1984 e30 318i idle problem

[bpiros]

84' e30 318i, obviously the 1.8 motor, for some reason car does not want to idle, starts up fine but doesn't keep idling unless tapped on by gas.. if let to idle, car becomes very rough with shaking and then stalls out, just replaced many hoses pertaining to any possible vacuum leaks and intake manifold gaskets. Very confused at this point.. even had a mechanical savvy friend look at the car and he is stumped.

What I believe is the problem would be the problem is the ICV

Any suggestions before I dig in?

[NoM54me]

Sounds like you just have a huge air (vacuum) leak, are you sure the intake manifold gaskets are nice and tight? Did you get ALL of the old gasket material off before replacing them? Try this link: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...leshooting.htm

[bpiros]

yeah I made sure to really wrench down the bolts behind the gaskets quite tightly without stripping or even over tightening them, as far as old gasket material, all was cleaned off and the metal on both manifold and head was cleaned and dried properly, there is a hose with a crack going from the manifold to the mass air flow so could that possibly be doing it? I appreciate the link thank you!

[NoM54me]

Hose from manifold to air flow meter? You mean the intake boot? Yeah, a crack of any size in that will definitely cause some problems!! Easy fix though, order a new one! In the meantime, you can fill/seal the crack with any silicone sealer, Shoe Goo works great. $6 at AutoZone.

[bpiros]

not the I take boot but up on top of the manifold, I apologize as I'm new to these cars although they're my absolute favorite, but as I said it's a hose from a opening on the top of the manifold into a tube shaped device pertaining to air flow? I'm not near the car now otherwise I would take a picture to help, my intake boot is clean and crack free, first thing I checked for!

[NoM54me]

Sounds like the "tube shaped device" you describe is an idle control valve. Regardless, no hose should have cracks in it. A crack in the hoses to and from the ICV would represent big enough of a leak to cause what you're experiencing. Replace the hose, and see what happens.

[bpiros]

ok cool! I'll definitely try that and then get back to you! I appreciate the help!!!

[jeffnhiscars]

When an ICV goes bad it typically will stay open causing a high idle as will a number of smaller air leaks depending on where. A leak that prevented any idling would be rather large, such as a hose disconnected (AMHIK)

[bpiros]

alright cool, i think it is my ICV then because the hose from the manifold to that is quite badly cracked, so thats probably gonna be my problem, thank you!