BMW 320d lack of power

[cars1993]

Hi all



Last few weeks Ive been trying to find the problem on my 2000 e46 2.0 diesel 136 with a lack of power which feels like a 60 hp engine



Airflow meter replaced



No fault codes



turbo was whining and needed replacing (done)



EGR valve cleaned out



Its only doing 30 mpg which is on long runs too (£20 for 103 miles)



no smoke or engine management lights



Now im not sure. any ideas?

[Meltham Terrier]

I had a similar problem on a used Freelander with a TD4 engine fitted, after having all of the above like you replaced under warranty, was about to hand the car back as we had owned the car 3 weeks and only 4 days of use.

The LR dealer was stumped until one of the YTS lads who was a LR nut suggested that they remove the CAT and they found that it was totally blocked Barr a couple of cores.

New CAT fitted and everything was fine kept the car 3 yrs.

[Lowtimer]

That is not a bad thought at all. Some form of exhaust restriction, whether in the catalyst or blockage further back (maybe a baffle come adrift and fetched up in the wrong place) could well account for what you're experiencing.

[McWigglebum4th]

Change the fuel filter

Unlikely to be the cause but it is always step one in sorting out troublesome diesels

Next get the injectors checked

[motco]

A family member had exactly this on a 320TD Compact and it was a split in the intercooler causing serious loss of boost pressure. It was smoking heavily though.

[silver_lining]

I bought a 320d a while ago and the old owner was saying he'd just spent a fair bit of money on diagnostics, replacing the MAF, the EGR valve etc after having similar symptoms.

He wasn't too clear on describing the solution but I'm sure it was something like an o-ring had become dislodged and got stuck inside a pipe around the MAF area. Sorry for the vagueness but it might be worth checking for restrictions in the hoses rather than just splits.

[Papa Hotel]

I would have said MAF but you've done that. Maybe bin it and buy a decent car? I don't know what sort of person drives an E46 320d these days.

[zed4]

Papa Hotel said:

I would have said MAF but you've done that. Maybe bin it and buy a decent car? I don't know what sort of person drives an E46 320d these days.

That's a really useful reply. Well done!

Edit: wait you drive one. Maybe I've missed something!

[Papa Hotel]

zed4 said:

That's a really useful reply. Well done!

[northwest monkey]

zed4 said:

Papa Hotel said:

I would have said MAF but you've done that. Maybe bin it and buy a decent car? I don't know what sort of person drives an E46 320d these days.

That's a really useful reply. Well done!

Check his garage

[cars1993]

Papa Hotel said:

I would have said MAF but you've done that. Maybe bin it and buy a decent car? I don't know what sort of person drives an E46 320d these days.

I decided to keep the car until jan but now im wondering why i didnt just go for a 316 auto

[munroman]

Not sure if it's exactly the same, but someone with a Rover 75 with the same basic engine had similar issues, found that there is a tiny little filter in the high pressure pump which can block, so restricting fuel flow.

Also, there is a pressure sensor on the common rail, that might be unplugged or playing up, I forgot to plug mine in and the car felt gutless.

[cars1993]

Cats been checked, boost reading is all ok and injectors tend to read -1 on idle (not sure what unit thats in)

[cars1993]

munroman said:

Not sure if it's exactly the same, but someone with a Rover 75 with the same basic engine had similar issues, found that there is a tiny little filter in the high pressure pump which can block, so restricting fuel flow.

Also, there is a pressure sensor on the common rail, that might be unplugged or playing up, I forgot to plug mine in and the car felt gutless.

This is the pre common rail