BMW 316i 1.6ltr Problem

Bunchie

Hi

I am having a problem with a recently purchased '07 BMW316i.

When the engine is cold the car starts no problem. However, when I have been in the car for any length of time and I stall the engine this is where the problem starts. It seems to stall in first and second gear quite easily. When it does it can take 3 or 4 times of pressing the start button before it starts again. The engine actually sounds like it is flooding itself if that makes sense. On one occasion it actually would not start again and I had to get it towed.

I have brought it to a mechanic. The diagnostic machine has shown nothing, and no lights have lit up on the dashboard. Initially they changed the timing chain and gave it back to me. Still the same problem persisted. I gave it back to them again. This time they changed the spark plugs and gave it back to me. Still the problem persists. I will be giving it back to them again tomorrow. Thankfully it is under warranty so I will not be footing the bill.

Has anyone had a similar problem or know what it could be? Any advice would be very welcome!

Thanks,
Stressed Car Owner

DublinDilbert

Are you sure it's a 1.6L engine? It might be the calm or crank sensor.

If it's happening all the time, will be easy enough for them to find...

mb1725

We had an e46 that had similar problem. There was a fault in an engine temperature sensor sending the wrong signal to the ecu. It was also quite thirsty on fuel while the problem persisted. You may neeed the dealer to check the faults stored on the ecu memory to narrow it down. BMW diagnostic software is updated every year, an older version might not pick up the fault.

Bunchie

Thanks so much for your help. Will pass this info onto the mechanic. Fingers crossed it will get sorted!

funk-you

I had the same roblem on my 1.8. Turned out to be the cam position sensor.

-Funk

Bunchie

Thanks Funk if anyone else has any other suggestions I'd be very grateful.

bmstuff

I seriously doubt your mechanic changed the timing chain, period.
He probably changed the cam sensor(s)

But since there is no error, I doubt the sensor is at fault, otherwise it would have thrown a code.

My money on the pulse generator (crankshaft)

I hope you have not paid for parts fitted to your car that did not fix the issue...

Bunchie

Cheers all of this is very helpful. Would a problem with the pulse generator show up on the diagnostic machine? No haven't paid for any parts the car is under warranty.

bmstuff

Bunchie wrote: »

Cheers all of this is very helpful. Would a problem with the pulse generator show up on the diagnostic machine? No haven't paid for any parts the car is under warranty.

The pulse generator (crankshaft) never showed up on my car, but then mine is different and older model from yours.

I know on my car, this is probably the only one sensor that is not electronically controlled, thus when it fails, it throws no code.
And car stalled when engine reached temp. 104C.

Your car, part number 3. Around 60-70 euro from dealer I would say.
But hey double check with your garage, I do not claim this is your problem, but it sounds like it.

Bunchie

I really appreciate your help. Lets hope thats the problem but keep the suggestions coming if anyone else has any.:)

R.O.R

Is it an Effecient Dynamics model (i.e. has the stop/start system)?

If so, it's a scuttering heap that will leave you broke and in tears as one coil/injector after another after another fails, until you trade it in for something that actually works.

langdang

R.O.R wrote: »

If so, it's a scuttering heap

LOL! "but it produces less of that awfully toxic taxable CO2"

R.O.R

langdang wrote: »

LOL! "but it produces less of that awfully toxic taxable CO2"

Fortunately, the CO2 emissions on it were so poor that the July 08 tax changes saw an end to the BMW/Singer sowing machine hybrid as it would have cost more to buy than the (equally unreliable) 318i.

no1beemerfan

I'd throw my house on it that its the crankshaft pulse sensor but then I don't have a house :pac:

Bunchie

Thanks the crankshaft suggestion has been passed on to the mechanic so hopefully he will have an update ASAP to see if that is it...Fingers crossed!