An M30 swap/general playing with E30 scrap thread

[E30Gheko]

Big thanks to Danthe for coming up and having a look at the car. He checked all of the wiring and it appears as though the coil is suspect. There is no spark. The previous owner had changed the coil pack but replaced it with the wrong one by the looks of things.

A replacement coil could just be the ticket. Anyone got one?

[leeparkes]

Mine uses a coil like whats used on the m20,but ravs looks like a coil pack

heres mine



try your coil off your 325i to test it.


Edit* ive just checked on mine and i have a spare m20 coil knocking about,anyway the part numbers are the same 0 221 118 335 so im guessing it can be used

[E30Gheko]

Mine looks like urs Lee. I was going to try the one off the 325 but Dan seemed to think it would be too small.

Since getting home, I found this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-E28-E34-3 ... 1|294%3A50

Which makes me think that the coil off my 325 might work. I also have a coil in my garage which I think is from a 320i I blew up a few years ago. What's the worst that could happen by trying these two?

[daimlerman]

I would try that spare ex 320i coil before spending any cash.Afterall,the aim at this point is to prove that the poor thing will run without spewing oil and fuel out of the exhaust....
If that makes it run,problem solved,if not your issue could just be elsewhere,do those stone age relics have contact breaker points?

[E30Gheko]

Cheers Malc. Dan seemed fairly convinced it was the coil as all the wiring to it was fine, but no spark was coming out the other end.

I just checked the number stamped on the ex 320 coil. - 0221 118 335, The same as Lee's. It's also the same as the one from my 318i. So with the one sitting in the 325, there's 3 coils to try!

I'll charge the batt tonight and shoot down at some point tomorrow and give it a bash.

[daimlerman]

Did Dan check the autobox inhibitor switch?
Just thinking that could shut down the spark...
Try a lead direct from the battery pos to the SW terminal on the coil...this will bypass all other low tension ignition bits,either be sat in the thing when you try it or make very sure it is out of gear!

[E30Gheko]

Did Dan check the autobox inhibitor switch?

I did think about that although I never mentioned it. Dan seemed to know exactly what he was doing. I'll try the different coils and if there is still no joy, I'll give that a go Malc.

[e30_singh]

How clean is the E34? Accident damaged, rust issues?

As you will not need the E34 after you have pulled the engine out.. and if it is in good nick.. and the price is right.. I might be interested..

Let me know either way, I am on the hunt for a new project...

[E30Gheko]

I could swap the leftovers for the suspension set up u pm'd me about? I haven't got the time or the will to break everything and then go through the hassle of selling bits. There's some pictures of the car on earlier pages.

Malc, to go back to an earlier point. The car WILL turn over, but it just won't fire up. My volvo is an auto, and if it's not in Park, then nothing happens when you turn the key, i.e. it will not even crank the starter.

[e30_singh]

I could swap the leftovers for the suspension set up u pm'd me about?

Leftovers.... I want the complete car, apart from the obvious things your going to pull out such as engine & gearbox, loom etc.

I am not interested in a leftover E34. Yes I would part exchange the suspension setup with the deal we could strike. I had loads of M30 parts, only got a few scraps left now. Never the less we need to talk.

I am going to PM you my mobile number.

[daimlerman]

[quote="E30Gheko]

Malc, to go back to an earlier point. The car WILL turn over, but it just won't fire up. My volvo is an auto, and if it's not in Park, then nothing happens when you turn the key, i.e. it will not even crank the starter.[/quote]
Dan,of course,will be correct in his diagnosis of faulty coil!
He started my M50 that had me buying matches,found MY wiring fault....

[DanThe]

I doubt its anything to do with the inhibitor as there is power at the coil with ignition on and cranking, the problem seems to be the coil isnt being switched. Im not much of an expert on these old anchors and tried to forget all the hassles that come with distributors and coils when I chose the righteous path of 24 valves

No points on this malc, it might be old tech but its not that old

Crank sensor is working fine, loads of fuel but no spark, the cap and rotor have been changed recently and the wiring all seems to be in tact. Ideally id have taken a spare ECU to try but I dont have many M30 spares

[E30Gheko]

The one thing the seller did give me was a recent reciept from a mobile diagnostics guy. It stated that the ECU was tested and found to be in perfect working order. Seller also replaced the DME relay.

Anyone know anything about how aftermarket immobilisers work? Is it possible that it hasn't been completely removed and it is preventing spark? I have very little information on whatever device was removed.

