E46 328i idle problem

[john_p]

Seem to be getting sporadic idling problems on my E46 328i - usually when cold. The engine will every 30s or so drop to 3-400rpm then recover, and has more than a couple of times dropped to 300 or below then stalled. What to check / clean / wiggle etc

[*George*]

Hi- I had this problem on my old 528i. It was a problem with the Vanos seals, which turned out to be a common failure on this type of engine. I got a BMW main dealer to fit the seals on the link below (rather than spending hundreds fitting a new vanos system) and two of the BMW mechanics working there had fitted these seals to their own cars. Its not to much of a hard job. Problem went after the seals were fitted.

http://www.beisansystems.com/
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/439158

Good luck with it.

[StuB]

Idle control valves get mucky too!

[john_p]

George, how much did it cost you?

[sniff diesel]

Clean the idle control valve with WD40 first before trying anything expensive.

[phelix]

*George* said:

Hi- I had this problem on my old 528i. It was a problem with the Vanos seals, which turned out to be a common failure on this type of engine. I got a BMW main dealer to fit the seals on the link below (rather than spending hundreds fitting a new vanos system) and two of the BMW mechanics working there had fitted these seals to their own cars. Its not to much of a hard job. Problem went after the seals were fitted.

http://www.beisansystems.com/
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/439158

Good luck with it.

Same problem solved with those seals - best $60 I ever spent on the car.

[*George*]

It takes around 4 hours to fit the seals so is quite pricy when you get BMW to do it. Mine was done a time ago and was around £450 including parts. My car only had 45,000 on the clock so it was really annoying when it happened.

I read that if the problem always happens it’s the idle control valve. If it only happens when the engines cold it’s the vanos seals. Check the idle control valve anyway.

There is fitting instructions on the website. I’m sure a decent BMW specialist could do just as good a job at a better price. Most charge around £60 quid an hour so you’re looking at around £250 and £50 parts maybe?