Most powerboxes are simply an expensive resistor(fooling quantity adjuster feedback signal) with plugs. To fit a "chip" you need to desolder original eprom and preferably solder standard DIL28 socket, so you can change it easily. I've bought cheap (e)eprom programmer, some electrically erasable...

Some manuals from BMW: http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/3_series_e36/325tds_m51_tour/3_technical_data/11__engine_(m51)/0__engine_general/1_td__engine_in_general_e34_e36_m51_tds/

Everything is in rave, but beware! there are some errors in head fitting procedure. Do timing chains while head is removed. Use only new dedicated bolts for head, crank flange and camshaft sprocket.

Siezed tensioner arm cracks often. It must be greased while fitting.

Get Mobiletron votage regulator with 14,7V setpoint, no more problems with undercharged battery. Perfect for modern batteries.

It's all dependant of each other. Last time i've changed only quantity on one of mine, and modulation went from 43 percent to almost 60. And when you bump fueling too much, modulation jumps across full range(10-90%). It's not that simple as you think. ;) You will never have stable timing...

It's strange, but it has.

It should be at around 13-15l/100km with normal town use or within 1l/100km error. To me it's clean that middle section position is set wrong. And timing modulation can't be set with unstable idle - it will go nuts because ECU cuts fueling to prevent engine runaway with too much fuel and no...

May i ask you what is(was) your fuel consumption indicated on trip computer?

You cannot put pump middle section based only on previously made marks, tens of milimeter makes significant change in fueling. Adjust middle section position, and it will work. Fluctations start when you remove load from motor and it cannot lower fueling anymore. Trust me, i have done it many...

I would try with fueling first(QA position), it costs nothing to try ;)

Last time I've done some experiments with incorrectly adjusted quantity actutator and finally it idles and drives well with my 11mm pump. Someone messed with internal adjustment(arm and copper plate) and it would't react to change of load like it should, revs were dropping when selecting gear or...

Intercooler pipes are not the problem. Turbo intake elbow is! It is very soft up to 1998 and turbo simply sucks it closing airflow!. Then it smokes and eats oil residue from entire intake system after turbo and also some oil. Seen that problem on a least 5 vehicles, problem disapeared after...

0 to 0,5 mg/stroke at fuel quantity current is way too much fuel and quantity actutatar cannot correct that, you won't get steady timing modulation when RPM are jumping like that. loosen four middle section bolts and tap it towards front of engine to achieve around 5mg/str on hot engine. 5...

Turbo intake pipe collapsing. Replace with modified one 99MY onwards. Yours is probably made from rubber, newer one are plastic.

Or ECU from BMW/Omega without immobiliser. P38 ECU can also be deimmobilised. Easy fitting of mechanical pump is only possible in early M51 engines and they were never fitted to P38. On later type some machning is needed to make adapter.

Fit supercharger or turbo it, then blow engine. :D

My experience tells me that timing modulation at idle is very close(within 10%) to modulation at higher constant speed, even when driving on flat road - tested it on 3 vehicles with different timing modulation. Try to set quatninity on HOT(no load and AC OFF) engine(middle of the guage - at...

Make timing solenoid test(EDC - Outputs) with nanocom with engine running at idle speed. Engine should change noise from very silent to very clattery a few times(it's 30 seconds test). It it doesn't change note, or it's silent clatter, then timing solenoid doesn't work properly or internal...

Hot start issue doesn't exist with properly adjusted timing and good battery. Got head and rotor at Intercars(Polish car parts shop), don't think they ship international, but you should be able to order it at any BOSCH/Zexel parts dealer. Part number is 9 461 618 910