This noob needs some guidance...

[Little Rocheleau]

I'm sorta embarassed to ask BUT....
I have a M42 (91 318i) and its having a little trouble idling.. (did I spell that right?). Its fine when I first start it up, but when I slow to a stop the RPMs drop really low and the car shudders. I doesn't do it everytime, but its getting more frequent. And when we had the snow for two days it dropped so low (even while driving - think, in between shifting) it would die.

Here's what I'm thinking: about 6 months ago I cracked the 4th exhaust valve on the head (this is what they told me...;) ) - took it to get re-machined at Mike O'Hara's BMW and its never been the same since. When I bought the car it didn't leak a drop of oil and now I have a little puddle in my parking spot where it piddles. Also, last weekend when I was under there changing the oil there was all kinds of black gooey stuff - maybe the block and head (I think I'm using the right words...) aren't totally flush with each other? Maybe that's causing the idling issue?

Any ideas? I have one year parts and labor on the work Mike Ohara did - but if its unrelated I don't want to take it back to him. Any help would be appreciated. K thx bai.

[JGood]

I would take it back, the head gasket or valve cover gasket probably didn't seal right. It's either deal with a place you apparently don't like or pay out of the pocket for somebody else. I would take it back there. The head and block don't have an option not to sit flush, that stuff is precision machined. You could have a warped head, but it's not something you can just unbolt and put back on and everything will be dandy. Either a gasket is bad, bolts were not torqued down properly, or something along those lines.

I don't have a lot of experience with engine internals, but that's my opinion...check with someone who knows what the hell they are talking about though, haha.

[Mastrcruse]

Thats what my bros eta does every winter. When its cold it idles like shit. I thought that was a characteristic of the e30. We were told it was the CIV but then when better/warmer weather came it stopped and returned to normal idling. That might not be the case with the M42 though.

[Little Rocheleau]

We were told it was the CIV but then when better/warmer weather came it stopped and returned to normal idling. That might not be the case with the M42 though.

um..what's a CIV? What engine does your bro have? Curt's SETA and whatever's in the Bronzit idle fine in the winter....

[Mastrcruse]

Sorry ICV, Idle Control Valve. Im really not sure if the M42 has one though, It should but I have never been under the hood of an e30 with one. I really am on sure but this is what was causing it on his.

He just has a regular eta. We did beat on it alittle bit and clean the connections which probably did the trick.

[PeaveyBassist]

Take it back to the shop that did the valve work and ask them to check it out. They will probably look at it and see whats up for free. At least ask them if they can just take a quick look at it and see what the problem is. If its a good shop they will do it for free and if they messed something up, they will fix it for free.

Will

[Van Westervelt]

There is an ICV on it at the back of the intake manifold. Sort of a mother to get to. Again, take it back! I told you all these things that first week! I dont think they seated the head properly. Several ways to do it wrong.

[M42Technik]

In many idling cases, the Idle Control Valve, or ICV as noted above is to blame. A new unit can run you a lot more than you want to spend, so try to find a quality used one, but rest assured once you replace it, you should idle at 800 rpm, which is the correct idling point for the M42 engine...

I had these same problems, went to a junkyard that had a 318iS parts car, and when replaced it worked like a charm, still does. Also, it is very easy to replace yourself, it took me about 45 minutes because I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right 10 times over...

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318isfaults.html#idlecontrolvalve

There is a good guide as to how to replace it.

That is if it is the ICV. I say send it back, let them figure out if they messed up, they'll be happy to do it free, I'm sure.

K thx bai

[Van Westervelt]

I actually think I still have one from the "is" babe.

[mrsleeve]

For the idle problem sounds like a ICV, TPS or a vac. leak well maybe a AFM to, although I have never worked on a M42 I could not say anything for shure. The oil leak is prolly a cam seal, cam cover gasket or warped head. But in any case if its a good shop that did the work take it back to them an have them look it over and fix the problem .

[Little Rocheleau]

okay okay. I just really didn't want to take it back there. He freaking took three weeks to fix it and and almost double the cost so I'm scared to let him touch my Brick again. And he's never been the same after his major surgery :D . Plus then I'll have to drive a Honda while it gets fixed and I HATE THAT. And if that doesn't work - I'll give the ICV thingy a try. I'm sure it will take you 45 minutes to fix, but will take me a long long time.

Curt, you crack me up. Side note: is your sig pic taken at my dads house? it looks strangely familiar.... ha.

[Van Westervelt]

Im a parts whore, nothin new.

[Little Rocheleau]

Im Lisa's whore, nothin new.

fixed it. :p

[FredK]

Good god, this playful banter's got to stop. Men are talking.

[FredK]

J/k ;)