325 Touring rough running

[toughguych]

Got a guy to fit a piper cam privatly.
Car was not running smooth when I got it back.
Eventually it would not start.
Took it to BMW Specialist garage, thay went over everthing and replaced the crank case sensor and cleaned the ECU terminals on the engine side as they said they were " fured up ".
But they still couldnt get it to run smooth.
When its cold it runs very rough and to rich.
When warmed up and rolling along the road it constantly feels rough.
Colud it be the valves arnt seating right because when the garage did a compression test all six cylinders were down 50%.

[Martinaston]

Is the cam the only item that was changed ?

[toughguych]

Engine also got a new timing belt tensioner and one new bar that holds the rockers on ( Sorry cant remember tech name ).
Other wise thats it.
Guy wanted quick buck, I dont really think he was that bothered about detail. He was suprized at the condition of the the head, he said it was good and did not need skiming.

[toughguych]

Tricky one ehh?

[Martinaston]

Have a look at the side of the engine below the inlet manifold and check that he's put a new head gasket on it, It should be a clean redish colour.
If he's used the original one the crush rings will not seal a second time giving low compression and will lead to other problems that will kill the car.

I would check the timing marks on the crank and cam just to be absolutely sure they are lined up.
The guy might not have tensioned it properly so the belt jumped and damaged the valves and then set it to the correct position before returning the car. That could explain the low compression (and the new rocker bar, the rockers are cheap to replace).
Take the rocker cover off and see if any of the rockers look newer than the rest.

I suspect it's the second surgestion as you said he mentioned the head did not need a reface. (i thnik he might have been taking the piss)

If its the valves the guy owes you a new (reconed) engine not just a head.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the low compression is no small problem.
If the BMW garage didn't mention it then they probably don't want to drop someone in it. (nice to know there so honest)

Talking of honesty did someone else realy fit the cam or was it a DIY power boost

[toughguych]

Thanks for the reply Dude.
The head gasket was changed, all the other stuff you mentioned was checked by the garage I had to take it to to try and sort it.
I was thinknig of taking the head off myself and re-grinding the valves but could I put it back togeather again!?

[Martinaston]

Putting things back together is the easy part, it's the attention to detail when dismanteling that causes problems.
If the valves are not closing are the tappets adjusted properly ?
Do you need uprated springs for that cam ?

[toughguych]

Yes, would get harder springs.
Just had a thought, could it be the rings as all 6 cylinders are down 50% compression?
But that wouldnt really make the car run the way it is.
After spending way more then I will ever get back I just want a car that runs right...
Impreza wagon???

[Martinaston]

If it's loosing compresion you need to know where it's going to.
If it's running what happens when you take the oil filler cap off ?
Is the coolant over pressurised ?