AndrewOW Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I've just bought a very nice BMW 318i estate for economy and practicality. The car is really very nice, but has an odd problem. Randomly when I come to a stop, traffic lights or a T-junction, the revs drop to a couple of hundred, then might cut out altogether. I've read that it could be the camshaft sensor, but some guidance would be handy before I get everything pulled off to investigate it. If anyone knows of a BMW specialist in Sussex, rather than BMW themselves, then I'd appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 What year 318i is it Andrew? An is it an auto or manual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 (edited) Ah, it's a 2003 manual (E46 engine, I think). Edited December 17, 2012 by AndrewOW (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Ah, it's a 2003 manual (E46 engine, I think). E46 is the shape Possibly some sort of sensor but I'll check with a guy I work with who knows quite a bit about BMW's. Couple of quick questions to help everyone on this thread. * Does this only happen when the engine is warm? * If you keep the revs up can you keep the engine from stalking or does it just stall no matter what you do? * Last service? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 (edited) It only does it when the engine is warm, and normally after a lengthy drive without stopping (like a decent A/B road, then up to a roundabout/t-junction), but not every time. I think if I was quicker on the revs, I could keep the engine going. The last service was done at the MOT which was in November, so not so long ago. I'm going to call the garage where I bought it from tomorrow, but I drove it for ages and at least 10 miles in a very busy north London borough, so it had plenty of chances to do anything odd then, but was fine. If you are able to ask your guy if he knows of anything more definite then great. I joined bimmerforums.co.uk and had a good old look on there, but could be many things! Split hoses, camshaft sensor came up quite a few times. When I had a Honda Prelude which had a weird ignition module problem, but that was during warm up. This happens when it's in full flow. Edited December 17, 2012 by AndrewOW (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creative Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Icv for sure. Usually located under the inlet manifold. Pull it out clean it and run 12v across it to see if it opens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I'd usually offer for you to pop it into me mate and I could plug it in, however I wouldn't trust my diag kit as far as I could throw it atm! Although I get a new one today, so you're more than welcome to pop it in later in the week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Drop AshBhp a message he is primarily a BMW specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 Icv for sure. Usually located under the inlet manifold. Pull it out clean it and run 12v across it to see if it opens Thank you. If I can figure what that is and what it looks like, I might give it a go. A photo would help. I'd usually offer for you to pop it into me mate and I could plug it in, however I wouldn't trust my diag kit as far as I could throw it atm! Although I get a new one today, so you're more than welcome to pop it in later in the week Thank you. I may... Drop AshBhp a message he is primarily a BMW specialist. ...if AshBhp isn't able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creative Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 A quick google.... bimmer forums link been a while since i was under the bonnet of a bmw but generally with the symptoms you suggest the idle control valve is faulty/dirty/airleak. I had the same issue on my e36 and this was the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C12MMO Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Had the same issue on my E36 328i. ICV was filthy and needed a good clean, also the air intake elbow had split and expanded when warm causing the idle to occasionally drop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshBhp Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Crank sensor is the main culprit, a dealer level diagnostic machine like Autologic will confirm it. Fit only original and you need to remove intake manifold to get to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Snap~Off diag kit should pick up on that aswell shouldn't it Ash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wile e coyote Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 There are 2 sensors on it I think , a cam shaft sensor and crank position sensor, My mums 318 had same problem and it was the cam shaft sensor easy to do. Sometimes it would not start also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshBhp Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Snap~Off diag kit should pick up on that aswell shouldn't it Ash? If it's the new model machine it should, if it say's CAM sens ignore and change CRANK, as that's where a lot of mechanics get caught out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Yeah up to date on 12.4 software I think it is. Should pick it up. Can always scope the crank and cam together and see which one's titting about if needs be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbryant_knight Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Seen the thread title and wanted to reply "Yeah, they're driven by cocks" but ersisted the urge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Seen the thread title and wanted to reply "Yeah, they're driven by cocks" but ersisted the urge Well, you sorta still said it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 Well, many thanks for all your help. So whoever has the v12.4 diagnostic software are they willing to have a look at it for me? I am happy to drive to Surrey if necessary, or closer to home, preferably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I'm 2 mins away from Gatwick mate, so pretty much west sussex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 Ooh, so I could pop along either tomorrow or thursday? You don't require the removal of a few spiders around your garage too, per chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 UPDATE: I'd just like to thank Ben SZ-R for his invaluable help sorting my little problem out. It turned out to be part of the airbox had dropped down on to a pulley wheel and rubbed a hole through the housing, causing an air leak. I'm not sure if it was caused when the car was last serviced or not, but a small rubber lug type thing had either fallen off or had been omitted when reassembling it with a new air filter. All great now though! Thank you, Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige-rz Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U480-Any-car-OBD2-EOBD-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Diagnostic-Reader-Scanner-tool-UK-/121039046416?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item1c2e7d4710 An essential bit of kit for BMW ownership mate Glad you got yourself sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 That looks great, but no codes were stored, as the diagnostic didn't pick anything up. Thanks anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Glad you got this sorted mate, sounds like a very straight forward fix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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