syclone30

I am having problems with drivability with my EG. Started to buck or hesitate really randomly last fall right after I bought it. Went through the motor and found low compression on the two center cylinders so I went ahead and changed the head gasket. Ran great after that until the other day. It started doing the same thing again. Compression is still at 175,170,170,175. Today, after about 15 minutes of driving, it lost power and began to sputter really bad but ran perfect at WOT. After a minute or two the can ran perfect again. WTH is going on? Compression checked out the same, coolant system pressure tested good, oil and coolant are clean and full. Thought it might be a vacuum leak but wouldn't it run the same all the time. Could it be the computer? Has anyone had any issue like this or know someone who has? Any help would be great, Thanks.

24TEN

iTrader: (2)

Check color of spark.

syclone30

Plugs look good, as do the wires. Checked my ground cable too....seems Ok. Maybe a bad injector??? With it being so intermittent, I'm really at a loss here.

TomCat39

you said something about buying the car, did you ever do a full tune up since you bought it?

syclone30

first thing.

syclone30

I had planned on doing a swap from the get go, maybe this will just force me to do it a little sooner. Then I can either go through the motor on the stand or sell it as it is on the cheap.

24TEN

iTrader: (2)

TomCat39

I agree with 24TEN, you did a tune up so now it's a matter of checking old components, the coil and ICM. Grab an HEI spark tester and inspect the quality of your spark. If it's good, I'd try swapping the ICM, it can have intermittentant problems.

syclone30

Good advice, thanks. Had to drive it to work today (53 mi. each way) And it ran like new!!!! Then I took it for a little drive after that and it did it again, only this time it was worse. Felt like the car just ran out of gas. It was dead for like 3-4 seconds at one point and then it took off like nothing was wrong. Taking a different car to work until I can follow up on all of your suggestions. Thanks a lot for your help.

syclone30

Had a chance to check the car out. Plugs look good and spark looks good. Noticed that the car only does it when take is below 1/2 full. Drove it at 1/2 tank or more for about a week with absolutely no problems. thought for sure it was in the fuel system, maybe the fuel pick up. Then today right after I filled up, It did it again. I am so confused.

Former User

Pull the fuel pump out to inspect the filter sock.

syclone30

I'll check that next. Had to work last night so I'll try to get to it tomorrow. Thanks.

syclone30

Haven't had a chance to look at the car again yet. I have been driving the bimmer to work for now. I did post some pictures of the car though.

syclone30

I think I must have looked at everything by now. Found out what is was though. I had the #2 plug wire arcing out on me. I had dismissed the plug wires because they were new but I guess you never know. At least the car is running good now. Thanks all for all of the input and suggestions, I really appreciate it.