325i Sport Running too rich

[demutch]

Hi All

I have a 1989 E30 325i Sport and it seems to be running too rich. I had it running today and a delivery driver even commented "something doesn't smell right".

It also makes a popping noise when ticking over and when you first hit the throttle pedal.

I have already changed the air flow meter but I don't want to mess with the mixture setting until I find out if anything else could be causing it.

It starts ok when it's hot or cold and it runs and pulls ok as well.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
David

[jimbom30cab]

I would check the blue temp sensor first, the instructions are in the wiki here

[Grrrmachine]

CHECK, DON'T REPLACE!

It really is critical with these cars that you don't blindly swap bits over without testing them first.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... emp_Sensor

[Speedtouch]

Welcome to the Zone! As above, check blue temp sensor, and also that the air filter element is clean and that spark plugs of the correct type are fitted and gapped right.

[demutch]

Hi All, thanks for the replies. I will check the Blue temp sensor as per your advice following the instructions in the Wiki page.
Thanks Again.

[Fatalix]

Did i solve the problem? Thanks.

[demutch]

Hi All, sorry for the slow update......been really busy.
I have now checked the Blue sensor and it seems to be working fine and I have put in a new air filter element but the car is still running rich.

Can you tell me what the correct spark plugs are and the gap they should be set at? I would not have thought the plugs would make that much of a difference but I am willing to try anything and everything to get it fixed.

There is a lot of black smoke, it stinks and uses too much fuel, but apart from that it starts and runs ok when it's hot or cold with NO missing or spluttering and it seems to have enough power, so any other suggestions would be great?????

Thanks again for the help here.

[Speedtouch]

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... _Servicing

[Brianmoooore]

Did you check the temp. sensor resistance at the ECU plug or the sensor itself?

[demutch]

I followed the instructions on the Wiki page so tested both.

[mattIS]

does it have o2 sensors or lambda?could be culprit or chip or even injectors,i would start at the o2 sensors first

[demutch]

Just put a new air filter element in it and it's still the same, it was also the wrong spark plugs, someone had put NGK ZGR5A plugs in it.

Can someone tell me correct gap please?

[Brianmoooore]

Those are a correct plug for your car. Gap is 0.7mm.

[demutch]

According to the Wiki page it advises NGK BPR6ES so now I'm confused????

[Speedtouch]

Earlier high compression (pre-facelift) 325i had the ZGR5A plugs, while the facelift ones had the BPR6ES.

The later BPR6ES are recommended for either engine.

[Grrrmachine]

According to the Wiki page it advises NGK BPR6ES so now I'm confused????

Just because something is recommended, it doesn't mean everything else is wrong ;)

[demutch]

This a 1989 so it is the facelift and I have just put BPR6ES plugs in it.

[Speedtouch]

They should be ideal for it.

[demutch]

New plugs, new leads, new air filter, changed the air flow meter, checked the blue temp sensor and it's still running rich, so no different.........what now?????