[Eriksson042887]

I really don’t want to do any more guess work. I have ISTA but never use it cuz it’s a nightmare. I heard about a “smooth running test”? Any ideas?

[oVeRdOsE.]

test the injectors, there's many 'how-to' on youtube.

then if it leaks, no need to get those uber expensive index12, find some used working one .

ISTA is pretty easy to use, before bed check a couple of video. Everything is well explained to avoid messing up stuff.

[Eriksson042887]

Here guys. This is overnight cold start. It drives so nice . Just bad starts.

https://datazap.me/u/eriksson/leaky-...og=0&data=3-21

[Eriksson042887]

Ok so I drove it about 6 hours ago. And just went and started it up again. It started and idled absolutely perfect for like 5 seconds and then started stumbling. If it was leaking from the injector and gas was in the chamber, wouldn’t it start misfiring right away?

[whyzee125]

Great log, that's very helpful actually. The only thing I see that's really bazaar besides the fluctuating RPMS is your lambdas go crazy just once then normalize again, but it happens much after the roughness starts.

IMO a leaking injector would lead to roughness right off the bat though I have seen weird things with these cars.

After all you've been through I wouldn't pull your injectors again unless you really have to. Run it for a few mins then check your plugs the next morning. If any are wet or smell like fuel you can cross that bridge when you get there.

Have you tried resetting adaptations? Just for curiosities sake, I'd love to see a video of the starup. You're on pump gas, right?

[Eriksson042887]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Great log, that's very helpful actually. The only thing I see that's really bazaar besides the fluctuating RPMS is your lambdas go crazy just once then normalize again, but it happens much after the roughness starts.

IMO a leaking injector would lead to roughness right off the bat though I have seen weird things with these cars.

After all you've been through I wouldn't pull your injectors again unless you really have to. Run it for a few mins then check your plugs the next morning. If any are wet or smell like fuel you can cross that bridge when you get there.

Have you tried resetting adaptations? Just for curiosities sake, I'd love to see a video of the starup. You're on pump gas, right?

I forgot to mention, before I started it again after 6 hours I pulled the plugs. They were all dry. Cylinder 1-5 had a very small sheen on top, cylinder 6 was matte dry. I don’t think they leaking, again if there was gas I feel like it would start misfiring right away. I did not reset adaptations. I will tomorrow. I will get you a startup video of the gauge cluster aswell, running 91 OCT, MHD 2+ True FBO.

[Eriksson042887]

I’m going to try to get ISTA up and running this Saturday and do the smooth running test thingy

[Eriksson042887]

I have NGK one step colder plugs and eldor coils. Do the colder plugs give you a rough start?

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Eriksson042887

I have NGK one step colder plugs and eldor coils. Do the colder plugs give you a rough start?

I believe NGKs may need to be set to a right gap.

[Eriksson042887]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

I believe NGKs may need to be set to a right gap.

I have em at 0.22

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Eriksson042887

I have em at 0.22

FCPEuro states they should be gapped at 0.56mm (0.022")

[oVeRdOsE.]

I think I got mine at 0.020''. Some go a bit lower around 0.018''

I dont believe , if you got the right sparkplug, that will affect the idle, at least not on the N54.

i dont recall people reporting issue with this, and sparkplug upgrade is super common on those engines.

[Eriksson042887]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

I think I got mine at 0.020''. Some go a bit lower around 0.018''

I dont believe , if you got the right sparkplug, that will affect the idle, at least not on the N54.

i dont recall people reporting issue with this, and sparkplug upgrade is super common on those engines.

I hope your wrong man. But you sound right. Found some Bosch stockies lying around. Will try those later today.

[Eriksson042887]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

I think I got mine at 0.020''. Some go a bit lower around 0.018''

I dont believe , if you got the right sparkplug, that will affect the idle, at least not on the N54.

i dont recall people reporting issue with this, and sparkplug upgrade is super common on those engines.

The idle is absolutely perfect. It’s just cold starts and warm starts.

[oVeRdOsE.]

the bosch you have seems to be the oem style.

probably not suitable for your stage 2, but worth trying for cold start.

Also , on those engines, cold start issues is often related to vanos solenoid and obviously injectors.

where did you get your eldor coils? iirc, they are not sold as a replacement part. You need to find a vendor that can get a lot of them and repack it to sell it as a replacement. So you need a reputable seller.

[Eriksson042887]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

the bosch you have seems to be the oem style.

probably not suitable for your stage 2, but worth trying for cold start.

Also , on those engines, cold start issues is often related to vanos solenoid and obviously injectors.

where did you get your eldor coils? iirc, they are not sold as a replacement part. You need to find a vendor that can get a lot of them and repack it to sell it as a replacement. So you need a reputable seller.

They are the original plugs when I bought the car. I had them in my pile of customer plugs, I dug through to find them. I am obviously not going to use them, I just want to see if they will fix the cold start issue. You said vanos solenoids can cause a rough cold start? For sure? I have a bad solenoid. It was on intake and I switched em and now the code is exhaust. Should I buy 2 DORMAN solenoids?

[Eriksson042887]

GENUINE is $350
Pierburg is $160
Dorman is $100
UroParts is $70
I won’t buy no name ones.

Prices are each, looking towards the Dorman ones.

[Eriksson042887]

Just placed an order for 2 Dormans. Will update tomorrow.

[whyzee125]

OEM Bosch plugs are absolutely fine for FBO but your plugs aren't causing starting issues. Hundreds of thousands of people run NGK's at that gap with no issues.

[Eriksson042887]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

OEM Bosch plugs are absolutely fine for FBO but your plugs aren't causing starting issues. Hundreds of thousands of people run NGK's at that gap with no issues.

You think it’s the vanos solenoid? Knowing there’s a light on for it?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by Eriksson042887

You think it’s the vanos solenoid? Knowing there’s a light on for it?

Hard to say--but if there's a known issue, always start there and see what remains. Hopefully that takes care of it!

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by Eriksson042887

They are the original plugs when I bought the car. I had them in my pile of customer plugs, I dug through to find them. I am obviously not going to use them, I just want to see if they will fix the cold start issue. You said vanos solenoids can cause a rough cold start? For sure? I have a bad solenoid. It was on intake and I switched em and now the code is exhaust. Should I buy 2 DORMAN solenoids?

clean them first. they often simply clogged

- 12v source with crocodile wire (9v battery not powerful enough)
- shoot brake cleaner while giving some momentary 12v until you ear the solenoid clicking good.
- wd40 and let it sit for a couple hours.

- optional ; engine oil flush liquid.

Did that on my engine and all good for more than a year.