High Fuel Consumption and car not idling on first start up.

Ephraimramodike

New member
Hi guys,

Trust you all had a good weekend. As you know, I drive a E46 318 Sportpack. Now for the past few months (say about 3 - 4 months) my car tends to turn-off after I started it for the time (e.g like in the morning before going to work). So, in the mornings..I start the car and idles for about 4 seconds and turns off. I start it again and then it idles as normal.

Now, I thought it was the winter at the time coz I don't park the car in a garage, its on a car port. But now, it's doing this more often than the previous odd times. Yesterday afternoon, I was driving to Boksburg... hot day. So when I get to a traffic light..car is idling normal and then start do it again a little, like the revs start to lower as if its going to turn off. Rev count keeps bouncing between say 400rpm and 900rpm (car's normal idle is at 900rpm or so). So I rev it a little and then goes back to normal.

To cut it short, someone mentioned that it could be the fuel/petrol pump? I serviced the car end of July and the petrol filter was changed.
Another person said it could be my valves coz I pour 93 ULP instead of 95ULP (when I bought the car last year **privately** the guy was already pouring 93).

So please help with your thoughts and ideas. I mean, how much does a petrol pump cost? If i need to change it?

Thanks
E.

 

Sankekur

///Member
It might be a good idea to have the codes read, should give you a better idea of what's wrong.
(My first thought was also that it might be a problem with the fuel pump.)
 

Ephraimramodike

New member
@ryan.... The pre-facelift and 2001 model.

@Sankekur, where do I read the codes from? ***You mean get it plugged and get the software and memory checked?
 

msm

Well-known member
Ephraimramodike said:
Yesterday afternoon, I was driving to Boksburg...

There's your problem - car does not want to go there :mmm:

Agree with San - get the codes read. Could also be the MAF or idle control valve too - maybe get them cleaned ...
 

BMW M

///Member
Hi Ephraim,

My 2001 325i did the exact same thing, it gets progressively worse where the car start to cut out while driving, turned out to be a faulty cam position sensor. Easy fix if you have the part and a philps screwdriver! Think the part from BMW was R300 if I remember correctly.

Happy Motoring!
 

Ephraimramodike

New member
Thanks guys..

@BMW M... will consider getting that checked too

@MSM... so you reckon my car doesn't like going to Boksburg...?? LOL

I will get it all checked next week or so you give all the feedback on the faults.

Appreciate it.:thumb:
 

2LV2

New member
This a classic Italian car symptom. :cursin:


Sounds like the speed switch (Fuel Pump Relay) Many reasons for it not working properly.

Just my guess anyway...... :mmm:

 

Dizzyup17

New member
Could be coolant temp sensor. Do you have ck eng light on? Put on diagnostic and read temp sensor for engine computer. Had a toyota doing same thing and coolant sensor reading -25 degrees. Made computer adjust fuel ratio to rich and stalled the car
 

Ephraimramodike

New member
@Dizzyup17... I don't any any fault lights on at all.

@Ryan..thanks. will definitely get the codes.

This morning, I start the car and it doesn't turn off the first time round... (I smile), I let the car idle for about 30 seconds... I couldn't let the engine warm first as I was late for work....so I drive off, as I leave my complex... I shift into second from about 2000rpm... accelerate again... AND IT LAGGED, I floored the acc pedal... and did the same thing - only picked up torque when reaching 3500rpm... So I got worried.

Next traffic light, I tried to push I little bit, and it drove as normal.. with no lag.. What the hek is going guys? :thinking:

Ephraimramodike said:
@Dizzyup17... I don't any any fault lights on at all.

**I meant "Don't have any lights on" .... :)
 

Sankekur

///Member
Sounds like it might be the mass air flow sensor, but having the codes read should give you more clarity.
 

BMW M

///Member
Would love to know what the problem is. Like i said previously Ephraim, mine did exactly that which you are describing and it turned out to be the Cam Position Sensors. What will happen next is that you drive and the car just losses power or cuts out completely.

This happen to me the first time while towing the caravan passing a truck... I almost shat myself! Pulled over and could not find a single thing wrong, thinking it was water in the petrol at the time. This happened sporadically over the next 300km. Stopped a BMW dealer along the way, they checked it and wanted R2000 for the sensors and fitment.

I had my laptop with me so I Googled 'E46 Cam position sensor DIY' and it took my 5 minutes to replace costing me R300 for the sensor. Drove the car, caravan in tow no problem to Ifafa and back to Secunda. The problem never re-occured.
 

ryanhouston_e46

New member
Take a look at the crankcase breather valve and all attached hoses. If one of the hoses is torn/breaking vacuum, this would cause these symptoms.

 

Rishaan786

New member
Ephraimramodike said:
Hi guys,

Trust you all had a good weekend. As you know, I drive a E46 318 Sportpack. Now for the past few months (say about 3 - 4 months) my car tends to turn-off after I started it for the time (e.g like in the morning before going to work). So, in the mornings..I start the car and idles for about 4 seconds and turns off. I start it again and then it idles as normal.

Now, I thought it was the winter at the time coz I don't park the car in a garage, its on a car port. But now, it's doing this more often than the previous odd times. Yesterday afternoon, I was driving to Boksburg... hot day. So when I get to a traffic light..car is idling normal and then start do it again a little, like the revs start to lower as if its going to turn off. Rev count keeps bouncing between say 400rpm and 900rpm (car's normal idle is at 900rpm or so). So I rev it a little and then goes back to normal.

To cut it short, someone mentioned that it could be the fuel/petrol pump? I serviced the car end of July and the petrol filter was changed.
Another person said it could be my valves coz I pour 93 ULP instead of 95ULP (when I bought the car last year **privately** the guy was already pouring 93).

So please help with your thoughts and ideas. I mean, how much does a petrol pump cost? If i need to change it?

Thanks
E.

dude , i can bet its your Air mass sensor, also know as the airflow meter, mine did the same for a year after trying to find the fault. i went to goldwagon for one which costed just over R1000.... plugged it in and bobs your uncle.... not a problem since !
 

Ephraimramodike

New member
Hi guys, it's been long... haven't been online for a while.

I finally did a check on my baby yesterday and I'm happy to say that the Medal/Award goes @BMW M.... :)

The results were: A faulty Signal Camshaft Sensor...

So, I will sort that out and give you an update!

Thanks for all your comments and advise.
 
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