Author Topic: Help!!! (Read 4252 times)

Chuck_dUb · « **on:** August 10, 2009, 01:41:50 AM »

I have a 1995 e36 m42 and I having issues with my car. The issues are intermittent so it is had to make it have issues for a mechanic to see. But here it is, the car will rev high or not start after the car has been driven for about 30 mins or so, sometime is will start and just rev higher than normal when it is cold and won't come down even when the engine is warm. I have cleaned the o2 sensor, throttle body, and the idle control valve and still nothing has changed it. What should I do?

Chuck

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2009, 01:51:54 AM »

Chuck-how long have you had this car? When you cleaned the ICV, how did you clean it and with what? When you mentioned that she wouldn't start my first thought would be to check your starter. Have you ever steam cleaned the engine or tried to clean it with a low pressure hose?

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2009, 02:05:54 AM »

Open your hood and rev your engine from the throttle cable to see if it is sticking, also carry a hammer or mallet and a long flat-tip screwdriver for when she doesn't start. When this happens use the screwdriver & hammer to tap the starter a few times and try to start it(if it starts-then your starter is about to take a perminate vacation).

Chuck_dUb · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2009, 11:11:07 AM »

its been in my family since 95, I have clean the icv with throttle body cleaner. It doesn't seem like a starter problem because she wants to start it just seems like there is not enough of something to start. I have also thought it was the throttle cable but it was reving high and I checked it by pulling throttle cable to rev the engine and it continued to idle very high. I will keep the long screwdriver and mallet on hand so i can try hitting the starter if I can't start her again. Are there any other suggestions?

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2009, 01:53:56 AM »

"seems like there is not enough of something to start." sounds like a compression issue.
what you're telling me is even after you get her started and the the throttle is in it's full resting position, it remains in a high idle?

Chuck_dUb · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2009, 02:23:39 AM »

Yeah it is in high idle and to add it drives okay in warm cool and cold weather but in 85, 90 degree weather it acts up.

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2009, 02:49:31 AM »

Maaaan!? that's strange, but give me about 30 minutes, so I can explain this to our master mechanic here in Iraq bro-this dude know's BMW's from the headlight to the tail-light.------------because I'm stumped right now.

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2009, 04:22:28 AM »

Chuck-here we go,(1st)-previously you stated that you "cleaned your 02 sensor" I failed to catch that one, but that's like trying to save someone from drowning when you can't swim. just because you cleaned it, doesn't mean that you fixed the problem internally, so you may have a bad 02 sensor(possibly). (2nd)When you cleaned the hoses connecting to the ICV, did you make sure the hoses didn't have any small cracks(dry rot)-this could possibly cause your ICV to produce incorrect functions. (3rd)Check your inlet elbow style hose between the throttle body and air flow air mass meter. This will definitely cause more air to enter the engine than the air mass meter should be measuring and messing up the delicate balance of air fuel mix. (4th) you may have cleaned your ICV-but this doesn't mean that it's working right chuck. In a nut shell, I would have to say that it's between your 02 or the ICV that has to be replaced, because 1995 is a long time ago bro.

Chuck_dUb · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2009, 12:47:11 AM »

Could you suggest a place for parts? And there is something I want to add, as of lately after I fill up there is a smell of gasoline in the car. And I appreciate all the help that you have provided. Thanks.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2009, 01:36:04 AM »

Yeah, cleaning the O2 sensor usually does nothing, or breaks it. That, combined with the possibility of a vacuum leak, would be a good explanation for the odd behavior.

I use Pelican Parts for a lot of stuff...they can get anything, you just need PN's from RealOEM for parts not listed in their stocked items. AutohausAZ is good too. Good luck!

nigel · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2009, 07:47:25 PM »

My car (e30) smells like gas after I fill her up, too. It's a rotted hose coming off the top of the tank, under the access panel in the back seat (not sure if e36 is the same). I've just been keeping it below 3/4 tank until I fix it. Haven't had any problems with it.