Help...

[lavon2007]

I was driving to work during last fine Sunday morning along federal highway. When I approach the exit point to section 14 PJ... my car engine suddenly shut down. Luckily at that moment I was already driving down the hill and so I just parked outside Menara Axis, PJ. Later, Tawed the car back to USJ and the next day the mechanic told me that the engine need to be replaced, Shocking though... the mechanic explain that the pistons are all with low compression...etc. which according to him, is easier and cheaper to do rather than full overhaul. He recon used 318 engine (only) RM1500 or 320 hulf cut RM5500 excluding workmanship. Wow, I am at no clue about what to do since I am entirely new to this car…. Please advice… thanks:2:

 

[ICEMAN 68]

I was driving to work during last fine Sunday morning along federal highway. When I approach the exit point to section 14 PJ... my car engine suddenly shut down. Luckily at that moment I was already driving down the hill and so I just parked outside Menara Axis, PJ. Later, Tawed the car back to USJ and the next day the mechanic told me that the engine need to be replaced, Shocking though... the mechanic explain that the pistons are all with low compression...etc. which according to him, is easier and cheaper to do rather than full overhaul. He recon used 318 engine (only) RM1500 or 320 hulf cut RM5500 excluding workmanship. Wow, I am at no clue about what to do since I am entirely new to this car…. Please advice… thanks

:2:

hey lavon

car shutting down with no signs of overheating ? did you have difficulities to start your car before this happen ?? means it takes almost 10 cranks to get it started ??
did you get your pistons low compression readings ??

what engine are you using by the way ?? the m40 , m43 , m50 .... care to share more ..

 

[lavon2007]

hey lavon

car shutting down with no signs of overheating ? did you have difficulities to start your car before this happen ?? means it takes almost 10 cranks to get it started ??
did you get your pistons low compression readings ??

what engine are you using by the way ?? the m40 , m43 , m50 .... care to share more ..

Hi ICEMAN

No sign of overheating at all. I did try to start and starter, horns, the lighttings and even sound system all works well too. I just did 5 try to start before finally call the taw truck.

Mine is 318i 1992 model... Maybe M40. it was used to sounds okay. Only when starting in the morning that this tapping sound appears which I supposed is the tappad sound with possibility that the engine oil pump is not working well....

 

[Russie]

Did you encounter any other jerking before this? We need more info before able to give advice. Did you rev the engine when exiting from the toll? Maybe the AFM flap got stuck?

 

[jarance]

I think your timing belt just broke if your engine is M40.

but sometimes it could be the crank sensor.

 

[astroboy]

Mileage? Service history?

Engine shut down has nothing to do low engine compression. Why low engine compression? Do you suffer loss of engine oil before the shut down? How bad?

U only overhaul engine when the damage too serious, piston crack, cylinder scratch/scared, con rod break, mostly due to flood damage.

Low compression must have a cause, high mileage? >200k km? Where's the leak of compression? Through valve seals? Through header gasket? Through piston rings?

Symptom:

~ Valve seal: white smoke exhaust emission.

~ Header gasket: oil on engine body around the header gasket area.

~ Piston ring: Wet spark plugs.

All 3 also will experience engine oil level loss. What engine oil u using? 0w-30? 5w-40? 10w-40? 20w-50? The smaller the front 'W' number, the thinner the oil. If old engine, oil loss is expected too.

Your problem can even be as simple as fuel pump, crank sensor, etc.

What's your story? What is reported on GT1 diagnostic test?

 

[lavon2007]

Thanks for pouring in your much treasured advice and questions guys.

RUSSIE in reading:

I did few floors after exiting tall but somehow engine feels smooth. About the AFM flap, I have no idea. Maybe you can elaborate further so I can check on that, cheers. Thanks Russie

JARANCE in reading:

I am yet to verify with the mech on the engine type as in the grant also didn’t mention what type. I will check with the mechanic on whether it’s using timing belt or chain today. Thanks Jarance

Astroboy in reading:

Wow… you are into great details. Something very new to me to learn… thanks and I will get the mechanic to verify or else I will source nearest experienced Euro car mech to do best for my ride.

What I experienced earlier is that

1st, strong smell of petrol from the engine bay when idling and when stopping after long ride

2nd, the air-condition is not working since a moth ago and I didn’t sent it for repair because I was occupied with work and have to leave the car (according to the mechanic) for two days to do the repair and according to him would cost RM1500!

