m20 325i running problems

[hammersfan12]

can anybody help, was out for a drive today. been out over a hour and stopped at some lights. when i went to pull away, engine was grumbling and every know and then backfired. i pulled over and couldn't find out whats wrong. going to look it over today, but any ideas what it could be. hoping just a air leak or something. thanks

[hammersfan12]

could it be either of the fuel pump/sender(s), or the fuel filter. driven it again and think it might be to do with fuel.

[Speedtouch]

Could be a dodgy batch of fuel, or perhaps you accidentally put some diesel in by mistake?

When was the fuel filter last replaced?

[hammersfan12]

was thinking that, if it is dodgy fuel. will it get out the system. and always double check i'm not putting diesel.

and fuel filter not sure, and if need replacing is it easy. and it's under the rear wheel isn't it.

[Speedtouch]

Yes, just aft of the nearside rear wheel. It is usually fairly straightforward, though check the rubber fuel hoses for splits - I had one with a pin-hole leak, spraying fuel all over the back tyre, giving interesting handling!

[hammersfan12]

cool, thanks. i'll have a look, plus my fuel gauge has been all over the place for a while.

[Speedtouch]

That could be either a loose brass nut on the back of the cluster, or possibly related to the rough-running engine.

Check the engine-to-body earth strap is secure, as that is often a cause of electrical problems.

[hammersfan12]

thanks, and the strap is with the battery isn't it. or where.

[Speedtouch]

No, the one underneath, between the engine block and the chassis rail.

[hammersfan12]

i'll check that out, as the nut on the back of cluster is ok. and my lights stopped working all of a sudden on the cluster as well a while ago.

[Speedtouch]

That could be failing SI batteries:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... _Batteries

Alternatively, if you mean the backlighting, were you aware that by turning the headlamp switch, you can adjust the brightness?

[hammersfan12]

yeah, i tried turning the switch and got nothing back. think it is something with the cluster.

[Speedtouch]

Could be that the backlighting bulbs have blown - they are fairly easy to replace.

[Brianmoooore]

Could be that the backlighting bulbs have blown - they are fairly easy to replace.

Needs to be fixed, since lack of speedo. illumination is now an MOT test failure. Speedo. doesn't have to work, but it does have to light up!

[miniblob]

got to love rules like that - no wonder this country is ******