E36 318iS Difficulty starting

[Theo D]

Hi Guys

I recently serviced my 318iS but when its cold it starts and sputters on 500rpm for 3-4secs and then dies, when I swing it the second time its fine:dunno: It only does this when its cold, once warm I can switch it off and start it all day no problem...Any ideas what could be causing this ?

 

[Dave]

i had similar problems and it turned out to be the idle control valve. its meant to open and close depending on the air/fuel mixture. if its working properly you will hear a kind of electric noise coming from it when you switch the car off. it basically goes into position for start up.

if yours is a 97 or 98 model, it will the same as mine. if affects your idling big time.

heres a pic:

mind the pic, this is the old one, before i had it replaced. you can remove it and clean it out with some carburetor cleaner or something. a lot of gunk builds up in this after time.

 

[Theo D]

Thanx a mil. Its a 97. Is it the plug on the left or the right of the pic ? Gonna clean it out this saturday coz I'm changing the pulleys and belts, cleaning the Maf and throttle body out.

 

[Dave]

The one on the right covered in silicon

Just unplug it, loosen the two bolts and its off. clean it up and put it back. will take you longer to dry it than remove it.

 

[Theo D]

Thanx !

Will let you know the outcome:thumbsup: