318ti.org forum - View Single Post

stef · 09-19-2008, 05:15 PM

Hey guys and girls.

My 1999 318ti E36 M44 suddenly developed a funny idle problem this week. I looked through all the posts already on this topic but wondered if anyone has any other suggestions.

The car idles at just under 1000rpm, but when I'm sitting at traffic lights, it seems to drop off and stutter at around 500rpm-ish for a few seconds before coming back up to 1000rpm.

It gets very closing to cutting out, but just holds on.

I took out the ICV (or as real oem call it, the Idle Regulator Valve) and cleaned it as best I could with petrol and a small brush, but it seems quite flimsy inside and I didn't want to damage it.

No joy, same problem.

FYI, I had a full Inspection 2 service done just under a year ago by a BMW dealership, so all the plugs were changed then.

Could it still be worth changing plugs, or are there any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

09-19-2008, 05:15 PM	#1
stef Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glasgow UK Posts: 4 iTrader: (0) Photo Gallery	IDLE PROBLEM E36 M44 Hey guys and girls. My 1999 318ti E36 M44 suddenly developed a funny idle problem this week. I looked through all the posts already on this topic but wondered if anyone has any other suggestions. The car idles at just under 1000rpm, but when I'm sitting at traffic lights, it seems to drop off and stutter at around 500rpm-ish for a few seconds before coming back up to 1000rpm. It gets very closing to cutting out, but just holds on. I took out the ICV (or as real oem call it, the Idle Regulator Valve) and cleaned it as best I could with petrol and a small brush, but it seems quite flimsy inside and I didn't want to damage it. No joy, same problem. FYI, I had a full Inspection 2 service done just under a year ago by a BMW dealership, so all the plugs were changed then. Could it still be worth changing plugs, or are there any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.