E30 Idles, Sputters Then Dies - BMW Forum

moetinger · 06-13-2005, 01:59 PM

My 90 e30 has been acting up again. This time the engine light's coming on. When I am at stoplights the engine will chug a little then die on me. When I try to accelerate it sputters a lot then barely goes. I looked for the obvious--vacuum leaks etc. and found nothing. I've had the timing belt, fuel pump/filter and full tune up done w/in 3K miles.

Car revs great when in neutral. The problem seems to have gotten progressively worse.

Just wanting to get an idea of what the prob could be before I take it to the import repair shop and get molested.

Thanks!

witeshark · 06-13-2005, 06:16 PM

Have you had the ignition system checked?

moetinger · 06-14-2005, 07:46 AM

yeah i've had the plugs, cap, wires and rotor changed in the tune-up if that's what you are asking.

e36_m3_Turbo · 06-14-2005, 02:03 PM

my friends is somewhat like that when goimng back to idle. but dosnet die all the time.i was thinkin it was the valves, they sometimes need to be adjusted. which i heard.

moetinger · 06-14-2005, 03:20 PM

what makes me think that it is electrical is that the car will run fine for a few then it seems like the engine cuts out and the engine light pops on for a sec. Who knows. I am going to bit the bullet and let the dealer look at it.

offabroadway · 06-15-2005, 08:41 PM

You said that in neutral, the car idles/revs fine? I'm going to assume that this is an automatic transmission E30? Your lockup clutch or other transmission clutches might be catching or worn/stuck. That might be something to look at. If it is an auto, when was the last time she was flushed and refilled? Just a few shots in the dark, hope they help.

If the engine lurches, dies, and catches again, the sudden drop in revs can trigger the oil pressure/engine warning light, which will stay on until you turn it off and restart it.

Kowalski · 06-15-2005, 09:52 PM

since your engine light comes on im going to assuming that it would be the air fuel mixture causing the light to come on, so it could be a poorly adjusted AFM sounds exactly the same as the problem i had. also could be a multitude of other things... fuel presure, ignition, the list goes on... if you could get an engine code off it that would be awsome.

Diotima · 04-03-2008, 03:07 PM

soz to bump up an old thread, but having similar probs with my 320i 1989 auto, its fine in park but when idle in drive the rev counter is up and down, sometimes dropping so low it cuts out, its started to shudder in idle and drag on acceleration now......stinking like its flooding....any ideas?

Jonesz0003 · 04-07-2008, 12:32 AM

I am having the same problem with my 91 318is but it is a stick and not an auto. I had to replace the engine when i bought it so i changed the plugs so i would guess thats not it and will be running test and stuff at the shop i work at tomorrow so if ppl have more ideas shoot them this way lol and i will do the same if i fing ne thing and thanks already those are some good ideas to check out first so thanks

peterdix · 06-08-2008, 02:24 AM

Did you get to the bottom of your problem
Daughter has a 1993 - 318, has had a bit of a hunt at idle for past year, since she brought it. today it started ti misfire and then cut out. restarts straight away but often misfires again. any advice before getting to a diagnostice shop would be helpful

darkhorse737 · 06-08-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterdix

Did you get to the bottom of your problem
Daughter has a 1993 - 318, has had a bit of a hunt at idle for past year, since she brought it. today it started ti misfire and then cut out. restarts straight away but often misfires again. any advice before getting to a diagnostice shop would be helpful

when was last tune-up?

hunt at idle is usually attributed to leaks in your intake, an AFM problem(maybe just dirty), or idle control valve not doing it's job right.

Diotima · 06-08-2008, 05:32 PM

Mine was ICV - took 3 trips to garage to get it right, but now all is good

darkhorse737 · 06-08-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moetinger

My 90 e30 has been acting up again. This time the engine light's coming on. When I am at stoplights the engine will chug a little then die on me. When I try to accelerate it sputters a lot then barely goes. I looked for the obvious--vacuum leaks etc. and found nothing. I've had the timing belt, fuel pump/filter and full tune up done w/in 3K miles.

Car revs great when in neutral. The problem seems to have gotten progressively worse.

Just wanting to get an idea of what the prob could be before I take it to the import repair shop and get molested.

Thanks!

how was condition of fuel filter when u changed?... dirty? if yes, suspect clogged injectors. OR,

defective CAT. Partially clogged CAT converters that in effect restrict exhaust flow will cause the symptoms you complain of.