M20 producing atrocious mpg. Update 15/6/16
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- E30 Zone Camper
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Alright lads, got an m20 here running very smooth, no issues at all bar it's very sore on fuel.
Basically in less than 20 miles driving sheepishly, over a tenner of petrol used.
She smells rich but then again they all seem to.
When I changed the oil it stank of petrol.
There are no obvious leaks but I haven't specifically checked yet.
What's the protocol, where to start, what to eliminate?
Thanks
Basically in less than 20 miles driving sheepishly, over a tenner of petrol used.
She smells rich but then again they all seem to.
When I changed the oil it stank of petrol.
There are no obvious leaks but I haven't specifically checked yet.
What's the protocol, where to start, what to eliminate?
Thanks
Last edited by dimebag_from_hell on Wed Jun 15, 2016 1:20 am, edited 1 time in total.

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///M aurice
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
- Brianmoooore
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Pi**ed as a newt, on the wrong end of a bottle of red, sitting by the Loire near Nevers, but I can still just about type! Check out the blue temp. sensor resistances, hot and cold, AT THE ECU PLUG, is the first thing to check, but you reallyneed a printout from an exhaust gas test. Always ask for this at a MOT test.
- aimlessrock
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are the HT leads original or aftermarket- does it have a CID?
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/CID
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/CID
E30 320i Convertible (1989)
190 Mercedes (1988)
"there is nothing more expensive than a cheap E30"
190 Mercedes (1988)
"there is nothing more expensive than a cheap E30"
- aimlessrock
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lol- sounds good Brian.Brianmoooore wrote:Pi**ed as a newt, on the wrong end of a bottle of red, sitting by the Loire near Nevers, but I can still just about type! Check out the blue temp. sensor resistances, hot and cold, AT THE ECU PLUG, is the first thing to check, but you reallyneed a printout from an exhaust gas test. Always ask for this at a MOT test.
E30 320i Convertible (1989)
190 Mercedes (1988)
"there is nothing more expensive than a cheap E30"
190 Mercedes (1988)
"there is nothing more expensive than a cheap E30"
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How would you test fuel pressure regulator? With the amount of fuel its using I can't imagine it's leaking, I have a tiled garage floor and just think I would see evidence of this somewhere.
The thing is it idles perfectly from cold, never stalls, in fact it's perfect bar the amount of fuel its using.
The thing is it idles perfectly from cold, never stalls, in fact it's perfect bar the amount of fuel its using.

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."
using a pressure gauge.... you can also pull the vacuum hose off the back see there is fuel in there sometimes they leak into vacuum hose indicating a fault. what MPG you getting now and a few months back?
E30 325is with M20B31
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She was always sore on fuel being a m20 but now I might aswell by driving a hummer.

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I'm finally getting free time to look at this later, do you have to remove the ECU from the glove box to get to the ECU plug?Brianmoooore wrote:Pi**ed as a newt, on the wrong end of a bottle of red, sitting by the Loire near Nevers, but I can still just about type! Check out the blue temp. sensor resistances, hot and cold, AT THE ECU PLUG, is the first thing to check, but you reallyneed a printout from an exhaust gas test. Always ask for this at a MOT test.

