E46 318i dying

Solo Man

Well-known member
Friend is having a problem with his E46 318i Valvetronic auto. Car starts fine first time when cold but immediately dies again. It does it a few times before it will idle normally. He counters this by pumping the gas to keep it from dying but would like to have the problem fixed. Offhand, what could be the problem. Advice will be much appreciated.
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
How long is a piece of string...

Diagnostics will give you a better indication of a cam/crank sensor, but you can mostly rule out crank because it fires.

I doubt it could be cam sensor related but its possible.

Fuel pressure is easy to check, there is a plug in point on the fuel rail and anybody with the correct tool can check fuel pressure.

More then likely, you are looking at a faulty VVT system.

VVT motor is likely suspect. This can be checked by measuring resistance between the core of the VVT motor casing and the two poles, if you get any resistance, motor is poked.

If no resistance, that does not mean that the VVT motor is not poked.

What I have also heard is, that the actual worm screw gear that the vvt motor/valve adjustment armature actually wears down.

The function of the VVT is to limit valve opening distances, and what happens on cold start is that the valves do not open enough for the cylinder to get its required mixture.

That's why the VVT's run fine under WOT.

Start with diagnostics, then check fuel pressure, then check VVT,
 

Chucky

Active member
get it checked out on diagnostics, but it does sound like a fuel issue.

so either fuel pump is bad or fuel filter needs replacing
 

wnw65

New member
Howdy?
My mom's car had the same issue over this past weekend. We replaced the Fuel Pump relay and it solved the problem. My car had this issue two years ago and the the fuel pump was replaced which solved the problem.
Hope it makes life easier.
Cheers
 

Solo Man

Well-known member
Problem was traced to a faulty "crank case vent valve" which was replaced and the car starts and idles fine now. Thanks for all the advice .
 

Solo Man

Well-known member
Had it done at a local independant. Did cost him about R3 600 with labour included which consisted of lower control arm bushes and the crank case vent valve. I assume that is from the agents as i doubt you will get an aftermarket part. When i see him i will ask him though!
 

Loom

Member
Thanks, I actually was a bit absent minded and was thinking about the crankcase position sensor.
I've bought both the crankcase vent valve and position sensor at Goldwagen but having read horror stories about non-OEM sensors I was hoping to get some feedback.
 

Die_Miek

///Member
Loom said:
Thanks, I actually was a bit absent minded and was thinking about the crankcase position sensor.
I've bought both the crankcase vent valve and position sensor at Goldwagen but having read horror stories about non-OEM sensors I was hoping to get some feedback.

I purchased a non oem cam sensor from goldwagon 2years ago. Still fine

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
 
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