I THINK my m20 is finally done....

[ber55ber55]

2 days ago i posted about a idle/throttle issue i was having...

Symptoms: Car starts but when throttle is opened, car dies. About 3 days before this, I noticed a slight loss in power, and a very slightly erratic idle (just not as stable as what I am used to). When car does begin to drive, takes 2 seconds for car to go but immidiatly drops again but then goes right back up (basically jerky and feels as if the car was being chocked or not given gas)

Today I finally got a chance to tear some pieces off the car and see whats going on

The AFM looked okay
The ICV looked fine and seemed to be working
The TPS looked fine and I could hear the click when i moved the throttle manually

But then I took the intake off completly....
The throttle and the intake pipe had a whole bunch of oil in it in puddles
In my experience oil, and especially that much oil, isnt a good sign.

I put the car back together, and started it. It died. Started it again, and hit the throttle a little bit and chocked it. Started it again and it ran, but idled soooo extremly low (100-200rpms) that the entire engine was shaking. I had the AFM off when i did this, because I wanted to check to see if there was going to be oil again. There was. It is coming out of the whole on the left side (the spot where like 3 hoses attach, 2 for water and the other one im not sure,just know it runs back to the engine). I lastely checked underneath to see if I had a gas leak by the newly replaced fuel filter, and I also have about a quarter tank of gas, so i dont think its te fuel pump, bu maybe?

Also while it was running i unplugged each spark wire from the plug independently. My results

Strarting with cylinder 1 (closed to cabin) : made no difference in the idle
cylinder 2: cars idle dropped
cylinder 3: nothing
cylinder 4: idle dropped
cylinder 5: idle dropped
cylinder 6: NOTHING!

I was unable to removed the spark plugs to check if they were fouled because i didnt have an extention for my ratchet

After wards i plugged in my code reader.

I got:

lambda control and also intake air temp sensor ( i had the AFM off but i dont know if that influenced it.

NOW for what I have replaced in the last 10k miles

intake manifold gasket
fuel filter
various hoses and clamps
thermometer
water temp sensor
catylitic converter
o2 sensor
spark plugs

I am at a total loss here and would greatly appreciate any help. I love this car and have put my time money and blood into fixing her and keeping her happy.

Also:
How do i check for a bad distributor?
How do i check for a bad cam sensor?
How do i know I have bad spark plugs? (they are still pretty knew though)
What else could I look for? (could it be something electrical)

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

oil leak around the valve cover.

[Paul in NZ]

check that the rotoris good.inside of dissie cap is clean,dissie cap not cracked

[ber55ber55]

you know what blitzkreig.....i do have little oil puddles around the valve cover screws always

[ber55ber55]

actually do you mean the cylinder head cover?????

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

If the gasket is shot and leaks air into the system, and through the rebreather/vent tube to the throttle body, the air will carry oil up into the intake and mess up the intake and the mixture like a vacuum leak with a side of oil vapor.

[ber55ber55]

So that is the reason for all the oil by the throttle body?
Does that mean the cylinders are flooded with oil?
Would this not only affect the engine when the engine is cold?
Is there anything in particular to lookfor/watchout for when replaceing this gasket?
And finally, do you think this is the reason for all the other problems?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Do a good tune up. plugs, cap, rotor, air filter...

Adjust the valves while you're replacing the gasket, be careful of that vent hose, they get brittle and break during the process. (only the dealer sell it too)

Get some throttle body cleaner and clean up the butterfly and it just may run smooth.

Good luck

[ber55ber55]

is there a site or something that shows how to adjust the valves without bending them and doing it correctly?

[gmannino]

go to www.bmwe34.net you will find many answers there. Basic tune up is what you need to do. Rotor, cap, plugs, maybe wires but I'de do that last because they are $200. Buy a bentley manual and use procedures to test engine sensor functions.