e46 with cold? - BMW Forum

scotav e46 · 06-05-2006, 04:07 PM

hi all

having previously feared of vanos problem with my 99 323 and taken advice from you all visited my dealer where upon they found burst vacuum hose which i thought was the answer to my problems sadly no. a few days later car was much the same with rough idling for first 15 minutes then car was running fine once warmed up - it seems of late tho with warmer weather that this problem has disappeared!! so as a consequence of this it seems my car doesnt like the cold - can anyone enlighten me on this please?

used:

325isBaby · 06-05-2006, 05:15 PM

man, this subject has been beaten to death

zibby · 06-06-2006, 12:25 AM

I would try one more thing on your car...General maintenance items like coolant temp sensor(do not confuse with thermostat !) would be ideal testing place. Coolant temp sensor is also most responsible for stalling and engine acting like that. Check the wiring too..what just happened to my friends car was that a piece of electrical tape covering a small break in the coolant temp sensor wire was grounding to the trans bellhousing, and caused it to have no power, to stall, and it was especially bad when the engine was cold.

In your case I think maybe the sensor is just not working well, I'd check whatever tests you can in the bentley manual. Sounds like the car is just not running well in open loop operation, but everything is working to signal lambda control. I would guess coolant temp sensor isn't giving accurate readings (that is why, when engine gets operating temp. everything is back to normal) , the engine should start up with all those pistons, regardless if the cold start system is not working 100%.

Good luck !
Z.

scotav e46 · 06-06-2006, 02:29 PM

Thanks again for reply zibby visted my nearest dealer 3 weeks ago had health check carried out apart from a couple ropey tyres!and one washer jet not working all is well.Could a faulty temp sensor go unoticed in diagnostic check - my mate who is a mechanic suggested this sensor is a possibility too?

recently i have had thermostat changed (twice!!) which was faulty could this have any bearing on the problem?

Many thanks

zibby · 06-06-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotav e46

Thanks again for reply zibby visted my nearest dealer 3 weeks ago had health check carried out apart from a couple ropey tyres!and one washer jet not working all is well.Could a faulty temp sensor go unoticed in diagnostic check - my mate who is a mechanic suggested this sensor is a possibility too?

recently i have had thermostat changed (twice!!) which was faulty could this have any bearing on the problem?

Many thanks

Absolutelly ! Faulty temp. sensor usually wil not trigger any codes, in most cases engine will run unstable till reach operating temperature.It is not expensive item-worth to try...

scotav e46 · 06-07-2006, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zibby

Absolutelly ! Faulty temp. sensor usually wil not trigger any codes, in most cases engine will run unstable till reach operating temperature.It is not expensive item-worth to try...

Great ill try that! silly question but where is it located in the e46?like i said before its running great the now,in sunny scotland!!

zibby · 06-07-2006, 09:45 PM

Is in the bottom radiator hoose(on top of it, close to radiator)
BTW, of course is running great , because you start the engine in the morning with warmer coolant(warmer . summer ambient temperature).

WilliamWorld2006 · 10-21-2006, 10:27 PM

Hello scotav e46! I am having exactly the same problem as you with my 99 323. Could you please tell me what exactly did your problem turn out to be? Thanks kindly! That is ... "rough idling for first 15 minutes then car was running fine once warmed up". If anyone else knows I will be very much appreciated!

Hootie · 10-23-2006, 08:46 AM

William, if you can hear a high-pitched chirping sound when you rev the car near 2500 RPM, but then the chirp disappears above 3000 RPM, you likely have a vacuum leak. Search the forum for "vacuum leak".

WilliamWorld2006 · 10-23-2006, 05:28 PM

Hello Hootie! Thanks for responding! Sorry to say but I do not hear a high-pitched chirping sound when I rev my car near 2500 RPM. Thanks again for your feedback!

scotav e46 · 03-09-2007, 08:26 PM

Orite will! Sorry been sum time since I was last on! pleased 2 say that the little tosser of a gremlin that was doing my nut in(and my car) has vanished some time ago! like 2 hear from u and how things worked out for u!? cheers,TAV.