Idle screw?
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:53 pm
I thought you couldn't adjust idle but this seems to suggest otherwise. I'd raise mine a bit as its too weak from cold, revs prone to nearly dying....
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/BMW_E30_Me ... ConvertionSetting the idle
The butterfly valve on the throttle body is normally fully closed. The idle stop screw needs to be adjusted, so the butterfly valve is slightly open. Getting the right adjustment requires trial and error (and a warmed up engine). You want the idle to be around 700rpm, and the MAP sensor to show the lowest possible value. However, I found that 700rpm idle was too low for cold starts, and set the idle a bit higher. Make sure the timing is set to 16 Degrees when idling (there is a setting that can override the timing to this when there is no throttle).
Be careful when turning the idle screw. Its probably never been moved since manufacture, and is easily broken (I know from experience!). Use penetrating oil first.