E46 325i missing under load

[silly76 0]

Hey Everyone,

Couple of questions:

1. On my dashboard cluster, lower left hand side, a symbol what looks like a engine, has appeared. I have checked in the Bentley manual and it says to "check engine etc" ... does anyone have an idea as to what things might need to be checked when they say this?

2. Two days ago my engine started to idle funny. We think the miss could be a plug- place to start - but does anyone know how we can check what the fault may be? We have an Ohm Meter and the Bentley manual but were hoping to get a few ideas as to maybe where to start?

Look forward to hearing what might be wrong with my baby :-(

Silvana and Brendan

[ED1RTY 2]

Check your dizzy??!

LOL

but seriously... Plugs? Leads etc? Pull the plugs and check if they are black/sooty.. would be my first look.

[elmarco 56]

I'd say the answer to both is to get it scanned. Be more than a bit surprised if it was just coincidence that the check engine light came on and then it started playing up.

The check engine light could mean almost anything - you need someone to pinpoint the fault code first.

[*Glenn* 854]

Its probably an ignition coil... but it needs to be scanned first

An ohm meter is not going to help you. Once the fault is identified and repaired the fault code also needs to be cleared as well as adaptive modes in DME & EGS. I can look at it today if you want to pop over. Call me (09)2722546

Edit: Oooops... are you in Auckland ??

Edited July 16, 2009 by *Glenn*

[silly76 0]

I'm guessing the best thing to do it get it diagnostic test on the car ... we are in Central Auckland so if there is anyone close who has what is needed to do this then let me know.

Glenn, I wouldn't be able to get it out East today ... do you have a diagnostic tester?

[*Glenn* 854]

Yes we do...two of them

Give me a call 2722546

Edited July 16, 2009 by *Glenn*

[hybrid 1043]

Just some additions to this thread

Other things to check; This is a classic sympthom of a post MAF problem. meaning an air leak problem between MAF and engine.

The engine cannot calculate the correct air flow as there is extra air coming in from somewhere.

The rubber intake tubes crack over time. This is more apparent if the vehicle has spent a long time in a hot environments like singapore etc.

Another this is the Adjuster unit ... I'm just about to do mine as its rattling like crazy! and causing wierd throttle response under load.

These threads will help you see the problems a little better. Now im NOT saying this is what yours is .. but may help you none the less. e46's around 130+ks everything start wearing out. :/

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=342081

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.ph...ight=rough+idle

[*Glenn* 854]

I have a feeling this has now turned into grief.... I hope not for the owners sake. It didn't make it here......coolant ...broke down on the motorway

[silly76 0]

Hey Everyone,

Thought we would update this as to what happened as what we thought was wrong ... was infact not ... and it was a surprise to learn what was wrong .. and have my baby all back up and running like a dream in 2 hours!! Thanks heaps to Guido and the boys at BM Workshop.

So, were on our way to see Glenn at Botany about getting a diagnostic done because the engine was missing intermittently and the engine management light was on.

On the motorway the temperature gauge shot right up in the red and even the bright red light came on ... luckily no one next to me in the lane so I was able to pull off straight away and stop the car. Looking at the engine, it didn't look like it was overheated, and given the problems we were having, we thought something big might have happened. We opened the bonnet and put up the heater to helped cool down the engine, and yes it worked, but pulling the radiator cap off showed absolutely no water!

Now, we don't neglect our cars, owning Bentley manuals for each of them, and we went up north two weekends ago and checked everything prior. All ok.

Had it towed back to Guidos and totally upset about the whole ordeal we waited around to see if they thought there was anything major. Luckily, we weren't driving while the light was on for a long time and the motor wasn't hot so it didn't quite seem like a ''head gasket'' type issue. On needed to assess the car and get it comfortable one of the boys poured water into the radiator .... and hello ... out it came in a gush ... ????

Yes, apparently after so long expansion tanks can crack and your water slowly seeps out into the big wide world .... f$#% .... so it wasn't bad for a one reaon, being we pulled over straight away, let the car cool down using the heater, and the car was doing all the right things in terms of the engine management system .. but it does show you that even though the engine light is for emission control, it can actually mean a bit more than that.

So, as soon as it was missing I should have dianosed it straight away on the tester ... and check the waters a lot more as the cars get older because these are quite frequent (2-3 years) as they are only plastic and your warning lights for water leaks probably doesn't take this into account. Apparently no metal ones sold for my particular model.

Now even though it was gushing out at BM Workshop, it might not have been gushing before but with winter on you just don't realise. No warning at all on the expansion tank.

So there you go, a few lessons learned. My car is back on the road and I'm happy. Not too much cost either which was good. Thanks for all the advice guys, we really appreciate the comments you guys make with ideas on what it could have been.

Happy Driving

Silvana and Brendan