E36 328is Crazy high fuel consumption
Discussion
Wow, 16.3 not good at all but it's the correct figure so there's a fault for sure. Next time when carrying a mpg check, avoid running out fuel as there's no need, just use the trip meter i.e brim the tank, rest the trip, do 150-200 miles and brim the tank gain. Hope, the new coolant temp.sensor does the trick, it's very possible it will.
OptiManc said:
isnt that the coolant temp sensor?
No, that is the air temp sensor.The coolant temp sensor, there are 2, one that runs the electric fan for the A/C, it's located in the side of the radiator, the one you want is in the side of the head,
part# 14 in this diagram.
Look at this also.
ETA;
if you've already got the air temp sensor then change it, it's the easiest of the lot to change.
Edited by E30M3SE on Monday 28th May 14:47
Johnboy Mac said:
Wow, 16.3 not good at all but it's the correct figure so there's a fault for sure. Next time when carrying a mpg check, avoid running out fuel as there's no need, just use the trip meter i.e brim the tank, rest the trip, do 150-200 miles and brim the tank gain. Hope, the new coolant temp.sensor does the trick, it's very possible it will.
Thanks Johnboy, i did the empty tank to ensure there isn’t any fuel lingering around inside and the computer making an incorrect assumption of fuel volume. And also at the request of others being so very helpful on this thread. E30M3SE said:
No, that is the air temp sensor.
The coolant temp sensor, there are 2, one that runs the electric fan for the A/C, it's located in the side of the radiator, the one you want is in the side of the head,
part# 14 in this diagram.
Look at this also.
ETA;
if you've already got the air temp sensor then change it, it's the easiest of the lot to change.
Nice one E30M3SE! Very nice link, where do you find this lot?The coolant temp sensor, there are 2, one that runs the electric fan for the A/C, it's located in the side of the radiator, the one you want is in the side of the head,
part# 14 in this diagram.
Look at this also.
ETA;
if you've already got the air temp sensor then change it, it's the easiest of the lot to change.
Edited by E30M3SE on Monday 28th May 14:47
OK, will change air temp sensor first of the shop can get it in today otherwise i'll either wait or attempt the coolant sensor today.
Tried to post this last night but the forum was down.
Checked the coil packs on advise of a mechanic but they appear clean.
Have now bought an Air Temp Sensor and Coolant Temp Sensor (so many sensors!) and plan to install Air sensor first tonight and trial it for a week if it seems stable.
I will be resetting the ECU post installation the only way i know which is to disconnect the battery for a while, is that enough?
Brake switch is playing up now but can sort that easily.
Checked the coil packs on advise of a mechanic but they appear clean.
Have now bought an Air Temp Sensor and Coolant Temp Sensor (so many sensors!) and plan to install Air sensor first tonight and trial it for a week if it seems stable.
I will be resetting the ECU post installation the only way i know which is to disconnect the battery for a while, is that enough?
Brake switch is playing up now but can sort that easily.
Manged to get the air sensor in this morning, was very tricky and had to remove a fair few parts to get to it.
Early signs (after 2 starts and 18.4 miles) that there is some stability, however this is what happened with the MAFF and the Cam Shaft sensor so i'm not holding my breath.
Will keep you posted...
Early signs (after 2 starts and 18.4 miles) that there is some stability, however this is what happened with the MAFF and the Cam Shaft sensor so i'm not holding my breath.
Will keep you posted...
hmmm I've had a thought...
The fact that once a sensor is replaced there is an improvement follwed by a decline again makes me wonder if it might be something to do with the ECU... I'm wondering maybe if the car previously had some other intake/M50 manifold/exhaust or similar engine mods, was remapped to take advantage but then original bits put back but ECU left with the remap that is trying to do things that are no longer possible and causing over-fuelling etc. You said you reset the ECU but I'm not sure if that would clear any remapping or not.
The fact that once a sensor is replaced there is an improvement follwed by a decline again makes me wonder if it might be something to do with the ECU... I'm wondering maybe if the car previously had some other intake/M50 manifold/exhaust or similar engine mods, was remapped to take advantage but then original bits put back but ECU left with the remap that is trying to do things that are no longer possible and causing over-fuelling etc. You said you reset the ECU but I'm not sure if that would clear any remapping or not.
vsonix said:
hmmm I've had a thought...
