Hello. I am new to this site and new to BMWs. I have always wanted to get an E30 because I like the way they look and the way they sound. I finally got the chance to get a 1990 325i for $1300, and I jumped on it. It has some issues, and I have already put a lot of work into it. I hope someone can enlighten me on this last problem I am having.
The engine idles very badly. Sounds like it's running on 4 cylinders. The idle is also erratic. The erratic idle clears up when the car warms up, and the misfiring doesn't seem as bad, but it's still there. The car fires right up in the morning, or if it has been sitting for a couple hours, but if there isn't very much time between (like running in the post office for a minute) it's hard to start. Here's what I have done so far based on what the previous owner told me about the history of the car.
New ICV
New Intake Boot
Valve Adjustment
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Plugs
Wires
Cap/Rotor
Vacuum Lines Replaced
O2 Sensor
Adjust TPS
The only vacuum line I haven't replaced is the one from the intake manifold to the valve cover. I will change that tomorrow. I have tested the ICV and found battery at the center terminal (when other end of the meter was on a chassis ground) and 9.3 volts between the center and one of the outer terminals. The other outer terminal only shows 4 volts. I tested the ICV connections at the DME for continuity and they are also in spec. When the engine is running, unplugging the ICV does nothing. Plugging it in makes the engine RPM go up for about 1/2 a second and then it keeps doing what is was before.
I am trying to not just throw parts at it. The things I've done so far were preventative things were over due; I was just hoping they would fix the problem. I am not sure where to go from here. I am leaning toward leaking fuel injectors, because of the hard start condition. I also suspect the DME. Any insight you can give me would be awesome. I lost my job a while ago, and we're living on my wife's income while I finish school, so money is kind of tight. I'd like to tell her I need to get a part and it actually fixes the car. ;)
The engine idles very badly. Sounds like it's running on 4 cylinders. The idle is also erratic. The erratic idle clears up when the car warms up, and the misfiring doesn't seem as bad, but it's still there. The car fires right up in the morning, or if it has been sitting for a couple hours, but if there isn't very much time between (like running in the post office for a minute) it's hard to start. Here's what I have done so far based on what the previous owner told me about the history of the car.
New ICV
New Intake Boot
Valve Adjustment
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Plugs
Wires
Cap/Rotor
Vacuum Lines Replaced
O2 Sensor
Adjust TPS
The only vacuum line I haven't replaced is the one from the intake manifold to the valve cover. I will change that tomorrow. I have tested the ICV and found battery at the center terminal (when other end of the meter was on a chassis ground) and 9.3 volts between the center and one of the outer terminals. The other outer terminal only shows 4 volts. I tested the ICV connections at the DME for continuity and they are also in spec. When the engine is running, unplugging the ICV does nothing. Plugging it in makes the engine RPM go up for about 1/2 a second and then it keeps doing what is was before.
I am trying to not just throw parts at it. The things I've done so far were preventative things were over due; I was just hoping they would fix the problem. I am not sure where to go from here. I am leaning toward leaking fuel injectors, because of the hard start condition. I also suspect the DME. Any insight you can give me would be awesome. I lost my job a while ago, and we're living on my wife's income while I finish school, so money is kind of tight. I'd like to tell her I need to get a part and it actually fixes the car. ;)
That's a recipe for disaster. I ordered the correct hose. Should be here by the end of the week.
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