E46 330i 2004 Engine rattle on cold start and misfire

[Fordkoppie]

On another 330i, this problem was caused by a cracked intake elbow and successfully cured with a new one.

Its always on the small tube where they split open

 

[menace_spv]

will i damage the car if i drive the car without the MAF plugged in. i unplugged it now and the car seem to idle much better. want to see what would happen if i drove the car without it plugged in.

 

[Fordkoppie]

will i damage the car if i drive the car without the MAF plugged in.

No. It will only use more fuel, and the cruise control wont work

 

[menace_spv]

On another 330i, this problem was caused by a cracked intake elbow and successfully cured with a new one.

Its always on the small tube where they split open

let me check that quick, but i did replace a pipe when i did the disa. not sure which pipe. will send pic of the one i replaced. strange cause the car did work well for 2 weeks, that is what is puzzling me

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will i damage the car if i drive the car without the MAF plugged in.

No. It will only use more fuel, and the cruise control wont work

dude thank you for all the time and advise you have given me, it is not in vain and i am taking it all in. thank you so much. :ty:

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On another 330i, this problem was caused by a cracked intake elbow and successfully cured with a new one.

Its always on the small tube where they split open

i just checked as to what pipe was replaced and i did replace that pipe when i did the disa. so i can tick that box off :ty:

 

[Waseem 333i]

What spark plugs were used on the service? You said the problem started after the service.

 

[menace_spv]

What spark plugs were used on the service? You said the problem started after the service.

well the car felt different after last service (major service), it just did not feel the same fluid power, they also charged the oil from 10w30 to 5w40. i thought that the car felt different because of the oil change. i took for a test drive and opened her up and felt fine on top rev. after about 3 weeks i started having idle problems. so to answer the question, i have no idea what plugs were use. what plugs should be used?

 

[Waseem 333i]

5w30 is the right oil. I have no idea what spark plugs are needed. My car takes glow plugs.

 

[BEEMERSTEIN]

It is the Disa Flap. I have the same issue. Replaced Disa flap last year and it broke again. Also check pipe going to throttle body and clean idling control valve.

 

[menace_spv]

On another 330i, this problem was caused by a cracked intake elbow and successfully cured with a new one.

Its always on the small tube where they split open

let me check that quick, but i did replace a pipe when i did the disa. not sure which pipe. will send pic of the one i replaced. strange cause the car did work well for 2 weeks, that is what is puzzling me

---

will i damage the car if i drive the car without the MAF plugged in.

No. It will only use more fuel, and the cruise control wont work

dude thank you for all the time and advise you have given me, it is not in vain and i am taking it all in. thank you so much. :ty:

---

On another 330i, this problem was caused by a cracked intake elbow and successfully cured with a new one.

Its always on the small tube where they split open

i just checked as to what pipe was replaced and i did replace that pipe when i did the disa. so i can tick that box off :ty:

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I unplugged the Maf and car is running fine now. Idle is good and car runs smoothly. Can one clean that or do dou need to replace the Maf?

 

[b3rg]

You can try clean it using an Airflow Sensor cleaner (Liqui Moly product that I use)

Follow the instructions on cleaning it and if it doesnt solve your issue then you may need a new airflow meter.

If you need help, drop me a PM and I will help you clean it and we can test from there.

 

[menace_spv]

You can try clean it using an Airflow Sensor cleaner (Liqui Moly product that I use)

Follow the instructions on cleaning it and if it doesnt solve your issue then you may need a new airflow meter.

If you need help, drop me a PM and I will help you clean it and we can test from there.

Thanks dude. I really appreciate all your time. I will give it a go and drop you a line.

 

[menace_spv]

***UPDATE***
i unplugged the MAF yesterday evening and went for a drive, the car idle smoothly and no issues. my concern was still, on a cold start, engine rattle.
started the car this morning and NO rattle.
bought myself Airflow sensor cleaner (liqui Moly). watched a youtube video on how to clean the MAF. going to clean now and test and will revert back to the forum on the outcome.
holding thumbs

 

[ChrisBrand]

You will eventually need to replace the MAF Unit.

A simple read of the codes should have immediately pointed to the MAF sensor if its is in fact the issue.

 

[jettaz]

:clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper:

 

[Fordkoppie]

If cleaning it doesnt solve the problem, dont go immediately out and replace the MAF. Have it tested properly.

There can be numerous other issues "hidden" when the MAF is unplugged.

Yes I acknowledge that it might very well be the MAF, but it can be a host of other things as well, since the ECU adapts a default setting for everything when the MAF is unplugged.
A different MAF that is known to work, made no impact on my car

 

[ChrisBrand]

If cleaning it doesnt solve the problem, dont go immediately out and replace the MAF. Have it tested properly.

There can be numerous other issues "hidden" when the MAF is unplugged.

Yes I acknowledge that it might very well be the MAF, but it can be a host of other things as well, since the ECU adapts a default setting for everything when the MAF is unplugged.
A different MAF that is known to work, made no impact on my car

True, if codes are not that clear one can just do the swop with a known working part.

 

[menace_spv]

If cleaning it doesnt solve the problem, dont go immediately out and replace the MAF. Have it tested properly.

There can be numerous other issues "hidden" when the MAF is unplugged.

Yes I acknowledge that it might very well be the MAF, but it can be a host of other things as well, since the ECU adapts a default setting for everything when the MAF is unplugged.
A different MAF that is known to work, made no impact on my car

True, if codes are not that clear one can just do the swop with a known working part.

all put back together, just doing some admin at work so only going to get a chance to drive and test later on my way home this evening. i hope this simple clean will solve the issue if not then ill clean the ICV and see from there. i hope this works but i will say that being part of this community puts my mind at ease....
i will post results, thanks guys and have a great weekend

 

[menace_spv]

***update 30.05.16***
so after cleaning the MAF it made no difference. idle still rough and car on cold start has a engine rattle :blueCry:
going to this evening remove and clean the ICV. last resort before taking it in and replacing the MAF AND ICV.
i have been driving the car without the MAF plugged in and the car drives perfectly without it plugged in?!?
question; why use the MAF at all if car drive fine ....down side to leaving unplugged indefinitely? would anyone agree replacing MAF AND ICV if clean does not work?

 

[kilotango]

***update 30.05.16***
so after cleaning the MAF it made no difference. idle still rough and car on cold start has a engine rattle :blueCry:
going to this evening remove and clean the ICV. last resort before taking it in and replacing the MAF AND ICV.
i have been driving the car without the MAF plugged in and the car drives perfectly without it plugged in?!?
question; why use the MAF at all if car drive fine ....down side to leaving unplugged indefinitely? would anyone agree replacing MAF AND ICV if clean does not work?

i doubt its your ICV.. because the car seems to idle fine when the MAF is unplugged right?

the car will run in a "safety" map on the ECU when you uplug the MAF... so your fuel economy will suffer big time. if im not mistaken, the map runs super rich.. so things like spark plugs will suffer down the line too...

good luck with this.. im sure your MAF is the cause.. but as the other guys have mentioned, take it to someone who can diagnose it properly to make sure. it can be an expensive part.

 

[Fordkoppie]

would anyone agree replacing MAF AND ICV if clean does not work?

There is a fat chance that those 2 items may not be the cause of it.
And they are both expensive items to replace if they are not faulty