Strange smell on start-up

[xiixvi]

e46 318i 2003 touring - There is a strange rich smell on start-up in the morning or when the car is cold and a bit of eratic/shakey idle for the first 5 minutes. Any ideas?

 

[MikeR]

are you talking fuel smell ? - if so just check if there are no signs of leaks.

 

[xiixvi]

hi...yes Mike, its a fuel smell, but very rich

 

[Sankekur]

Might be the mass airflow sensor. How is the acceleration of the car if you floor it?

Edit: Might also be the lambda sensor(s).

 

[xiixvi]

@ Sankekur.....

when i floor it, the power is very very sluggish.....it is an A/T

 

[MikeR]

have u taken her in to get tested.....

 

[Sankekur]

@ Sankekur.....

when i floor it, the power is very very sluggish.....it is an A/T

That sounds like the mass airflow sensor, quick test would be to start the car, and to then unplug the mass airflow sensor, if there is no change in how the car runs then the airflow sensor is probably the problem.

But it would still be better to just get the codes read, that should give you a clearer indication of what the problem might be.

 

[xiixvi]

@ Sankekur.....

I had the car dropped off at Zeemax this morning to have it checked, hopefully something small. One thing, the lady that checked the car in, says "EML" light is on, but this is when i turn the ignition on, this has always been this way. Problem?

 

[Sankekur]

I was under the impression that it is supposed to do that, the EML light going on briefly when the car is turned on. The huys at Zeemax should sort you out, they are very good with BMW's from what I've heard.

 

[james]

Your eml should lit in ignition 2, and extinguish when the car is started. Its like bit testing the system.