E36 328i running fault

Post Mon Nov 19, 2012 10:07 am

Hi guys and girls,

Yesterday i picked up an E36 328i (M52B28) auto coupe with 100k on the clock, very very clean car and i got it for a steal..

The car drives great! very smooth and the power is great too.. i stopped to fuel it and after fueling. i started it and drove off..... going down the road it started struggling to go past 2,500 revs, jerking and mis firing. i pulled over and it just cut off. Re started the car and it turned over for a few seconds before it fired up, it idled ok but a slight bit lumpy. i gave it a rev and it wouldn't go past 2,500 revs (surging between 2 - 2,500revs). i left the vehicle and went for some dinner... I came back about an hour later and it fired up fine and drove ok..... drove home from west london to milton keynes (55miles) and it drove perfect!!!! Didn't miss a beat on the M1!

I pulled up outside my house to park, stopped and selected reverse and it cut out again. Went to start it and again the long cranking period, once running i revved it and again the surging at 2 - 2,500 revs and the miss fire and slight lumpy on idle.... this really really puzzled me. I have a great amount of experience and knowledge on E30s, having owned 3 but this is all new to me and i really hope i can get it fixed. I googled this issue and read a few posts on various other forums and have read mixed reviews on possible crank sensor fault, cam sensor fault, O2 sensor faults or faulty air flow meter.

I really really hope someone can help me as this is a lovely car, its so nice to drive and iv just bought it lol.

Thank You very much

Ajay

Post Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:44 pm

Get it code read first and foremost but my bet is a camshaft sensor intermittently breaking down.

Post Mon Nov 19, 2012 2:06 pm

The crank sensor is at the front by the crank pulley and the cam sensor is on the side of the head at the front near the vanos solenoid.

Post Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:31 pm

Lovely stuff! Thanks for all the info guys. Will post back tomorrow with the results of the diagnostic check

P.s got more help and info here then another bmw forum.... Gotta love the zone

Post Mon Nov 19, 2012 6:39 pm

Why dont you just plug it into ISTA at work?

Post Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:47 pm

bss325i wrote:Why dont you just plug it into ISTA at work?

No longer at bmw barry... Redundancy is a cruel way of saving money!

But fingers crossed, i maybe back at a dealer very soon!