My ‘97 BMW 740i Has A Real Problem!

Every spark plug is covered with oil! There’s oil in the spark plug well and oil on the spark plugs.
In this video I’ll show you why this is happening and how to fix the problem. This involves changing the valve cover gaskets which is a common problem.
Did this fix my hard to start problem? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Be sure to watch other KZbin videos on my 1997 BMW 740i - • How I started my FREE ...

[@MrLocky31]

Mike I have 4 of these 740i’s one has over 380k miles on and is still going strong. These suffer big time with inlet manifold leaks at the cylinder heads / injector rubber seals also the vacuum unit on the back of the inlet manifold. This can cause very poor running when cold.(smoke test it when cold) Also check the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail make sure there is no fuel In the vacuum line connected to it. And lastly check the wiring from the electronic thermostat because the seal goes on them and coolant wicks up the loom into the engine control unit… Greetings from the uk and good luck. If you need any more help drop me a line.👍🏻

[@amadeo_serrano]

In future, when you are working on BMW, the best source for parts is FCP Euro. They sell OEM-equivalent parts for a far better price than the dealer and cover all parts (within reason) with a lifetime warranty. The best part is on an engine like that, the parts you need frequently come as a matched kit so you order one item to get all you need to do the job.

[@Markustajahoyrylaiva]

"after sunset, when everbody's home " ...loved it!!!

[@AlecGD]

I highly suggest buying the BMW scanner 1.4 (PASOFT) it is cheap and easy to install on a laptop. I used it countless times on all of my e46’s that I owned in the past. You can program, read codes, read live data, and manually test parts such as the fuel injectors. It may help track down any issues. I also agree with all of the comments that say to test fuel pressure at the rail and smoke test for vacuum leaks. Especially the CCV. I’m more familiar with the M54 engine but the frustration is all too familiar haha. When I had a huge vacuum leak from the CCV my car would barely run and constantly stalled out.

[@sccarguy8242]

Let’s hear it for the real star of the episode, that starter !! Giving it all she’s got !! On a serious note my next step would be to check your electrical connections and make sure everything it plugged in. Then get a noid light and check the injectors are getting signal power. If all is good you may need to clean the injectors… an easy test for that would be spray it with some either like your a fuel supply and if she fires right up and runs, you found your answer.

[@fasteddy917]

Might be time to invest in a fuel injector cleaner. Like Janice and the Disco Inferno you'll win in the end but it will be a rough road to success. I think Randy sends you home with these and sits back and watches the struggle. Great video. Thank you for taking us along.

[@Jddvs]

Check if cylinders have drawn oil agin. Check injectors for fouling, check timing, check for exhaust blockage. If all else fails do an LS swap like all other auto channels😊

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

it wont be that quick on the M62 oil intrustion is from above from the inner VCG, and doesnt flood that quickly, and even if it did, it would still maintain some form of poor idle at best. i had one of these with bad internal VCG and i was lazy and cheap didnt bother replacement and all i did was brake clean everything and reinstall, ran perfect and the oil intrustion took many months to coat them again.

[@brandonmorris2513]

Lola is the best supervisor of All Time !

[@russelgild2356]

Mike you have your hands full however I truly respect the fact you trying to save these old cars.

[@robsweekendgarage]

Don’t give up on the ole girl. Good to see it getting some love.

[@crlundberg]

This engine is the same as my 2003 Range Rover and there are almost no videos at all on this motor on the tube. Thanks for sharing.

[@TKsGarage]

Yeah valve covers. I had to do my 740i msport in Randy's shop lol, valve covers plugs and coils, time consuming but cheap job, she ran great after that. Super excited to see you bringing this ole girl back to life......

[@benlee6500]

Another epic vblog on the big BMW 740iL and MWM has a field day , no worry, it will start pretty soon 😀

[@davidkucher5.0Coy]

Never give up hope Mike, I'm rootin for yah. 😎🤞👍

[@bk_goatkim679]

Geez! Great video! Keep up the great work Mike!

