Cylinders misfiring problem, please help

[e36meaniemankev]

Hi everyone,

Hi i have a 328i i just bought the car just a month ago. FOr some reason i just started feeling something really suspicious on the car an now i know the problem ever since I had it put on my friends OB2 computer at the shop. I also found on my smog test sheet on my DTC's that i picked up that P0301 Cylinder 1 misfire detected, P0304 Cylinder 4 misfire detected, P0306 Cylinder 6 misfire detected, an P0305 Cylinder 5 misfire detected? The same print out that i got after having my car checked out why i got this check engine light on is all due to that my friends said an some shops said? If somebody could help me please figure out how i can fix this problem an get my cylinders fixed an get my car running right it would be great because when i'm driving an when i start getting on it a little harder to a certain higher RPM the RPMs just lag it seems like, seeming like its not pulling no more due to the misfire of the cylinders. I dont know if it's my Spark plug coils are bad or my spark plug connectors are bad but i checked each of them by grounding them an each 6 sparked now I really dont know what else may be the problem but if somebody thats really good on working on BMWs or european cars could help me please. I mean i know it's nothing wrong with the engine it has to be somewhere down the line within the spark plug area or diagnostic problem but if somebody could help I would really, really appreciate it, thanks..........?

 

[f1racer77]

check to see if the plugs r black. then put a post telling ur findings

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

how many miles on the car and what year is the car???

 

[tommyb]

Spark Plug Conditions is your first step (see the list below), vacuum leaks under the manifold is anotheri.e hissing noise at idle and/or when you rev it, depending on your mileage try to clean/replace your Idle control valve, another is your oil separator you may also may get additional codes of O2 sensors. So misfiring is secondary to other problem/problems. Does not mean you have a bad cylinder or piston etc etc

This info. about spark plugs may help you to narrow down the guess work.

Normal
Symptoms: Has a brown to gray color tint with a small amount of electrode wear.

Recommendation: Replace when signs of wear appear or at the designated mileage.


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Ash Deposits
Symptoms: Light brown deposits caked on the electrode. Caused by oil/fuel additives. Excessive amounts may cause the spark to be absorbed resulting in misfiring and hesitation during acceleration.
Recommendation: If the deposits build up over a short amount of time or mileage, try changing to a different gasoline manufacturer. If the problem persists install new valve guide seals.

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Carbon Deposits
Symptoms: Powdery deposits are signs of a rich mixture or a faulty ignition. This can lead to misfiring, acceleration hesitation, and hard starting.
Recommendations: Check the temperature range of the spark plug and make sure it is the correct plug for your model. Also check for a clogged air filter and inspect your fuel system. If the problem persists have your ECM inspected.

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Detonation

Symptoms: The ceramic insulators might be cracked or chipped and/or electrodes burned away due to an improper gap setting. This can lead to engine damage.
Recommendations: Make sure the octane level in your gas is at the minimum level recommended by BMW. Also take care when gapping the plugs as that some of them are non-adjustable. If your BMW is equipped with a stick shift transmission, avoid excessive low RPMs or lugging.

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Gap Bridging

Symptoms: Carbon build up between the electrodes. A heavy accumulation builds up and causes a bridge to form resulting in a dead plug.
Recommendation: Thoroughly clean the plug or replace it.

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High Speed Glazing

Symptoms: Ceramic insulator has a glazed yellow appearance to it. This results from combustions chamber temperatures rising quickly during hard accelerations. During these extreme temperatures the carbon deposits are melted onto the plug forming a conductive layer causing misfires at high RPMs.
Recommendations: Replace plugs. If your daily driving habits include considerable amounts of high RPMs consider using a colder plug.

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Too Hot

Symptoms: Fractured, white ceramic insulator, worn electrode, and lack of carbon deposits. Plug life is decreased.
Recommendations: Check the temperature range of the spark plug, over-advanced timing, lean fuel mixture, vacuum leaks around the intake manifold, possible stuck valves, and lack of proper engine cooling.

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Physical Damage

Symptoms: Objects in the combustion chamber or piston slap due to incorrect plugs.
Recommendations: Inspect pistons/combustion chamber for objects and replace pistons if damaged. Insure correct plug has been installed with spark plugs recommended by BMW.

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Oil Deposits

Symptoms: Oil buildup or sludge. This is cause by worn valve guides and/or worn piston rings resulting in misfires, hesitations, and hard starts.
Recommendations: Repair defective item(s) and install new plugs.

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Preignition

Symptoms: Electrodes are melted. The ceramic Insulators are white, but it could be dirty from debris or misfiring. This can lead to engine damage.
Recommendations: Check the temperature range of the spark plug, over-advanced timing, fuel mixture too lean, improper engine cooling.

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Worn

Symptoms: Worn electrodes with light deposits on the tip. Normal color and deposits. Can cause hard starts in cold/wet climate conditions and poor gas mileage.
Recommendations: Plugs are old and need to be replace on a regularly basis with plugs recommended by BMW.



Vines Automotive

 

[e36meaniemankev]

Its a 1996 328i, 4 speed automatic transmission, 4 door, 84,000 miles. Now i'm wondering if i may have a vacuum leak also like you said on this last post because it sounds like i do because when i shut the car off i hear a air wizzing sound from the engine so it sounds like a vacuum leak. FOr the 4 cylinders that are misfiring, i got 4 new coils on the way, an i'm getting 6 new spark plugs for each. but i'm ont sure if it's the spark plugs though because before i sent the car in for service to have it checked out they changed the spark plugs they said but its still doing the same thing like it was before i changed the spark plugs but i'm wondering if they maybe didn't gap them properly. If it's not the spark plugs, could you make me a list on exactly what i may need to buy off the net or at the dealership to get this problem fixed because i'm not a professional at BMws, but i'm learning, thanks...Now also, i was told that this car can only take synthetic oil if i'm correct but the old lady i bought it from was only using crappy motor-oil, whatever oil i'm guessing 10w-30. When my car went into service, i also had to have the control arms & bushings replaced because they were done for. but if you could write down for me on next post telling me exactly what else i can buy to get this stuff fixed i'll really appreciate it, thanks...

 

[f1racer77]

do you mean misfiring or bring the car up to 100% service.

 

[awwsomejr]

This ongoing spark plug coil problem on my 330ci is getting to be a real pain in the you know what.. I've had the car for only a year and a half and have had two visits so far to the shop for the same problem.. Apart from its great handling and agressive looks, there is a real reason why I spent $45K for a car. It is to prevent constant trips to the shop for engine trouble. I'm truly starting to get annoyed.. It has me wondering whether I'm want to upgrade to the M3.. BMW better get their act together or they just might lose a former enthusiast.