open loop idle and temp issues

[Earendil]

There are lots of places to have an intake leak where carb cleaner, or the like, won't work. The only way to check for intake leaks is to have a shop run a smoke test.

At this point jlevie, I think I can confidently say that if you wrote yourself a script that just searched the board for new posts that mentioned carb cleaner and auto reply with the above line, that'd you'd save yourself 4-6 hours a week :D

[Gregs///M]

Since you can replicate an irregular temp reading by jiggling the rear cluster connector, it is safe to assume the cluster main board has cracks in some solder joints, which is a very common electrical issue on all E30s.

It will require reflow of solder.

Installation of a after market temp gauge is recomended even if temporary or use of an IR thermometer.

[uuc328]

now that i know temp is stable at this point the idle is my primary focus. would a vac leak cause RPMs go to up and down? I would think it would simply show itself as a high but stable idle.

i like the idea of a secondary temp gauge, any suggestions?

[jlevie]

At this point jlevie, I think I can confidently say that if you wrote yourself a script that just searched the board for new posts that mentioned carb cleaner and auto reply with the above line, that'd you'd save yourself 4-6 hours a week :D

Even better would be people searching first and starting a thread with, "I just had a smoke test and fixed the leaks it found, but the engine is still...".

[dnguyen1963]

^^^ I think that this should be a requirement for joining this forum.

[uuc328]

finally got this sorted, ended up being the small 2 prong temp sensor after all. I think it was only used on the early cars. 12631279722
eta is happy again :D