[@renierdutoit1]

I’m a Beemer fan but they don’t age gracefully… I still prefer your W201👍👍👍

[@bryanmanderville4196]

Really clean under the valve cover

[@lawrencetaylor5481]

Well, when it ran, it sounded good. Maybe the cylinders are just so oil saturated it's fouling out the plugs? I don't know? It smoked more than I do when it first started so, who knows? Good luck Mike and keep plugging away, you'll get there eventually. 🙂

[@deejay7104]

Poor Mike never can catch a break

[@anthonybaker9186]

Mike check engine ground on the starter , also check idle control valve, air intake plastic see if there is any cracks on it

[@kasmanien]

My next steps would be compression check cylinders,check my fuel pressure at the rail, and check injectors for flow . Are you getting any codes ? BTW really liking your repair videos. Nice job.

[@richardcorner9262]

In my humble opinion you should have checked the compression while you had the plugs out , always go back to basics ,compression , fuel , ignition

[@Thanos.m]

It doesn't sound like it's got compression issues its cranking very smoothly to me it sounds more like fuel ir vacuum issues

[@michaeldoering3231]

Thanks for the great content.

[@rogermwoodbury4966]

You're learning Mike. What you said in the video before...."there's aren't too many of these cars" running around any more. Right Now you are learning WHY. And later in the video you said the magic words....hunk of junk.....ah......ah, ah....RIGHT.

[@top6ear]

I'm waiting for you to take the valve covers off again and find green rags stuffed in there still.

[@Oyvind88]

Great one Mike, keep up the great work❤😀

[@venomking3616]

Thanks Mike, you crack me up, love your content buddy, I feel the frustration, don’t give up brother.

[@jargo7251]

I mean, if it's a fuel pressure issue, since it's a '97, you could try plugging in an OBD tool and checking out. I'm guessing you have good spark, but bad fuel pressure or bad fuel injectors.

[@MapOfEurasia]

She only needs some love ✌️ you can do it Mike! And maybe she could be the Power Tour car for this year 😁

[@mikebayliss2003]

I agree on vacuum and check fuel pressure maybe filter

[@robertclubs9908]

Happy Easter my friend.

[@SirNecro]

Go back in and check your spark plugs again. With the amount of oil that was in there to start with there could be leftovers fowling the plugs again. Definitely clean the throttle bodies again and check the injectors. If all of that doesn't work, set a match to it.. destroying things that have done you wrong is good for the soul 😅

[@johnvickers574]

Do a compression test could be low compression or head Gasket

[@maineshire]

Love watching this how is the 740 treating you

[@joehomanick]

It sounds good when it starts !! Possibly the pump is clogged??? Or the filter is clogged??? Can we try a pump hooked to a gas can to the fuel rail ???

[@jeffreykilpatrick-vw5ue]

Hey Mike. Well you have gotten good instructions from guys that have these engines or have worked on them of what your problems could be. Follow their advice up to and including an LS swap if you're gonna keep that Bummer of a Beemer. Just saying... Jeff

[@drrick8839]

Mike, clean the injectors and replace the O-rings on them! Also, have you checked the compression? Is there a cold-start injector? If so, clean it also and replace the O-rings on it. Have you checked the vacuum? No engine should take that much cranking to start. Unfortunately, you may have more then problem given the hard start followed by stalling once it fires off. Sure seems like a fuel/air mixture problem. Did you drain all the old gummed-up fuel from the tank and fuel lines? BMW’s fuel injection systems are complicated and can be troublesome if the fuel is skunked. Is the mass-airflow sensor clean? Have you tried to start it with the mass air flow sensor unplugged? Peace, my friend. DrRick PS: I’m fully confident you’ll get it straightened out soon. Have you put your scanner on it?

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Stay tuned!! Hint hint

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

there is no cold start injector on these cars.

[@MauiWauiPineappleExpress]

Your dog is like why are you talking to yourself? Lol

[@Jsellers1965]

Might be a fuel issue or a vacuum issue.

[@alexcamron4136]

I agree

[@craigschultz3409]

Do you have good spark at all your coils ?????? Test each one,,

[@matthewhill5130]

I don't do BMWs. I don't even mess with cars anymore. If I did and was experiencing what yours is now doing I would think that the timing was advanced to much. But with all the new fangled electronics that are supposed to take care of all that crap I would think you probably have a component failure if some sort. Maybe a cam or crank position sensor if this car has one or the other or both. I believe you have one of those code readers you should be able to get some info even though it isn't running. Good luck.

