Damn thing won't idle.

[bazar01]

Originally Posted by urbanmisfit

Gee thanks! lol
It almost has to be ignition from the way it behaves although I can't see why it would pull good from 1500 RPM; I think it still has the original wiress on it.
I'll keep an eye open for vacum possibilities when I do the cooling system this weekend though

New spark plug wires, spark plugs and valve cover gasket made a big difference. Runs and pulls hard like a new car.
Before it was like running on just 2 cylinders and idling really bad and skipping. The oil in the spark plugs triggered the problem.

[geetarspaz]

I'm starting to have trouble. Once in a great while it'll bounce from like 400-800rpm for a few seconds. (once in a great great while) and today I just went out and it was idling higher than normal,(usually at 800rpm) ish and today it was at like 1200

[familytruckster]

vacuum leak

[PHL]

1995 318ti 5speed, M42 engine with just about 111,000 miles. Car will not idle at all. If I press the gas pedal down immediately after starting the car and keep applying gas while in neutral, the car will not die. Otherwise the car just shuts down.

About two months ago, I replaced the two hoses that run to the idle control valve, as the one running to the intake boot had ripped (I ran the car for several months and several hundred miles with a generous wrap of electrical tape). At the same time, I replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plugs. The idle was rather high, would start at 800-900 rpms and work its way up to 1200-1500 rpms by the time I turned the car off. I only ran the car 250 miles, but used it just about every day, at times twice a day (I use it to pick up my little girl from daycare, I really should drive it more...)

Anywho, about a week ago, the car became hard to start, until finally the car just would not idle anymore. I put a multimeter to the battery, 12.5v cold and about 14.5v, 14.6v when I hold the gas pedal down to keep the car from stalling. The radio turns on, headlights come on, doesn't seem to be dimming. No CEL turned on when I pressed the gas pedal while in neutral. Redid ICV to double-check but everything was fine (I've done the ICV on a e36 M3 so I'm not a complete noob). I replaced the long hose that runs along the firewall to the CCV(?) and the gasket to the throttle body today. Will recheck the VCG, but using a mirror and running my fingers along it, it seems alright. I misaligned the back so I had to re-do it the first time.

Any other hints?

[PHL]

Should the idle control valve move freely? IIRC the ICV on the e36 M3 spun easily. I have the T-shaped ICV under the intake manifold. If the ICV does not move, did it fail mechanically? The Bentley has a page for diagnosing the ICV but only its electrical connections.

[PHL]

Just wanted to follow my post. Yes, it was the ICV that failed. At first glance, it seems there is a door at one end of the inline-T. You actually can not see the moving part but can hear a faint click on a functioning ICV. Ordered the part from AutohausAZ, more than $25 cheaper than RMEuropean and Pelican.

Now I have to replace the tensioner as the belt seems looser than it should be. Will also replace the pulleys as the bearings sound a little dry.