bmw e46 323i problem continued

[top_driver]

hi, i have previous posts, about my car, it has progressively got worse, now it is misfiring, it started out as just rough idling, and then juddering and sluggish now it misfires and completely sluggish, no pull. i went to take it to a garage, but they wanted to charge me a lot to find out what it is, i had a few suggestions, but hopefully i get more of the same of one suggestion so i can go ahead and replace what is needed

[TWR]

Hi Top, If I remember you said the problem started when you changed the plugs! am I correct? I would start from there, did you check the Plug Gaps / leads/ has a leead come away from the lead tip? is there a crack in the tips? are all the puipes for the in-take tight? are they cracked? Crank sensor clean? have you altered the timing?

[top_driver]

it was a bit rough before i changed spark plugs, but it was not performing badly, then out of the blue, it just started to get like this, i just bough new coil packs

[TWR]

You did a service If I can remember? to sort out you problem Top, I would take the car for a compression test that would put your mind at rest that it's not a valve, there might be a valve sticking! does the car Light blue smoke?

[top_driver]

thats true, yes had compression test done, all the same at over 190 psi no blue smoke

[TWR]

I may have said this before Top, fill the car up & put a full tin of RED X in the tank, it will cost you around a fiver & well worth the money, then give the car a motorway blast, If I recall you are in Ireland? so give it a blow on the nearest Duel Carriageway. I use this REDX often, my car is the same, regards the emissions on the MOT Its spot on each time, I don't think after what you have said you have a big prob,its just elimination.

[top_driver]

true, i started using the redx again after you mentioned it to me, it would be a lot easier for you to diagnose if i could get you to test drive it, i got a second hand set of coils for 60 see if that will change anything when i receive them

[TWR]

Hi Top, when you've removed the top cover, in your view you have the pack, check each lead / Pack & fitment that they are in good order with no cracks, you also said that you had replaced ALL the leads & are they in the correct firing order, are all the Plugs / gaps correct? with the cover removed, start the car & remove one lead at a time, is there any difference in the tone of the engine? if not, no valve probs, I'm convinced your problem is within the electrics, have you checked the inlets? I remember you saying that you have replaced the Throttle Valve? Is that right? is that clean / working correctly?

[TWR]

To add, the coil pack that was on the car, did you get it tested by an Auto Elect to see if it was faulty?

[top_driver]

hi twr. the leads would have been on my last car, i didnt have it checked, but i just switched the coils around, even though it still sluggish, the obvious misfiring sound has cut down a little bit

[TWR]

It appears you are in the right area for the miss fire Tops, if you intend to keep this E46 & if its in good order,to stop the inconvenience of 2ND hand Pack / leads, I would go for new or Guaranteed 2ND hand ones, type in Quarry Motors Sheffield, they are well known regards Good Spares, also type in BMW E46 spares you will find a lot coming up, You are in Ireland are you not? You may have a few within your area, If I can help further, ask.

[top_driver]

thanks, i think i can return these if they are not in good working order, at 40 for 6 of them is not bad, hopefully they coils will sort it out, i will let you know how it gets on