The fact that once a sensor is replaced there is an improvement follwed by a decline again makes me wonder if it might be something to do with the ECU... I'm wondering maybe if the car previously had some other intake/M50 manifold/exhaust or similar engine mods, was remapped to take advantage but then original bits put back but ECU left with the remap that is trying to do things that are no longer possible and causing over-fuelling etc. You said you reset the ECU but I'm not sure if that would clear any remapping or not.
I thought that too, however the mechanic and previous owner (second owner from new) confirmed no such mods have been made . However, the ECU update/flash by the mechanic in Jan/Feb this year would have flushed out any remapps.The fact that once a sensor is replaced there is an improvement follwed by a decline again makes me wonder if it might be something to do with the ECU... I'm wondering maybe if the car previously had some other intake/M50 manifold/exhaust or similar engine mods, was remapped to take advantage but then original bits put back but ECU left with the remap that is trying to do things that are no longer possible and causing over-fuelling etc. You said you reset the ECU but I'm not sure if that would clear any remapping or not.
I'm going to fit the coolant sensor this bank holiday weekend weather permitting, after that if it doesnt solve the problem I'll have to seriously reconsider our future together
The air sensor replacement made no difference, coolant temp sensor went in eventually, very tricky position but its in and no difference so far.
Took it into BM Tec in Manchester to diagnose and clear fault codes, no codes to clear mind you. Anyway, they diagnosed it thoroughly and were as baffled as I and perhaps all us on this thread are. They did however say it was the "sweetest" sound engine they'd had in.
Tomorrow (sunday 3rd June) I'll be installing the O2 sensors, after that if the fault is not solved, with a heavy heart I'll have to call it a day...or hold it in parc ferme until I am able try something else.
Took it into BM Tec in Manchester to diagnose and clear fault codes, no codes to clear mind you. Anyway, they diagnosed it thoroughly and were as baffled as I and perhaps all us on this thread are. They did however say it was the "sweetest" sound engine they'd had in.
Tomorrow (sunday 3rd June) I'll be installing the O2 sensors, after that if the fault is not solved, with a heavy heart I'll have to call it a day...or hold it in parc ferme until I am able try something else.
E38Ross said:
so you mean they didn't diagnose it? surprised an indy couldn't do it! really weird as to why it's getting that poor mpg! my much heavier, automatic 728i gets around twice that mpg! 150 miles cruise yesterday sat at 70mph saw the trip computer read 38.1mpg from a cold start!
Thanks for rubbing it E38ROSS! Correct, they werent able to diagnose it, but they tried for sure.
Danny and I had a chat about his E46 M3, then i looked at Danny and Andy despondently before nursing home my E36
OptiManc said:
E38Ross said:
so you mean they didn't diagnose it? surprised an indy couldn't do it! really weird as to why it's getting that poor mpg! my much heavier, automatic 728i gets around twice that mpg! 150 miles cruise yesterday sat at 70mph saw the trip computer read 38.1mpg from a cold start!
Thanks for rubbing it E38ROSS! Correct, they werent able to diagnose it, but they tried for sure.
Danny and I had a chat about his E46 M3, then i looked at Danny and Andy despondently before nursing home my E36
it's not running on 50k mile old oil is it?
really, really strange....more so by the fact it's running smoothly still.
E38Ross said:
sorry mate. that's rotten luck they couldn't diagnose!
it's not running on 50k mile old oil is it?
really, really strange....more so by the fact it's running smoothly still.
Let you off.it's not running on 50k mile old oil is it?
really, really strange....more so by the fact it's running smoothly still.
Nope, oil has been changed 3 times in total, 5w-30 Edge now and plugs have been changed 3 times too, Bosch and now NGK, platinum.
OldGermanHeaps said:
Binding brake or driveline issue? fuel return line with an intermittant kink? just throwing out guesses now. did the garage hook up a scan tool and take it for a drive watching live values?
Valid point, but I think the OP said the has had recent inspection II, so would assume this it not occuring, but may be the OP could re-check this.Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 3rd June 16:27
E30M3SE said:
Valid point, but I think the OP said the has had recent inspection II, so would assume this it not occuring, but may be the OP could re-check this.
Correct. Brakes have been checked and theyre working correctly and not binding. Fuel lining also in tip top working order. I wish it were something this simple.Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 3rd June 16:27
I have '92 320i coupe in the garage, fired that up today, considering getting that back on the road while a solution for the 328ise comes about. Still sounds great!
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