plug leads, like a lazer show round my dizzy!

[hairypete]

help guys! seems my leads have had their last stand and lost! anyone know where to get a set for less than 75 quid? and thats from euro car parts! and not breakers!

[Brianmoooore]

Are these OE leads? I've never seen a dud OE lead yet, I've tested plenty and never changed any, even on LPG cars.
Set from the scrapyard will do fine.

[E30Mark]

is it the leads or the dizzy cap???

[hairypete]

ok, update, swapped the leads over with some old ones off one of my mates, seems to have cured the problem, not 10% sure yet though, gonna let it stand in the damp a day or so and try again in the dark so i can see.

the wierd thing is, last night i had the light show and there wasnt enough spark to kick the engine over. today, she started fine, just seemed to flood the engine when i gave it more than just a bit of throttle. she seemed to clear up and run ok after a few miles. after i changed the leads over there was no sign of any troubles, and car runnin much much better. so its something to do with the old leads, damp weather and possibly very cold engine.

they were copper silicone leads bought from an independant bmw specialist only a couple of years ago, along with a new ignition coil and dizzy assembly. so its not like its all very old. but it would appear that they have just worn for some reason. ah well, she's runnin good now so cheers guys!

[gazza]

i know the oe bmw leads are good but there are lots of cars out there that no longer have the heat shields fitted to the exhaust manifold ........so those that dont,...........fit them asap as you wil cook/melt them or dry out the rubber exterior leading to them breaking down.....i know i was that man and my new leads lasted about 3 months before i developed a missfire (plug cap arcs to the cylinder head) i took them back and moaned and they were replaced (good job they didnt see the sheilds missing) at 69 pounds a time

[m-dtech]

sounds more like the cap / rotor or coil is at fault.

[Brianmoooore]

i know the oe bmw leads are good but there are lots of cars out there that no longer have the heat shields fitted to the exhaust manifold ........so those that dont,...........fit them asap as you wil cook/melt them or dry out the rubber exterior leading to them breaking down.

My daily driver 318i, that gets driven absolutely flat to the metal all the time with no mercy whatsoever, hasn't had a trace of the heatshields since I bought it about five years ago. Leads are original, and show no sign of deterioration at all

[Brianmoooore]

they were copper silicone leads bought from an independant bmw specialist only a couple of years ago,

There's your problem then - not OE leads.
Morale: Don't fit aftermarket crap to E30s.

[cliffybabe]

I got mine form ebay for about Ԛ£30 quid delivered a year ago, they were a good brand aswell

[gazza]

i had a set of the old leads the original bmw ones and they had the anti rodent things on them (black plastic rings)
and as brian says are very good but when one broke down i replaced them with a oe set but without the anti rodent bits and they dont last anywhere near as long without the heat sheilds but most of my driving is in town and often stuck in traffic it gets very hot under the bonnet......brian haver you got the things fitted to stop little furry things eating them or normal leads

[hairypete]

well i have me heatshields fitted, i have the plastic carrier intact too, not too sure about this anti rodent cover your on about gazza, but i do have my logun S-16! die furry critters die die die!!!!

ahem, sorry chaps, got a little excited there! anyways, i have found a set of leads with the corresponding piston numbers written on them, so wether they are OE or not, they seem to have cured the problem. now i just need some more fekkin fuel!

[gazza]

if you have your etk installed search bmw part no 12 12 1 727 627.........ignition wire with rodent protection bmw are not envoirment freindly when it comes to little furry things
they are fitted with small plastic rings over all the exposed wiring ,so you dont actually see the cable itself just the "rodent protection"

[Brianmoooore]

.brian haver you got the things fitted to stop little furry things eating them or normal leads

Not on the car I'm referring to, but I do have a M40 touring here that has them. Wondered what thet were for.
My driving involves very few roads that have a white line down the middle, and involves a lot of hard acceleration (relatively - it's a 1.8 M40) and braking, bouncing off the rev limiter in second and third.
Underbonnet gets very hot.