e36 M3 woes

[187SAM]

Hi guys

I"m from Kimberley and recently purchased a E36 M3 3.0 in Cape Town. Whilst in Cape Town I took the car for a test drive and it was pulling fine. I drove the car down to Kimberley(980 kms away) and the car was okay until I reached Britstown when i found out there was no V Power fuel available. I then had to fill my car with regular 93 unleaded and after about 30kms the car started jerking and giving off some white smoke but I reached my destination anyway. I took my car for some dyno tuning hoping that the jerking was due to the difference in altitude and that the tuner would be able to sort things out. It so happened that my fuel pressure wasnt up to scratch and my fuel pump died soon afterwards. I took the car home and fitted a new fuel pump and wanted to fit new plugs and a fuel filter as well. When I removed my plugs I found that they were drenched in oil, all 6 of them. My mechie reckons its due to the fact that my tappet cover gasket is worn out(oil sweating from the tappet cover). I thought that I had broken a few rings but the car doesnt smoke constantly and not alot. What do you guys think could be the problem? I'm gonna get a new gasket on Monday and see what happens then. I sold my iS for this car and I'm starting to regret it.
*PS My exhaust is completely dry, no trace of oil whatsoever and my oil level is normal.

Any advise guys?

 

[hoosain]

by drenched do you mean on top of the plugs before you removed them if yes than its your tappet cover gasket nothing to worry about change it and all should be fine

 

[187SAM]

thanks for the speedy reply hoosain.

Yes it was the top of the plugs. I hope you're right dude.

 

[hoosain]

i am dude:=):

 

[calypso]

Also that car should be on LRP. One tank of ULP isnt gonna be bad though. ECU as far as I know should have no problems adapting altitude.

 

[Julz]

Yep its a typical E36 issue,the rubber gaskets get hard and brittle and oil starts sweating through.If you can,get the gaskets from the Agents,apparently they last longer

 

[Raybimmer]

Take the tappet cover off and I normally look down the plug holes and if I see oil I push a rag down to clean it out . i dont like the idea of oil going into the cylinder when I take the plug out . Yes the oil will burn off but then I must take the plugs out later to check and clean if neccessary .

 

[Diablo Jnr]

Yep its a typical E36 issue,the rubber gaskets get hard and brittle and oil starts sweating through.If you can,get the gaskets from the Agents,apparently they last longer

and the problem continued with the E46 318i. dont think its a major problem
:thumbs:

 

[hoosain]

masterparts in cape town keeps the gasket and it is ellring exactly what the agents sell you as oem but half the price

 

[kav]

my brother once filled unleaded petrol in my 325is. The engine did not like it!! , car was jerking and coughing and had an uneasy idle, power was down as well. Could be the petrol messing you around as well

 

[Fordkoppie]

I have brand new OEM s50b30 valve cover + plug hole gaskets for sale.
PM me if interested