Airflow meter....

[TheRam]

Hello.

I'm only getting 20-24mpg from my 1990 316i auto.

My garage say they can't tune the engine as the airflow meter won't adjust. At over £200 to change it is it worth it?

The car runs well just poor on fuel.

Thanks

Kit

[TPS]

Try the Basics:-

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 32#2388232

If its the AFM, try the wanted section, you'll had to fit one off another 316i, a 318 one won't work.

[Brianmoooore]

Why would they want to 'adjust' the airflow meter? It was set correctly at the factory and hasn't been fiddled with, it's still correct now.
Tell them to find the fault that makes it apparently want 'adjusting' now.
Test the airflow meter yourself with a six or nine volt battery and a meter. Don't forget to test the IAT (inlet air temperature) sensor as well, which is included with the AFM.
Test method is almost certainly detailed in the wiki.

[TheRam]

Thanks.

They also mention it does not need new oil as I've done very little mileage and it looks clean, it was last changed over 12 months ago.

Should I insist on a change? All the service items they say are fine.

Thanks

Kit

[BEERBOY123]

Change the oil yourself! Even I can manage that and I'm a div!

You can let it drain overnight and the oil and filter will barely be £20, even good oil and OEM filter. ASDA and the like do regular deals such as 4L of Castrol 10w40 for a tenner or less and even a dealer filter is only a few bob.

Garage will probably charge you £50 plus and they won't hang about letting all the crap drain out properly either, that's if they don't suck it up through the dipstick hole cold...