bmw e36 running rough

congo_90

Hi all, I've a 94 bmw 318i which is giving me problems.
The symptoms go away after a few miles driving when it warms up.

The car is the 1.8 petrol model. It seems to misfire and have no power the car "shudders" an hesitates but once warm is ok.

Now I recently bought this car and searching online forums I repaired the cracke air intake hoses (haven't had time to replace em). The other thing is ile control valve but after a short drive the car idles fine. It simply does not like driving.

Sorry for the long post I'm hoping to resolve this. I know several users here are bmw drivers so hopefully it can be resolved.

I'm tempted to change spark plugs but as the issue only exists when car is cold has put me off any other work

Thanks!

burke027

I reckon this could be a blocked breather valve very common on that engine. My advise would be to change the breather valve and all the pipes that go with it as they all crack as you have found out already.

congo_90

burke027 wrote: »

I reckon this could be a blocked breather valve very common on that engine. My advise would be to change the breather valve and all the pipes that go with it as they all crack as you have found out already.

Is there anyway to verify that? If iremoved all air intake system would it be obvious enough? Thanks for the response.

burke027

Grab a can of carb cleaner and spray it all over the breather and vacuum pipes when the engine revs up you can find which pipe you have sprayed is leaking. And I no from working on these engines quite abit that the breather requires changing also. If you have any other questions ya can ask away

congo_90

burke027 wrote: »

Grab a can of carb cleaner and spray it all over the breather and vacuum pipes when the engine revs up you can find which pipe you have sprayed is leaking. And I no from working on these engines quite abit that the breather requires changing also. If you have any other questions ya can ask away

Well i went out this morning and its the main intake pipe from the filter to the throttle body thats cracked so perhaps i could pick up a 2nd hand one. As for the breather, is this it?
http://www.ebay.ie/sch/i.html?_nkw=bmw+e36+breather+valve
Also i think this is the wrong forum for this sorry mods i shoul have put it in maintenance!

matt-dublin

if its cracked just cover the crack with duct or electrical tape

congo_90

matt-dublin wrote: »

if its cracked just cover the crack with duct or electrical tape

Previous owner appears to have done just that. It would only temporarily cure the problem and the crack is quite big

matt-dublin

had the exact same issue with my old one, the part i thnk was about 40 euro. duct tape on it lasted about 18 months and left me enough change for 8 pints!!

burke027

Told ya so and yeah that's the breather valve the pipes crack from heat and that.dont be listening to lads about duck tape fix it right and you won't have a prob again. If u get 2nd it won't last a new one will be cheap as chips. And get the breather also

P0rn0King

Engine misfire caused by ignition coil failure?

matt-dublin

P0rn0King wrote: »

Engine misfire caused by ignition coil failure?

No, the e36 idles terribly when there's cracks in the intake hose because of the oxygen sensor in the intake. It gets confused and the air/fuel mix is all over the place.

congo_90

matt-dublin wrote: »

No, the e36 idles terribly when there's cracks in the intake hose because of the oxygen sensor in the intake. It gets confused and the air/fuel mix is all over the place.

Dont think duct tape is good long term also if it loosens and the engine sucks some in ill be in a world of sh*t.
I wouldnt waste time fixing it up but its such a good car all round apart from that!
Called several motlr factors about breather valve. Are pipes given with valve normally or do i need to make more phone calls??

Edit
Below is a link of what is actually broken. It has broke on the elbow
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Mass-Meter-Intake-Hose-Boot-BMW-318-318i-318is-E36-/360326688968

matt-dublin

which valve is gone? if there's a crack in the hose the replace the hose and the little box from the old one should sit in from what i remember??

Duct tape won't break on that part.

i have the exact same symptoms with my E36 318is, its been confirmed its the breather valve.

With the engine running if you unscrew your oil filler cap and lift it about a centimeter you will feel a vacuum pulling the cap back down.

Getting mine replaced this week. Common on BMW's is what i hear.

sf80

burke027 wrote: »

Grab a can of carb cleaner and spray it all over the breather and vacuum pipes when the engine revs up you can find which pipe you have sprayed is leaking. And I no from working on these engines quite abit that the breather requires changing also. If you have any other questions ya can ask away

Ever read the instructions for carb cleaner? That stuff will destroy rubbers and plastic. It's not some magic spray you spray into carbs to clean them, you are meant to strip the carbs down, soak the jets in the cleaner, do everything to not get the carb cleaner on rubbers and seals (or in your eyes..)