e30 320i running issues
Discussion
My friend has an e30 320i, its done a few miles but its pretty tidy and has been looked after.
a few months ago it started to deteriorate before eventually refusing to start, he changed the dizzy cap and rotor arm, leads, rocker cover gasket and that didn't solve it.
Now it runs and it sounds fine, but seems to cough now and again, if you try and drive it however it will die and then you cant start it again.
its been to a local garage, who "looked at it" and by that i mean looked at it with out even opening the bonnet....
He's pissed off with it, i'm running out of idea's.
The exhaust is blowing pretty well but i doubt this would cause any problems like this. I'm now thinking ignition amplifier but i'm unsure.
Any suggestions?
a few months ago it started to deteriorate before eventually refusing to start, he changed the dizzy cap and rotor arm, leads, rocker cover gasket and that didn't solve it.
Now it runs and it sounds fine, but seems to cough now and again, if you try and drive it however it will die and then you cant start it again.
its been to a local garage, who "looked at it" and by that i mean looked at it with out even opening the bonnet....
He's pissed off with it, i'm running out of idea's.
The exhaust is blowing pretty well but i doubt this would cause any problems like this. I'm now thinking ignition amplifier but i'm unsure.
Any suggestions?
By local dealer, do you mean BMW dealer or specialist?
I had an E30 325 a few years ago that developed some issues. Took it to a supposedly good garage who spent a lot of my time (and dosh) and achieved virtually nothing. In desperation I took it to BMW who simply plugged it into their electronic diagnostics and had a fix in place within 30 mins. Wasn't even that expensive.
I had an E30 325 a few years ago that developed some issues. Took it to a supposedly good garage who spent a lot of my time (and dosh) and achieved virtually nothing. In desperation I took it to BMW who simply plugged it into their electronic diagnostics and had a fix in place within 30 mins. Wasn't even that expensive.
No just an indy, didn't have a clue, i cant describe how useless they where, it was sat there for a week, they did nothing only confirm it wouldnt start.... er really? i had no idea....
The more time goes on i'm starting to think that BMW is the only real answer to this, i'll check out the other suggestions in this thread but if that doesnt sort it, BMW will.... i hope
The more time goes on i'm starting to think that BMW is the only real answer to this, i'll check out the other suggestions in this thread but if that doesnt sort it, BMW will.... i hope
Hi,
Could be a few things:
Sticking idle control valve.
Faulty Airflow meter (modern cars have MAF's with no moving parts) The E30 AFM has an arm that moves over a track and the tracks can fail.
How about engine coolant temp sensor failing? They send signal to ECU to richen up fuel mixture when cold (could it be flooding or running lean?).
Are any of the intake pipes split?
Crank position sensor.
Also take the back seat out and check the wiring loom to the fuel pump (I am sure its under there unless Im thinking of the e34)
Remove the glove box and make sure the ECU is not damp. The scuttle panles on e30's have a habbit of rusting and letting water in.
In the engine bay below the screen there is a removable panel and behing that there may be a white relay called a DME relay. they fail and casue alsorts of intermittent issues.
Also on the E30's the engine loom has a multiplug connector on it (so you can take the engine out) On my mates 325 a few cables in that were in very poor condition. I ended up chopping the connector off and hard wiring the car loom to the engine loom (needed an quick fix)
Could be a few things:
Sticking idle control valve.
Faulty Airflow meter (modern cars have MAF's with no moving parts) The E30 AFM has an arm that moves over a track and the tracks can fail.
How about engine coolant temp sensor failing? They send signal to ECU to richen up fuel mixture when cold (could it be flooding or running lean?).
Are any of the intake pipes split?
Crank position sensor.
Also take the back seat out and check the wiring loom to the fuel pump (I am sure its under there unless Im thinking of the e34)
Remove the glove box and make sure the ECU is not damp. The scuttle panles on e30's have a habbit of rusting and letting water in.
In the engine bay below the screen there is a removable panel and behing that there may be a white relay called a DME relay. they fail and casue alsorts of intermittent issues.
Also on the E30's the engine loom has a multiplug connector on it (so you can take the engine out) On my mates 325 a few cables in that were in very poor condition. I ended up chopping the connector off and hard wiring the car loom to the engine loom (needed an quick fix)
Edited by 528Sport on Wednesday 20th January 13:15
+1 for the DME relay, it will be a pale green one that replaces the old white one and pretty cheap too about £10 last time I got one.
It sits under the black plastic cover on the left inner wing with the black fuel pump relay.
Tap it with a screwdriver handle while the engine is running and they usually cut out.
It sits under the black plastic cover on the left inner wing with the black fuel pump relay.
Tap it with a screwdriver handle while the engine is running and they usually cut out.
fixedwheelnut said:
+1 for the DME relay, it will be a pale green one that replaces the old white one and pretty cheap too about £10 last time I got one.
It sits under the black plastic cover on the left inner wing with the black fuel pump relay.
Tap it with a screwdriver handle while the engine is running and they usually cut out.
The location of the relay depends on the age of the car I think and weather it was a 4 or 6 pot engine. My 89 318 was below the centre of the windscreen. Tapping with a screwdriver is a good idea.It sits under the black plastic cover on the left inner wing with the black fuel pump relay.
Tap it with a screwdriver handle while the engine is running and they usually cut out.
If you get stuck finding the relay post a pic of the engine and I will point you in the right direction.
Edited by 528Sport on Thursday 21st January 16:10
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