whats the best way?

[stokiedundee]

Hi my fellow zoners. I want to clean my dizzy cap on my 1990 316i 5door manual e30. I just want to know whats the best way to clean it? And do I use a flat ended screwdriver to clean the terminals or something else like wire wool? Please give me some advice. Also I'm thinking of fitting a new dizzy cap and rotor arm eventually. Is it an easy job to do? Any help will be much appreciated, thanks. Ry

[Grrrmachine]

If you're taking the cap off to clean the terminals, you might as well put a new one on. Remember that these engines don't have an old clockwork dizzy like a Morris Marina; the rotor arm is simply attached to the end of the camshaft with three torx screws, and then the dizzy cap clips over the top of that with three more screws.

20 mins work if it's your first time. Cleaning it is false economy.

[Billwill]

Rather replace the lot if they look suspect. Be careful that you do not tighten the dizzy cap bolts too tightly as the plastic is brittle and can snap with ease.

[stokiedundee]

Thanks guys. I think I'll just replace the dizzy cap and rotor arm. Its only because I think shes running abit sluggish but on the other hand, I know the 316i is renowned to be slow. I think I'll replace the rotor arm and dizzy and give her a k&n oil filter, and ngk spark plugs. And some castrol magnatec. What do you think guys? Do you think a good service would give her back her spring in her step? I am thinking of selling her and getting a 325i. But I'll wait and see if I can get my mechanic to release abit more power from my 316i first

[bmw9818]

ive got a cap and arm and original bremi ht leads off my 316i, cap and arm have about 4k on them

[greg124]

A 316i will be even slower if it's not in tip-top order.
I always use NGK plugs.
Do you mean K&N air filter? Don't expect it to make much difference on this engine.

[stokiedundee]

Thanks bmw9818, I aint got the funds atm but I'll message ya in a couple of weeks when I do and check if you still have them. And greg124, its a K&N oil filter that I'm gonna fit and some ngk spark plugs aswell. I'm gonna use castrol magnatec oil aswell. I know the 316i's are renowned to be slow, but I am hoping to at least get a little bit more power out of her. I am going to be selling her shortly and a get a 325i, but I'm gonna do this just so I can see myself if I can get any extra power before I sell her on ebay. I was gonna get a 325i in the first place but didnt have the funds at the time, plus I couldnt resist buying this 316i, as she was at a bargain price of only £400, so I snapped the guys hand off!!! If I only achieve a small increase in power then it'll be something.

[bmw9818]

Scorpion exhaust? I noticed a slightly free'r rev at top end, I got one For sale came off my 316i as well