Slight Issue

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:14 am

Morning all

Slight issue I've had on my 320i since I brought it a year ago that is slowly getting worse.

Before every so often, like once a month, whenever I tried to start the car it would be trying but it won't start. This would usually be remedied by me putting my foot on the accelerator pedal as I'm turning the key and then it turns over and there's no issues.

This now happens every other day. Any ideas?

FYI

battery 9 months old
Dizzy cap, rotor, sparks and HT leads 1 month old.
TPS 2 months old.

So would be none of these, as it's been happening since before these were replaced.

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 8:08 am

Does it idle well? Could start by removing the idle control valve and giving it a thorough clean with carb cleaner.

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 8:15 am

It's a little rough on the idle at times.. like it's searching. I've cleaned the ICV before which didn't sort this so assuming that's an obscure air leak tucked away somewhere.

The not starting issue feels like it's an ignition problem but I'm no expert.

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 8:52 am

Checked the fuel pump? Filter? Relay?

Had a similar thing happen on a volvo 850, turned out the pump was on it's way out.

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:08 am

steve_k wrote:Checked the fuel pump? Filter? Relay?

Had a similar thing happen on a volvo 850, turned out the pump was on it's way out.

Wont be the filter as that's been changed over the past year. Relay and pump are both possibilities I guess.

Just when I thought it was good for a while, after spending a small fortune on it recently

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:58 am

All the fuel pump/pressure related possibilities can be checked out by temporarily connecting up a £10 ebay fuel pressure gauge.
TPS may be new, but is it set up and working properly?

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:03 am

Yes my last TPS fell victim to waterpump scraping, so mine was cable tied and well out of the way of any potential damage.

Are there any obvious things, or is it more than likely pointing towards a fuel pressure issue?

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:05 am

I think you might be confusing a TPS with a CPS!

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:12 am

I think you're right! Have we got anything on the wiki regarding TPS.. Can't see anything?

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:25 am

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Intake

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:59 am

What a noobie!!

This could be the cause of my rough idle as well! Is this a big job to replace if needed?

Brian you said is it set and up and working correctly.. does that mean installation is more than just screw off and screw on?

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 11:10 am

Hi, I would take all your inlet side off, check the boot for cracks, clean out the boot and TB. Take off the TPS and check its not full of oil and check the rubber bung by the TPS. Then set up the TPS so it clicks as soon as you touch open the butterfly valve. Check the condition of the air filter whilst there. If you need a hand give me a shout cheers jim.

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 11:14 am

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techart ... cement.htm

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 11:33 am

jimbom30cab wrote:Hi, I would take all your inlet side off, check the boot for cracks, clean out the boot and TB. Take off the TPS and check its not full of oil and check the rubber bung by the TPS. Then set up the TPS so it clicks as soon as you touch open the butterfly valve. Check the condition of the air filter whilst there. If you need a hand give me a shout cheers jim.

Thanks Jim! Air filter's recently replaced, although old one looked a mess for 6 months old. Sounds like I'll probably be in touch!

Speedtouch wrote:http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Intake

Cheers pal

Post Mon Sep 29, 2014 12:52 pm

have the injectors been overhauled laterly?

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 8:35 am

No it's on the list, but taking the car off the road while they're being done isn't going to happen just yet.

Has anyone ordered a TPS from BMW recently?.. for my car there's two options.. one which is 170 odd quid and has a long back order. And another for an 'EH' gearbox which has a few left in the business and is half the price.. No idea what an EH auto gearbox is though!

Cotswolds didn't know what one it could be, they said I should strip the throttle first and find the part.. but not something I wanted to do until I had a replacement to put in, if it turns out it's needed

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 8:48 am

Why are you trying to buy a new TPS? Have you confirmed the old one is broken?

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:23 am

'If it turns out it's needed'...

I like to plan ahead.

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:36 am

Yeah, but 5 minutes with a three quid multimeter will tell you whether it's needed or not, and even then most TPS's can be fixed with a small hole and a good dousing in Carb Cleaner.

Of course, your wallet, your choice

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 10:00 am

I agree with rich (grrrmachine), get the TPS first, if its got oil in it drill a small (1mm) hole in the bottom & clean it out with carb cleaner.

Also, check the throttle cable, see if there is any slack in it, if there is then take it up by using the nut on the end of it.

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 10:12 am

Mitchen wrote:No it's on the list, but taking the car off the road while they're being done isn't going to happen just yet.

You seem determined to waste money on unnecessary parts, so at least 'waste' it on buying a second hand set of injectors and having those refurbed to avoid the above.

TPS for the EH gearbox incorporates a potentiometer (like a more modern TPS), that the gearbox ECU uses, as well as the E30's management's system more primitive switches. This dual TPS can be used in place of the ordinary one, but requires a change of plug on the loom to a six pin round one instead of the three pin rectangular.

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 2:46 pm

Grrrmachine wrote:Yeah, but 5 minutes with a three quid multimeter will tell you whether it's needed or not, and even then most TPS's can be fixed with a small hole and a good dousing in Carb Cleaner.

I didnt realise they were so durable. Thought it was a similar case to a blue temp sensor or a CPS, where when they play up they need replacing.. so thought if it was broken I may as well have a new one to hand to chuck in... and if it didnt need replacing I'd just return it. But appreciate the suggestions! I'll give it a cleanout!

Brianmoooore wrote:You seem determined to waste money on unnecessary parts, so at least 'waste' it on buying a second hand set of injectors and having those refurbed..

Now that is a very good call! I've been meaning to get this done for a while, but the grief of taking the motor off the road for a week meant it never happened. This seems like a good call!

(depending on how much second hand injectors are)

Post Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:21 pm

When you've bought, refurbed and fitted a set, simply sell your originals on to the next member on here, to do the same thing.

Post Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:54 pm

Mitchen, I've got a spare set of injectors for a 320i..if you can cover the postage and make a donation to the zone i will send you them mate.