Rough Idle, Tried Everything, what about this....

[bmw318ti95]

Hey Guys,

So ever since I replaced the head gasket on my ti, it's had a rough idle. I've replaced all the usual culperets (PCV valve, ICV, etc.). I'm wondering if the chain tensioner could have something to do with it because I can still here the chain moving a bit, almost like a lawn mower. Also, when I'm driving and come to a stop, the idle stays temporarily good, then starts to get rough after a few seconds. When the idle is rough, it almost sounds like a diesel. Just want some input to see if it would be worth replacing the tensioner.

Thanks,

Chad

[b.u.ti-ful]

Are you sure the new head gasket is tight?

[bmw318ti95]

Yes everything was torqued and checked over. I'm wondering about the tensioner because I know we had to compress it with the vice and pop it out a couple times by smacking it on a wood block to get it set right. Getting this tensioner in was the only thing that caused issues and I'm wondering if it got damaged in the process. Also, I've read a couple of posts that say it should probably just be replaced anyway when its taken out just to avoid this type of damage.

Chad

[jonchino]

sounds like a vacum leak. If it run fine while driving then when you come to a stop it will start to rumble. ya?? check all your hoses, dont just look at them move them around. do your breaks feel a little weak when idleing?

here 95??




there is a hose to the intake form the valve cover

[tiFreak]

pic didn't work jon

[bmw318ti95]

I didn't notice the brakes getting worse, but it definately seems to run fine except for at idle. I'm gonna try and take a closer look at those vacuum hoses just to be sure. Thanks for the info so far!

[dave45056]

You can check the tensioner by pulling it out. If it is still compressed you have a problem. The M42 tensioner is a bit of a bear... hard to tell if it popped back out. I hope you bought a new M44 style tensioner. If you didn't, you should. It's completely compatible.

[eurohb]

sorry for bringing up an old post but better then starting a new one, mine does the same things only sometimes but goes away after a while. Any help guys'?

[CirrusSR22]

I'd suggest a vacuum leak as well. It's hard to tell without hearing it in person, but I've been finding lately that a lot of the vacuum hoses on my 96 are starting to get pretty bad. Cracking, getting very hard, etc... I'm in the process of replacing them all which I think will also fix a cold start issue I had last winter.

EDIT: Didn't see the original post was old.....

[whitecord]

i had a problem like this b4. i replaced the motor mounts and it felt so much better. i had replaced just about everything b4 doing the mounts.

[rob318ti]

hi i just sorted this on my 95 318ti its a leak in the 10p shaped hose on the air intake if you rev it up with your head under the bonnet you wil hear a sucking sound coming from this hose just replace this hose and should sort it did for me anyway

[FLJayson318]

old post brought up again... I keep seeing this get gradually worst on my car, exspecially only when im at a redlight. The brakes start to loosen up it seems like then the car revs a little. Idk what to do.... i looked at the hoses but maybe im missing something.. I noticed its also worst when the A/C is on.

thanks for any help

[318moneypit]

Jonchino, do you have a good source for buying the hoses you can share? THANKS.

[Kpeckti]

I had a cracked throttle body oring causing rough idle and converter melt down.