You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
E36General discussion and technical help for (E36) 1992-1999 3 series cars. 318, 323, 325, 328.
User not setup in Rate My Car. Click here to set it up.
Your Ride: 1997 318i
1997 318i stalls after 3-5 minutes, won't start for 15-20
We had warnings and electrical issues from the start on this project, replaced battery and all warnings and lights went away. We start it up OK, it runs for 3-5 minutes (depending on idle or under load) then sputters and dies. It will not restart for 15-20 minutes. Checked for plugged CAT, no problem there. No major issues we can speak of and when running, the engine purrs right along. Exhaust seems a little weak coming out the tail (that's why we suspected CAT initially), but with O2 removed in front of CAT to remove pressure, it still stalled out in 5 minutes at an idle.
The pattern sounds like a temperature sensor is telling the fuel injection that it is really cold and it is flooding. There are two or three temperature sensors that report to the fuel injection, but I am guessing that only the water temperature sensor would have that much authority over the mixture.
User not setup in Rate My Car. Click here to set it up.
Your Ride: 1997 318i
UPDATE: We have been testing a few basic things out... We replaced the fuel filter, dropped in a new battery, cleaned out a mouse nest in the air box, cleaned the MAF sensor w/ MAF Cleaner to start with. Many of the warning lights went out once we dropped in a good battery (the other wouldn't hold a charge / 0 Amps 10.5 volts).
Fresh tank of 89 Octane Shell gas, seafoam in tank. Well, it ran up to temp at a 2K idle, no load. Let off throttle, died. But time went from 3-5 minutes to 8-10 minutes. Drove to garage approx. 6 miles, stalled coming off highway when clutch pushed in, drift started, drove to garage about 1/2 mile, chugging all the way. Opened hood, smoke coming from behind engine & firewall area.
Manolito & Death2000, I sent your suggestions to the mechanic when we dropped her off. I'll repost when we know more. We also think we are looking at the ICV. I hope we are not looking at the VANOS...
Thanks so far, any other suggestions would be good!
11-19-2012, 05:00 PM
Similar Threads
