Rough Running when cold - E30 M3

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   Over the past three weeks or so my M3 has started to have problems running smoothly when started from cold - it's happening more frequently now and is starting to stall regularly. It starts ok but when you pull away the revs drop down and it starts struggling - I can rev it to keep it ticking over but the first couple of minutes are a complete pain!

Anybody know what it could be? Intake Blocks, throttle position sensor???

Any advice, suggestions welcomed.

MarkD

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MarkD Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 15-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 127	Topic: Rough Running when cold - E30 M3 Posted: 14-January-2004 at 18:01
	Over the past three weeks or so my M3 has started to have problems running smoothly when started from cold - it's happening more frequently now and is starting to stall regularly. It starts ok but when you pull away the revs drop down and it starts struggling - I can rev it to keep it ticking over but the first couple of minutes are a complete pain! Anybody know what it could be? Intake Blocks, throttle position sensor??? Any advice, suggestions welcomed. MarkD

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grant w Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 558	Posted: 14-January-2004 at 20:30
	To check your inlet blocks , get a can of carb cleaner and with the engine running spray all around the intake manifold where it meets the head , and if the engine note changes there leaking and need to be changed straight away ...
	www.redevom3.co.uk 1989 e30 m3 2.5 1996 e36 m3 evo , sold 2002 e46 m3 smg . 1991 Daihatsu 2.8 TD Work Horse Rust Never Sleeps . Tattooed Lady - Bearded Baby - there my family ..

gary Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Just Call me Wendy ;-) Joined: 16-October-2002 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 4263	Posted: 15-January-2004 at 13:25
	I think this is quite common on the E30 during the cold spells. Mines is the same. All I do is let it tick over for 3 mins or until the choke comes off and everything is fine. Give that a try. The problem if it keeps stalling is that you run the risk of flooding it when you try to strat it back up.

MarkD Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 15-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 127	Posted: 15-January-2004 at 18:03
	Hi Gary Maybe we've got the same problem - spoke to Nigel Moseley earlier today suggested it's the idle control valve or possibly something to do with the ECU! I think its related to the valve as it's been out once already, cleaned and put back in (due to a high idle speed) this only worked for a short while before giving trouble again - it starts ok , idles at a regular speed - just not the right speed!! At least until this new problem started three weeks ago. I've started doing as you suggest - letting it warm up slightly before driving off - so far so good. I'm going to get the valve changed for a new one as soon as practical. I think the problem is made worse by the fact that my journey to work is only 10-15 mins long - mostly stuck in traffic - and the car probably needs a good thrashing to clear out the cobwebs!!!! Mark

UweM3 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 11-February-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5445	Posted: 15-January-2004 at 19:27
	In my previous job I had only 3miles. It never ran rough or anything in the 5years I own the car. If it runs rough, ther is something wrong. Do you honestly think BMW would have gone away with a car running rough? Remember this was a �35k car when new.
	E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....