bmw intermittent running problems!!!

[rwdrevell]

hi, new to this forum due to my car having problems and cant figure it out. it is a 1997 e36 316i 1.6 compact model. Before this problem started it had a "flat spot" sumtimes if you where pulling out of a junction, it would loose all power and would'nt respond to throttle....then after a few seconds (and nearly an accident) it would come clear and go. this would only happen once every few months. Also when giving it full throttle 2 pull up a hill from 30mph...it would feel like the power was lightly serging in instead of coming in smooth.

Anyway.....was drivn the car all weekend fine, until the missus took the car on mondy morning and was complaining that it wouldnt rev and kept conking out! (i thought it was her driving until i got home) it was missing on a cylinder, very smokey and running very rich. when driving it, it would'nt idle, was struggling to rev past 4000 rpm and no go at all. but when taking to my mates 2 sort it, it come together and was drivin perfect, then after 2/3 mins it wouldnt run rite, conk out then flood its self. when i took the plugs out they where black as coal. cleaned them up, started it and checked them again and was black again! also when you rev it up and let go of the throttle, the revs drop in stages

i have had the car in the garage and plugged in and it come up with a few codes (not got printout here to give codes, but will try to get them on to help)

I know its a long story, but i have tryed to describe what the problem is as best as i can to see if anyone has come across this before!

Thanks

Chris

[tonysticks]

Hi Chris,

First, I would sort any issue with the codes that your car is throwing. Maybe an oxygen sensor is causing the problem, but as far as I know, this should happen all the time, not occassionally, but its a start. I think the O2 sensor failure may explain the black plugs though.

Good luck!

[rwdrevell]

ok, thanks. i will get the print out and write the codes down to help. just been driving it and its spluttering around 3500-4000 rpm...almost like fuel starvation, could the fuel pump be on its way out?

Chris

[tonysticks]

I guess it's possible, but if you don't face any problems starting the car (I mean never) and the problem never happens except while pulling away, I believe it's not the fuel pump. Did you try to use fuel from a different station?

[AKBMW]

I am having problems with my car also it is 97 e36 328i. my idle wont seem to go above 500rpms. the other day it idled hight for a minute when it was very cold but other than that it idles very low and sumtime ill be driving and when I come to a stop it will die or when I push the clutch in. I also am getting a check coolant level. checked it and it is like an inch above the cold mark idk if this is bad or acceptable id like everything to be to specs. also having probs with my heater not switching from the floor at all. posted that under cooling and heating. thank you for any help.