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E30 Running really bad.

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    E30 Running really bad.

    Since I've had the car it has had a rough idle. I was at a friend's earlier today and when I started the car, the check engine light would just flicker like there was no tomorrow. It would go away for a second or two when I floored it but would start flickering again. The first time I gave it so gas (when I backed up), a nice yet small cloud of black smoke came out of the exhaust. I've attached a video I took 5 minutes ago just so that you can hear the engine. I have the Bentley manual also so if you could point me to a specific page along with some instructions on what to attempt, that would be nice of you. The check engine line never appeared on me before and I've had the car for two weeks, driven it for about 650 miles since taking ownership.

    If you listen carefully to the video, there's a small lag from the time I give it gas to the time it starts to rev. I attempted to simulate what happens when I just give the pedal a kick with the toes. Along with the lag, there's also a drop in rev's, like it was going to stall. The mic on my iPhone captures too much noise as it isn't as noisy when you're by the car but you can hear that the engine isn't running smooth and that it's missing somewhere. I checked the spark plugs and wires last weekend and they were all good.

    Notice how in the interior video it is hard to start. It's always like that when it hasn't run for 30 minutes or more. You can also see how it got a small rev boost right after start up, didn't give it any gas...

    ANY help would be appreciated.

    Videos are in HD for better sound quality.




    Thanks a lot.

    PS. I was told that the fact that it is hard to start when cold could be that I need to clean the EGR valve and from what I have read around here the rough idle could be the ICV needing to be cleaned. Could someone point me to the pages related to those two parts in the Bentley manual because I obviously can't locate those. That or a picture with those two parts circled out.

    Thanks again, from a new E30 owner and a noob at mechanics.

    Update: It stalls on its own and I'd say that it is undrivable.

    Edit: '88 325is
    Last edited by Eddie Lives On; 06-19-2011, 01:57 PM.

    #2
    Could be several things. Have you changed your fuel filter? I had similar issues when I first got my car. Changed the filter and pump, no more problem.
    Originally posted by LJ851
    kingston is the play by play announcer for this thread.
    ‘Tis by the grace of God that my cars run!

    Originally posted by unloadedak
    #teamross
    Siobhan's Build Thread - UPDATED!

    Comment


      #3
      No I haven't. Could you tell me where the ICV is and where the EGR is? I'll have the car checked tomorrow.

      Comment


        #4
        ICV cleaning DIY - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=111370

        Usually if fuel pump is bad it wont even start? Changing fuel filter is never a bad idea.

        Could also check for any intake leaks.
        Originally posted by trackjunkie21
        when there is a choice between an e36 and another car, you choose the other car.

        Comment


          #5
          Car has run for 600 miles in the last 2 years before I got it two weeks ago. Timing belt was changed two years ago too. Thanks for the link.

          Comment


            #6
            check your spark plugs
            Originally posted by InuFaye
            silver is old man color car. you need dat BRO-SECA BLUE.
            Originally posted by blunttech
            so true.. never let them know where you live..I almost ended up in jail when I was raping young women on craigslist
            Originally posted by george graves
            An S5x is like the girl you want to marry - an m30 is the girl you don't bring home to mom.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by BrownBeanE30 View Post
              check your spark plugs
              If you don't know when they were replaced, just buy new ones, only like 20 bucks. And have you done the stomp test to see what code it gave? Most likely 1222
              Got all da Alpine bitches mad cuz my main bitch Calypso.

              Comment


                #8
                What do you refer to as a stomp test? That's one of the downsides of not having English as your mother tongue...

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by jdvorwe View Post
                  ICV cleaning DIY - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=111370

                  Usually if fuel pump is bad it wont even start? Changing fuel filter is never a bad idea.

                  Could also check for any intake leaks.
                  My car exhibited this behavior when the pump was on it's way out. It hadn't quit altogether, but was not working well. Didn't help that it's screen was massively clogged!

                  OP, did you flush out the tank thoroughly when you bought the car? 2 year old gas = no bueno!

                  I'd also throw some Seafoam in there. Stuff's been a godsend on older vehicles I've bought!
                  Last edited by kingston; 06-19-2011, 06:10 PM. Reason: additional info
                  Originally posted by LJ851
                  kingston is the play by play announcer for this thread.
                  ‘Tis by the grace of God that my cars run!

                  Originally posted by unloadedak
                  #teamross
                  Siobhan's Build Thread - UPDATED!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    The stomp test:

                    Turn your key to the 'on' position (do not start it). The Check Engine light will illuminate briefly, then shut off. It should then flash a number of times. Count how many times it flashed to get the error code. I think there are only 4 codes you can get from our crazy `88s. I'll try to find the link that tells what each one means...
                    Originally posted by LJ851
                    kingston is the play by play announcer for this thread.
                    ‘Tis by the grace of God that my cars run!

                    Originally posted by unloadedak
                    #teamross
                    Siobhan's Build Thread - UPDATED!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Clean your ICV, check your intake boot for any leaks/rips/etc, buy new spark plugs (and it would be good to probably get new wires, coil, etc too - All the routine tune-up stuff). Timing Belt/ Water pump is never a bad idea, if you have a service receipt and only 600 miles has passed then you will probably be fine. But, it is all hearsay without a service record.

                      Did you get all of the old gas out? Might want to get some fuel additives and seafoam it as well. If you are running the old gas, definitely get a new fuel filter. Your gas will be BLACK.

                      Edit: Kingston hit submit before me! Definitely think about seafoaming. You will want to do a oil change the same day too to get all the gunk it loosens up out of there.
                      Originally posted by trackjunkie21
                      when there is a choice between an e36 and another car, you choose the other car.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        He said he changed the oil the week before putting it online and since it was for sale only for four days, that would mean it was done about a month ago. Filter doesn't look old at all and oil is like new. Tried that stomp test, doesn't work. Probably because I don't understand what to do... I put the key at the "On" position, without starting the car, but the CEL wouldn't shut off or flash, it would just stay on. I waited for 3 minutes and it didn't do anything. I'm not at the accessory position, as all the other lights are coming on and I'm at the last "click" before it starts.

                        Edit: I didn't flush the gas, I just used it but there wasn't much in there. The guy said he used stabil in there also. I have a "date" with the mechanic tomorrow so I'll see what I can find. I'm on my third full tank right now so it should have started to act before yesterday if it was the fuel from 2-3 weeks ago.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I mean all these things we are telling you to do are fairly cheap and routine stuff so no reason not to do them. you will have to do them eventually, so why not get it out of the way now.

                          good luck with the mechanic.
                          Originally posted by trackjunkie21
                          when there is a choice between an e36 and another car, you choose the other car.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Can't do those things at midnight when I'm at work until 8am...

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Lol you have to press the gas petal 5 times. it will blink once, after that it will blink in numbers with pauses in between. So if it's Blink-(pause)-blink blink-(pause)-blink blink-(pause)-blink. The code will be 1221. Once you figure out the code just look on here:http://e30world.com/fuel/BMW-E30-DME...ic-fault-codes

                              it should def.help
                              Got all da Alpine bitches mad cuz my main bitch Calypso.

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