Help E46 318i has suddenly packed up !!!

[juice4434]

Hi Guys,

Unlike most if not all of you who are fortunate enough to live in a country where BASIC mechnical care is available - I live in Malawi so maintaining ANY care is almost a full time job, being a car enthusiaist (if I could call myself that) is even more difficult.

anyways I joined when I bought my first beemer ..a 318i Individual from Singapore just about a year ago, long story short car arrived with some overheating issues which we eventually solved.

Last week car was leaking some oil and the car went into get a CCV (crank case Valve) changed as one of the pipes leaading to it was leaking - I called up BMW bruma to speak to a freind and he said its a common problem as pipes around this area do get hard over time and may crack or develop small holes. He however suggested that I change the CCV and the three pipes that lead into it.

I also got a full service done at the same time - when car returned it had a tiny misfire ... I sent it back to mechanics to check all pipes had been fitted properly, next thing I knew is the car had major misfire , only one cylinder firing and when you put car in gear the car shuts off.

Honestly I dnt know what to do, Im not mechnial minded at all ! but my logic tells me my car was working fine and after trying to fix the small leak (CCV pipe) suddenly the car has seized - surely the mechanic has F***d somma up ... he tells me its the sensors one day and next day drains the fuel and adds new fuel, then he blames the new CCV etc etc tec ..i feel like we just going round in cirlces

I really need some help or some guidance - any help will be appreciated

 

[Twinz]

Juice...i wish i can help you...but it is so difficult to diagnose a car remotely...the problem can be any ones guess.

Do you have a code/diagnostic reader?...i assume not...it is a worthwhile investments since it can help you to drive to the heart of the issue.

But your first instinct might be the right one...could you take the car to another dealer in Malawi...preferably a BMW dealer?

 

[juice4434]

Hi Twinz,

Thanks for the response.

The garage I am going to has a Bosch Diagostics reader !

I will secure the codes and post them.

The mechancis at the garage I have sent the car to are all ex BMW technicians.

Will keep you posted.

In the meantime pls PM me your email addy !

I am looking to puchase a 320D E90 from Durban and I want some work done on it before it is transporterd to Malawi...

Thanks

 

[juice4434]

Hi Twinz,

Thanks for the response.

The garage I am going to has a Bosch Diagostics reader !

I will secure the codes and post them.

The mechancis at the garage I have sent the car to are all ex BMW technicians.

Will keep you posted.

In the meantime pls PM me your email addy !

I am looking to puchase a 320D E90 from Durban and I want some work done on it before it is transporterd to Malawi...

Thanks

Hi Twinz,

Ive manged to secure the codes from the garage

27BD
2731
27BB
27B5

Also note only one cylinder is firing ... any hep or guidance is appreciated

Cheers

Ish

 

[juice4434]

ok so my mechnic has atleast managed to get my car running again !

now the car runs perfect (when warm)

but mornings are a b**ch as it misfies whenever engine is cold , also anytime the car is parked for a few hours and restarted the dreaded misfire is back ... but like i said once the car is warm its fine

Any ideas anyone :banghead:

 

[jacques50]

Hi Juice, your problem is either the coil pack (2003 down), but more likely and a common problem a spark plug or the suppressor on the coil (if 2003 up).
JC

 

[juice4434]

thankx Jacques ..its a 2003 up dso i will check on the latter and let you know ...:thumb:

 

[Raybimmer]

Juice
Hi sometimes a step back is needed . A long range diagnosis can make fools of us very quickly , quicker than any woman can ! Any way :
before the service was all ok?
What was done at the service ?
If you can check that all wires and connectors are properly in place , there may be loose connector on coil etc.
No water in connectors etc , was engine washed at service ?
Cold start and running - cold start device and idle control valve ?
Good luck

 

[gazza]

hi juice

1st off welcome

you said your car had an over heating issue?
i stand to be corrected.

i know a ex bmw mech down in veereeniging and i took my old ladies car there coz it was mis firing and not ideling too well, his 1st question to me was has the car over heated, he explained that sometimes the head warps and water leaks into the cylinders, i think he said the 3rd and 4th cylinder, car being a 6.
maybe you have a similar problem.

 

[juice4434]

Hi Guys ! thaks for all your help!

Hav truoble shooted everything possible (well my mechnic has)

I even relaced all the cooils, plugs , checksed for water etc but still cant trace the problem ...

The car had a service before the problems started and a CCV change ... we tracked back and basically re-did the service and removed and refitted the CCV

We also removed and cleaned the MAf and various connectors

The mechanic now feels it may be the computer box ??? I dunno but Im planning on sending it to SA to have it checked

In the meantime enuff is enuff ... my second car is a new corrola 1.4 manual and whilst its reliable its like driving a wheelbarrow with a motorbike engine ! .. and im being polite

Soooooo .... Ive found an E90 320D in JHB (remember im in Malawi) and Im close to making a deal on it ... this time ive done all the checks, have sent it to Bruma Auto to do a full vehcile check (have a freind who works there) and got the full history

Its going for R158,000 2005 320D 96,000kms Auto Black with sportseats ... however I will actually fly to JHb to view the car before I confirm purchase ..anything i should watchout for ?

 

[Threetwoeight]

Modern Diesel engine's are very sensitive about fuel quality and sulpher content.
Goog luck, enjoy, these are very very light on fuel.

 

[Pho3niX90]

Just a hint, but my 318 also had the same problem, it was the M.A.F. sensor, the one before the airfilter. Unplug it and see if it gives you the same problem, if it doesn't, Bemo in pretoria sells them for 2K.. Hope it helps.

 

[juice4434]

Just a hint, but my 318 also had the same problem, it was the M.A.F. sensor, the one before the airfilter. Unplug it and see if it gives you the same problem, if it doesn't, Bemo in pretoria sells them for 2K.. Hope it helps.

thanks a million guys for all your advise ! finally found it ! a 'nut' lodged beween one of the pistons ! was probably dropped there during the original repair session and a careless emechnic just replaced the nut without bothering to check where the original was. The is almost smoothed all round and very lucky i was not using the car as it would have got smaller and actually caused more severe damage !

good to have the car back and performing well after all the unecessry parts i changed