E34 engine cannot start

[han2u]

The past 2 weeks my M20B20 engine (1989, manual tranny) has been conking off at very inconvenient locations. Generally the circumstances are like this:

• On the road, bumper-to-bumper jam, aircon full blast, hot day. Temp gauge at half-way mark.
• Free gear because traffic not moving at the moment and cant feel my left foot anymore.

All of a sudden the engine revs briefly to about 2500-3000rpm and dies off. Very very difficult to start after this, engine turns but doesnt fire. Leave it alone for about 10mins, crank the engine and it starts and drive like nothing happened. What the hell. My most embaressing moment was during buka puasa rush back hour, right in the middle of the road at the Subang Jaya KTM station (behind Carrefour). I hope not too many batal puasa from cursing at me that day. I know I should haul it to the mechanic and will do so after Raya. I am not using it during the holidays. Any takes on whats wrong? Thanks.

 

[GT-E39]

Try to add external relay before starter.

 

[wan520i]

han2u,

Did you say your engine rev by itself up to 2500 - 3000 rpm, after that it dies?

When was the last time you changed your fuel pump? have you ever clean the Idle control valve?

sorry to hear this happen to your car, but mine problem is worst than yours..

cheers.

 

[han2u]

GT-E34, will talk to my mechanic about this. Thanks for the suggestion.

wan520i, yes macam ada hantu, rev after that conk. If lucky the engine will fire at the next crank but sounds like its running on 1 cylinder short. Have to rev like hell, release the accelerator and the engine dies again. Best bet is leave it alone for a few minutes at the expense of being the culprit as announced by HitzFM of a "stalled BMW on the Federal Highway near PJ Hilton". Your problem is worse than this? Wow, that must be something else. Care to elaborate? By the way, fuel pump changed about 2 years ago, not too sure about the Idle Control Valve. But I am taking notes. Thanks man.

 

[wan520i]

ok, dun talk about my problem lah, nanti your thread kena "hijack"...

But dun worry lah, M20 is easier & cheaper to maintain...good luck!!

Let's wait for sifus to reply lah..., calling sifus...

 

[pussy]

man... your problems start at many syntoms.. but where to start ?

most to most is your cam sensor as can think of, but could be many..is your hose crack ? your connections ?

 

[han2u]

man... your problems start at many syntoms..

Pussy, thats exactly what my mechanic said when I saw him today...