[@PaulPerry66]

Did you check the fuel injectors

[@supertip777]

Yeah the first one 🎉 from the Netherlands Europe

[@DavidWeinberg-cm9xd]

I'd bet it spark or fuel related, at this point, a loose ground? The engine looks well maintained, besides the valve cover gaskets? Check for spark at all 8 cylinders, then fuel pressure, next?

[@richardpitcher8735]

I feel your pain .......geez.....us!

[@perryelyod4870]

I've owned a few older Mercedes sedans, and the advice in the forums was to always buy the OEM valve cover gaskets, and never the after market ones. Does this apply to BMW? I don't know.

[@WildDigger]

Yep time for valve cover gaskets. Not bad. Check filter again. Varnish clogging it up? Sounds fuel related.

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Re gap the spark plugs Mike and do a compression test!!!

[@kraignadjkovic5494]

Spray some starting fluid in it and see if it starts. If it’s not a fuel issue, I vote for intake gaskets/PCV/cyclone.

[@rogerfenton5210]

Do you have actual good fuel pressure, does it run ok on break cleaner

[@johnscales1686]

Go on big beamer ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 😂😂😂 keep up the good work 👏. Mike

[@CrazyOneToo]

Have you checked the camshaft and throttle position sensors?

[@zech007]

@ 16:30 I hear massive vacuum leak at idle, smoke test will can reveal any leaking intake manifold gaskets there's total 6, 4 sets of joint 2 on the head to intake manifold and 2 gaskets on each ends of the intake manifold itself. Also there's chance the rear intake manifold oil separator valve, and/or the cross pipe that goes from internal oil separator to rear oil separator valve, and/or internal oil separator component has gone bad which will lead to massive air intake. Time to take out that intake manifold and get those replaced along with the intake manifold gasket.

[@brianandrews7099]

My ole BMW nemesis: valve covers and gasket leaks! Still fighting valve cover leaks on my 95 325i … and this is a OBD1 car with the metal valve cover, which is supposed to be the good one! I am thinking my valve cover is slightly warped! Sigh! Glad I am not paying the labor rate for each valve cover gasket change I’ve tried. But, it’s not a fun job anymore! I am over it! Bad mass air flow sensor? Bad fuel pressure regulator? Bad or wrong (new) fuel pump? I don’t much about the V8s but my m50tu had a rubber vacuum line that ran from the valve cover to the fuel pressure regulator. On the regulator end, the rubber hose was so rotten that it wasn’t even attached to the regulator anymore. If the timing chains and guides were recently replaced, they might have timed it incorrectly when they put it back together? I have heard that some of the Chinese made V8 BMW timing tools are not accurate enough to get the timing back into spec correctly (but usually close enough that the engine starts/runs but throws a CEL).

[@SuperStarlei]

Please , make a video about your W126 coup. It is my dream car.

[@danielventura8073]

Were those spark plugs properly torqued?

[@bartlett1389]

was the engine light on on the dash i ask because it sounds like a cam signal or the lack there of one that will make it have a long crank time on start and could make it not stay running

[@dimitrig3739]

Some cars just don’t have a desire to live, it’s a real thing

[@baitse7676]

The M62 looks clean, but I'd check the timing chain guides. THese engines are notorious for skipping time.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

if they were bad, you would have heard it already. plus, the TU motors had this problem not so much the older ones.

[@baitse7676]

@@baldisaerodynamic9692 Valve cover off, check timing chain guides....

[@JustinKohl]

Clean the injectors check fuel pressure. I had to one a car that had been sitting for a few years.

[@kinginfamousz]

16:10 Did I just hear a bmw do a drum performance? 😂😂😂

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Haha!!

[@DavidWeinberg-cm9xd]

Just the valve cover coil pack boot seals are bad and leaking on the boots? Valve cover gasket kit has new seals for that?

