FIXED!!!!!-Smog failed due to EML light, did a drive cycle, now car is messing up!

[Ricky Bobby]

Awesome to hear, now you get to enjoy driving her! So total parts replaced was your fuel pump, DISA, and plugs right?

[diddy0071]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Awesome to hear, now you get to enjoy driving her! So total parts replaced was your fuel pump, DISA, and plugs right?

DISA, Fuel Pump, Spark plugs (MAF was purchased, decided to keep using the old one, so MAF is just as spare now) Fuel Filter, and since I broke the Schraeder Valve, a used fuel rail from ebay for 35 bucks.

Overall, budget wise, I wasn't too bad, considering all the small parts I purchased (hose clamps, MAF cleaner, Carb Cleaner, Torx Screwdrivers/Bits, Jack Stands [one of my brothers took our old ones, doesn't know where they went], schraeder valve tool to tighten, not to mention shipping costs for some parts, and fuel for the car I borrowed when I went to pick up parts from a dismantler [BWAutodismantlers is awesome by the way, been going with them for years back when I had a 93' 320i; 6 month warranty on their parts]). DIY is loads cheaper than doing it at the dealer/indy shop.

My dad kept pressuring me and pressuring me to take it to a "real" mechanic. I said, "dad, the internet is full of true mechanics, people who own cars just like mine and have experienced similar issues as mine. If they can guide me in the direction of what the problems can be, instead of going blindly into it like a mechanic will do (honestly, how many mechanics will think "stumbling, low power, I should check the DISA and fuel pump first instead of checking a vacuum leak (250 smoke test), doing a diagnostic [02 sensors going off, let's replace those at 90 a pop, plus the diagnostic of 100]", well that didn't work, better check the throttle or replace the ICV [250 bucks plus labor], well nope, let's try fuel pressure (fuel pressure test, $$$). No pressure, better replace both the fuel filter and fuel pump [400 dollars plus labor] well, fixed the problem, that's over 1000 right there for diagnostics and parts, not including labor)

In the end, I am glad that I get to 1) get experience on working on my car, and 2) not be afraid to tackle working on it. I'm a computer nerd, not a mechanic, and frankly, I have never really worked on a vehicle before. That satisfaction of knowing you fixed your shit is priceless.

[diddy0071]

Update: I installed the fuel filter and fuel rail with the help of my brother! Man, that all was a bitch to do. But... when I installed the fuel rail, there were metal clips that connect the electrical connector to the fuel injector. Well 1 of the clips disappeared and got lost, just my luck, injector 1 is without a clip. I put it all back together and ran the vehicle, and since the rest of the injectors are clipped in with the electrical box, I don't think this one is going to move. Regardless, my OCD is kicking in and I need to replace that 1 little metal clip. They look like this:

http://i.imgur.com/Fm8JJGD.jpg

Does anyone have any info on where I can find these?

I followed the instructions from http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...71&postcount=1 to do the fuel rail.The clip I'm missing is the one connected to the electrical box on step 5.

Thanks!

P.S., car continues to run like a champ with a new fuel filter in.