M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Bimmer805 on January 23, 2011, 01:59:32 PM

Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: Bimmer805 on January 23, 2011, 01:59:32 PM
whats up guys, before i did anything to the car it was running perfect and idleing great. but now i put in a new air filter, i replaced the o2 sensor (with one of those you splice and crimp together), i changed all four spark plugs and clean my ICV while i was at it. and now when i start it it idles high and then dies, sometimes it will run fine then runs at 1000-1500 rpm.evertime i start it it will give me the same idle or another one. i did a stomp test and it gave me a code 1222. before i change everything i did it was running perfect and now its just giving me a problem now PLZ HELP!!!
im thinking its the o2 sensor but im not sure yet whats you guys opinion?
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: Brian318is on January 23, 2011, 02:58:22 PM
Check this thread.. may be pertinent to your problem.

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12946
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: monty23psk on January 23, 2011, 09:25:52 PM
did you connect the spark plug wires in the correct order?
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: stillmatick on January 23, 2011, 11:05:52 PM
Quote from: monty23psk;100814
did you connect the spark plug wires in the correct order?


x2,because op said (start idles high then dies) so the o2 sensor wouldn't cause that problem.
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: Bimmer805 on January 24, 2011, 11:49:40 AM
the spark plugs are in correct order now when i just start the car it just has surging idle now
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: stillmatick on January 24, 2011, 11:57:50 AM
Quote from: Bimmer805;100828
the spark plugs are in correct order now when i just start the car it just has surging idle now


Oh surging,would be o2 sensor. This is why I pay extra 15 buck for o2 sensor with plug instead of splicing and crimping wires.
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: Brian318is on January 24, 2011, 04:31:17 PM
You could smoke test it for vacuum leaks.. check your oil cap, check your intake boot.. make sure the ICV isn't on backwards or something stupid.. I'm not questioning your intelligence, I'm just saying.. I've been there! haha

I had a surging idle after I cleaned the mess under the intake.. I searched and searched.. the bottom of my intake boot was not on all the way and was sucking air...

Needless to say, I was happy it wasn't something more serious.
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: DesktopDave on January 24, 2011, 06:54:26 PM
I'd cut & re-crimp the O2 wires first, double check that the heater & sensor are wired up right.  A 1222 is typically the O2 sensor or an intake leak.

Next I'd take a look at the vac lines like Brian suggested.  They all have to be very tight, no cracks at all.  The intake boot and the large line under the intake boot (to the ICV) tend to fail over time.
Title: Bmw 318is idle problem
Post by: Bimmer805 on January 25, 2011, 09:51:00 PM
Thanks guys for all your help it was the o2 sensor but the idle is just a tad bit glitchy at times after i inspect the hoses and the intake boot and come to my attention theres a nice crack on top of the boot but you could only see it when you stretch it and my hoses are a bit cracked and split from the ends. i will be replacing those soon. and ill keep you posted on my progress and thanks again my fellow M42er's i really appreciated it.