» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | 11-07-2006, 05:26 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: WI Posts: 19 | Bad idle My 98 Ti has been idling bad for about month and a half now. Doesn't do it all the time, either early in the morning when its been sitting all night or occasionally at stop lights or when I leave it running. It has never stalled, but sounds like it wants to. When it is idling bad, it hesitates when I give it gas, then eventually takes off and runs fine once I get going. Any ideas on what could be causing this idle? | | | 11-07-2006, 06:59 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lincoln Park Capitol Hill, Washington DC Posts: 741 | TPS (throttle position sensor, CPS (cam position sensor), throttle body needs cleaning, MAF sensor needs cleaning, air filter needs replacing, fuel filter replacement, ignition wires, etc, etc. First and easy, buy throttle body (not carb.) cleaner, use it and and wipe off excess liquid. If problem persists, disconnect the TPS on the side of the throttle body and if it stops, the TPS need to be replaced. Fuel filter replacement (if never replaced) will be a good quick and easy fix (but not cheap).....Good Luck. __________________ It's always a great day to be underwater and play with the fish.....preserve our oceans and reefs" Fariz 1997 318ti, Hellrot (Bright Red), Dinan Stage 2 Chip 16x7 OEM sport Wheels/X-Brace/Custom Strut Brace/Cold Air Intake/M-Tec Steering Wheel/Koni Adjustable FrontShocks/ Bilstein Sport Rear Shocks /H&R Sport Springs/Custom fabricated strut tower brace/Rear Strut brace, Stromung Exhaust Future Mods: E46 17" wheels or Kosei K-1 17x8.5s | | | 11-07-2006, 07:55 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Marion, IA Posts: 388 | Do we have detailed instructions for cleaning the air flow sensor? Whether from the M42 or M44, don't they use different sensors? One is a MAF and the other is something else. Which is which? I can't search for MAF in the search tool since it doesn't let me search less than 4 characters. | | | 11-07-2006, 09:25 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 | Where are you located? If you're in a cold area, make sure your tank is always full. Condensation can form in the tank and put water in the fuel. A bottle of dry gas and a tank of 93 should fix that. If the normal maintenance items have been done according to schedule (air/fuel filter) and no engine codes have been thrown recently, I think weezer has the best advice. __________________ I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | 11-28-2006, 08:37 PM | #5 | Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 95 | 318ti 94-00 1.8l idle surges I have the same problem with my idle. It will start surgeing up and down between 500-950 rpm. Has my brain taken a crap? I have replaces and tuned everything u can think of. I might have to go to the dealer and get some test done. I also put slick 50 and change to synthetic oil. Maybe my head needs work? It does have 140,000mi. It does act up mostly in the morning. I live in Florida. frustrated too | | | 11-29-2006, 06:00 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | Symptoms match a cracked air tube as well..... The big rubber tube between the Air flow sensor and the throttle body. Mine cracke don the back side, would act up when engine cold or randomly when sitting at lights or taking off etc.. Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 11-29-2006, 06:14 AM | #7 | Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 95 | 318ti 94-00 1.8l surging rpm's at idle Yes...I have been doing some more homework on this and it looks like the air mass is the problem; broken gaskets or rubber connector. The prior owner changed the air intake system. I might install a more expensive air intake system. we will see...thanks | | | 11-29-2006, 06:16 AM | #8 | Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 95 | 318ti 94-00 1.8l Cosmo has a good intake filter and intake system. | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |