318IS engine problems

[chartzog]

I recently had to put a timing chain in my car, due to excessive noise at
the front of the engine. After I changed it the noise went away and
I was very pleased. After about a week or so I was letting the car warm-up
and ended up fouling the spark plugs. I changed the plugs and I was good
for another week or so then it happened again, except they seemed
to have fouled while driving. I was wondering if I should recheck my timing
or do I maybe have another problem? When changing the chain I did use
a fabricated tool to hold the cam shafts in position, but there was still
a little play in it.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

[Kalevera]

I'd be really surprised if it skipped a link and didn't do anything less than run really badly. In fact, I would think you'd have bent valves by now.

Fouling while driving is interesting. I'd be looking at inputs. M42s go rich for the first few seconds of starting (afterwhich it's lean until the engine is hot) and then at WOT to satisfy air/fuel requirements. How did things look when the covers were off? Suppose the CPS pulse wheel could be clogged up with junk?

best, whit