E30 Zone

Ever since I bought my E30 I have had a driverbility problem.

Take your foot off the go peddle and it slows down - yes I know they all do this - but mine was like driving into treacle.

I even put in a 2.7L and changed the complete exhaust, rebuilt all the brakes, new prop bearing, damn near everything was replaced.

So today I changed the fuel pump (her indoors could hear the whine - she is, after all, an expert on whining) and bugger me the problem went away. Not only that but the crappy idle has gone with it.

Talk about missing the bleeding obvious.... but I really cannot think how the pump was responsible.

Can anyone explain? please!

Squealing could have been the drive belt for the water pump being loose (could be worn out) Since it drives the alternator as well, if that's not tight, it'll slip some, causing the squeal.

Also if the alternator wasn't being driven properly, the engine would draw power from the battery, which would run it down some, causing a lumpy idle.

Clogged fuel pump? I'm having the same problem at the moment, not as extreme though... I suspect there is rust in the tank somewhere and the flakes are blocking the pump, causing it to struggle, making that horrible whinning noise, at first I thought it was the mrs... But its the pump...

The fuel pump seems to have a funny effect on the way the car runs....My fuel pump died on me and after changing it for a new (Bosch) one the car suddenly seems to fly!

I wonder if the cylinders were previously being starved of fuel as the pressure was probably too low!

Yes, thats the only thing I could think would acount for it.
I will change the fuel fillter tonight and see if the improvement continues.

Any more suggestions what was happening?

had a good look at the old fuel pump I removed on Sunday, after-market crap.
Replacement was a good second hand BMW unit.
Old unit must have been out of pressure range - this would explain the bad idle.
but I would still love to know why the car slowed down so dramatically when you lifted off, the idle was not that bad.

Anyway if you have a similar problem don't assume the pump is OK just because it works.

P.S. it also now uses a lot less petrol - how I will miss watching the gauge going down, shame really.

glad you got this sorted in the end matey