[DanThe]

The usual way to prevent a spark is to cut into the feed to the coil, which I tested for. It looked like the immobiliser was fitted in the ECU box as I repaired the fuel pump relay wire and also cut an extra live and earth away. He replaced the fuel pump relay, I dont know why as the fuel system is obviously not the problem

[leeparkes]

Slap the m20 coil on tomorrow,you could be scratching your head for nothing!

Hope you get it started though,i hate repairing other idiots work (especially electrics)

[E30Gheko]

Right I'll do that tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on!

[daimlerman]

Took me two half days to remove this lot from the cabbie,I traced every wire to is's connection point in case something vital was run through the thing.There were even wires going to the boot light switch and to a very clever micro switch on a bonnet roller...
And it started afterwards!

[E30Gheko]

Was chatting to Dan this morning and someone on the 5 forum. It's seems the ECU is now prime suspect so I'm looking for a new one.

[leeparkes]

Speak to rav,im sure he's using his 320i ECU with an M30 chip

Have you tried the coil yet?

[E30Gheko]

I'm in work til late this afternoon, so not tried the coil but it sounds as though that is unlikely to get it going. The coil is not switching which is controlled by the ECU as far as I understand it.

[Rav335uk]

According to Speedtouch, nay 6pot ecu will run with his chip in.
I'm using a 325 ecu with his chip and all is and has been well

[E30Gheko]

Is it possible to use the ecu from my 325 with the chip from the M30 ecu?

[Rav335uk]

Not sure on that.
Pm speedtouch and maybe he'll know.

[leeparkes]

dont think your 325i ecu will work as its pre facelift (could be wrong though)

[Mayze]

I have a spare ecu from a 525 You can have if its any use.

[E30Gheko]

Big up to Danthe. Replacement ECU arrived this morning. Unsurpirisingly a correct diagnosis. Took me less than 5 mins to swap the ECU's over and it fired up instantly.

Let it run for about 30 minutes. Unfortunatley someone had put the shovel from a JCB right infront of it preventing me from taking it for a blast anywhere.

Held temperature bang on where it should be, no nasty smoke, no concerning rattles etc. If anything slighlty tappety but I may be being picky there.

Verdict? - It's a goer and I have a man hanging on to a manual box, flywheel and clutch for me.

Now just need to get a clear day to remove it.

Watch this space!!

Neil 320Tourning There's some very large Whisky's behind the bar for you.

[Daf318is]

Unfortunatley someone had put the shovel from a JCB right infront of it preventing me from taking it for a blast anywhere.

That just sounds like a quick way to frag it to me!

[leeparkes]

Big up to Danthe. Replacement ECU arrived this morning. Unsurpirisingly a correct diagnosis. Took me less than 5 mins to swap the ECU's over and it fired up instantly.

Glad to hear it runs good,they are all slightly ticky up top but thats just the nature of the beast!

Reset the valves and do the spraybar mod,it will quieten it down a bit but you wont get it silent, heres the link

http://www.cscoupe.org/tech/spray_bar_fix/70590.html

Keep us updated

[E30Gheko]

Daf,

Gonna organise a Sunday soon to extract the motor. Probably a week on Sunday. If you're not doin anything....

[DanThe]

If youd taken the front bumper off you could have moved the JCB bucket with the car

[E30Gheko]

If youd taken the front bumper off you could have moved the JCB bucket with the car

lol. True Dan, very true. I'm not about to drive around North Wales in a mot-less, tax-less and bumperless 535 though!

[Daf318is]

Daf,

Gonna organise a Sunday soon to extract the motor. Probably a week on Sunday. If you're not doin anything....

Sure thing - just keep me posted!

[E30Gheko]

Another option is to frag the chav. I must confess I am begining to fall out of love with this car, largely influenced by some much finer E30's I have seen of late. I could sell it, but i'd be very reluctant to part with the interior. All running gear could be swapped over, and there would be a decent 325i motor to sell with 6 branch & big cam etc.

In all honesty I can't even guess the mileage on this motor, but I can vouch for the fact that it goes very well, and doesn't smoke or lose oil etc. If anyone wants to try it out with a view to buying should it come up for sale let me know. I'll bring it to the pod intact.

Nothing set in stone yet I'm still contemplating. Apologies for being a bit scatty!

[E30Gheko]

Engine extraction is scheduled for this Sunday. If anyone local wishes to join me then let me know and I can give you directions to where I am going to be from around 10.00am. There are hydraulic ramps, a crane, and most importantly a roof.

[DanThe]

Please dont make any unnecessary incisions on the wiring

I would come over but its my daughters birthday on Sunday, and as im spending the Saturday at Oulton park I dont think it would go down to well