One has to be humble when wrenching. Sometimes one ends up on a Taylor Swift song. As the lyrics go on ‘Anti-Hero’: “I’m the problem, it’s me” so the search for smog pass did find a guilty party. but first, lets recap a bit.
After the rescue, and round 1, round 2 and round 3 of repairs, we had successfully resurrected the E30 Project Car and made its interior look pretty to meet its date with Destiny at Sonoma Raceway. We completed the autocross courses, no killed cones, car well under control, even if we were the slowest car that day. The car drove there, ran at an average 35mph around the paddock several times, and drove back home well and in one piece.
Still, we hadn’t resolved the smog situation, we had done:
- Oil change (with the new oil pan)
- New Spark plugs and Spark plug cables
- New distributor
- New ignition coil
- New Fuel Pressure sensor and hose
After it failed the first smog check, we went further and did the following:
- Replaced the Mass Airflow Sensor, Hose and filter assembly
- New air filter
- New exhaust (Goodbye $420 bucks!)
- New Oxygen sensor
- Did a valve cleaner treatment and a GTP bottle
I took the spark plugs out and all were clean, except for #6 that was dark, so likely running rich, it was a bit gunky (dry oil residue) plus the tip had somehow melted or deformed a bit. I didn’t see any leaks in the valve cover, but maybe there is a small one coming at the oil pressure sensor. So, I put a new set of spark plugs, ran the car hot for 15 miles. It was idling steady and good. So I went back again to Smog it
And…it failed Smog again, even worse somehow than before, with higher HC readings. WTF? Smog Check guy suggested compression test. I thought the worst for a few seconds (bad rings? burnt valve?) but needed to find out anyway.
So, I sent the E30 to the Indie BMW shop 16 miles and 2 towns away from me, expecting the worst. That shop is where they care for all my BMWs and I trust them.
After a day, the car was fixed! The guilty party? me, for not torquing correctly Spark Plug #6, likely TWICE in a row. In my defense, It was the dirtiest one, so I’m sure some gunk got in the way both times. Also they mentioned some ‘condensation in the new distributor Cap’ (Translation: This dumbass probably didn’t close the cap all the way to seal correctly) But the car was now running clean and quiet.
I drove from the shop to the Smog Check place and…..(drumroll please) it passed Smog with great low numbers. Smog guy was happy, and I was ecstatic. Sure, it cost me $280 being a dumbass on my own tune up, but I am happy the Project Car now is legal! Kids always follow torque specs and cross-reference many sources (Don’t be like me)
So what’s next? I was thinking perhaps to quit while I’m ahead and maybe sell? A second choice could be to use as a track car, although that would likely mean some extra upgrades and risk a good car. It could probably handle Thunderhill West. Should I go to Radwood with it? Choices, choices.
