Oil change, now idles poorly (beginner)

[crystalworks]

Go get some ramps from your local parts store. They are cheap and invaluable to a home mechanic. I use mine at least once a week, but I have 4 BMW's.

[mcfee03]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

You can get to the crankshaft pulley which is what you're actually looking for by remove the plastic splash guard in front of the belly pan. You don't need to raise the car to do this. The crankshaft itself is inside the engine.

So am I supposed to remove the plastic splash guard from under the car, and then "reach up" into the engine? When you say "inside the engine"- Does that mean at the front of it?

What tool do I need to do the turning? And will this have to be done from under the car?

http://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...mall/pic01.jpg

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by mcfee03

So am I supposed to remove the plastic splash guard from under the car, and then "reach up" into the engine? When you say "inside the engine"- Does that mean at the front of it?

What tool do I need to do the turning? And will this have to be done from under the car?

http://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...mall/pic01.jpg

YOu don't reach up into the engine itself. You will be able to reach the front of the crankshaft pulley which you have identified in your attached picture. Only thing missing from that picture is the bolt located at the center of the crankshaft pulley. Put a socket wrench on that and you can turn the crank.

[mcfee03]

So, my tools finally arrived. I removed all the spark plugs.

NB: My OBD faults are "Misfire Cylinder 4/5/6 with fuel cut-off"

I noticed that black plastic thing that covers the spark plug was a lot tighter to pull out in 3, 4, & 5.

Is that an issue? Here is a photo of them:

http://i.imgur.com/2jeoV0O.jpg

Also, I've removed the splash guard. The brown ish bolt in the middle what will turn the engine I presume.

Photo is looking "up" into the engine from the ground

http://i.imgur.com/HysBquC.jpg

Is the idea to turn the bolt a few degrees, then get up and check all the sockets and valves for the DISA pin? Or should input my inspection camera in either the spark plug holds or valves??

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by mcfee03

So, my tools finally arrived. I removed all the spark plugs.

I noticed that black plastic thing that covers the spark plug was a lot tighter to pull out in 3, 4, & 5.

Is that an issue? Here is a photo of them:

http://i.imgur.com/2jeoV0O.jpg

Also, I've removed the splash guard. The brown ish bolt in the middle what will turn the engine I presume.

Photo is looking "up" into the engine from the ground

http://i.imgur.com/HysBquC.jpg

Is the idea to turn the bolt a few degrees, then get up and check all the sockets and valves for the DISA pin? Or should input my inspection camera in there?

Probably not a big deal that some were easier to pull than others, but based on the oil you have a leaking valve cover. Not surprising with an engine of this age.

Yes, the brownish bolt it the crank bolt and the one you want to turn to raise and lower pistons and open and close valves.

Turn the crank a little and put your inspection camera in and see what you find. Then do it again and again .

[mcfee03]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Turn the crank a little and put your inspection camera in and see what you find. Then do it again and again .

Thanks. Where am I supposed to put the inspection camera? Where the pistons are? Or where the spark plugs go?

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by mcfee03

Thanks. Where am I supposed to put the inspection camera? Where the pistons are? Or where the spark plugs go?

YOU should put it in the spark plug holes so you can inspect the tops of the pistons. And in the intake valve openings to see if it's there. Typically the pistons need to be at the bottom of their stroke for the camera to be able to provide a focused picture.

[mcfee03]

Ok.will use the inspection camera on both the intake valves and spark plug holes.

An aside, the car hasn't been started for about 2 months. Battery has been disconnected. I there anything I should do about this?

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by mcfee03

Ok.will use the inspection camera on both the intake valves and spark plug holes.

An aside, the car hasn't been started for about 2 months. Battery has been disconnected. I there anything I should do about this?

If it was fully charged when disconnected it should still be holding a charge. You can check with a multi meter to confirm.

[mcfee03]

So I've turned the engine, and used the inspection camera to look through the spark plug holes.

The camera was just too large to fit inside the valves (even at the bottom of their stroke). I did look very closely in their (naked eye). Is it likely that I would have seen the DISA PIN from looking down the spark plug holes anyway?

And still I cannot find the DISA PIN. Where else could i check?