E30 - Fuel Evaporation Vale - BMW Forum

mtb32 · 02-08-2005, 04:52 AM

I have an old E30 - my pride and joy 132K on the clock and still going strong!

I have a problem with it at the moment. It is difficult to start and cuts out when I'm driving. I've taken it to the local BMW specialists and they replaced a few bits but the problem remains. They finally put their computer on it and got an error titled "Fuel Evaporation Valve". They didn't actually know what that meant so I thought I'd ask the experts!

Thanks.

e30fanm3 · 02-08-2005, 03:42 PM

what year is the car?

Kowalski · 02-08-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Feb 8 2005, 01:42 PM
what year is the car?

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its an emissions controll unit also called a purge valve it lets fumes out of the tank into the intake and calculates that into the fuel/air mixture it runs up to a vacume line from your gas tank, there will also be a electrical connector on it. its small and black i believe. also its comes of the charcole canister which iw ould recomen changining if your valve went. also over filling the gas tank can wreck it so i would advise not doing xtra clicks at the pump. first try cleaning this thing seeing as it is a vlave and could just be stuck.

Kowalski · 02-08-2005, 08:05 PM

also if this part can wreck your fuel pump because it will build up presure in your gas tank putting xtra stress un your pump to suck fuel. so i would advise replacing this.

Kowalski · 02-08-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kowalski+Feb 8 2005, 06:03 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kowalski @ Feb 8 2005, 06:03 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-e30fanm3@Feb 8 2005, 01:42 PM
what year is the car?

[snapback]288018[/snapback]

its an emissions controll unit also called a purge valve it lets fumes out of the tank into the intake and calculates that into the fuel/air mixture it runs up to a vacume line from your gas tank, there will also be a electrical connector on it. its small and black i believe. also its comes of the charcole canister which iw ould recomen changining if your valve went. also over filling the gas tank can wreck it so i would advise not doing xtra clicks at the pump. first try cleaning this thing seeing as it is a vlave and could just be stuck.

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[/b][/quote]

mtb32 · 02-09-2005, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kowalski@Feb 9 2005, 02:05 AM
also if this part can wreck your fuel pump because it will build up presure in your gas tank putting xtra stress un your pump to suck fuel. so i would advise replacing this.

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Thanks for that, it all fits the picture here as we have had to replace the fuel pump already. I'll get onto the garage with your info.

mtb32 · 02-09-2005, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Feb 8 2005, 09:42 PM
what year is the car?

[snapback]288018[/snapback]

1986

Kowalski · 02-09-2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtb32+Feb 9 2005, 12:38 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mtb32 @ Feb 9 2005, 12:38 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-e30fanm3@Feb 8 2005, 09:42 PM
what year is the car?

[snapback]288018[/snapback]

1986

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[/b][/quote]

how'd it work out?

e30fanm3 · 02-10-2005, 08:32 PM

If your car is an '86 then it doesn't have self diagnostics, therefore it doesnt have a check engine light, therefore they can not bring up any codes or errors on that car, what did they use to pull this "fuel evaporation valve"? there are too many possibilities with the limited info you have given about the problem, is it doing anything else, try to explain the problem in further detail.

Kowalski · 02-10-2005, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Feb 10 2005, 06:32 PM
If your car is an '86 then it doesn't have self diagnostics, therefore it doesnt have a check engine light, therefore they can not bring up any codes or errors on that car, what did they use to pull this "fuel evaporation valve"? there are too many possibilities with the limited info you have given about the problem, is it doing anything else, try to explain the problem in further detail.

[snapback]289498[/snapback]

doesn't need self diagnostics to check if you put the thing on a diagnostics computer, thats the whole idea of the computer, it checks allt he sensors and electrical mechanisms. thats why they have diagnostics computers otherwise noone would fork out that kinda money for one.

e30fanm3 · 02-11-2005, 06:31 PM

Ther is no,and I repeat,no diagnostic computer that will pull codes or faults out of a 1986 BMW 325e.Tha t is why the later models have diagnostic capabilities.You have to actually be able to diagnos a car to work on that car.
If you want to provide me with more info I will try to steer you in the right direction.

wolf_walker · 02-12-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Feb 11 2005, 07:31 PM
Ther is no,and I repeat,no diagnostic computer that will pull codes or faults out of a 1986 BMW 325e.Tha t is why the later models have diagnostic capabilities.You have to actually be able to diagnos a car to work on that car.
If you want to provide me with more info I will try to steer you in the right direction.

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However there are machines that plug inline between the ECU and the car and observe the input and output of all parts concerned, compare it to a file of what should be for a give vehicle, and will tell you what's wrong with them. Onboard diagnostics are not necessary for this type of machine, as it does the diagnosing.
It's rather slick, we had one at a couple shops I've worksed at, big roll around affair with a regular PC inside running it's software, largeish relay box and all the specific harness connectors, neat stuff. This is likely how they got the "code" for his fault.