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DISCUSSION => Engine management => Topic started by: Justonegear on January 01, 2010, 10:17:10 PM

Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 01, 2010, 10:17:10 PM
Hey Guys, need some help. 91 318is, 98K, Runs fantastic until it warms up and then it runs bad on acceleration. Already replaced the 02 sensor, fuel filter, plugs, did the under intake drill to cover all the vac hoses. Ran the stomp test, no codes, tested & cleaned injectors, cleaned intake ports. Still no improvement. Anyone have any ideas, BTW, thanks for any help.
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: KenC on January 02, 2010, 01:13:08 AM
Fuel Pressure Regulator?

Have you reset the ECU?
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 02, 2010, 06:36:08 PM
Would the Fuel Pressure Regulator only act up after the engine is up to temp? thanks
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 11, 2010, 06:28:38 PM
Still running poorly after it warms up. The thing runs great for the first 3-5 minutes, then it tanks. Almost like it's choking out or starving for fuel. Any ideas.

1991 318is  98K , No codes,already replaced, 02 Sensor, fuel filter, Crank sensor, Cam sensor, Coolant temp sensor, checked fuel pressure, cleaned intake and injectors, new plugs, cleaned up the Vacuum hose mess under the manifold, cleaned air filter, compression test was good, prayed and lit a candle several nights in a row.. ??? Thanks for any help.
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: DesktopDave on January 11, 2010, 07:42:34 PM
Did you try the fuel pressure test when the car was running poorly?  I'm sure you did, just thinking out loud...

There is the intake air temp sensor in the AFM...it's a long shot but worth testing.  Could also be a coil or plug wire that's dying a slow death when it's overheating.  Those would likely set a code though...very mysterious problem.  What mechanical system changes when the car warms up?   Thermostat?

Do the sensors perform according to Bentley specs?
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 11, 2010, 07:55:45 PM
Would the Thermostat cause this ?  I'm looking into the coils now, If I raise the RPM's very slowly it will almost run fine, but when you try to accelerate fast it stumbles, coughs and shakes. Strange thing is often when I raise the RPM.s over 3000 it will clean up and run well... although this can even be irregular.
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: 92BMW318is on January 27, 2010, 01:23:30 PM
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Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 28, 2010, 07:33:11 PM
OK, replaced the AFM, TPS, ECU and the coils, no change. However the car was up to temp when I swapped the ECU and it ran perfect for a few minutes then right back to normal as in running poor. Any other thoughts ?
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: DesktopDave on January 28, 2010, 07:54:13 PM
Can you test the timing when it's hot?  I don't know what it should be when the car is warmed up...

Odd that it'd keep doing this even when mostly everything else has been replaced.
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 28, 2010, 09:14:11 PM
Test timing when it's hot?? if it is possible to do I should be able to do it. I have new plug wires to put on this weekend, don't think that's the prob. I'm about ready to take it to the shop. It's crazy that something somewhere is sending a code to the ECU to retard the timing or something to cause it to run bad ????????
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: flyinglizard on January 28, 2010, 09:23:45 PM
temp sensor?
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 28, 2010, 09:39:13 PM
it acts the same with or without the temp sensor connected, and the coolant temp sensor was replaced.
Title: check this-
Post by: Choking Hazard on January 28, 2010, 11:11:17 PM
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7757&highlight=catalytic (http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7757&highlight=catalytic)

Look at the post from sports.racer
I realize that is opposite of your problem, but pretty easy to try out anyway.
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: DesktopDave on January 29, 2010, 07:11:35 AM
Quote from: Justonegear;86014
Test timing when it's hot?? if it is possible to do I should be able to do it. I have new plug wires to put on this weekend, don't think that's the prob. I'm about ready to take it to the shop. It's crazy that something somewhere is sending a code to the ECU to retard the timing or something to cause it to run bad ????????

I suspect the DME isn't setting a code because a bad sensor is still close enough to spec.  Not sure which one.  Testing the current off the o2 sensor would let you know if the car is lean or rich.

Testing the timing (with a cheap timing light) would get you the same result...finding out if the car's timing is still retarded for cold start or advanced for hot running.
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: flyinglizard on January 29, 2010, 08:22:36 AM
AFAIK, all motronic, advances the timing and goes full rich upon cold start.  As it warms up, the fuel drops, to run off of the O2 sensor, the timing goes to closed loop, . Some things to look at from a diog shop point of veiw. 1 Is the temp signal valid?? Do the wires go to the thing?? Does disconnecting it make it change run quality?  If it runs the same when you disconnect it, it,or the wiring ,  is not working.
 2) Are the injectors clean? As the ECM goes to full lean, the injectors spray very fine fuel mist. Shitty ones quit, or shoot off to the side.  At WOT the injector spray pattern problem will fade. WOT is more of a function of quantity.
 next)  bump the plug gap down to 015.  As wires get weak, they look for places to jump. as the gap gets wider, the   cross over voltage gets higher and leaks acure. The crossover voltage  is highest at max torque, due to the sweet spot of cam timing, fuel load, exhaust lenght, etc.  Usually about 3600 in these M 42 cars.
 MM
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on January 30, 2010, 10:00:55 AM
All helpful. I'll start checking some of this. Little slow I know, been crazy at work. Try to get it this week, thanks again for the advice.
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: Justonegear on February 12, 2010, 11:22:03 PM
Update, After all it was the #3 plug wire.... thanks for all the help. Happy Motoring
Title: Runs GREAT until it warms up ?????
Post by: BlueBMW on February 13, 2010, 06:23:21 AM
Buy one of those coil on plug conversion kits and you wont have to worry about your wires anymore :)