3rd, tapping sound (possibly from the tappad) everytime starting in the morning and after more than 4 minutes the sound subsides.

4th, there was some problem with the engine timing too which exist recently but would return normal after engine warmed up and some wiring problem fixed by the mechanic recently which also contribute to the timing problem.


I bought this car from a friend last 6 months, it’s an 18 years old Manual transmission 1992 E36 318 (with fabric interior). No maintenance and repair records, nor any proper contacts for reliable and cost effective mechanics… there is no leaking (engine oil)

Perhaps you guys can recon me nearest experienced, reliable mechanics to diagnose my car illness… many thanks.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

it could be from ya fuel pump or fuel filter bro ....as you said cannot start and now you mentioned that you're getting strong petrol smell ...

aircond works rm1500 ...what the problem ...cooling coil kaput or compressor ?? have you checked ...?

the tapping sound ..due to worn out cam lobes , lifters and rocker arms ... as for M40 if you;re the type to perform frequent oil change then it works super fine ...i've lived with M40's for almost 8 years and try changing your engine oil as frequent you can and not waiting till the 10K interval ...

m40 manual ...ummm nice platform ...

 

[lavon2007]

it could be from ya fuel pump or fuel filter bro ....as you said cannot start and now you mentioned that you're getting strong petrol smell ...

aircond works rm1500 ...what the problem ...cooling coil kaput or compressor ?? have you checked ...?

the tapping sound ..due to worn out cam lobes , lifters and rocker arms ... as for M40 if you;re the type to perform frequent oil change then it works super fine ...i've lived with M40's for almost 8 years and try changing your engine oil as frequent you can and not waiting till the 10K interval ...

m40 manual ...ummm nice platform ...

Yes, Strong petrol smell whenever engine running. Makes me wonder if it is because the loose hoses, leaking etc…

About the air-con, I start the engine one morning and at first, it starts only after few attempt and that is when black smoke puff out from the hood. I then immediately turned off the engine and pop up the hood to check and nothing seems wrong until I notice the air-con belt is gone! I send it to the same Mechanic and he said the compressor is jammed and need to change the whole air-con components. Since it takes two days to do the repair (according to the mechanic) and the price quite costly... I just leave it as it is.

I supposed manual transmission is quite odd for beamers...

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Yes, Strong petrol smell whenever engine running. Makes me wonder if it is because the loose hoses, leaking etc…

About the air-con, I start the engine one morning and at first, it starts only after few attempt and that is when black smoke puff out from the hood. I then immediately turned off the engine and pop up the hood to check and nothing seems wrong until I notice the air-con belt is gone! I send it to the same Mechanic and he said the compressor is jammed and need to change the whole air-con components. Since it takes two days to do the repair (according to the mechanic) and the price quite costly... I just leave it as it is.

I supposed manual transmission is quite odd for beamers...

it could be due to a loose housing or a faulty hose ...it's just that you better get a good foreman to identify it ...

try putting on another set of air-cond belt and see ... if the compressor is jammed the clutch pulley would not rotate ... have you tried rotating the aircond pulley ?

 

[elwine30]

Hmm... welcome. I have the same ride as you. 1994 318i M40 Manual.

I would advise you to go for 2nd opinion for your problem. Can be due to other problem than your engine. The M40 can last for quite a while. But from your description, it's unlikely your engine problem.

But go for 2nd opinion or check with some members here for advise. Sometimes friendly advise do help.

 

[jeffreyewe]

Try to get a 2nd opinion as suggested by Elwine30, M40's are really robust and dont fail easily.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Try to get a 2nd opinion as suggested by Elwine30, M40's are really robust and dont fail easily.

wrong --- they do fail if badly maintained ... otherwise it's robust ...

 

[jeffreyewe]

wrong --- they do fail if badly maintained ... otherwise it's robust ...

also agreed,

NOW.... we dont know if this particular engine is badly maintained or not, neither do we know if the mech is capable of diagnosting the problem. Futhermore, we don't know the ownership lenght of Lavon2007 of the ride.



all this issues, do must be understood before giving advise mar.

 

[Russie]

Heavy petrol smell? When you start your engine early in the morning, the engine is cold and it will tend to pump more petrol to it, while the engine is running, look under the car (left hand side, just behind the front wheel) and see if there is any petrol dripping from the fuel filter. Perhaps the clips are loose.

As for the AFM problem, do read up my post:-

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28110&highlight=russie+afm

What prompted me to have the AFM checked? Read this:-

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26825&highlight=russie

Good luck