spluttering e30 :(

Post Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:56 pm

Hello. I have just bought my first BMW. Its a 1989 316i baur convertible. Since owning the car, It occasionally splutters and springs back into life. Whenever I re-start the engine, it is fine. The other day it ground to a hault all together. Has anyone ever experienced this problem? I am putting down to ignition or CPU (if it has one) but not too sure. Can any body help?
Many thanks,
Dan, the distresed BMW driver

Post Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:59 pm

could be a vacuum leak if it's dying at idle, check around the rubber "boot" between the AFM and TB

Post Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:37 am

Many thanks for the reply. Its usually ok at idling. It seems to just miss randomly when on the move. Any ideas? P.S sorry to be stupid but wht did the AFM and TB mean in your last answer
Cheers
Dan

Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:58 pm

AFM = Airflow meter. TB = Throttle Body. I don't think a 316 has either. You probably have a carburettor and air filter. A good clean of these is the place to start. Then check/clean plugs and caps and back to distributor cap/rotor arm also check low tension connector on the coil. It'll go better after all that anyway. Other possible causes are blocked/dirty fuel filter or dodgy fuel pump with an intermittent fault. Nothing too expensive just some TLC!

Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:07 pm

Sounds pretty much like the temperature sender is cooked.
Blue plug

Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:29 pm

im sure there's something missing on that head

Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:26 pm

What?

Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 11:43 pm

two pots

Post Sun Aug 21, 2005 11:47 pm

That's why it's on the garage floor

Post Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:41 pm

just a thought but could it be the dme relay as on the post on this page it does sound similar

Post Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:58 pm

Many thanks for the responses. I looked into these areas. Thought it might be the coil. Went to the Bosch specialists in Southend-on-sea (very good guys who know their stuff) and they told me to start with the idle valve which was known to give these symotoms. After cleaning the muck out, the car has so far shown a great improvement. No spluttering, and it doesnt chase when idling. In fact the idle speed is now slightly higher which is what it should be. So what I thought might be expensive (BMW plug leads!) turned out to cost me nothing. Hopefully that has sorted it but at least if anyone has these problems, they can look at this area

Many thanks

Dan

Post Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:08 pm

Glad you got it sorted. Enjoy!