318i M40 just hates the cold start!!

Post Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:36 pm

Hi guys, i'm new to this forum and must say, sooo happy to have found it!!
I use the bmwcc forum which is fantastic but this was recommended after a recent query I had.

Anyway, here's my prob:

Got a 1989 318i and spent a lot of time and money on it and goes ok, but i'm having a BIG problem with it starting either from cold or after its been sitting for bout an hour.

I put a spankin new starter in it and that makes it start first time but it just turns over for ages (8-10 secs). Then when it starts it chugs with a bit of grey/black smoke for a bit (almost like its clearing its throat!), then runs sweet!!

It got a 2nd hand AFM and a 2nd hand ICV about 4 months ago, but i can't remember if it was this bad before!! See the car had probs so a lot got done at the same time.

Any help appreciated, Geo1400

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:08 am

get a new coolant temp sender and fit that before you try anything else.

the blue unit is for the ECU
the brown is for the cluster.

update once you've swopped it dude, normall fixes 99% of these issues, get a NEW one though,, second hand is a false economy

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:10 am

yea they are only about Ãƒ”šÃ‚£11 from www.eurocarparts.co.uk or www.gsfcarparts.com
On m40 engines the blue one is located on the side of the engine underneath the airflow meter/bellow (remove this)

Welcome to the zone!

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:19 pm

Thanks guys, gonna try that tomorrow!!

Will let you know, Geo1400

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:24 pm

As above really, I had the blue temp sender go on mine making the car a b@stard to drive. The peeps in the know on here suggested changeing it and the differance was instant, These boys know there onions and welcome to the zone dude !

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:31 pm

As Ant said, he is the man to ask

I changed this not so long ago and everything was so sweet after

Little bit awkward to get to and to see but it's directly under the inlet on the block on the passenger side.
You need to get the AFM out the way and release the long black box that hold's the engine loom in place, this is bolted on right next to the starter motor.
Good luck mate

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:05 pm

ant wrote:get a new coolant temp sender and fit that before you try anything else.

the blue unit is for the ECU
the brown is for the cluster.

update once you've swopped it dude, normall fixes 99% of these issues, get a NEW one though,, second hand is a false economy

Is it worth changing the brown sensor too or is it only the blue one that usually causes the problems?

I have to do this fix too and am just about to order......

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:08 pm

Gravy wrote:
ant wrote:get a new coolant temp sender and fit that before you try anything else.

the blue unit is for the ECU
the brown is for the cluster.

update once you've swopped it dude, normall fixes 99% of these issues, get a NEW one though,, second hand is a false economy
Is it worth changing the brown sensor too or is it only the blue one that usually causes the problems?

I have to do this fix too and am just about to order......

Just the blue one mate. That's the sensor that send's info to the ecu, the brown is just for the temp gauge.

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:12 pm

Cheers mate - My gauge works intermittently, most the time is just sits at the same reading (just outside the blue range) however long the car has been running, but occasionally it flickers all over the place and then goes back to the position mentioned above. I get appauling economy - so the blue sensor should send the correct info to the ECu, do i need the brown one to fix the flickering gauge? Or do you think it will settle to a normal reading once a new blue sensor is installed?

Thanks alot for your help

Rob

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:22 pm

Gravy wrote:Cheers mate - My gauge works intermittently, most the time is just sits at the same reading (just outside the blue range) however long the car has been running, but occasionally it flickers all over the place and then goes back to the position mentioned above. I get appauling economy - so the blue sensor should send the correct info to the ECu, do i need the brown one to fix the flickering gauge? Or do you think it will settle to a normal reading once a new blue sensor is installed?

Thanks alot for your help

Rob

Change the blue one first to see how you get on, it may settle but no gauranties. If it still happen's then there could be a cheaper option to try first and that's to tighten the bolt up on the back of the temperature gauge. These, for some reason, become lose after a while and can resolve a head ache of a problem. The awkward part about it is getting the dash out, it's not that hard, just a pain.

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:54 pm

Awesome mate - the blue sensor is ordered, I look forward to the difference it ought to make to the way the car runs!

Post Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:55 pm

No prob's mate, anything to help a fello zoner

Post Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:00 pm

Well seen haynes don't give you guide lines on how to access the sensor on an M40, its like the bloody crypton factor!!

Anyway, sensor is fitted and on first start I would say it was 20% better, I did drain a bit of the coolant so got to give that time to circulate. I started it again after bout half an hour and def a bit of improvement.

So need to give it the ultimate test in the morning, will let you know!!

Thanks again Guys, Geo1400