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1984 318i idles too high?? help?!

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:25 am
by Svenkerud
I have an 84 318i and it idles right around 2100 rpm's and is eratic up and down slightly. If I unplug one of the sensors where the upper radiator hose comes into the top of the engine than it idles down to around 1100 but will die if you try to give it any gas? Does anyone have any suggestions where to start with this? I am new to the e30's

Thanks !

Re: 1984 318i idles too high?? help?!

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:51 am
by sati
Sound slike you have an Air leak , check all the pipes that go to the t.b ,, try cleaning you MAF (it goes in to you airbox)

or you try to adjust the idle manuly by turning the screw on the air flow meter , its next to the plug , (there might be a rubber/plastic plug just pull it out) and turn the screw anti-clockwise till the engine idles right.


link:


page 25 , image on the right handside at the bottom of page (fig. 12.12b)

Re: 1984 318i idles too high?? help?!

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:44 am
by Brianmoooore
The idle screw is unlikely to have moved itself, so don't touch it!!! Your car has a fault. Find the fault - don't introduce another one!

Re: 1984 318i idles too high?? help?!

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:44 am
by Svenkerud
Brianmoooore wrote:The idle screw is unlikely to have moved itself, so don't touch it!!! Your car has a fault. Find the fault - don't introduce another one!
Do you have any suggestions where to start? I was reading that the idle control valve can get plugged up. I was going to remove it and try and clean it out.

Re: 1984 318i idles too high?? help?!

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:55 am
by andrews
+1 to sati. First of all , check the engine for air leaks. Also check the engine temperature sensor. If it will not help, then continue diagnose another components

Re: 1984 318i idles too high?? help?!

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:43 am
by Brianmoooore
I don't know enough about the primitive management systems on these to be able to offer much practical advice, but I know there are loads of small rubber tubes with plenty of potential for air leaks, and 'air slide valve' seems to get mentioned a lot in discussions about them.

Re: 1984 318i idles too high?? help?!

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:55 am
by ha22
Chech the ICV is not getting stuck, clean it with wd40 and also check the connecting plug to it, failling this, theres a air leak somewhere.