 I don't totally understand how the AFM works but this might be it. The thing I don't understand is does that arm constantly move along the senor pad, or does it only adjust while pressing the throttle? If it's the later I don't think that'd be my issue because the car sputters even when in idle. However, if that arm is constantly moving based the other sensor in the air box it'd make sense for the car to sputter when it hits the dead spots along the track. Either way, I'll report back tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc43089 Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 When there is more air moving through the afm it opens then flap which is linked to the wiper. The cross section inside of the afm increases as it opens so it will open in a somewhat linear way through the range of airflow. The air is based on how far the throttle is open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpandrewschmidt Posted April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Hi all, quick update. Snap looked and tested my AFM. did show signs of dead spots. So, since i didn't have a new one I just put it back in and also re-swapped out the OEM wires and plugs back to the newer performance ones / bosch plugs. So, all the same stuff. I was going to meet John Thursday in Cottage Grove to look things over. I wanted to make sure I could make it that whole way from the westside so I took the car out Wednesday night to my wife's Happy hour just to make sure it woudn't die. It sputtered for about 2 mins then settled down. I hit a detour on my way which made me have to go 70mph on 151. Took me about 30 mins to get around town. Car ran great, no issues. Let it cool down while we ate for several hours. Fired it back up on the way home. No sputtering at all. So, Thursday I decide to try taking it to work along the Beltline. Fired it up, no issues. Drove around all day Thursday and took to work again today. I'll probably jynx myself for typing this, knock on wood, but no issues. Nothing different that i did. So, no idea but I'll take it for now! I'm not touching anything Actually have a few drips i have to stop, but at least I feel I hopefully wont break down. Just wanted to say thanks again for everyone's help. I definitely learned a lot about this engine through all this. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 You learned that m20's can't be trusted and it needs an m50 swap right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpandrewschmidt Posted April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 You learned that m20's can't be trusted and it needs an m50 swap right? Ha, yes. Maybe when this one dies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight6pwr Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 Glad you got it solved. straight6pwr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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