[@terryeustice5399]

Sorry Mike. You did not get the result you wanted. Maybe one of those you try try again. With your Mercedes experience. You will get it. Keep the faith! 💯

[@DavidWeinberg-cm9xd]

The oil leaking from the valve cover is so bad, it's pooling up, and when you pull the plugs, the oil covers the plugs immediately, so it looks like the engine has oil in the combustion chamber, unless the valve stem seals are that bad, also? Brake clean the spark plug holes, blow dry it with shop air, do a compression test on a few cylinders, and see if you have oil on the plugs, again? That is a real pain to figure out, without doing those things, first? Good luck, Mike.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

by the way mike, that pass side will leak instantly, or pretty damn quick in the rear. the half moons need RTV.

[@bluetownbarry]

As the late great Elvis once said; “Return to sender”

[@titanicfilmsbymark]

Crazy old BMW

[@scottjoesting601]

Ya need to fall in love with a Lexus just like ya said Lol😂😂😂😂

[@brucecobb2349]

Like my dad use to say drive east far as you can go to the river back it up put in reverse a let it go.

[@dazmnewbold807]

give it to randy as a present like what he gave to you with the ford pick up ha ha

[@victorrobinson9116]

Carb cleaner down each hole or use a vacuum plus a small tube too remove oil down each hole plus carb clean each spark plug plus fuel filter exchange time with new gas mike .

[@richardgreene3460]

I feel certain this is the same engine that is in my 99 Bentley Arnage!

[@michaelcrockette8694]

sounds like fuel starvation issue. is fuel fresh?

[@ThriftMachine]

Poor man's fuel injection cleaner is to remove the Fuel line going to the rail, drain the hose and rail till empty. Fill with BG44K button it up, crank for a second, let sit for 15-20 minutes then crank to start. Old Bosch injectors don't like ethanol and they gum up easy.

[@miklemikemuster]

Good gawd. Is the exhaust clogged?

[@lynnready9620]

Bingo.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Good luck 🥰

[@MrBeeradb1]

I think that it has a lean condition.some kind of vacumme leak or switch.IDK BMW that well.

[@thomasbossman]

Legit street cars should get this BMW

[@billbowers268]

Hello Mike !

[@big_george_nyc]

Crank sensor ?

[@toolzshed]

Oh no 🤔 Are the injectors fouled up?

[@parkerhulsey8219]

Might I suggest the crusher? Perhaps, even, for all of those European and British car wannabes.😂

[@tokuzumi1]

Cam and/or crank position sensors?

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

it sounds like its starving for fuel. fuel filter, change that out (or for testing remove it, and put a hose in line I think 97 theres no FPR on the filter its on the rail). if not its weak pump, OR, maybe the FPR if its on the rail is bad. Ive owned 3 of these cars. also make sure you clear the DME of all errors, because it will still run and act poorly until the codes are cleared.

[@michaelcoonce6694]

Time for market place

[@mancavehobbies6213]

SCRAP IT MIKE MOVE ONTO THE NEXT

[@jefnf]

Low fuel pressure?

[@georgecasas8628]

LMAO sound effects

[@hawkins19601]

it seams to me like you have a fuel problem, low pressure. clogged filter or a fuelpump whos about to die. the car has been sitting for a llong time and the warnish in the tank coult damage the pump or clogg the filter

[@romeoalphafoxtrot9517]

Scrap that turd Mike! It's nothing but a money pit!

[@collinpolhill6920]

Hi mick I think your problem is the injection i bleave it’s only firing on 4injectors i bleave the injection not firing on all of your injections

[@rudypernas7962]

Can it be old gas 😮

[@jpcii]

Up to 39k! A zippy video away from 40k viewers!

[@michaelsimolke5697]

Check fuel pressure and injectors

[@victorrobinson9116]

Fuel filter with chemical B12

[@gok6896]

Valve cover gaskets

[@danielulz1640]

Mike, why do you keep torturing yourself with these over engineered overly complicated German cars? They are all examples of: just because you can, does not mean that you should! I still like your videos, you just worry me at times.

[@m7machines738]

He likes what he likes bro that’s why he buys German cars

[@danielulz1640]

@@m7machines738 I know, I know.

[@davidstewart7932]

Replace the fuel pump or the fuel filter

[@FffGreat-no1ue]

Check air mass sensor

[@storytimewithunclekumaran5004]

unplug the mass air flow sensor and see what happens.

[@RoadsterLoverMedia]

compression?