330i rough running

[anothere21323i]

Need a bit of help please guys. I have a 2001 on a Y 330i Touring which has about 56k on the clock - I've put about 10k on it in the last year or so and its been fantastic - never skipped a beat.

Last night though on starting it up (hadn't been run since Friday), it felt and sounded 'rough', like it wasn't firing on all 6 cylinders. A gentle blip of the throttle didn't help either, so I thought that I'd let it run for a bit to see if warming through would help. It didn't, and the engine warning light (not the EML) came on, so I switched her off immediately.

I'm not familiar with common M54 faults - any ideas/suggestions would be gratefully received

[Brianmoooore]

Coil packs are a known weak point, but you really need to check the on board diagnostics.

[maxfield]

Coil packs are a known weak point, but you really need to check the on board diagnostics.

If there's no light, it's unlikely there will be any fault codes. But if you took somewhere that knows what they're doing, there might be something in live data.

Cam sensors can also cause similar symptoms, and they don't like non gen sensors either.

[zd3bx]

Not sure what "engine warning light" you're talking about, because that's what EML actually is (engine management light)?



If it's the one above, then as the guys suggested, simple OBD2 diagnostics will tell you what's the problem.

[maxfield]

Ignore my post Brian, I didn't read the first post corrextly. Get it on a scanner that should shed more light on the matter.

[Kos]

I've had the cam sensor go on my old e39

Didn't cause rough running, it just dropped in mid range torque

I'm thibking lambda, but diagnostics will lead you in the right directing

[P_VIDDY]

If it's got a miss fire then prob coil. If it's running rough/lumpy check air intake pipe for splits.

[anothere21323i]

Not sure what "engine warning light" you're talking about, because that's what EML actually is (engine management light)?



If it's the one above, then as the guys suggested, simple OBD2 diagnostics will tell you what's the problem.

Yes that's the light I'm on about - I thought the EML light came up with the letters EML rather than a picture of the engine?

[Kos]

Cam Sensor fault never illuminates that up on

Lambda did

[zd3bx]

Not sure what "engine warning light" you're talking about, because that's what EML actually is (engine management light)?



If it's the one above, then as the guys suggested, simple OBD2 diagnostics will tell you what's the problem.

Yes that's the light I'm on about - I thought the EML light came up with the letters EML rather than a picture of the engine?

Yeah, I've seen some images where it just says "EML", instead of the sign, but not sure what's the difference...

In any case, they're both very similar and diagnostics is the only way to find out what's the fault.

[whiterhino]

Not sure what "engine warning light" you're talking about, because that's what EML actually is (engine management light)?



If it's the one above, then as the guys suggested, simple OBD2 diagnostics will tell you what's the problem.

Yes that's the light I'm on about - I thought the EML light came up with the letters EML rather than a picture of the engine?

I had that light come up the other week.was the coil pack mate.

[anothere21323i]

Not sure what "engine warning light" you're talking about, because that's what EML actually is (engine management light)?



If it's the one above, then as the guys suggested, simple OBD2 diagnostics will tell you what's the problem.

Yes that's the light I'm on about - I thought the EML light came up with the letters EML rather than a picture of the engine?

I had that light come up the other week.was the coil pack mate.

That does seem to be the most logical thing I think? I'll order one tomorrow and then do a bit of process of elimination problem solving. Hopefully that will do the trick. ECP have Bosch ones for £20odd so that will be a pleasant solution!

[whiterhino]

My mechanic checked the fault. Then he moved the coil pack to another bank.
The fault changed to that bank. I replaced it with Bosch like you stated.good luck

[anothere21323i]

My mechanic checked the fault. Then he moved the coil pack to another bank.
The fault changed to that bank. I replaced it with Bosch like you stated.good luck

Thanks dude

[whiterhino]

[DanThe]

Have the plugs been changed? Its not unknown for the original factory plugs to still be fitted at your milage.
Easiest way to see if its a spark problem is to unplug the coils one at a time while the engine is running, if one is not working as it should the engine note will not change

[anothere21323i]

Have the plugs been changed? Its not unknown for the original factory plugs to still be fitted at your milage.
Easiest way to see if its a spark problem is to unplug the coils one at a time while the engine is running, if one is not working as it should the engine note will not change

Top tip Dan, thanks. I'll try that too

[anothere21323i]

Have the plugs been changed? Its not unknown for the original factory plugs to still be fitted at your milage.
Easiest way to see if its a spark problem is to unplug the coils one at a time while the engine is running, if one is not working as it should the engine note will not change

Top tip Dan, thanks. I'll try that too

The coil packs are all genuine BMW parts (made by Bremi) and are all dated April 2001 which is when the car is built so it's safe to assume that they're the original items the car was fitted with when new.

Haven't removed any plugs yet but I've ordered 6 new ones as I anticipate that the originals are also still fitted! Not bad going for 14 years I think.

I'm going to start at cylinder number 1 and work my way back, swapping the new coil pack each time till I find the culprit.

Any top tips as to how to get coil pack number 6 off without damaging it? It's tucked away right under the bulkhead

[Simon13]

you need to remove the pollen filter and its housing to get at them held on with x4 torx bolts of which the size escapes me then you will have plenty of room

[seanboy]

I had this about ten year ago on a E46 330i 4dr sport. I bought it from that big BMW place in Kent (I was young!).

it was filters must have had 30k miles air filter! I did not do 5k miles in it.

[bss325i]

you need to remove the pollen filter and its housing to get at them held on with x4 torx bolts of which the size escapes me then you will have plenty of room

T30.

[anothere21323i]

you need to remove the pollen filter and its housing to get at them held on with x4 torx bolts of which the size escapes me then you will have plenty of room

Thanks Si that's good advice.

[anothere21323i]

you need to remove the pollen filter and its housing to get at them held on with x4 torx bolts of which the size escapes me then you will have plenty of room

T30.

Cheers Barry

[anothere21323i]

Solved! Coil pack on number 1 cylinder was the fault. Running sweet as a nut again

Fitted a new set of plugs as a matter of course. Thanks for your help guys

[E30BeemerLad]

Sounds identical to what my 325 is doing at the moment

[anothere21323i]

Sounds identical to what my 325 is doing at the moment

Yup just saw your other thread - I reckon that's your fault as it sounds identical.