Basically, I have a 1995 BMW 318i and recently the engine cannot idle whatsoever. When I come to a stop, the engine idles at around 1,000 RPMs (where it should be) but that is only for a mere second or so before the RPMs die completely and so does the engine. So I'm forced to maintain those RPMs by myself (i.e. pressing the gas pedal) and then acceleration is a problem up until the engine passes 1,500 RPMs. From there on, the engine doesn't die but if the RPMs fall to 1,000 again then in a few seconds the engine dies. Also, when the RPMs are low and the engine is right about to die the car's exhaust gets funny (the exhaust tip vibrates abnormally and it sounds like its clogged or something). At any rate, I replaced the muffler in an effort to solve the problem since it had a hole. It did fix anything. Furthermore, my mechanic has told me that car's computer is malfunctioning and you need to replace it or just the sensors. Anyways, does anybody have any idea what's causing this?Thanks!
2007-07-16 10:15:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anthony A 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
How do I precisely locate a vacuum leak?
And do you know exactly which sensor he replaced or where it was or how much it costs?
2007-07-16 12:20:16 · update #1
I had the same problem once on my 90 BMW 318i. After me installing a new catalytic converter and also was told to drain the fuel and fill it with 92 at the time. Problem still persisted I ended up getting really frustrated and so I then took it to the BMW specialists NOT THE BMW dealer and the owner of the shop was out there as I drove up. He told me to keep the car running while he runs inside and grabs a part, came back opened the hood and installed some sort of censor and my idle was back and steady RPM's. Charged me no labor and just paid for the part. I was really excited! I would have to say that it is a bad censor of some sort that the computer is not picking up.
2007-07-16 11:11:01 · answer #1 · answered by equipartsdude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check for a broken vacuum line or cracked line. Also a bad oil cap can make the idle low. when the car is running take off the oil cap and see if it drops down if not replace the cap. also the air control valve can also make it idle low to test it running the engine warm and pull off the hose to it do not pull the plug it can send feed back to the ecu and fry it. if the idle drops it works fine if it speeds up or stays the same its plugged and needs to be cleaned. also a crack in the oil dip stick tube can also cause a small leak. pull out the dip stick half way when the engine is running it will idle down and than back up to normal if its fine.
2016-05-19 04:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a vacuum leak will cause something like this.
check all vacuum lines and hoses
2007-07-16 10:55:09 · answer #3 · answered by Bill R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