Need help diagnosing my e30!

[JDY]

Hi guys, My e30 has been facing some issues of late and i can't seem to figure out what's the problem. Hoping sifu's here can intervene and help diagnose The issue: About two months ago every time i start the engine, until the engine completely warms up everytime i accelerate it is reluctant to move i.e 'tekan kosong'. This is something that had happened before sometime ago and I assumed it was just a sticky afm. Sent the afm for servicing at Optimum, but the problem still persisted. Then the mechanic said it may be something to do with the idling valve. So that was serviced (two weeks ago). Since then, the cold start problem has gone away, but now at low rpms (generally below 2000rpm) the car is very jerky and sometimes reluctant to move , 'tekan kosong'. But as soon as the speed picks up, the car is perfectly fine!. I realised this just a few days ago when I was stuck in bad traffic somewhere in KL. I am still suspicious that this is related to the AFM. But my mechanic does not seem to think so. Anyone experienced this before or have any ideas? By the way mine is a e30 m42 ....cheers guys.

 

[BobTheBuilder]

Hi,

My experience was almost similar to yours, except after 'tekan kosong' the engine died straight away.

Sent to Optimum, found out the culprit was the Fuel Pump Relay (Thanks Faizal :4: ). Mine is M20 though, but it could be similar to your case.

/justsharing

 

[Alejandro]

Hi Bob, how much does it cost you for the fuel pump relay you've replaced?

 

[BobTheBuilder]

Hi Bob, how much does it cost you for the fuel pump relay you've replaced?

Hi,
I paid about RM200 for it. But it didn't last long either. Returned it and ordered for the original one from Germany. Ah Foo said price for this one would be around RM500.

 

[shaifulo]

check your plugs....sounds like misfiring

 

[pussy]

Hi guys,

My e30 has been facing some issues of late and i can't seem to figure out what's the problem. Hoping sifu's here can intervene and help diagnose

The issue: About two months ago every time i start the engine, until the engine completely warms up everytime i accelerate it is reluctant to move i.e 'tekan kosong'. This is something that had happened before sometime ago and I assumed it was just a sticky afm. Sent the afm for servicing at Optimum, but the problem still persisted. Then the mechanic said it may be something to do with the idling valve. So that was serviced (two weeks ago). Since then, the cold start problem has gone away, but now at low rpms (generally below 2000rpm) the car is very jerky and sometimes reluctant to move , 'tekan kosong'. But as soon as the speed picks up, the car is perfectly fine!. I realised this just a few days ago when I was stuck in bad traffic somewhere in KL.

I am still suspicious that this is related to the AFM. But my mechanic does not seem to think so. Anyone experienced this before or have any ideas?

By the way mine is a e30 m42 ....

cheers guys.

bro, yours is not a e30 M42 original right ? if it's a converted engine, to find out, you put in the diagnostic machine to check.

but as far as i know, it a intake manifold area problem. the M42's have 3 throttle bodies, 2 diaphragms valvings, you need to check it all, hoses, air pipes, etc.

 

[JDY]

bro, yours is not a e30 M42 original right ? if it's a converted engine, to find out, you put in the diagnostic machine to check.

but as far as i know, it a intake manifold area problem. the M42's have 3 throttle bodies, 2 diaphragms valvings, you need to check it all, hoses, air pipes, etc.

Yes pussy, this is an m42 convert. So here is the latest updates. Sent in the car two days ago, diagnostic machine indicated faulty(damaged) knock sensors. If i'm not mistaken there are two. So right now waiting for the knock sensors to arrive and be fitted. Then will have to see if the problem persists. Pardon my ignorance but could it be the knock sensors? mechanic adviced that it is damaged so will have to be changed anyway......

Looks like this is gonna burn a big hole...

View attachment 23280

 

[JDY]

Update: brand new knock sensors have been replaced (2 pieces). set me back rm800 ++. However, unfortunately the problem still persists. Now one of my regular mechanics that does normal servicing (YP Auto, Damansara Uptown) claims its the AFM (hear'd this one before!) and he is currently sourcing a replacement AFM to test and see. This is where the headache begins. The diagnostik machine only detected the knock sensor issue nothing else and i've taken it to a well known(within the forums) bmw specialist that has mroe or less washed his hands off my car.

Does anyone have any spare afms lying around that I can test out? or does anyone know any mechanic that is profficient with m42s. Car's been sitting in the workshop close to a week now . Hoping to rectify this as soon as possible. But still no positive signs as yet.

 

[JDY]

Anyone ?......

 

[pussy]

i can't help you much bro, told you it should not be the knock sensors, the M42 is a mini S14 engine, hence a very complicated manifold intake with vacuum hoes, valves.. you must get that ironed out. I know my ex boss car had the same problem, change the whole manifold from a chop shop. Other person i know, is the bottom valving diaphragm is gone, hence need to change it.

you tried another workshop ?

did you try getting anymore info from other overseas forums ?

 

[JDY]

Thanks for the ehads up pussy. Just an update, after troubleshooting for few weeks one mechanic insisted it was the AFM and replaced it with a re-conditioned unit. set me back about RM600. But good news, its been 2 weeks and the car seems to be back to its normal self. Took it for a drive up to Bukit Tinggi last weekend and it did me proud, keeping up with a friends e90 325-Msport throughout the drive. Will be driving the car more over the next few weeks, to see if any issue arises again.