Why is my BMW running on 2 cylinders?
Answers:
THERE ARE NUMEROUS REASONS FOR THIS TO OCCUR HERE ARE SOME MINOR TESTS THAT YOU CAN PERFORM CHECK FOR SPARK AT PLUG WIRES IF YOU HAVCE SPARK THERE (NOW YOU DO HAVE TO CHECK ALL PLUG WIRES) IF THEY ALL HAVE SPARK CHECK YOUR FUEL DELIVERY IF FUEL IS DETERMINED TO BE PRESENT CHECK COMPRESSION THEN TIMING
CAUSE IT'S A TWO CYLINDER MOTOR BIKE?
I doubt it is. Well, maybe BARELY running. (assuming we're talking about a car)
Check your plugs and wires, for wear and breaks. If so replace with OEM products.
If it has four cylinders or more check the ignition system, then the fuel delivery followed by the engine compression. If the latter is suspect then it is going to cost you big time.
could be many reasons for it.
first to check is the ignition system
Plugs points coil leads, timing etc
it helps to answer your question if you state year,model,and engine size
I don't know ,why is your BMW running on 2 cylinders
Easiest way to find out, is too have an electronic computerised check done. All later model BMW's have a socket build in the wiring loom to be able to do a accurate diagnostic check. And many aftermarket places could do the test, one does not necessarily have to go to the agents. Most Bosch dealers would be able to assist you as well, as if you don't do that, one could get into all sorts of miss diagnosis situations, and end up repairing and replacing until you eventually find the problem
I'd do as African Lion says, have it tested. This will tell you the compression ratio etc, probably of no use but there are too many reasons for it not to fire. If you can find a garage selling leaded petrol then put some of that in (about a gallon). I have known the 316's to have old pre-1985 units fitted which require lead to keep the pistons from losing seal and corroding. If this is the case it may be too late (it's again unlikely).
Is it smoking? If it is smell it, if you can smell a strong odour of unburnt fuel then the pistons are being doused with far too much fuel to ignite under compression caused by the ECU chucking too much in or damaged injectors.
If is acting completly as normal just firing on only 2 cylinders it may have recieved a knock to the side of the head that has chipped the valves meaning they can't seal for an explosion.
Take it to a garage for what it is going to cost if you dont get it seen to
Seems you have checked most components, not sure if you have looked at the distributor cap(sector 1 and 3 are side by side and could be tracking(shorting out)).
You could remove all plugs connect them one by one to the HT leads, short them out to the engine block and turn the engine over.
If they all spark(after checking they are correctly gapped) then it sounds like you have internal engine problems, BMW is the best but V expensive otherwise find a local reputable garage
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