E46 318i F/L Rough Idle Problem and more

[Btax]

Hey guys.

In 2011 Sep one of the members (Syl) posted a problem on a 318i facelift idling problems and zaleonardz advised him on the problem. Was that problem ever solved as I just bought my wife a 318i facelift a/t n42 motor that has then exact same symptoms.

Idle rough, EML comes on and goes in limp mode (doesn't accelerate but idles).

And then I have a e90 320i N46 A/T (my own car) that keeps on burning the number 2 spark plug. Had the injectors tested (tested fine) replaced all coils, still the problem persist.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rodney///Marsh]

in my experience.. there are 2 usual idling problems.

1 - The breather pipe from the engine to the intake, usually gets worn out, sticky on the inside and starts to choke off. this creates the irratic idle or hunting that she would do at idle.

2 - when it sounds like the plug is dead and you try to rev it up she stalls a bit first gathers her thoughts and then decides to rev but still sounding like she is missing. this is usually the coilpack. its a rectangular box looking thing. when you standing in front of the car and the bonnet is open, it will be to your left.

those were the problems we experienced with my dads one. She has 317000km on the clock, been to Durban a few times, been to PE a few times, been to Namibia a few times and other places. She doesn't smoke and the motor has never been opened but those were her common issues while my dad had her. Gold e46 318i aka Blanche(from the golden girls)

unfortunately bro, I cannot help with the E90. I haven't worked on one yet.

 

[Btax]

Hi,thanks for the feedback. will definitely look at the intake.

Number 2 however, I have changed all four plugs and had all four coil packs tested. What the car did was this morning on the way to work the eml light came on and will not accelerate. It did however not misfired but did not allow the car to accelerate. I did switch the vehicle of and restarted the vehicle and then was fine again.

I did read in a previous post that it could be Valvetronic step motor but before just changing it would like to have it tested. How would one know if it is this part? How do one test it?

Thank you in advance.

in my experience.. there are 2 usual idling problems.

1 - The breather pipe from the engine to the intake, usually gets worn out, sticky on the inside and starts to choke off. this creates the irratic idle or hunting that she would do at idle.

2 - when it sounds like the plug is dead and you try to rev it up she stalls a bit first gathers her thoughts and then decides to rev but still sounding like she is missing. this is usually the coilpack. its a rectangular box looking thing. when you standing in front of the car and the bonnet is open, it will be to your left.

those were the problems we experienced with my dads one. She has 317000km on the clock, been to Durban a few times, been to PE a few times, been to Namibia a few times and other places. She doesn't smoke and the motor has never been opened but those were her common issues while my dad had her. Gold e46 318i aka Blanche(from the golden girls)

unfortunately bro, I cannot help with the E90. I haven't worked on one yet.

 

[operator323]

First get your car on the scanner,and see if there s no error codes stored,that will give you direction on what is realy wrong with car.
Hope you get it sorted soon bud:thumbs:

 

[Btax]

I have had it scanned. The historical data shows rough idling on piston 1 - 4 and valvecontrol error. Current error shows low oil pressure sensor error. After clearing the codes the car drove fine. But for the last three days in the morning the eml light comes on and the vehicle only idle. No acceleration is allowed at all.

After switching the vehicle off and back on its fine again. Had it scanned again and only shows low oil pressure sensor error?. But driving it home and around town during the day it does nothing. it drive fine

The mechanic says that the step up controller does not always come up in a diagnostic scan as the computer might reset itself.

Thanks for all the feedback in advance, it really does help narrowing down the fault.

 

[operator323]

Rough idle,low oil preasure,i suspect vanos solenoid.

 

[Low N Slow]

could even be crank or cam sensor..i had the same issue and replaced maf unit as well as purchasing the crank and cam sensors

car would go into limp mode...i could feel lack of power but no engine lights...

also...

try to dicsonnect the maf and take it for a drive...if it drives perfect and idles fine then you found your problem

 

[ChrisBrand]

Check your CCV Vent hoses. Especially the lower one that goes to the dipstick.