Urgent help needed, 316i. - United Bimmer Community

**charterali** · 05-02-2006, 03:24 PM

Hi, pals I am a new member of this site, saw it nd really liked it as all the bimmerheads r out here. Yesterday, I changed my car's headlight with the help of this site.

I have a E-36, 316i, Model 1993.

I am facing some problems in our part of the world most of the mechanics r not fimiliar with OBD and that kinda stuff, whereas dealer is much more then a robber, so I will appreciate if ya suggest me DIYs.

--- Before warm up ther is an idling disorder.
--- After warm up aswell idling disorder continues.
--- Feul Mixture is rich.
--- At around 3500 RPM in first gear and at around 3000 rpm in rest of the gears it backfires and throws a heavy dump of feul from the back.
--- Accelerator response is not that gudd.
--- Engine feel is just too much underpower.
--- Feul ecconomy isn't tht gudd as it do something lik 5 km/l.

I drive with a light foot and with an average speed of around 60-80 km/hr in city at moderate rpm.

When, I bought this car the acceleration was just too much pathetic, worse then a Fiat or Lada, a friend of my dignosted tht its due to catalyst, so I removed the catalyst and installed a free flow exhaust. After tht perfomance gets better and mileage increases to 5 km/l frm 3 km/l.
Oil filter, Feul filter, air filter all were changed 2000 kms back.

I use High Octane Feul.

I will highly thankful to ya guys if ya help me out with it.

Thnxx..

**c1apton** · 05-02-2006, 06:05 PM

1st off welcome

As far as your idle probs - read the knowledge base article (under E36) about cleaning ICV - Idle control valve. While at it check all the vacuum hoses, replace any that are cracked, loose or broken. These two items should get you started in the right direction. Again welcome...

**BMWLotAttendant** · 05-02-2006, 10:55 PM

2nd thing to say....yes DIY would be much better.

But, if you give up or are having a hard time.....ALWAYS know that you can go to the dealer and have your problems solved....one way or another.

Anywho. I've never heard of a 316i are you somewhere in Europe?

Storamin · 05-02-2006, 11:02 PM

the 316 is very standard in europe. the dealer will rape u.

apart from the 2 things mentioned by c1apton, check out your spark plugs & lamba sensor.

**charterali** · 05-03-2006, 06:31 AM

Thnxx pals for ur replies,

I live out ther in Karachi, Pakistan.

I changed the spark plugs couple of thousand kms back with Bosch 2tip platiniums.

Well, in our part of the world dealer charges around 80$-100$ just for diagnosis, I dont know abt rest of the world as such.

I will clean ma ICV tommorrow and then update ya guys.

Wat is Lamba Sensor?

Thnxx..

**komodo** · 05-03-2006, 08:58 AM

First of all, welcome to UB!

Have any pictures of your car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by charterali

Thnxx pals for ur replies,

I live out ther in Karachi, Pakistan.

I changed the spark plugs couple of thousand kms back with Bosch 2tip platiniums.

Well, in our part of the world dealer charges around 80$-100$ just for diagnosis, I dont know abt rest of the world as such.

I will clean ma ICV tommorrow and then update ya guys.

Wat is Lamba Sensor?

Thnxx..

Actually, there may be something here. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure BMWs are only made to work with Bosch Coppers, and I have heard Platinums sometimes cause problems.

Anyone else know about this?

Storamin · 05-03-2006, 09:45 AM

Komodo is right, try out different spark plugs. Our e36's don't like the platinum so well.

**charterali** · 06-18-2006, 06:27 AM

Hi, changed the plugs to OEM. But still the problem continues.

I am planning to replace the O2 Sensor OEM. But unfortunately I don know about the part number. Can anyone help me out with the part no. As I got 316i E-36, 1992-1993.

Thnxx..

**Dudesky** · 06-18-2006, 06:49 AM

After a quick search, I believe your O2 sensor (also known outside the US as a Lambda sensor, like Storamin said) will be part #11781734393. But verify this at www.realoem.com. Just enter your vehicle information, and you can look at all the parts in detail. To find your vehicle's production date, look at the sticker on the driver's side door; there should be a month/year of manufacture.

You can also read the OBD fault codes to narrow down the problem. To do this, go to http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...de_Reading.htm

Hope this helps, and let us know how things go