So, I bought some Autolites and put them in the car on Saturday. I couldn't get it started at the .035 gap as recommended here, so I backed them down to the .030 gap and the car started. Previous to putting in the new plugs I had backed off the timing because it was pinging really badly. Got rid of the pinging, but all along the thing has problems with starting once its warm and will die after the choke turns off. So, now that I've got the new plugs in I can't keep the thing idling. I'm thinking I need to advance the timing a bit with the new plugs. Or, do I need to gap the plugs at the .024?

It does run much smoother with the new plugs, but I can't keep the son of a ...running...

Unless you have a hotter ignition, go back to the .24 and see what happens.

.024 makes it run terrible. If it won't start at .035 fix whatever the problem is, maybe the coil is terribly weak?

pinging can come from a very lean running condition as well as advanced timing.

The stalling after the cold start injector shuts off, or after you reach warm control pressure (whichever you're calling "choke"), also suggests a lean mixture to me.

Check for vacuum leaks. If you're certain you have none (which you likely do even if you think you don't), then you could try to adjust your mixture slightly richer.

You may also want to consider cleaning your WUR before you mess with a mixture setting. If it is gummed up or restricted your control pressure could be too high once fully warmed up (ie, once the bimetallic spring leaves contact with the coil spring) giving you too lean of a mixture.

i would try some NGK 7734 (BPR5ES.) if its a stock motor those plugs will be better. i sell NGKs to people with any import car. autolites a recomended for ford engines.

Funny that you called me on the "choke" comment. I know it's computer controlled, but that was what I thought of first, because what ever it's called it's providing more gas while the thing is cold.....lol..

Anyways, I'm not used to having to trouble shoot so much. Can tell I've been spoiled with 'newer' cars for a while.

So, talking about vacuum leaks, how many vacuum hoses are on a typical M10 1.8 motor? I found that the hose to the distributor is too loose, so I'm sure something is going on there....

I noticed that the knuckle head I bought the car from used some kind of glue to try and fix a tear/crack in the air intake tube.....I'll have to use some electrical tape for a temporary fix until I decide to get another stock tube or an aftermarket....

thanks for the input though, I'm learning the car.....:eyecrazy

pinging can come from a very lean running condition as well as advanced timing.

The stalling after the cold start injector shuts off, or after you reach warm control pressure (whichever you're calling "choke"), also suggests a lean mixture to me.

Check for vacuum leaks. If you're certain you have none (which you likely do even if you think you don't), then you could try to adjust your mixture slightly richer.

You may also want to consider cleaning your WUR before you mess with a mixture setting. If it is gummed up or restricted your control pressure could be too high once fully warmed up (ie, once the bimetallic spring leaves contact with the coil spring) giving you too lean of a mixture.

Can Pinging come from running really rich?

I know it's computer controlled,

Nope. It's as analog as an abacus.

So, talking about vacuum leaks, how many vacuum hoses are on a typical M10 1.8 motor? I found that the hose to the distributor is too loose, so I'm sure something is going on there....

I noticed that the knuckle head I bought the car from used some kind of glue to try and fix a tear/crack in the air intake tube.....I'll have to use some electrical tape for a temporary fix until I decide to get another stock tube or an aftermarket....
You have severe vacuum leaks, that is your problem. You need to replace all your vacuum hoses and replace the intake boot. There is no repairing it. There is a line going from the dizzy to the throttle body, one from a "t" fitting on the crank case breather off the valve cover to the throttle body, and one off the bottom of the intake manifold to... ah crap, someone with a stock 320i help me out, I forget where all the vac lines run.

Can Pinging come from running really rich?
No.

Nope. It's as analog as an abacus.
lol. yep, this is all mechanical bud. The so called computer does nothing more than open and close a valve (teh frequency valve) based off the signal from teh 02 sensor to maintain a stoich AFR. It can't adjust mixture much at all and is completely dependent on the rest of teh system for correct mixture. It will run just as well with the 02 unplugged.

if u use nkg plugs bp5es would be better the r ones have supression built in so weaker spark. u cant just increase plug gap without servicing rest of ignition, ie replace ignition leads with copper core ones you will need to make these up yourself, replace plugs with non supressed ones, and fit 5kohm suppressed plug caps setup like that will run 35 thousands easy with standard coil. on my old mini i run 50 thousands like that, 50 thousands plug gap has been found to give optimum spark with 5kohm ignition resistance. reducing ignition resistance will however increase radio interfearence doesnt both me cant notice any differnce but that was why it was heavly suppressed by bmw.

Dang it, busted again, I saw mention of the lil piece of computer, and wondered after my comment if it did much. Well, I taped up the frickin intake tube with electrical tape, which actually worked pretty damn well (temporary, i know i know). then I messed with the timing a little more, and walla, it runs much better then it has since I bought it. i think i need a new coil, mine has a chunk out of the tip. I'm thinking new plug wires are in order too.....

thanks for the input from everyone, I'm learning. You all are freakin' genious'.

Later,

Without going through the whole moving the battery to the trunk, what are some of the better and affordable intake tubes/filters to use? I saw BAVAuto had a k&n set up for $29.

I Like Bosch Plugs and premium fuel,,,you want to stop the ping and nothing else has worked,,decarbonize your piston tops,,,
Cheers !!!!!!!!!

Bosch is recommended for all BMW's. I would stick with those because the heat range on a Bosch plug is perfect.