Sick Cabriolet - Idling problems-help please

Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:53 pm

Can any one help please?
I have an '88 325i cab that has come out from winter hibernation
2 weeks ago, running fine until today! I've driven it for 1/2 hour then it was parked for about an hour. When i started her again she idled at 1200rpm and not the usual 800 or so
At idle it revs briefly to 1500rpm for about a secound ,returns to 1200 and continues to do this without any use of the throttle.
i was able to drive the 8 miles home and the car is fine throughout he rev range until you come to a halt and the 'reving idle' returns. quite embarrassing as every one at the traffic lights thinks i'm a revving moped rider who's progressed to BMW's!
The car has just had a full service, inc tappet adjustment and new cam belt.
Any help greatfully received as the service/mot bill has fleeced me and i am due to take the car touring france in 2 weeks time!!

Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:05 pm

Houston - you have a problem.... (could not resist)

Air leak..... check to see if the air intake boot has split.

Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:16 pm

Thanks matey, I'm gone have a good look at the problem tomorrow and hopefully will get a few suggested fixes

As for the "Houston we have problem" thats one of several nick names i have been blessed with, today it seems the most suitable.
Thanks for the advice.

Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:21 pm

Spray WD40 around the air intake rubbers to see if it gets sucked in through a split and the engine note changes as it burns the WD40.

Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:27 pm

Thanks Toby, will do. I'm praying your right cos it will mean a cheap fix

Thanks again

Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:13 am

i have a very similar problem.
i started my 327 convertible the other day, for the first time for a couple of months. it started first time, so i took her for a quick half-mile run, all sweet.
when i got back to my house, the tickover was all over the place, up-down-up-down, "hunting" of it's own free will. i turned the ignition off, tried again and it didnt want to fire up again

it turned over for ages before eventually firing into life for a second then dying again

eventually i got her started and just parked her back on my drive. i can't take her for the MOT like that

i'm pretty sure the intake boot is like new though

Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:23 pm

Thanks for all the advice, didnt get to look at the car today as visitors turned up for the day and forcing cider down my face. so will let you all know how i get on with car tomorrow..... Now back to the cider

Mon Apr 25, 2011 4:59 pm

Hurray!, problem solved, though i've no idea how i did it, rubber boot leading to the inlet manifold removed and checked, no leaks, disconnected the 'Idle air stabliser valve' (which is linked to the left of the rubber boot) i cleaned the contacts and a spray of WD40, put it all back together and hey presto it's working again.
I 've taken the car for a 30 minute blast. Let it stand for and hour and started her up again and NO PROBLEMS.

thanks to every one for their suggestions.

I will give the car a few more outings before we set off for France and put a can of WD40 in the 'emergency tool kit' just in case.

Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:19 pm

well done mate.

any other possibilities for my problem please chaps (clean comments only)?
it smells odd when it eventually does start and i get the impression that it's "over-choking"

Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:40 pm

Similar problems to what I had this is what I did to fix mine:

1. remove and clean the ICV with carb cleaner, clean the electrical terminals for the ICV
2. Clean the electrical connections on the blue temp sensor and the wiring going to it.
3. Make sure the fuel pipe on the top of the engine going into the inlet manifold is tight, mine was loose at one end.

That was it and all now workingh fine 5 mins work in total, even fires up first time now.

Wed May 11, 2011 12:36 pm

right, i shall try that then.
i had the conv. booked in for its first MOT in about 7 years yersterday, but had to cancel because the same problem occured

started first time, drove/ticked over perfectly, then after about 10 minutes starting revving up and down every second. turned off then wouldn't start again. very "fuely" smell too

Thu May 26, 2011 10:54 pm

well i changed the ICV from one in stock, started her up, fired first time, took her for a short drive "round the block", left her ticking over for ten minutes and.....all ok

fingers crossed. MOT tomorrow

Fri Jun 10, 2011 12:59 pm

How'd it get on Adit?