eta tries to die when wet and cold

[bimmerpirate]

I've been having this really weird problem for about 2 years now and still havent fixed it. What happens is when it's cold and wet out (sub 40F temperatures), the engine will try to cut off and choke out. usually it will just try to die with a very forceful jerk almost like hitting a wall, then, a moment later, it'll keep going. Sometimes it'll happen once then not do it again for a few moments, other times, it'll do it over and over again till it has no power at all and i have to downshift to 3rd or 4th just to keep the RPMs up to maintain highway speeds.

Last winter, i could seem to keep this from happening if i kept the RPMs over 3500 but it doesnt seem to want to work this winter like that. There has been one other issue that just started happening this fall and I dont know if it's related. Sometimes, while the car is still cold, I'll turn the headlights on and there will be a noticeable drop in power. Once it was enough to stall the engine out.

so far replaced to try and fix this:
Cap
rotor
plugs
wires
coolant temp sensor on thermostat
alternator

I'm at a loss of what to do and i cant not drive my e30 since it's my only car. Any suggestions on what to try next? I'm considering a wiring harness soon to see if that does anything.

[richardkeith97]

same problem. Been like this sice I've owned it. I just start the car early but it would be nice to know what's wrong. It's an auo so it's prob even worse. Mine is also an eta

[Zinno_e30]

Try a new air flow meter

[romeomike]

Check your ground connections to ensure they are clean and tight.

Other than that, do a search on this topic with jlevie or other post authors you trust.

Merry Christmas....

[u3b3rg33k]

Sounds a lot like weak spark. I had that problem (engine would crap out at peak torque when cold and wet), and new plug wires fixed it.

You list cap, rotor plug and wires, but not the coil. Is the plug gap in spec? have you re-seated the plug wires?

[Kershaw]

huh, i have this exact issue with my eta too. and i have just about replaced everything you did as well. havent had any problems with the lights though.

i was going to try replacing the injectors and tossing in an different afm next.

[richardkeith97]

could it possibly be moisture in the lines? A couple days ago when it was colder then usual in the norning my car wouldn't start. Went to work and tried it when I got home and it was a llittle warmer and it started right up. I'm going to get some dry gas and see if it makes a difference.

[u3b3rg33k]

I doubt fuel line water would prevent it from starting. The recirculating system would move it though, and unless there's so much water in your gas that the pickup is in only water...

Only time we've ever had trouble with water in fuel was in our '82 rabbit on a -30F WI day when i was a kid. Water froze in the line under the car, and we had to heat the fuel line up with a hair dryer to get the car to start again.

A bit of iso-heet permanently prevented immediate recurrence.

[Kershaw]

so.... im embarrassed to admit this, but...

my problem turned out to be a vacuum leak. intake boot was cracked on one of the ribs, at the very bottom.

it has more problems than that, it burns oil like crazy. and leaks oil too. but it runs and idles a lot better now. drives well enough for a beater anyway.

[richardkeith97]

so.... im embarrassed to admit this, but...

my problem turned out to be a vacuum leak. intake boot was cracked on one of the ribs, at the very bottom.

i think it has more problems than that, it burns oil like crazy. and leaks oil too. but it runs and idles a lot better now.

was it only when it was cold?

[Kershaw]

yeah, when it was hot out the rubber was probably slightly bigger and sealed it the crack.

[Kershaw]

well....

looks like i spoke too soon. i might have fixed one vacuum leak, but it really didnt change anything.

it takes about 2 miles of driving for it to start. you'd think if it was a(nother) vacuum leak it would happen all the time. it idles fine.

i need to check the injectors.

[imprttuner88]

throttle body cleaner is your friend. Buy a can and start spraying all the vacuum lines and connections while running. If it idles up, replace that line/connection

[Kershaw]

tried. that didnt work.

im taking my car in to get smoke tested this thursday.

[richardkeith97]

def keep me informed. I'd love to fix this problem.