Losing power after driving long

[dhong089]

Hey guys, wondering if you guys can point to where I should look:

This problem occurs usually after 30minutes to 1 hour of driving. All of the sudden while I am driving, the engine loses power. I floor the gas pedal but the engine does not pass 3k rpm. It’s like the engine just gives up; oh, and it’s also kind of jerks a little.

If I come to a stop, the engine idles perfectly fine.

If I just started the car, the problem does not occur (but a check engine light is turned on). The problem only occurs after I have been driving for a while.

I checked throughout the forum and saw that it could be a “limp-mode.” However, the problem is intermittent. It happens at one point, and then the problem can go away a couple of minutes later (sometimes the problem does not go away however).

If the car is in neutral, I can rev the engine all the way to red-line. It’s only when I’m in gear and driving. The problem seems to happen after the engine has worked for a while, and if the engine is loaded.

This problem pisses the hell out of me because I just can’t go out for a long drive with my Ti. Whenever I pass the 30 minute mark while I’m driving, I always start to get nervous; a BMW should not make me feel this way! : ( Also, I’m looking to attend the Bimmer fest that is occurring in August. It’s going to be a long drive, and I really wish I can get this problem sorted out.

I’m in progress of replacing the starter (took the upper intake out so far… now for the lower) and would like to solve this problem as well. I’ll clean the ICV valve while I’m at it (but I doubt it will do anything).

But I’m totally stumped here guys; any ideas where I should look?

[cooljess76]

You might have a clogged cat or a loose monolith.

[dhong089]

Thanks for the reply

I also heard it could be a clogged cat; but would a clogged cat cause the problem to be intermittent? Like the problem can occur, then the problem will just go away.

Also, excuse my noobishness, but what is a monolith?

[pdxmotorhead]

often the cat breaks up inside, the chunk rolls around and plugs the pipe, falls out when you idle had the same issue on another rig once.

Tarc

[spidertri]

You said the check engine light is on? Head to autozone or somewhere and get it scanned.

[dave45056]

Originally Posted by spidertri

You said the check engine light is on? Head to autozone or somewhere and get it scanned.

Since your car is a 95, just scan it yourself at home.
Put the key in position 2, then push the gas pedel completely to the floor 5 times within 5 seconds. Don't try to do this in 2 seconds, make sure each push is deliberate and complete. Your CEL will then blink the codes out to you. Have a pen and paper handy to write them down.

[spidertri]

Good call, I forgot to look at the year.

[dhong089]

I'll see if I can check my Catalytic converter soon. If it's plugged, is it literally "plugged"? What should I look for? And how difficult is it to remove this piece?

And my car is a '95. That's crazy, I never knew you can get the codes to spit right out at you. Where would the codes be displayed?

Also, if I turn the car on at first, the check engine light isn't present. It usually turns on after about 20 minutes of driving. Will the code still be displayed if I do the method you described?

My battery is being charged right now (at 2amps. It's been exactly 24 hours so far, and it's still charging. It says it's at 25% which is unusually low) I don't know if I should unplug the battery right now or not. Does it usually take this long? Once the battery charging is done, I'll install the battery back in and do the method.

[318ti_IL]

Catalytic converter sometimes makes smell of boiled eggs but yes that might be first thing to check it. For second I would check rest of the muffler (might be piece of rust blocking exhaust) and gas filter.

for 3rd: My brother had problem like this and some wire was bad, don't remember which one. Since that was 3 years ago not 100% sure but here is 4 marks of possible things that caused problems to him.
Beside losing power in driving he had some engine shaking in idle.

[dave45056]

Of the 4 things you circled (squared?) a 1995 car only has 1 of them. Throttle position sensor.

I basically told you already how to read the codes. For more information, read this article:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...de_Reading.htm

By the way, search is your friend. When I did a search of this site for "Code Read" I got all kinds of great information:
http://www.318ti.org/index.php?page=...orum%252F#1204
Remember, your car is OBD1 aka OBDI. So look at those results or add that to the list. The 3rd item on that list is a great pdf file for reading codes, too.

[Beyondcr]

Originally Posted by 318ti_IL

Catalytic converter sometimes makes smell of boiled eggs but yes that might be first thing to check it. For second I would check rest of the muffler (might be piece of rust blocking exhaust) and gas filter.

for 3rd: My brother had problem like this and some wire was bad, don't remember which one. Since that was 3 years ago not 100% sure but here is 4 marks of possible things that caused problems to him.
Beside losing power in driving he had some engine shaking in idle.

Lol... this is why some one said my car smelled like rotten eggs earlier today....Did not think much of it until I slowly lost all power and was chugging along 25 mph in a 65 mph zone, luckily my car cut off in front of my house and luckily bmw's can withstand that kind of abuse. I dropped the exhaust by snapping all 4 studs and tied up the exhaust with a hanger so I can get it to a lift tomorrow. I am going to hollow out the cat just until I order a new cat. Can anyone recommend a good replacement that wont be a arm and a leg?


Also dhong089, what is your current stance with your issue?