Stalling at Speed

[Ted A. Williams]

Great technical posts everywhere, but maybe none to address my problem. My 1998 318ti (M44) stalled yesterday on the interstate while under steady throttle and 60 mph. The car rolled to a stop and wouldn't start. Engine temperature according to the gauge was normal. OBD-II indicated a secondary air fault and an evaporative control system problem (these faults had been there for a couple of hundred miles already). After about 20 minutes, the car would start (with very rough idle), but stalled again when any throttle was applied. After the $125 tow (and about another hour), the car started up normally, and I could use the throttle enough to park the car properly. I wasn't going to chance anything more, by warming up the engine or anything else close to normal operation. I suspect the fuel pressure regulator and/or the fuel control valve is the problem. Any insights out there?

Ted

[teetime4one]

vapor lock?

[Mallard]

fuel pump

[2ndBimmer]

My car has been acting similar.

No CE lights. Nothing.

Starts normal, runs normal. But after driving a bit it just tries to die on me. If Im going more than 20mph and not decelarating I can leave it in gear and the driveline will pushstart the engine. Car jerks around alot but I can look like Im 16 again if it gets me home (and on I95, I AINT STALLING DURING RUSH HOUR!). Tired some fuel water remover which did all of jack. Just replaced the battery a week before.

Probly gonna lurch it down to Urbans' tomorrow.

[bmvw]

I had that happen with a bad PCV valve, simple fix. Did it recently make a sucking noise when you shut off the engine?

[Firehawk13]

My 1996 ti was doing the same thing once in a while until today. I have already changed fuel filter and fuel pump and today it started stalling out all the time. I'm going to try your pcv idea because I have no other ideas. Is there any kind of sensor that could be the culpret?

[M3_KILL3R]

i had a similar problem, it was a rainy day and i had some water get sucked it and my guess was a mild case of vapor lock. it turned out to be 2 causes my alternator went bad and i did suck in some water. check your alternator and fuel pump

[Charlie]

Man, 'tis the season, isn't it?

Same issue/symptoms this morning, already ordered a new PCV. Has this solved the issue for you other guys with the problem?

-Charlie

[Firehawk13]

I just replaced the pcv valve and the breather hose, I think they definately needed to be replaced, but it did not solve my problem. It is running super rich, like its not metering the gas right. I might have to break down and pay someone to look at it.

[sykillusin318ti]

do you think the camshaft position sensor could be doing it cause i have the same prob and it wasnt the pcv,cat,or a tune up, it still runs like crap

[Firehawk13]

My problem turned out to be the O2 sensor before the cat converter. I had to pay $100 to find that out of course. I got the sensor for around $60 and replaced it in less than 20 minutes.

[Mallard]

if its mixing wrong then i may be the O2 sensor or the MAF sensor

[Ted A. Williams]

As it turned out, my problem was a clogged cat. Simple enough, but expensive.