318I idling issue

[phillip1]

I have a 1994 318I when it idle it jumps between 1500 and 2000 rpm constantly. does anybody know what can cause this idling problems

[Lord Vader]

Idle Control Valve (ICV) is dirty, clogged, or worn out. Try cleaning it first.

[phillip1]

Hi thanks please excuse me for sounding dum I just bought the car last month and know
absolutely nothing about BMW and what part sits where, where on the motor is it.

Then i got one more question also the tappets are making a noise i have replaced the followers(lifters) but it still making a noise do you have any idea what else it can be and thanks again

[Lord Vader]

Here, give this a read. It will explain it.


What oil are you running? Noisy lifters can be caused becaused they are being starved for oil. Thicker oil takes longer to reach the lifters upon startup.

[phillip1]

I'm using castrol magnetac, but it doesn't just make a noise on start up even when you drive it makes a noise somebody told me it might be the timing sensor that are dirty is that correct. tx again for all your help

[Lord Vader]

Whips. Totally forgot to include the link:

Idle Control Valve | BMW E36 Blog

What viscosity are you using? I have never heard of Castrol Magnatac before. You could always pick up some electrical contact cleaner and clean off the sensor and see if it makes a difference.

[Jack Dabsy]

Just to add to Vader's great explanation... Have you checked ALL breather-hoses AND manifold gasket conns ?

[phillip1]

Tx vader and jack just to come back to the first question I had about The ICV I did cleaned it today the car are idling much better but not 100% yet I think it might be faulty, Then the 2nd Question castrol magnatec are made by shell fuel company apparently its very good according to the experts. Just to update quickly I live in south africa, then main thing I did cleaned the timing sensor today but it made no difference to the noise. JACK i did check all the air hoses but did not check the manifold gasket yet can that also affect the timing> ANOTHER QUESTION GUYS MY CAR ARE A 1994 E36 M40 WITH A TIMING BELT AND NOT THE CHAIN DOES IT HAVE A CO2 SENSOR AS I CAN'T FIND ONE ANYWHERE ON THE EXAUST SYSTEM tx guys

[Lord Vader]

It should have an O2 sensor. Being OBDI it should only have one sensor, which should be before the catalytic converter. It will stick off sideways not down so it may be slightly difficult to see.

Castrol is the OEM supplier of oil in BMW engines. However only certain viscosities are approved by BMW. The BMW LL-01 list is the official list of approved oils. Castrol 0w-30 and Mobil 1 0w-40 are to top two on the list (out of four). I'm not familiar with Magnatec but check the viscosity rating. I'm not gonna blast you for not using an LL-01 approved oil, as several other oils meet the same standard, but depending on what your using now trying a lighter viscosity may help with the noise. You have to change your oil anyway, may as well do something that in essence won't cost you any more then you already have to spend.

[phillip1]

Hi vader I hope all is well, it starting to feel like I bought this Bmw to spend and spend
more money on it. I have another problem now and another question if you don't mind,

Now I have no clutch the paddle just fall down to the bottom, do you maybe know where
to full up the clutch fluid in that car tx

[Lord Vader]

It may be the slave cylinder. But you should also replace the master cylinder. Its best to replace them in pairs ideally. The slave cylinder is bolted to the transmission. You have to jack the car up and get under it to replace the slave cylinder. You have to bleed the system properly afterwords. You have to install it properly so the plunger doesn't shoot itself into the bell housing the first time you push the clutch pedal down (possibly requiring the transmission to be dropped).