hello! so i got a question. i own a n42b20 143hp (105kw) (2001) e46 with 230k km on clock. its eating fuel like crazy, when fuel light came on, i put in 10l of fuel. car idled alot, sumed up around 1 hour. and i drove 35km, with couple of pulls to the redline, and fuel light came on. so yeah, i...

Hi all, I have been researching all day about how to install an oil catch can in my e46 touring 2L 318i n42. However, all I can find is reference to the 6 cylinder engines. has anybody actually fitted a catch can in the 2L n42? If so, have you got any photos or guidance on whether it’s worth...

I bought a 2002 318ti (N42) last month. After purchase I discovered the engine will randomly cut out multiple times until it warms up properly. This would be unpredictable and would occur both driving and stopped but once the temp gauge is in the 12 o’clock, this no longer occurs. I ran...

Hello everyone! After getting my jumped timing chain fixed I now have some problems on my car. The idle is unstable, and i can feel vibrations in my cabin. Also when I am taking off from a stop, or press the accelerator >50% i can feel it stuttering and almost choking so I have to take off...

Hi all, Although this is my first post, I have been using this site as a reference for a while now! I have a 2002 318ci (n42 engine) automatic. I’ve got an issue that’s now really bugging me! The problem started about 2 weeks ago when my alternator packed up whilst driving home along the...

Well, eventually - I have just about totally rebuilt this GODFORSAKEN motor and it works fairly well BUT I am unable to get my Snap-On Verus Pro (Or a MODIS Edge) scan tool to do a VVT Relearn. The scanner has the facility and it all runs fine right up until I try to carry out the relearn...

I have a problem on my 318 that I think is related with valvetronic operation. Car stalls sometimes when warming up. power and MPG are pretty bad. Actually I'm not sure valvetronic works at all, because I was driving few days with disconnected sensor and didn't feel difference. Today I...

So this issue has been happening for maybe the last 6 months or so, so definitely not a sudden thing. But I thought I'd finally ask for an answer. On a cold startup, about 3-4mins after the engine has been running (so the temp needle is just lifting off the blue) the engine starts to smoke a...

hi recently noticed that i have a snapped wire. and im wondering where does it go and what is it for. engine works fine without it :D does someone knows what is this wire for?

Hi all This isn't my pic but I have the same question! I replaced my timing chain tensioner today, and i broke off the hose in the pic. When i say broke off, it's actually the connector that has snapped. Can someone please tell me what that hose is what you call the connector piece? It's an N42...

Hi! I hope i´m posting in the corect section. (FYI, I have limited experience with engine mechanics). I recently bought a BMW 318 -03 with the N42 engine that seemed to be in good condition with only 13800km (22000 miles) on the clock. Engine running fine on idle and no powerloss on...

Hi Need peoples views on my engine trouble would be grateful for some feedback. I have a 318ti 1995cc Engine N2b20A Engine. Timing Chain was recently changed( before I owned the Car) I now have a knocking noise very quietly when idle but when you apply throttle to above 2000rpm the knocking...

My car has developed a problem where on a cold start the engine will idle around 1100 RPM before slowly dropping to around 1000 and then after a few minutes to the normal idle. When the engine's warm it idles normally and I've scanned it but it's not giving any fault codes. :thumbdwn: Here's a...

My car has developed a problem where on a cold start the engine will idle around 1100 RPM before slowly dropping to around 1000 and then after a few minutes to the normal idle. When the engine's warm it idles normally. I've scanned for codes but its giving none. :thumbdwn: Here's a video of the...

I have a 318 SE 2003 facelift with some frustrating symptoms. It feels like the slight loss of power when you have the air con on, also when accelerating from start it seems to bog down. If you do accelerate hard when you change gear there is a massive loss of power but only briefly. Other...

Hello everyone, I am trying to determine possible causes with my E46 318i N42. It is giving the following symptoms: I just got the oil sump gasket one of the oil separator hose replaced. 1. Occasionally (seems more frequent of late) the idling RPM (about 700rpm) is slightly irregular. Most...

Hey, anyone know if the sump on a 4cyl 2.0L N42 be changed without dropping the subframe? Spaghetti coder/TIS online suggests not but space looks tight to me, anyone actually done this on this engine? http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/07/09/79 I have a rounded sump plug IN the sump, it...

Hi there, this is my first post on here, so bear with me :hi:...have owned my 316 Compact for about a year...currently sitting at 65k miles with no problems. Noticed oil is leaking from valve cover and oil light has just come on. Have bought the gasket and will be replacing this weekend...

Ok, before all the community shoot me down in flames I have searched and I can only see oil leaks relating to the oil filters and the housing/ gaskets or the sump plug gasket. Mine is non of the above mentioned. :eek: I did a 400mile drive a few days ago and when I pulled back on the drive and...

guys, please spare me some of your time. i'm still searching everywhere for this. about two weeks ago, i blew my engine. my head got damaged: camshaft, intake and exhaust valves, valve guide. everything on top. i had the engine block checked and it still looks good. the machine shop confirmed to...