Car keeps dying after releasing throttle

[E21newb]

So I am in Iowa and we had a snow storm. But I've drove my e30 in colder weather and this problem has never occurred before. When I drive and release the throttle the car stalls. But when I start the car it starts normally. So as long as I keep stepping on the throttle it does not stall. I do not know what is causing that to happen. Really need help. This is my daily driver.

[dnguyen1963]

Check your fuel filter/pump and make sure that the car has proper fuel pressure. Check your FPR. Check for vacuum leaks.

[ST1G]

So I am in Iowa and we had a snow storm. But I've drove my e30 in colder weather and this problem has never occurred before.

Correlation is not causation.

When I drive and release the throttle the car stalls. But when I start the car it starts normally. So as long as I keep stepping on the throttle it does not stall. I do not know what is causing that to happen. Really need help. This is my daily driver.

What year is it? does it have an erratic idle?

[spdracrm3]

sounds like a sticking idle control motor ,remove and clean it ,then lightly oil with WD40

[E21newb]

It's a 1987 325is. My idle looks fine, doesn't move much. But when I listen, the car sounds like a damn tractor. I don't see any leaks of any kind(unless I didn't look hard enough). The vacuum lines all look fine. Not driving my E30 makes me sad :(

[dnguyen1963]

You need to put some love into your car...starting with doing a smoke test.

[agent]

My vote is for the bitch tube.

[E21newb]

My vote is for the bitch tube.

Which tube? I think the car is being a bitch right now. I must not be treating her right.. Or she's PMSing.

[E21newb]

Okay, so I just tried messing with it again. The first time I started it, it died. Second time it stayed on but idle was slightly moving around. I turn it off. Start it the third time, same thing. Then I press the gas a couple revs and let go. Then it just dies. I looked at the hoses and made sure the plug wires were tight. There is also a very strong smell of gas. But I see no leaks..

[efficient]

BItch tube is the tube underneath the throttle body/intake manifold

[agent]

^ Yep. So named because it's a bitch to change without removing the intake manifold - but it's possible.

Opie, sounds like your car is doing almost exactly what mine was doing when that tube had a large crack in it - which was not visible until I replaced it. If you have a helper, have them start the car while you apply pressure/weight to various places on that tube. If the car runs better depending on where you're mashing, you found the problem.

Note: If you read/see a suggestion to spray brake cleaner on your intake pieces and/or vacuum hoses, that test did not help me diagnose this issue on my car (also an 87 iS FWIW).

[E21newb]

Okay so I didn't have anyone to help me out. But I tired to locate the tube. I THINK I found it but not sure. I tried squeezing it and even tried to mess with it to see if I can remove it. Nothing. Is it the vertical tube that has ridges on the bottom of it? Going to the head?

[bmwcarnute30]

the "bitch tube" runs from your valve cover across to the other side of the intake manifold. im having a the same problem. will do a smoke test tomorrow and check for leaks

[cgk_iii]

year? Motor?

[agent]

year? Motor?

It's a 1987 325is.