E90 330i unusual idle on cold start

[sabre_zn]

Does anyone else experience the same, when you start the car in the mornings the car has an idle like you running a MK1 with a 3rd stage cam conversion (sometimes the car rocks from side to side). Within a few seconds from startup the idle then goes to over 1500rpm and then drops to around 500 - 700rpm (then its fine).

Just want to know if this is normal for a straight six?

 

[EdOC]

Everynow and then i get a similar start but it doesn't last long. Doesn't seem to have any affect on engine wear and tear as just had 1st service after MP expired last yr. In 1 yr spent R600 on an oil change, not bad i thought on a car with 146k. Those straight 6 N52 engines are pick of the bunch according to most and built to last.

 

[MFD 187]

Would also like to now as a friend of mine, on his e30 its doing the same on cold start i dont think its normal:thinking:

 

[sabre_zn]

I am adamant this is not normal, must have something to do with the fuel pump, injectors etc.

 

[akash]

I had a bit of erratic idle on my e90 323i a few weeks ago, but has seems to have stopped. The car starts up fine in the mornings, but never idles as high as 1500 rpm though. its always sits at 1000rpm for about a 1min and then drops to 700rpm.

Maybe get a diagnostic done?

 

[sabre_zn]

Thanks Akash, will do so. Have it booked in for next week.

 

[Philip Foglar]

On the odd occasion when cold mine will start and it's as if it stutters for half a sec and then settles. Idle speed is generally around 1000 rpm or below until up to temp. The only "out of the ordinary thing" that this engine has done in two separate instances was a very brief loss of power and a jerk as things settled again. The first time was after the car had just started from cold and was gently pulling off - it was as if the engine was turned off and then suddenly back on again resulting in a very abrupt jerk, and then was fine again. Then months later my Wife was driving with the car up to normal temp and she wanted to go past a slow moving car, so in 3rd gear she put foot, and again it had this abrupt fluctuation of power... hasn't happened since.

 

[sabre_zn]

I have heard these vehicles have slight power loss in the manual derivative. Not sure why that is. Well needless to say I got it handed to me last week. Decided to check on the rated 190kw, took on a Golf 6 GTI (DSG), got whipped!! Not the smartest thing I know (power to weight ratio), but those cars are rated at 155kw, surely my beemer will catch up on a longer stretch of road...guess I was sorely wrong

Given the short space of time for gear changes in the DSG, surely the beemer would catch up once up to speed....maybe a better match would have been a manual version of the G6?

 

[Philip Foglar]

Haven't really taken anything on as such, but mine seems to go like hell when asked! On a few runs been able to keep up with a potent E46 M3, so it must be doing something right. She is an open road cruiser, so I am not worried if the odd hot hatch is faster from robot to robot...

 

[sabre_zn]

I suppose will have to place it on a dyno and see what figures I get. Mine also goes like hell, but need the reassurance :thumbsup:

 

[akash]

Just something i picked up on the E90 when reading issue 87 of my speed and sounds magz. They test drove a 335 E90 give by JSN Motors. Did you know that the E90 reduces engine power when pushed to hard to preserve the engine (not limp mode).

 

[sabre_zn]

interesting, hence guys chip the beemers to override this setting. Not the best solution :nono:

 

[Philip Foglar]

But that is on the 335i probably to save the turbo and possibly HPFP. On the 330i I have read that because these engines run at various operating temperatures this is why there is no engine temperature gauge. I always check my electronic dipstick since it only gives a reading once the engine is warm and has been running for a while.

 

[Four Pipe]

A family memeber of mine had a similar problem with an e90 330i.. sent it to bmw and they serviced it and the problem was gone...

 

[Solo Man]

Hi, did you ever get to the bottom of the problem and get the car sorted? I have a friend with a niggling fault which seems to be about the same as yours. Upon startup (seems like every time) the car starts fine and runs fine for about 2 or three seconds then it goes down to about 400 revs and up to about 1000 and then 400 and then 1000 for about four seconds. then it runs fine for about 5 seconds then it goes up to about 1400 revs and then comes down to about 800 where it settles. Car drives fine otherwise but it is very annoying having it every time you start the car!! I replaced one of the vanos solenoid valves according to my 2A82 code but made no difference. Will probably have to do the other one as well. Did swop them out but no difference. The owner is about fed up with his car. His is a 2006 E90 323i btw.

 

[sam1801]

I have that rough idle but when warm its smooth. Never had a issue with a g6 gti though. Eat them up easily. G7 gets away 1st n 2nd but I catch n pass on 3rd. 330i e90 are insane n under rated in my opinion

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[MR_Y]

Hi, did you ever get to the bottom of the problem and get the car sorted? I have a friend with a niggling fault which seems to be about the same as yours. Upon startup (seems like every time) the car starts fine and runs fine for about 2 or three seconds then it goes down to about 400 revs and up to about 1000 and then 400 and then 1000 for about four seconds. then it runs fine for about 5 seconds then it goes up to about 1400 revs and then comes down to about 800 where it settles. Car drives fine otherwise but it is very annoying having it every time you start the car!! I replaced one of the vanos solenoid valves according to my 2A82 code but made no difference. Will probably have to do the other one as well. Did swop them out but no difference. The owner is about fed up with his car. His is a 2006 E90 323i btw.

Bringing up this old thread, since I am noticing similar issue on my E85 2.5si (N52). On start up, it idles from just below 1,000 to just over for a brief few seconds and then back down below 1,000. No vibration, no strange noise, just the revs drop and rise for a few seconds. Happens with aircon off and regardless of cold weather or not. No other issues.

 

[Dr Evil]

Bringing up this old thread, since I am noticing similar issue on my E85 2.5si (N52). On start up, it idles from just below 1,000 to just over for a brief few seconds and then back down below 1,000. No vibration, no strange noise, just the revs drop and rise for a few seconds. Happens with aircon off and regardless of cold weather or not. No other issues.

Yours sounds more of the vanos solenoid issues I've read about where it hovers at 1k rpm and going up and down slightly. From what the others above is explaining at cold start their cars sound like a mk1 golf with. 288 cam.

Try and do a clean on the solenoids, there's two of them and they sit in front of the motor on the N52. There are YouTube videos for a quick diy.

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[Solo Man]

I cleaned the solenoids and ended up replacing them but it did nothing at all. Car still had the issue even after new solenoids. He eventually had some one replace the tappet cover gasket again which seems to have solved the problem. He sold the car soon afterwards but i am convinced the problem is air leaking into or out of the tappet cover. If i were you i would replace the tappet cover gasket very carefully and go from there. Solenoids (about 4 or 5 years ago) was about R2k each iirc.

 

[MR_Y]

I cleaned the solenoids and ended up replacing them but it did nothing at all. Car still had the issue even after new solenoids. He eventually had some one replace the tappet cover gasket again which seems to have solved the problem. He sold the car soon afterwards but i am convinced the problem is air leaking into or out of the tappet cover. If i were you i would replace the tappet cover gasket very carefully and go from there. Solenoids (about 4 or 5 years ago) was about R2k each iirc.

Thanks.
Tappet cover gasket has been replaced.
Solenoids may be the trick, but this issue is really quite minor currently. Will monitor and see how it goes.