M42 Dramas
Moderator: martauto
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TPS
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Just swapped my M40 for an M42, lots of drama now. The car first started ok, but now won't start at all without a bump, If you turn the key it'll just make 3 or 4 clicks (sounds like a machine gun), & thats it. When its going unless the throttle is pressed, it won't idle & will just die. Theres a misfire, as well! The Temp. Gauge reads red, whatever the temp. the engine is. The Oil light firstly wouldn't work, now is on all the time, very dimly.
If anyone has any ideas about any of this, please let me know.
Thanks
Phil
If anyone has any ideas about any of this, please let me know.
Thanks
Phil

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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Rav335uk
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Check your battery Phil, sounds like it's not fully charged.
If the starters only clicking, it's defo your battery.
If the starters only clicking, it's defo your battery.

If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
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jimbom30cab
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yer the clicking is your bttery not being able to give enough power to turn the starter motor properly. The low battery voltage could be causing other problems also like you have seen.
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jimbom30cab
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Phil, maybe also with the idle, the ICV could just be a bit stubbon to get working - don't forget it wasn't used for a year, maybe give it clean and try to work it ? Misfire could be a loose HT lead or a dud spark plug. The injectors were refurbished on that inlet manifold but it wouldn't be unknown for one to be duff or blocked maybe?
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jmc330i
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Had similar issues with the S50. The battery was fully charged over 24hrs or so, but still no joy. I was told if the battery isn't tip top, obviously the starter will struggle but also the coil packs will struggle. New battery solved it for mine - well robbing the battery from my 306 diesel did 
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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Brianmoooore
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Oil light and temp gauge problems point to problems with the engine block to battery negative path (which also accounts for the machine gun starter, of course). Check out the engine to body earth strap, and any other relevant metal to metal joints.
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Rav335uk
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That was my next piece of advice.Brianmoooore wrote:Oil light and temp gauge problems point to problems with the engine block to battery negative path (which also accounts for the machine gun starter, of course). Check out the engine to body earth strap, and any other relevant metal to metal joints.

If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
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DanThe
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Check earths first, charge battery/buy new one after 
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TPS
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Thanks Everyone, I know the Battery Negative lead, The Drivers side Mount arm, but where are the other Earth Points?

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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Brianmoooore
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The metal to metal joint between the mount arm and the engine block.
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TPS
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Thanks Brian

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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johnl320
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We will put another temp earth connection using a jump lead tomorrow Phil, its all that bloody paint!! We can also swap the icv with a known good one, see you tomorrow for round 3!
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TPS
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Looking forward to it John, see you then

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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78gizmo
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Lack of idle could be down to perished/split breather pipes which run inside the M42 inlet manifold. If its not already done, remove throttle heater plate. Then simplify the breather pipes, i routed mine outside the inlet manifold (think i used spare pipes off my old M40) for a much easier life and a smooth idle!
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jimbom30cab
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the breather pipes are all in as new condition with new clips, i think John is right about the paint breaking the electrical connection. Sorry bout that TPS at least it will look nice when it works..
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johnl320
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Starter issue turned out to be the earth between block and engine mount. Still has glowing oil light and poor idle although Phil said it has improved after a run.
I'm sure he will be on here later, he's been trying to sort a bent electric window mech in the peeing rain, it hasn't been a fun swap this, mainly due to the weather.
I'm sure he will be on here later, he's been trying to sort a bent electric window mech in the peeing rain, it hasn't been a fun swap this, mainly due to the weather.
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BenHar
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You went for a run with the oil light glowing?!johnl320 wrote: Still has glowing oil light and poor idle although Phil said it has improved after a run.
Not a good idea unless you are sure that the oil pressure is OK.
Ben
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johnl320
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Oil light has a fault, as does temp gauge we suspect loom differences as this is a very late touring,car has pressure, new chain tensioner immediatly took up the slack and hydraulic tappets were quickly filled and quiet, I'm not a total retard.
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BenHar
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Ok, sorry.johnl320 wrote:Oil light has a fault, as does temp gauge we suspect loom differences as this is a very late touring,car has pressure, new chain tensioner immediatly took up the slack and hydraulic tappets were quickly filled and quiet, I'm not a total retard.
Best to make these things clear, cos someone might try it.
Ben
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Rav335uk
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Thought you army boys were used to a bit of rain 

If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
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johnl320
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Last day today mate, tomorrow I'm a civvy
22 years 201 days, you'd get less for murder, f00king hate the rain
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Rav335uk
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What you doing then?

If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
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johnl320
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Hennared323i got me a job working on tunnel boring machines in London, all thanks to the zone!
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Rav335uk
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If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
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jimbom30cab
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nice one John, i went outside in 2006 and never looked back, enjoy it mate
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johnl320
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Cheers Jimbo
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TPS
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No worries, I drove it 20 miles home yesterday, its a lovely engine, just a few teething problems, as John says I spent 2 hours in the rain yesterday, the scissor part of the Electric Window has somehow bent, trying to fix that.jimboe39540i wrote:Sorry bout that TPS at least it will look nice when it works..
Need to fix that, luckily its not raining at the moment.

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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jimbom30cab
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how's it going matey? are you up for a trip to liphook yet?
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TPS
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Charged Battery up last night, car wouldn't start yesterday, today started OK, I should be 'round Saturday, if your in, I've got your pallet on wheels to return. The crane is still in Andover, I'll have to return that soon.

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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jimbom30cab
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ok, don't worry mate untill you have them both, we can always meet up half way if i still have the e39 otherwise i might have to ask if you come here, but wait till you have them both save doing 2 trips. i need the crane back in a couple of weeks if poss so i can get that hair dryer M40 out 
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TPS
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No worries, its currently in Andover, its not going anywhere at the moment, I just to arrange to go 'round there & retreive it. I can always help get that M40 out if you like.

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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jimbom30cab
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sounds great mate, won't say no to some expert help, you must have removed a few M40s now
Even better would be a hand dropping the M30 in, now for that i would buy you a lot of beer

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TPS
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I've helped to remove 2, The PITA is the Exhaust/Prop./Gearbox if your removing them.

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
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jimbom30cab
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yup, all of the above, i'll get the zaust and prop off first and the engine is going in with the box attached. Come over when you can, i've got an M30 in almost every piece in the garage at the moment.
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TPS
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I've never been near an M30, should be fun.

1991 325i Touring Alpine White II
1994 318i Touring Sterling Silver
