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BMW 318i Car Repair Questions and Answers

MORE: BMW 318 Repair Questions

Question: 2002 BMW 318 mileage: 43,000. When I turn on my A/C, there is a strong vibration coming from the A/C compressor. It seems to go away at higher rpms. When I turn on the A/C, it takes about 1-2 minutes the compressor gets almost too hot to touch. The lines coming from the compressor are cold the car cools off just fine. I don't have a clue what could be wrong.  I am currently not running the A/C for fear of tearing it up.

Answer: The vibration may be due to a loose belt that drives the A/C compressor. Check your belt tensioner if the seems ok your air conditioning compressor could be coming apart internally.

Question: 1999 BMW 318i  mileage: 60,000. I changed the water pump and fan clutch. Now the engine runs poorly. I removed the intake duct from the intake manifold and the engine smoothes out and stops smoking. I have replaced the airflow sensor and the temperature sensor. The engine still runs rough and smokes. The smoke smells like gas, like it is burning rich. I have checked the timing and replaced the rotor and distributor cap. I have also replaced the spark plug wires.

Answer: From what you describe, something is blocking the air intake duct.

Question: 1998 BMW 318 mileage: 80,000. I had my front brake pads replaced recently. Ever since then, my brakes have not felt right. They kind of feel warped? I took it back to have them look at it again and they said it sounds like a brake problem and when I told them that they just replaced my brakes a few months ago, after looking at it, they decided that my problem was not a brake problem and that they didn't know what was causing the problem but that it was not a brake problem. Today, I took my car to another repair place and they told me that whomever did my original brake job cut my rotors too thin. He said 2500's to 3000's under the legal spec. and that my rotors are bad and need to be replaced. Is it possible to cut them too thin, and if so, what problems could that cause. And is there a way to know and/or prove that they were cut too thin? Thank you so much for this service. I have no clue about this stuff!

Answer: It is possible to machine the rotors too thin. Stamped on the rotor is a minimum thickness they should be machined to. If the rotors are machine below the minimum thickness, the brakes will not dissipate the heat and warping of the rotors can occur. If your brake rotors are too thin they need to be replaced.

Question: I have a 1995 BMW 318i with 123,000 miles. The engine is a 161HP (I think). I have recently lost power when I accelerate. When I take off from a standing point, my RPMs reach 5000 to get the same speed that I use to get at 3000 rpms. On the highway, once I reach my desired cruising speed, my rpms rest at 3000 or 3500, just like it use to. However, when I need to accelerate, my rpms jump very quickly where they use to not do this.
I have cleaned my fuel system with gummout fuel cleaner. It didn't seem to change anything. Also, my clutch is very 'loose'. I barely need to press it to shift. It has always been loose where I did not need to press it all the way to shift, but it is much more loose now. I don't know if the two are related, but when I take off from a stopped position, it seems like my clutch is not fully released - and my foot will be off the clutch. Could it be my fuel injectors need replaced?
Also, could weak spark plugs be an issues. I had them changed only once - around 80,000 miles and at that time, they didn't really need changed... it was just preventative.

Answer: 123k? Sounds like the clutch is worn out and slipping.

Follow up question: Is replacing the clutch a costly repair? That is over my head on 'garage work'?

Answer: It should cost around $650 to replace the clutch including parts and labor.

Question: 1994 BMW 318i Mileage: 136,552  I've noticed that every time I make a turn the steering wheel or at least most of the time, I feel a light "clank" on the steering wheel. You can hear it sometimes but it's not that loud, I can hear because I know something is wrong. My friend told me it should be the bushing of the control arm. I really don't know what it is! My car is a '94 BMW 318i w/ 136552 miles and the motor is M-42. Another thing what's the difference between monotube shocks and twin tube shocks? Which one gives better performance, durability, etc.? -THANKS!!!!!

Answer:  I would suggest the problem is either Ball joints or tie rod ends...Have the front end inspected at an alignment shop. If you can hear it it's BAD!!! The best struts are billstein or KYB both are high pressure gas.

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