2002 BMW 318 2002 318i E46 Starting Problems / Issues

KA2114

MEMBER
2002 BMW 318

Engine Mechanical problem
2002 BMW 318 4 cyl Automatic 120102 miles

Hi im new to the forum and I was wondering if anyone can help me with my enquiry. Bascially I have a 4 door sedan 2002 318i E46 which I recently purchase 8 months ago. I started to notice that if I do not use my car for 1-2 days (i use public transport to work) and decide to use it on the weekend, when I start the car the engine shakes, the engine makes a rattling sound for a while and the idling (Rev meter) jumps up and down, at the same time I notice the smell of gas. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AT THE START OF THE DAY? After the inital start the car seems fine. I took it to the BMW dealer and they did not find anything wrong with the car.

They said I was due for a service (even though I still had 3000Kms to my next service)my current reading is 120,102kms. I got the full service which they said it was best to do. And still the same thing happend - once again at the start of the day. I went back and they did a diagonstic test which came back fine.

I was the told to change my petrol from premium to normal unleaded because the 98 oct petrol I was using was to high, still no change.

im not sure why my car has these problems. The common signs are

if I dont use the car frequently the following things happen when I start the engine for the first time

1. Engine shakes
2. Rattling sound - sometime a popping sound
3. The idiling (Rev meter) jumps to 2rpm the drops below 1rpm and increases again - this lasts for 1 min
4. I can start to smell gas

For example.I start my car in the morning it has the problem I drive to the shops its starts fine. I have told this to the dealers and the services tech and even requested that they keep my car overnight so they can hear and see the problem but they kept saying theres nothing wrong, if there was some symbol will flash up on the dash board.

if anyone has every experienced these things, I would like to hear from you and how you resolved this issue. I can never get a soild answer from the dealer or service department.

Thanks

5 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

The issue could be due to factors such as spark plug wear, an intake manifold leak, or leaking injectors. These are guesses and I would need the car to verify the baseline requirements and move towards a resolution to the issue. Tell me again what the dealer did to the car please, in detail.

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Friday, February 26th, 2010 AT 8:44 AM

KA2114

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3 POSTS

Hi there thank you for your response. Basically I got the inspection II service they changed the oil fliters, micro filter, oil, spark plugs (im not sure the exact ones), changed the head light blubs, and thats about it. I have to double check my log book if I missed anythingm but from memory thats all the parts that appear on my invoice.

When they did a diagonstic (i wasnt there at the time) they said no error message appeared, and I was told not to worry because if something was wrong with the car a symbol will flash on the dash board?

The next thing they told me to change was my petrol I used preimum unleaded fuel they told me just to use unleaded fuel? Still no change.

Im really scared that if I contiue to drive my car it will break down?

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Sunday, February 28th, 2010 AT 4:33 PM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

It will not be likely to "break down" It is possibly something like a fuel pressure issue or perhaps some sort of plausibility issue, I would drive the car and see what happens, let it set a fault so that there is a diagnostic reference to it, then we can talk.

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Sunday, February 28th, 2010 AT 6:07 PM

KA2114

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi there, thank you so much for your kind advise it has put me at ease. I will wait for any symbols to pop up on the dash board and get back to you.

Thanks

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Sunday, February 28th, 2010 AT 7:03 PM

DOCHAGERTY