316(carb) Refuses to run right

[Alex]

Hi i dont know if anyone can help but my 316 struggles to start.

when i manage to get it started if you take your foot off the throttle it stalls, also there sometimes there is an odd pop coming from the exhaust even when i rev it to 4,500rpm i still get a pop now and again , its as if the engine has cut out for a fraction of a second.

if i manage to get it to tick over the engine runs very rough and the car shakes. then a few seconds later it stalls.

before this happened the car had a hunting idle but not sure if this has got anything to do with this.

Is it possible it could be the auto choke stuck on??

HELP!!!

[Brianmoooore]

If this still has the original Pierburg carb, then it is almost certainly worn beyond repair.
Thinking back many years to my first E30 (one of these), that would stall on idle. The particular problem that caused that was a duff variable resistor on the carb, providing feedback to the idle controller.
Managed to make it work for a while, but ultimately it needed a Weber replacement.

[Alex]

Oh forgot to mention the car hasnt moved for a few month but it has been started and warmed up at leased twice a week, went for an mot last week (failed Needs new discs) seemed fine then(still hunting stalling at junctions mostly when cold), and has been for the passed weeks, until i tried starting it up this weekend

[eko]

Maybe of no connection but my first E30,316 carb,had a similar problem.
I replaced the sandwich plate(?) between the base of the carb and the manifold,problem solved,although it still drank fuel!

[Alex]

do you think its worth my time replacing all carb gaskets could it be a major airleak?

[Brianmoooore]

do you think its worth my time replacing all carb gaskets could it be a major airleak?

Spray something inflammmable around the gaskets with the engine running. Any leak will result in a response from the engine when it gets a sniff of the gas.
I use a propane blowlamp with the jet unscrewed.