Idling issues

[manoj]

Hi guys, i am new on this forum. I have a 96 318i E36 and i have been having this idling issue. It goes high and low and sometimes cuts off.

I have noticed that when i removed the top part of the intake manifold to clean the ICV, there is a butterfly on the bottom half of the manifold which was broken. I removed it and put everything back on. Will this cause the idling to be like that.

Thanks in advance, all info will be appreciated.

[BimmerE39]

It sounds like you had a potential vacuum leak and possibly a dirty ICV as well. Pretty much any kind of hole in the intake manifold is going to cause an issue of some kind. After replacing everything and putting it back together did the problem go away?

[manoj]

Originally Posted by BimmerE39

It sounds like you had a potential vacuum leak and possibly a dirty ICV as well. Pretty much any kind of hole in the intake manifold is going to cause an issue of some kind. After replacing everything and putting it back together did the problem go away?

no, the problem is still the same and I did clean the ICV.

[BimmerE39]

Originally Posted by manoj

no, the problem is still the same and I did clean the ICV.

I know you said you cleaned the ICV, I was just postulating a vaccuum leak and dirty ICV could cause a bad idle. I would also clean the MAF for good measure. In case this doesn't work I would pull the negative terminal off the battery and let the car discharge (usually takes a few minutes) and this should reset the ECU. Hopefully, that should solve the idling issues. If not, it sounds like it could be a vacuum leak.

I should have asked this earlier but by any chance do you still have idle problems when the motor is warmed up or is it only a cold start issue?

[manoj]

This happens all the time, when cold or hot.
I will reset the ECU and clean the MAF and see if the issue is sorted. Thanks for your help.

[BimmerE39]

No problem, these kinds of things are sometimes the simplest things to repair or they can sometimes be a real PITA. Definitely let us know if cleaning the MAF and resetting the car changes anything. If it doesn't we can go from there. I just try to take care of the simple things first instead of focusing on the bigger potential problem.

[manoj]

Thanks, will keep you updated

[slrcf]

My car has an idle issue as well. When sitting at a stop, it will sputter a little. As well, there are times it seems to forget that there is a first gear and will stay in second for pulling away. Once it is up to speed it goes up in gears, but sucks for power pulling away from a stop. Shut the car off for a few minutes and all is good again until it does it again.

I will try checking the things you recommended as well as resetting the ECU

[Turbo822]

I'm looking at a 94 325i but the only thing stopping me from getting it, is the low idle. The guy said that he hasn't driven it in about 2 months because his license got suspended, well he also didn't start it during then either.

It drives fine, but when you take your foot off the gas it sputters and will die some times. He bought Sea Foam to help clean out things, but hasn't put it in yet.

I think it may be bad gas? Any other suggestions?

[dj_rookie]

Originally Posted by Turbo822

I'm looking at a 94 325i but the only thing stopping me from getting it, is the low idle. The guy said that he hasn't driven it in about 2 months because his license got suspended, well he also didn't start it during then either.

It drives fine, but when you take your foot off the gas it sputters and will die some times. He bought Sea Foam to help clean out things, but hasn't put it in yet.

I think it may be bad gas? Any other suggestions?

tighten the throttle cable. hope that helps

[ncktuley1]

im having the same exact problem. i think i would be a vaccum leak.