New Member Tech Question - BMW Forum

Island Highway · 05-20-2010, 11:33 AM

Hi,

I don't want to bother anyone so please let me know if this isn't the right place to post this question. I have a 1982 320i which I recently bought. Its been running great for the last 2 months or so, but suddenly it hates starting (it eventually starts though) and when I run at higher RPM's it starts bucking and hesitating. I've never owned a BMW before so I can't isolate the issue to anything I already know about cars. I'm hoping its a simple thing and I can get back to driving it with confidence again. Any feedback on this would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks.

tim96 · 05-26-2010, 03:15 AM

A dodgey fuel pump is possible. Is the pump noisy at all?

brettski · 05-26-2010, 06:37 AM

Welcome to the Werkz.

Is it possible you picked up some dirty fuel that may have blocked your fuel filter, or that may have contained water?

german-speed-demon · 05-26-2010, 07:22 AM

fuel pump, fuel fiilter, if your car is FI, (which i think it is, )check the the o2 sensor. also Throttle position sensor, idle control valve, cold start valve.

any of these would be a likely culprit.

Island Highway · 05-26-2010, 02:51 PM

It was the fuel filter which it took me about the same amount of time to find as the handle to open the door from the inside

(I feel pretty dumb haha). I've since replaced the filter and now the car is running very smoothly again. I'm grateful that it wasn't more serious. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions, you are very helpful and I really appreciate it!