Hello all.
Zachariah here, I have been working on an 85 528e with 233+k on the odo. when I got the car it was (and still is ) pouring out black smoke. I have

-replaced plugs(black and fouled again)
-ign.wires
-o2 sensor
-fuel pressure reg.
-crank reference sensor and speed sensor

I just did a cold/dry compression test and got around 200 on cyl #1
and 190 on all others.

Cold start injector isn't the problem
The air flow meter gives unsteady readings so I am leaning towards this as the culprit. And as far as the high compression I guess it is carbon build-up.
How can I be sure without removing head?
And if I do have to remove head what are the steps for carbon removal?
Thanks so much for any help.

id try to get a loander afm to try

I second the AFM idea.

I second the AFM idea.

+3. Might want to replace the cap/rotor, too. You are probably going to wind up changing the cat. Running rich kills cats.