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Ok plug located, it's a 35 pin plug
Pin Function Pin Function Image
1 Ignition coil output 19 Ground Image:Motronic1_0Pins.jpg
2 Idle switch 20 Main relay
3 WOT switch 21 Tachometer
4 Cranking signal 22 AFM Temp sensor
5 Ground/Crank PosS Gnd 23 Inlet Air Temp/Crank SpS Gnd
6 AFM ground 24 O2 sensor signal *
7 AFM signal 25 Crank position sensor 1
8 Crank speed sensor 1 26 Crank position sensor 2
9 AFM supply 27 Crank speed sensor 2
10 Auto only special 28 Water Pressure switch
11 Fuel consumption gauge 29 A/C switch (if installed)
12 30 +Inlet Air Temp
13 Water Temp 31
14 Injector output cyl 3&4 32
15 Injector output cyl 1&2 33 ICV pulse
16 Ground 34 ICV pulse
17 Ground 35 Injector ground
18
The e30 wiki guide states, "Putt your multimeter electrodes onto pins 24 and 45 of the ECU (for facelift engines. For others, such as the 318iS, check the ECU Pinouts)"
Pin 24 is ground and 45 is coolant temp input, the pinouts for the 35 pin plug do not show a pin for coolant temperature input, can anyone advise further?
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... CU_Pinouts
EDIT
So this is what I have
Going by the e30 wiki link, pin 13 is coolant temp but looking at the plug there isn't a pin at position 13....
Pin Function Pin Function Image
1 Ignition coil output 19 Ground Image:Motronic1_0Pins.jpg
2 Idle switch 20 Main relay
3 WOT switch 21 Tachometer
4 Cranking signal 22 AFM Temp sensor
5 Ground/Crank PosS Gnd 23 Inlet Air Temp/Crank SpS Gnd
6 AFM ground 24 O2 sensor signal *
7 AFM signal 25 Crank position sensor 1
8 Crank speed sensor 1 26 Crank position sensor 2
9 AFM supply 27 Crank speed sensor 2
10 Auto only special 28 Water Pressure switch
11 Fuel consumption gauge 29 A/C switch (if installed)
12 30 +Inlet Air Temp
13 Water Temp 31
14 Injector output cyl 3&4 32
15 Injector output cyl 1&2 33 ICV pulse
16 Ground 34 ICV pulse
17 Ground 35 Injector ground
18
The e30 wiki guide states, "Putt your multimeter electrodes onto pins 24 and 45 of the ECU (for facelift engines. For others, such as the 318iS, check the ECU Pinouts)"
Pin 24 is ground and 45 is coolant temp input, the pinouts for the 35 pin plug do not show a pin for coolant temperature input, can anyone advise further?
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... CU_Pinouts
EDIT
So this is what I have
Going by the e30 wiki link, pin 13 is coolant temp but looking at the plug there isn't a pin at position 13....

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Anyone? Cars up for MOT on Monday so desperate to get this sorted.
Just test at the sensor itself? Was going to just take it of, test it from cold and then dip the sensor in a cup of hot water and test it.
Just test at the sensor itself? Was going to just take it of, test it from cold and then dip the sensor in a cup of hot water and test it.

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."
ECU is drivers side on a RHD car, not above the glovebox.dimebag_from_hell wrote:I'm finally getting free time to look at this later, do you have to remove the ECU from the glove box to get to the ECU plug?Brianmoooore wrote:Pi**ed as a newt, on the wrong end of a bottle of red, sitting by the Loire near Nevers, but I can still just about type! Check out the blue temp. sensor resistances, hot and cold, AT THE ECU PLUG, is the first thing to check, but you reallyneed a printout from an exhaust gas test. Always ask for this at a MOT test.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
You need to check the sensor from the ECU end to rule out any wiring issues and make sure the ECU is receiving the signal from the sensor. There is a plug under the inlet manifold that can cause issues, so it's important to check at the ECU end.dimebag_from_hell wrote:Anyone? Cars up for MOT on Monday so desperate to get this sorted.
Just test at the sensor itself? Was going to just take it of, test it from cold and then dip the sensor in a cup of hot water and test it.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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Jesus Christ epic fail!jmc330i wrote:ECU is drivers side on a RHD car, not above the glovebox.dimebag_from_hell wrote:I'm finally getting free time to look at this later, do you have to remove the ECU from the glove box to get to the ECU plug?Brianmoooore wrote:Pi**ed as a newt, on the wrong end of a bottle of red, sitting by the Loire near Nevers, but I can still just about type! Check out the blue temp. sensor resistances, hot and cold, AT THE ECU PLUG, is the first thing to check, but you reallyneed a printout from an exhaust gas test. Always ask for this at a MOT test.
Will have a look when I'm home. Thanks!

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So from cold I get 2800 ohms and hot 250, sounds about right. Obviously never bothered testing at the blue temp itself after getting those readings.
From experience where would you chaps reccomend checking next. Fuel tank looks good, no visible signs of leaks on garage floor.
From experience where would you chaps reccomend checking next. Fuel tank looks good, no visible signs of leaks on garage floor.

