Intermitent running problem on 318is........

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Ian318IS
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Post Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:18 pm

Ok I have 2 problems which may be related, may not......

Firstly, the car has a hot starting problem. Fine when cold, but takes ages to catch when warm, with 3 or 4 attempts on the key. This problem has been with the car since I got it about 3 months ago.

I can kind of live with this problem but another problem has started which needs sorting!

The car drives fine when cold, but after 3 or 4 miles, it starts to cough and splutter. It doesnt 'feel' like misfire or running on 3, more like its running out of fuel. Its popping and banging through the exhaust, and the car is unable to rev beond 4k, then 1 min later, 3k, then 2k, which is kind of embarrasing on a dual carraigeway doing 25 mph!

I have discovered though if I turn the car off whilst moving and restart the problem inatsntly goes away and is fine for another 3 or 4 miles! :? :?

If I limp the car home on tickover, in the morning its fine, which is why I tried the above!

Could I be losing fuel pressure somewhere?

I have receipt for a new fuel pump 18 months ago.

It has new plugs, full service, and yesterday fitted its 2nd fuel filter in 2 weeks as it did feel like a blockage. I only dicovered the switching off thing last night which has baffled me now!

Any ideas guys?

Ian. :?
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Ian318IS
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Post Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:42 am

Just looked at the reciept again, and I think I have discovered the problem. The receipt is for an E30 M40 FUEL PUMP.

Is the M40 the normal 318i, and the M42 is the 318is?
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SPADGE
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Post Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:54 am

Ian318IS wrote:Just looked at the reciept again, and I think I have discovered the problem. The receipt is for an E30 M40 FUEL PUMP.

Is the M40 the normal 318i, and the M42 is the 318is?
I doubt the fuel pump will be the problem Ian not the fact that it is an M40 one anyway! It could be faulty but i suspect you have a sensor/map problem like i told you before.
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Post Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:05 pm

bttt for Ian
Come on guys someone must have an idea what the problem is here :?
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m42read
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Post Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:34 pm

SPADGE wrote:bttt for Ian
Come on guys someone must have an idea what the problem is here :?
mine did the same thing i changed the air idle stabalizer valve and it's worked fine ever since
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tim_s
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Post Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:14 pm

sounds like a sensor is intermittantly failing. you'll need a diag, could be so many things - as it sounds pretty dramatic, i'm going to guess cam or crank sensor as i've seen these partially stop working giving weird results like that, but that doesn't mean to rule out CLT sensor, AFM etc. You need a diag.
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Post Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:12 am

I'd be trying a (known working) AFM.
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Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:31 pm

Chris-W wrote:I'd be trying a (known working) AFM.
this would be a startpoint indeed!

moreover, the pump is immaterial in this issue- even 316i m40 pumps provide the 3bar needed for a 325i.
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Ian318IS
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Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:17 pm

m42read wrote:
SPADGE wrote:bttt for Ian
Come on guys someone must have an idea what the problem is here :?
mine did the same thing i changed the air idle stabalizer valve and it's worked fine ever since
Thanks for your ideas guys :D

Where is the air idle stabalizer valve ? :?
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Post Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:22 am

The air stabaliser valve - or idle control valve is found at the back of the head, next to the bulk head.

As per other suggestions, i would change the blue temperature sender, and try a known good afm.

P.s. The idle control valve is the same as fitted to the M40 318i
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Ian318IS
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Post Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:57 pm

Thanks for that, I have cleaned the ICV as per this link .....

http://www.e36coupe.com/technical/Clean ... _Valve.pdf

and made no difference. :(

Have bought a good AFM this morning and will try it next week when it arrives.

Ian. :D
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Scotsman
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Post Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:24 pm

Could be a faulty Idle Control Valve. My 318iS did something similar - while driving it felt like the engine would cut out and re-start. Changed the ICV and she has ran fine since.
Dan318-is
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Post Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:51 pm

Any news? The temp sensor is worth replacing even if it isnt the problem mate; about 14 quid from bmw iirc. Part number is on hre, number 6 i think

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=11&fg=15
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Ian318IS
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Post Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:40 pm

Ok, just been out in car for an hour, and it ran fine for ages :D

About 20 mile before it starting losing throttle. The only thing I have done this morning is remove the AFM, and remove and clean the ICV. It made no difference at first, but seems a little better now.

If I remove the plug from the AFM when the car is running fine, I can replicate what is happening to the car when I am about 3 miles away! lol!

I am guessing that the AFM is breaking down, so both the AFM and ICV will be changed next week, along with the temp sensor.

:D :D :D :D
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tim_s
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Post Sat Nov 25, 2006 5:42 pm

By removing the AFM with the car running you've added a fault to the ECU.
Also problem isn't an idle problem and happens when revved/on load so can't be the ICV.
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