please help - my engine has started shaking

[johnnyg]

e30 318is

it has was running fine until now

was at a roundabout and i heard a sort of spluttering coming from the back i think - not too sure

it started getting worse very quick - oil light came on aswell do not know if this is related as i just had oil changed a few weeks ago.

lost alot of power

got it home - opened up the bonnet and the engine was shaking - the top part

it has also caused it to idle poorly aswell - feels like it is going to cut out but it wont.


i have just bought the car FEW weeks ago so i am very worried

please help

is it bad

johnny

[danman2k]

check all the pipes around the throttle body area and air filter, also the oil cap. could be one has popped off if you are lucky.

[wiledw]

Check hoses and pipe as stated above sounds like something as split or fallen off.

[DHFiS]

I wonder if you have a misfire that is causing the loss of power and poor idle, the shaking of the engine is causing an intermitent electrical fault associated with the oil light.

First thing to do is check all plug leads are firmly attached at both ends.

[SDM]

have you checked your oil level?

[johnnyg]

hi all have checked everything as best i can

there is a smalll water leak coming from a pipe under the inlet manifold (i think - sorry) and is leaking on to the starter motor. the leak is in the middle of the pipe where it is secured to the engine i think - the leak is directly above the starter motor - however it has only leaked twice and that was just when i turned the engine on.

maybe the water is coming from somewhere else and is just appearing at this point - i dont know

i tested the ht leads by pulling each one out at a time - they all seem to be working fine but lead number 4 the one closest to the windscreen just sits in the pocket - you do not have to pull it to get it out - however it does seem to be making contact with spark plug.

i have not earthed them to check them out properly as i am not too confident about doing that.

i cant see any other leaks - but then again i am very inexperienced here.

can anybody give me some tips on how to check for leaks - sorry i know it is a stupid question.

all help is greatly appreciated

thanks

johnny

[johnnyg]

i have checked the oil level and it is fine at the moment

[DHFiS]

All leads should be firmly attached to the plugs, sort this out first then you can eliminate one possible fault.

[johnnyg]

thanks - am doing that this afternoon

hopefully i will get to the bottom of this soon

any tips for checking for leaks - i know it is a sh*t question

cheers

johnny

[DHFiS]

t

any tips for checking for leaks - i know it is a sh*t question

cheers

johnny

Visual inspection of all rubber hoses to begin with but some are hidden so use your hand to feel for splits. You also need to be sure everything is connected as it should be.