Running issues: 1999 BMW 328i

[Faust66]

Advice needed please!

Bloke I know at work has got a problem with his car: it's a manual 1999 328i.

Apparently there is a hot start issue (starts OK if it's cold) and the car is not running right/jerks a bit/down on power - it apparently doesn’t drive normally even when it's warmed up.

My initial thought was either a problem with the MAF or ignition side of things… he's asked me to have a look at it this weekend, but I'm not familiar with BMWs and engines this modern (I'm a Ford and Volvo man for my sins!). If it's something as obvious as knackered plugs/leads/air leak I'll be (hopefully) able to get it sorted straight away… anything more electrical/tricky and I'll be scratching my head (and sending him to a trusted local garage!).

I'm guessing that it'll be fitted with coil pack ignition - are these know to fail?

I've done a bit of research online and it seems that dodgy crank/cam semsors can casuse problems - are these a dealer/garage job?

Any other suggestions or ideas from people that own, run or fix these cars?

Is there anything else glaringly obvious that I've missed?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[sparks_E39]

My 2.8 in my 99 528 was running similar in 2009 with the amber eml light on, was a sticky solenoid valve... cleaned it up and it was fine. Perhaps it's worth a try. Mine is on a V and a very late 1999 at that, so I think it's a different engine than previous 2.8's, about 195 bhp I think.

[bm0p700f]

Cam position sensor can cause these sort of symptoms if faulty.

[Nigel Worc's]

I say this seriously, from personal experience, save yourself the hassle and get it code read at a trustworthy place.

I would personally recommend here : http://www.bmeuroservice.com/

Not too far from Nottingham (far enough, but not too far).

The owners name is Paul, he's a really nice chap and will do anything you wish, I think he charges about £40 an hour.

He'll fit parts you supply etc etc etc.

You may hit lucky and guess at the correct thing, or you may end up going around in circles (ask me how I know this lol), especially if you have more than one sensor not quite reading correctly.


Good luck.

[sparks_E39]

I would seriously check out the solenoid valve though... we thought it was the cam sensors in my car, replaced, didn't fix. Doesn't come up on a diagnostic.

[S3_Graham]

what about air leaks? My car had running issues and i spent loads on a crank sensor fittied it (easy job if you have long skinny arms - PITA if you dont > intake off job) finally gave in and took it to a garage and it needed a new intake pipe which sorted my lumpy running and poor fuel consumption!

Cracks are notorious and VERY hard to spot. Im an aircraft engineer - i inspected it, and 4 others in the office inspected it and saw nothing. needed smoke to find it.

[disco!!!!]

sparks_E39 said:

My 2.8 in my 99 528 was running similar in 2009 with the amber eml light on, was a sticky solenoid valve... cleaned it up and it was fine. Perhaps it's worth a try. Mine is on a V and a very late 1999 at that, so I think it's a different engine than previous 2.8's, about 195 bhp I think.

which solenoid are you talking about, vanos no?
you could have had the later M52TU engine with twin vanos


as regards to the problem it sounds like either the cam or crank sensor is on the way out
i had the same symptoms on my 318iS, took it to the garage to get the codes read and nothing came up, it was suggested that the cam chain was stretching and causing the problem even though the car was running fine when it was cold
i left it a wee while and asked about on some forums to which i was told it would be the cam sensor
anyways armed with this info i went back down the garage and had the car back on the computer, lo and behold it was the cam sensor, once replace the car ran like a dream

[sparks_E39]

disco!!!! said:

which solenoid are you talking about, vanos no?
you could have had the later M52TU engine with twin vanos


as regards to the problem it sounds like either the cam or crank sensor is on the way out
i had the same symptoms on my 318iS, took it to the garage to get the codes read and nothing came up, it was suggested that the cam chain was stretching and causing the problem even though the car was running fine when it was cold
i left it a wee while and asked about on some forums to which i was told it would be the cam sensor
anyways armed with this info i went back down the garage and had the car back on the computer, lo and behold it was the cam sensor, once replace the car ran like a dream

Ah yes mine is twin vanos.. It's close to the front of the engine... mine is November 1999.