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View Full Version : e36 loosing power..

bimer123
06-23-2009, 02:24 PM
Well I recently got this e36, but it was sitting for years at a guy house nice car.... I took it out for a test run today and doesnt pull at all, sounds pretty good when its idleing, once in a while the rmp is not consistant bounces abit then stops and runs ok. Its automatic... and with my foot on the brake pedal and the gas pedal to the floor, its not even doing a burnout worst yet, there is a switch with (M and A) switching it to M the car hardly moves it takes more power hmmmmm
I did a compression test 225 -230 arcross the board, except I got 215 in the first cylinder... any suggestions??
cmy_bimmer
06-23-2009, 02:29 PM
Well im about sure the fluids are all bad. Id replace ALL of the fluid, and clean a whole lotta the parts like the ICV, filter, and others. Oh and its not just that car that doesnt burn out when pushing brake and gas :D.
bimer123
06-23-2009, 02:52 PM
lol well i saw some videos with e36's and they perform good, 190hp, I have a nissan maxima with 190hp also stock engine... and it pulls, also its abit heaver than the bimer... but yeah definitly ill change the fluids, im hesitant with the ignition coils because they are expensive to replace also the spark plugs... $100 for 6 sparkplugs ngk....
N:CR41G
06-23-2009, 07:44 PM
My brother bought a car that was stood for a while (3 months I think) then the engine went about a week later.

He has the compression test done, and the compression was right down....

...Obviously this isnt the case with your car, so could it possibly be the head gasket on its way out, crappy spark leads/plugs.

I think whenever anyone buys a car, the first thing they do is change the oil, filter and plugs. Also, check for oil on your spark plugs.
CalgaryE36
06-23-2009, 11:33 PM
A and M is AUTO or Manual. So in M" and drive, you would be in 4th gear....
N:CR41G
06-23-2009, 11:40 PM
A and M is AUTO or Manual. So in M" and drive, you would be in 4th gear....

...Probably has nothing to do with his problem.

The problem is not transmission related.
Boab
06-23-2009, 11:45 PM
...thats just in case he isnt used to an "Automatic" :violent:
CalgaryE36
06-24-2009, 10:03 PM
the problem is ethier your plugs, coils, wires, icv, pcv, dirty maf./body, vacume leak on intake.... YeaH I have the same problem, and have been researching it for awhile. but changing the plugs made a world of difference :) try that.. Also I bring her to the shop next wk, hopefully have more answers then :)