My E30 is cutting out

[BadMoonRising]

Had a bit of trouble the other day. Was driving along, put my foot down and no power. The car wouldn't accelerate. Managed to roll it into a parking bay.

Had a little look under the bonnet. Scratched my head not really know what to look for. Started it back up got about two feet before it stalled.

Managed to start it again, got about a mile then the lack of power happened again. Started once more and managed to get home, felt it try and cut out a few times. Also a few times it felt like it was accelerating and going faster without me putting my foot down.

Got the day off work tomorrow. Want to try and fix it myself.

I'm thinking sparkplugs, fuel filter, fuel pump.

Anyone else had this? Any advice?

[Barx325i]

Is is a 4 or 6 cyl?

If it's misfiring like mad, I had a similar prob to this caused by a cored plug, which were brand new!

Check the intake & breather pipework for a gaping holes too..

[don-king]

Check the spark plugs, they may need replacing or just a clean

[BadMoonRising]

It's a 320i

Hoping its just the spark plugs

[murran]

could be one of many things! more info required?

[ucpsale]

Start with a full service, check the main earth to the engine / battery connections.

[BadMoonRising]

Just started it up after four days. Started fine.

Have a leak on the floor. On idle it sounds like its struggling. Also a smell of fuel.

[Morat]

What is the leak? Fuel, oil or coolant?
(or maybe just screenwash?)

[Barx325i]

is the puddle all fuel?

[BadMoonRising]

What is the leak? Fuel, oil or coolant?
(or maybe just screenwash?)

Three leaks in fact

From the stains on the floor they're both in the middle of the car. First near the back of the engine, second seems to be about half way down the car. With another small one a coupe inches behind that. They're mostly dried now, but they looked golden in color.

Also the tips of exhaust had some droplets coming from it

Sorry for the terrible descriptions. Don't really know much about cars yet.

[dirtybry]

hello,
my car had the same problem, i changed everything, even the afm. but the problem persisted. the fault was intermittent but got worse and worse.
in the end i found the cause.
it was the crank sensor at the bottom of the engine (front of engine), i was taking it out to clean it when i noticed that the wire (that goes across the front of the engine) was rubbing on one of the pulleys ( the plastic guard had fallen and dropped off) the wires were exposed and when they touched the pulley the car would lose power.
so, i taped the wires up and secured them with cable ties.

i hope this helps you

bry

[Barx325i]

turn your ignition on again and you should hear the fuel pump spin up. if it starts dripping after a minut or so, it'll be fuel leaking under the pressure of the pump..

fyi, the pump pressurises a feed and return loop from your tank to the fuel injector rail. A pressure regulator FPR keeps a constant level of pressure in the rail so that flow through the injectors is manageable by the ecu.

finger the puddle. if you sniff petrol then this one problem...

it's possible it's rusty water though

[BadMoonRising]

The big rubber pipe connected to the afm is really badly cracked around the edges at the join.

Going to replace this. Could this cause some of the problems?

[johnl320]

Yes it could well be

[Barx325i]

almost certainly, with no power & almost cutting out..

soon after startup the ecu starts making decisions based on air volume coming past the flow meter. If there are holes inbetween this and the engine then all the air that's unaccounted for will be definately causing these probs

[BadMoonRising]

Right going to buy a new one. Will report back.

Thanks fellas for the input.

[BadMoonRising]

Fitted the new hose. Fired her up. Sounds a lot better on idle. And problem seems to have been solved.

Went for two hour blast. So much fun.

Thanks for help guys.

[BadMoonRising]

Oh balls. It did it again.

Driven it for about four hours since I replaced the AFM hose. Been fine, but today at a juntion it cut out again.

Been doing loads of reading on here about cars with similar problems. Going to check the Crank Position Sensor, Idle Control Value and Throttle Postition Switch later.

Starting to feel a little out of my depth. Should have bought a Micra

[ProToZyKo]

Is the fuel pump running when you get the problem?

[toby]

Still leaking something?

[Barx325i]

should have bought a Micra

[Barx325i]

There's a pain of a pipe that goes from the throttle body to the cam cover. it runs right under the intake chamber (the curly one that looks like a giant ribcage) - this could be split etc. Again causing your stalling

[BadMoonRising]

Is the fuel pump running when you get the problem?

Um I assume.. Not very technical. How do you tell?

Still leaking something?

There is still something leaking. The leaks are running all the way down the middle of the car. Three in total. Need to borrow some ramps to get under and have a look.

should have bought a Micra

I didn't mean it. Just letting off some steam. E36 though hmmm

There's a pain of a pipe that goes from the throttle body to the cam cover. it runs right under the intake chamber (the curly one that looks like a giant ribcage) - this could be split etc. Again causing your stalling

I'll have a look at that too. Thanks

[Barx325i]

it has to be something relatively simple - don't be put off by the internal combustion fear

good luck anyway & don't give up on the old e30!

[BadMoonRising]

it has to be something relatively simple - don't be put off by the internal combustion fear

good luck anyway & don't give up on the old e30!

Sure you're right. It's all part of the learning curve I guess.

Not giving up just yet. I love driving it and looking at it too much

[ProToZyKo]

You hear it ;) But first you need to find out if there's fuel you are leaking. If not brake fluid?
Anyway since you can see the leaks, push the car away bend over and smell. Try using a lighter.
Also check the fuel pipe going into the injection rail, mine looks like hell, surprised it still works ;) Maybe yours has a few holes in it?

[BadMoonRising]

Just to update. After reading loads of help threads and never finding out what the problem was. It was the AFM.