Engine misses when taking off - United Bimmer Community

**STROKER** · 12-28-2006, 07:20 PM

Hello all. I just bought a 1992 325I. I have searched this site a million times for an answer but dont seem just the right one. (if there is one!) I am new here and sort of new to the BMW world.
Here is my problem the car seems to miss just a little at idle sometime you cant hear it. But in every case it will miss and sputter when you take off in it. it is a standard shift trans. It seems to not be so bad when you ease into the gas (real easy). It also doesn't seem as bad after it warms up. It is still there but not as bad. and when i say you can hear it at idle I mean sometime you can just notice it skip a beat.
I have changed the plugs, fuel filter,air filter and the oil and filter. and after about 10 tanks of gas, I have used every type of fuel injector cleaner in every tank and it seems not to have changed at all. The only code I get is a 1444 which if I have read everything correctly means nothing wrong...Any opinions??????
Thanks

nick_318is · 12-28-2006, 07:22 PM

What grade of fuel are you using and have you tried different ones?

**STROKER** · 12-28-2006, 07:35 PM

I always use 93 octane

**c1apton** · 12-28-2006, 07:44 PM

Clean both the MAF and ICU and you'll feel the difference. The MAF is simple, easy to access but take care not to damage internal small screen or wire (it's fragile) The ICU is a little more complicated but Dudesky has a killer DIY on how to do it - in the knowledge base here

**xsperf** · 12-28-2006, 08:57 PM

i have a feeling it could be something very simple like fuel filter or bad spark plugs or something

**c1apton** · 12-28-2006, 09:09 PM

he said he replaced plugs, fuel filter & all the obvious stuff. I was thinking more on the idle to accell side - MAF would affect both & ICV - it could be as simple as a loose plug or one of those little ground leads on the coils.

**xsperf** · 12-28-2006, 10:24 PM

damnit im such an idiot i think i totally missed that last paragraph, btw have u tried ignition coils?

**STROKER** · 12-28-2006, 10:39 PM

Thanks everyone I will try what you all have said. and Yes I did change the plug's and fuel filter. I also did clean all the ground leads on the coils.. From the reading I have done seems to me if I had a problem with an injector or a coil wouldn't I get some sort of an error code? I did read the DIY on cleaning the ICV and that should be no problem. How do you advise I clean the MAF?
Thanks again for all the advise from everyone!

**RSF5** · 12-29-2006, 12:59 AM

^^ simply remove it from the car by removing the top of the air box then unhook the ring holding it in place. It has a sensor cable going to it, unhook that and pull it out. Then just clean around the grill and if there is any debris in it, use a pair of tweezers to remove it.

**Dudesky** · 12-29-2006, 06:20 AM

Carefully inspect the intake bellows (the large "L" shaped hose in photo) inside and out for tears or holes that may be causing a vacuum leak. With your symptoms, this is often cited as the cause and goes unnoticed because the cracks often develop in the folds of the rubber.

Also try testing or replacing your fuel pressure regulator. But if I had to guess, I'd say you have a vacuum leak somewhere.

BTW- can one of the mods move this thread to the E36 section?

**STROKER** · 12-29-2006, 06:29 AM

Thanks all, I will give everything a close look. I have to take all that off anyway because I am replacing the clutch this weekend because the throw out bearing in making alot of noise. So while I am in there I am going to replace all of it...Is there any secrets or things I need to know before replacing the clutch pp plate, throw out bearing and pilot bearing?
Thanks again guys.. you all are Great Folks!

**Dudesky** · 12-29-2006, 06:44 AM

^^^Ugh, I don't envy you. That's a fairly big job, but it's straightforward enough. Make sure you have the alignment tool for when you put the assembly back together.

**xsperf** · 12-29-2006, 11:00 AM

haha for the clutch, yea dude, those bolts that hold the tranny to the engine, the way i did it was get a 2ft extention, attatched to another extention b/c when you get the ratchet on it, you will not have enough room unless the ratchet itself is BEHIND the tranny, which means u need a fairly large extention, and u know u gotta have to remove the exhaust right?

**STROKER** · 12-29-2006, 04:25 PM

xsperf, Thanks for the info. I figured the exhaust would have to come off. I was hoping I could slide the trans back enough to change everything..guess not... Back to my first issue. I cleaned the ICV today and it seems It made things worse..because now sometimes at idle it will sit there and WA WA WA like it is surging. It didnt do that before. I also checked all the hoses and the were all good even in the cracks and folds. One thing I noticed in the MAF was firts off it was very clean but the little ring thing inside(in the center of the big hole) that small ring tube sort of thing is cracked at the bottom...Is that a problem? Also I still have the mis and still no codes yet either!! this is making me NUTS!!!!

**xsperf** · 12-29-2006, 10:31 PM

i know that the idle control valve has a valve in it that plays around with the vacuum system which controls your idle, so if it is actually turned/angled not in its original position, it may be why