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So I am reading the C191 plug could be at fault, is there any issues when removing the intake manifold? I am at work trying to visualise it in my head.
I must stress this car started perfectly after a few years of no use, it idles perfectly, drives perfectly with no misfires....so I am hoping that will narrow down what could be the issue.
Could a leaking injector be the cause? The oil that came out of it stank of petrol.
Did the "wild chip" which I believe was supplied on here by ant, known to cause excessive fueling?
I am mad to get this sorted as I have a 300 mile journey to do in it to a car show on the 18th
I must stress this car started perfectly after a few years of no use, it idles perfectly, drives perfectly with no misfires....so I am hoping that will narrow down what could be the issue.
Could a leaking injector be the cause? The oil that came out of it stank of petrol.
Did the "wild chip" which I believe was supplied on here by ant, known to cause excessive fueling?
I am mad to get this sorted as I have a 300 mile journey to do in it to a car show on the 18th

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- Brianmoooore
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You've already tested the C191 if you've checked the temp. sensor at the ECU.
Have you taken all the spark plugs out and checked them all for the colour of their tips?
Have you taken all the spark plugs out and checked them all for the colour of their tips?
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Yes Brian, I removed them when doing the timing belt. They were bmw Bosch and like new.
Any other ideas?
Thanks!
Any other ideas?
Thanks!

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- Brianmoooore
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^ ^ ^ ^
What he said!
Condition isn't what we need to know. Colour is.
What he said!
Condition isn't what we need to know. Colour is.
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Standard greyish colourBrianmoooore wrote:^ ^ ^ ^
What he said!
Condition isn't what we need to know. Colour is.

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- Brianmoooore
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Second pic. is too out of focus to see anything, but the first pic., although from the wrong angle, appears to be a little on the black (rich) side.
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I'm getting pretty much single figure mpg, blue temps good, C191 good, what'I would you suggest to check next Brian? Thanks

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As I know I've used at least 10 litres of petrol in within 20 miles.jmc330i wrote:How are you calculating the mpg?dimebag_from_hell wrote:I'm getting pretty much single figure mpg

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those plugs dont look like bill gates rich. how long had the car been idling before pulling them? plugs might suggest it might be under load that is overlfuelling rather than at all times and at idle its ok? if so could be AFM
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- Brianmoooore
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That must be a leak! If the engine was burning it at that rate (less than 10MPG), then the plug tips would be a ball of soot.dimebag_from_hell wrote: As I know I've used at least 10 litres of petrol in within 20 miles.
A leak in the form of a fine spray from a high pressure fuel hose, that only occurs when the engine is running, can be surprisingly difficult to detect.
I remember one years ago when I only found it when the back of my hand happened to pass through the jet.
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The fuel hoses are beneath the air intake? If a leak cannot be detected by hand would it be worth just replacing them all?

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- Brianmoooore
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There are hoses at the rear of the car as well. They usually fare better than those in the engine bay, since they're not exposed to so much heat, but they can still fail.
Bending a hose will show if it needs replacing - cracks into the braid are not good.
Did this drop in MPG happen suddenly?
Bending a hose will show if it needs replacing - cracks into the braid are not good.
Did this drop in MPG happen suddenly?
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No Brian, I always felt it ran rich but after a long lay up, couple of years, it's using an excessive amount of fuel

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How do you know?dimebag_from_hell wrote:As I know I've used at least 10 litres of petrol in within 20 miles.jmc330i wrote:How are you calculating the mpg?dimebag_from_hell wrote:I'm getting pretty much single figure mpg
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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I know what your trying to get at, however I know the car, have owned it for years and can tell from the guage that I've used at least a tenner of fuel.

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It idled for about 10 minutes a day or two before I tested the blue temp sensor.reggid wrote:those plugs dont look like bill gates rich. how long had the car been idling before pulling them? plugs might suggest it might be under load that is overlfuelling rather than at all times and at idle its ok? if so could be AFM
Surely if the AFM was faulty the car wouldn't be driving so good?
I'm going to check the fuel hoses tomorrow after work. Is there much to remove to get to them?
Thanks

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