BMW E36 316 problem and parts!

rafther

hi all

just a simple question where other than a bmw dealership can i get mine looked at with a reasonable level of competency and a good price???
i just need it put up on a diagnostic to nail down a problem and dont feel like paying a dealer 150+ for it!
dublin/laois area please...

also does anyone know where does good reasonably priced parts for them other than dealers, ebay or otto?!

thanks in advance

DublinDilbert

rafther wrote: »

hi all

just a simple question where other than a bmw dealership can i get mine looked at with a reasonable level of competency and a good price???
i just need it put up on a diagnostic to nail down a problem and dont feel like paying a dealer 150+ for it!
dublin/laois area please...

also does anyone know where does good reasonably priced parts for them other than dealers, ebay or otto?!

thanks in advance

Firstly, what's the problem?? cause depending on what it is it might require someone with different skills? Or you might have teh skills yourself and just need access to a diagnostic tool...

Is it emissions related? or an ABS problem? for example, as both would probably require specialist people in either area to look at it. If its emissions based you'll probably need someone with access to an exhaust gas analyser.

Otto aren't bad for parts, GSF are cheap too, but some of their parts can be lower quality. Also don't fully write off going to the dealer for parts, some times they surprise you ( check real oem for prices the dollar amount roughly equates to the euro dealer price now)

Seth Brundle

I would recommend two for the diag:
1. Mr. Diagnostic on here
or
2. Ac Cars off Dublin's SCR

As for the parts, ebay sourced parts IMO tend to be crap! Otto, GSF* and Euro Car Parts are possibly the best for spurious items but for some items you may need to either go to a breakers or to BMW.


* GSF in Beaumont give members of the forum in my sig a 10% discount!**

** apologies for the plug [cough pimpage] but it is in the OPS interest!

rafther

didnt no that about GSF there only around the corner from me...
what do i have to be a member for to get the discount i didnt quiet catch that??! is it this forum?

cheers iv checked realoem.com
n priced a air flow meter at 640 with bmw and 390 with otto, bit rich i think when its a 316 98 compact worth 5500 (a lot of mods thats why im sayin 5500 b4 someone disagrees with the price)

the problem is its not idlying properly and when i start it cold it cuts out if i dont give it a bit of power, i also have a loss of power, but when it warms up it dosent cut out and powers fine it jus idle's funny!??

im thinking the air flow meter or idle air control (which i intend to clean this wk end) but the pipe that plugs into the side of the meter not the big air pipes, but the little one that screws closed wit a round connection on the right at the top... when this is unplugged the engine runs perfectly but im assuming its there for a reason and i cant dive round with it unplugged!!

i hope anyone reading this can follow it and it makes sense any help would be great thanks

Seth Brundle

If your idle works when you disconnect the AFM then I would suspect this. You could check the wiring but as AFMs can and do go on these, I'd suspect it. They are not cheap and I'd personally avoid a used one.
Its doubtful that OTTO, GSF or ECP stock these but do check!

The forum in my sig is the one - you just need to ask for Tommy ansd to say that you are a member

rafther

thats the prob i think i need a new one but im in denial haha
ebay has them for every other model for about 70 yoyo but i cant sema to find the bosch one i need!!

sorry for the ignorance as this is my first time on here but for that discount where or what is "The forum in my sig"

its bin a long day brain is fried...

DublinDilbert

It would be best to get it hooked up and read out the current MAF values, these should give you some idea if its correct. Although if its very far out of spec generally what you'll read out with the diagnostic tool will be an estimate of what the ECU thinks the airflow should be. It should also set a DTC if its out of range (as you've already disconnected the sensor this DTC should already be set).

If you need a MAF avoid any cheap replacement parts, they aren't worth a dam. Some places sell the MAF element, but for it to work correctly it needs to be aligned perfectly.

Only replace with a Bosch part (i presume its bosch). You can buy the genuine bosch part on Ebay, but they are few and far between. most of the Ebay ads try to fool you into thinking your getting the bosh part.. I think i paid €180 for a genuine bosch part for mine.

rafther

thanks dilbert its a bosch and there a pain to get rite now i can deal wit it but i assume its only going to get worse and i think it increases fuel or am i wrong?!!
have u any idea where i can get the maf sensor readings done at a erasonable price.... if bmw want 150 to look at it i mite aswel just buy a new one!

DublinDilbert

rafther wrote: »

thanks dilbert its a bosch and there a pain to get rite now i can deal wit it but i assume its only going to get worse and i think it increases fuel or am i wrong?!!
have u any idea where i can get the maf sensor readings done at a erasonable price.... if bmw want 150 to look at it i mite aswel just buy a new one!

Yea you have probably noticed an increase in fuel consumption if its not working correctly... Also if its making the mix too rich ( which the systems tend to default to, to prevent misfiring) when the MAF reading is bad, it will be making your CAT work extra hard. You don't want to drive for too long or drive to hard on this.

As a poster above said there's a member here called Mr.Diagnostic who is very good and would be able to do this for you.

rafther

ok il keep my eyes open 4 him n see what he thinks thanks

Mr.Diagnostic

We actually spoke about this but I got the impression it was the Siemens system so you can basically ignore what I told you then.

Firstly, the MAF as you call it is actually an AFM. The AFM on your car did give some trouble but not a huge amount. They are crazy expensive. Bosch used to do exchange units but not any more. The price you got from Otto is probably as good as you will find. If you do actually need one I would suggest a used one due to cost, and as I said they are quite reliable.

The problem as you describe it sounds like a lean running condition. This could be caused by the AFM but also by a lot of other things. You could have fuel trim codes logged which would help somewhat in a diagnosis. Often those AFM’s don’t cause codes to be logged.
When you unplug the AFM the system will default rich. This false rich could mask a lean running condition such as a vac leak. In other words you are not proving anything by doing this.

Nothing definite there for you I am afraid but I suspect the answer lies in live data analysis.

rafther

cheers mr D this is something that is botherin me and i want it fixed is this something u can do?? roughly how much?
i also have a friend who is fairly handy so im goin to get him to have a look aswel but if he cant fix it, il give you a shout you seam to be the only one with good answers!!
the guy i bought it off was a friend of mine and his mechanic (he's a bit dodgy so i dont know how much i believe his diagnosis) said it was up on a diagnostic and it wasnt the idle air control valve, he also said he changed 2 air pipes and one gasket there but i dont know which ones!

Mr.Diagnostic

rafther wrote: »

cheers mr D this is something that is botherin me and i want it fixed is this something u can do?? roughly how much?
i also have a friend who is fairly handy so im goin to get him to have a look aswel but if he cant fix it, il give you a shout you seam to be the only one with good answers!!

Yes, I can sort it. As regards cost it depends on how long it takes. I don’t surprise anyone with big bills and any time I spend on it will be pre approved by yourself.

If someone else is going to at it before me ask him to clear the error memory and reset the fuel trim adaptions when he is done. You will need to then drive it for a few days befors I take it in.