BMW 316i running crappy

[Derek Rawlins]

It's me again, the guy from Bermuda with the 316i compact. Well, my car is plagued again! My situation sounds similar to the gentleman's post that states his 316i's power comes in waves. My car seems to have little if any power for the most part.
A friend borrowed it and said afterwards that his little 1000cc vehicle would leave it in smoke in a quarter mile drag. The said thing is that this is probably true. I've had two mechanics on three occasions look at my car and perform some computer diagnostics on it. Much to my dismay they've come back with no answers to my problem. On each occasion I've left my car with these garages for approximately one week at at time. I am starting to have little faith in finding someone that would be able to fix my problem.
The vehicle is merely a shadow of what it once was. I remember when I used to accelerate and feel the sensation of being pinned back in my seat from it's throttle response. Now, all I get is a car that crawls along at 15-20 mph when I step on it until it feels like accelerating. I can also feel and hear it faintly missing and backfiring at times when I step on it.
What do I do? Is there a mechanic/technician out there that wouldn't mind a few sunny days in Bermuda sorting out my problem with my car?

[KC Ron Carter]

The issues are most certainly fuel or exhaust.

If this car has a catalyst, and uses unleaded fuel, the first step is to disconnect the catalyst at the front, keep it secured and see if that wakes up the tiger. There are ways to use chemicals to clean out a three bed catalyst, but most are very causitic and not recommended unless the catalyst is limiting the flow.

If that does not show the correction needed we will need to get a wire run from the black lead on the o2 sensor.

o2 sensor readings.

You can check it on your volt ohm meter.

Use a VOM, Volt Ohm Meter, on pin 24 on the ECU or the black lead on the O2 sensor.

.6 volts is dang rich .3 volts is dang lean.

http://www.kemparts.com/TechTalk/tt07.asp

As you open the throttle the mixture must go rich, this is caused by the vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator. If it only goes lean as you open the throttle, the FPR is my WAG, Wild ASSumed Guess.

If there is no indcation of what is the issue is, the next step is getting a pressure indicator in the fuel system. I sell a pressure indicator kit, and I have shipped to the Islands. $7.00 is the amount.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMESE%3AIT


BMW Fuel Pressure Indicator Mechanical, 0 to 100psi. For under the hood and not normally removed. But an allen headed plug with every order so the gauge can be removed. I built three for my cars and can make a few extras, for the only REAL way to find out what the fuel pressure is. All EFI BMWs have a flexable hose between the metal fuel lines and the fuel rail, on the engine side of the firewall. That is the location for this indicator. Also a good time to replace that hose if it is over 10 years since it was replaced.

Later,

[Derek Rawlins]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your response and I'll certainly ensure that your recommendations are carried out. Let me mention to you that my car is a 1998 model and that the vehicle only has 18,000 miles on it. I only drive the car some nights and on week ends. Does this fact change your diagnosis and recommendations any? Could the catalyst have the problem with such little mileage on it? Also I will order the fuel pressure indicator today.
P.S. I will certainly consider getting someone to come to the island to fix my car if I can't get it sorted out. I'll keep the AF informed as to my progress with the problem.

[alankeith]

Hi i'm the guy with the power "in waves". I still have the problem, and am waiting on it costing me a small fortune when the cause of the problem finally rears its ugly head. Most probably in a spectacular bang or an MOT failure (UK yearly roadworthy test).

It does not sound too much like the problem you have as I only have a slight fade, whereas you have a more serious sounding problem.