[///MPhobia]

Hi,

I'm a proud new owner of an E46 M3. As I'm located in a relatively small city (Ottawa, Ontario Canada), its difficult to find a garage competent and qualified enough to trust with my car (aside from the stealership). I seem to have a problem with my engine and I'm looking for your valued advice as to what this could be.

I purchased the car 8 months ago with 170km on it (105 miles) and now it has 185km (115 miles).

The car suddenly felt like it lost some horespower (not as aggressive when its gunned down). More importantly, as soon as I hit the gas all the way, the RPM gauge jumps to about 4000rpm and seems to hold there for about a second, and then it starts going up. Also, it feels like it lost considerable power in the 4000 to redline rpm range when gunned down. This is all recent, the RPM gauge and power increase was always very smooth and constant (gotta admit this started a day after I drifted infront of a few friends!!)

I have a feeling this could be one of two things:

1. Car desperately needs a valve adjustment (to my knowledge this has not been done for a while)

2. VANOS problem (see video #3, it doesn't seem to me like the vanos is making noise).

please watch these youtube videos and any advise as to what the problem might be is extremely helpful and appreciated!The videos are in third gear, upshifting to fourth (although the problem is common to all gears).

Video # 1: (demo of RPM gauge hesitating) http://youtu.be/shWyLWDqt7A

Video # 2: (second demo of RPM gauge hesitating) http://youtu.be/61bMiShLDPw

Video # 3: (Vanos sounds normal??) http://youtu.be/XFWhd20tdrQ


I know my car has high miles and this is worrying because I might start facing engine problems. I was very carefully looking for an E46 M3 to buy with less than 60 miles, but when I came across this one the price was an absolute steal (less than half of what I was willing to pay), and the body/interior was in mint condition. The old owner was a mature man who did not cheap out on the car (he was known in the dealership and all maintenance was done there.)

Thank you very much!

 

[ihsnshaik]

U run a carfax on this?

 

[///MPhobia]

Yes - came black clean. Why? you think could be related to an accident? The car's def never been in one..

 

[LA Prince]

Next time wear a seatbelt when driving and video taping, cuz ur seatbelt light is on in the first vid!

 

[tinman831]

What's the maintenance history look like? When was the last time you changed the plugs, oils, etc?

The engine does sound pretty noisy. I'd definitely check the valve clearances too.

 

[crazyafghanguy]

how is the clutch?

 

[///MPhobia]

I know it seems from the videos that my clutch might be slipping, the RPM lag is actually happening after the clutch is completely disengaged. It's definitely not the clutch, it's in good health.
This happens at any RPM and in all gears. I have not checked for fault codes yet. I was told that these engines have so many sensors in them that if anything serious were to happen, the check engine light would come on right away?

I don't think spark plugs have been changed. Could this be a reason?
thanks for the useful info, I will update once I get it checked out. If anyone else has any suggestion please let me know!

 

[SweetBMW]

No the CEL would not come on right away. Do a code scan on it, because there are many faults that are intermittent at best and will not pop a CEL until the sensor completely fails.

Do a scan and report back Good luck.

 

[[email protected]]

i would suggest starting with the coils. bmw coils are known to fail especially on these cars. start there if you need some and are willing to pay good money for a good set i would suggest the okada projects coils.
http://www.wltsautosports.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=29664
I can do $1,000 shipped to the lower 48$

 

[saloonracer]

Start with the simple things first.
Try the same thing with the AC on and off..any difference?
Check the air filter for damage/debris.
Check for any leaks/tears in the intake system. U have really gotta look close here to find anything.
If nothing is found there.
Check/replace motor oil. Here, specifically check for anything in the oil coming out. Even if you find nothing, youll be putting in new oil.
Check the vanos filter at the same time!! Very important.

If you have gone through all of this and nothing obvious stuck out as a problem.

Pull the spark plugs and the coils. Inspect plugs and post pictures if you find something strange. Replace anything that might look corroded.
If a coil is bad then you would be getting a misfire at some point in those videos that should kickoff a cel light. Now I cant hear in the vids that well but it doesnt sound like the engine is misfiring at any point. Listen for this if you can.

This could very well be the fuel pump going out. An 02 sensor is also something to look at when your high miles.

D

 

[saloonracer]

Also, try to switch gas stations. ...simpler yet.

 

[04yfz]

i would suggest starting with the coils. bmw coils are known to fail especially on these cars. start there if you need some and are willing to pay good money for a good set i would suggest the okada projects coils.
http://www.wltsautosports.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=29664
I can do $1,000 shipped to the lower 48$

Yes let's throw $1000 at a stock car and buy coils when a new set of Bosch coils can be had for $200. :facepalm:

Do you have service records? To some people, maintenance means oil changes and basic things like an air filter.

I would check and replace the following:
Air filter
Fuel Filter
Spark Plugs
Coils if they were never changed

If a valve adjustment hasnt been recently done, do that as well.

Also, I would run a bottle of techtron through the tank while filling up with some good gas.

 

[bimmerfan08]

Yes let's throw $1000 at a stock car and buy coils when a new set of Bosch coils can be had for $200. :facepalm:

Do you have service records? To some people, maintenance means oil changes and basic things like an air filter.

I would check and replace the following:
Air filter
Fuel Filter
Spark Plugs
Coils if they were never changed

If a valve adjustment hasnt been recently done, do that as well.

Also, I would run a bottle of techtron through the tank while filling up with some good gas.

Those things are maintenance, hell I document everytime I clean and mosturize the seats

 

[PreppyR6]

By all means ignore a sponsor telling you to chuck 1k at coils, seriously wtf, get out.

Here's my take. My M is high miles and I do all my own work. Like the above said, start with the basics (cheap). 1) Check your codes, 2) if it hasn't been done recently, inspect and replace your air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs. You can do all of that for under 100 bucks. 3) clean your MAF, cost is MAF cleaner and takes 5 minutes, 4) throw a bottle of techron in the gas tank, cost is 1 bottle of techron, 5) remove intake manifold and clean throttle bodies (if needed), cost is the cost of the pliers needed for the throttle body boots and whatever you use to clean them, 6) consider removing your fuel injectors and having them cleaned, costs about 100 bucks to have them done professionally, 7) inspect your valves, I did this last week and only had 3 valves very slightly out of spec after 50k mi, no noticeable change in performance.

Thats my .02. Notice I'm not recommending upgrades. These are just things I do to restore lost hp.


Edit: I DID replace my MAF for causing hesitation issues a year ago, BUT I did have a MAF code.

 

[TropicalM3]

I was thinking the MAF too, clean it or maybe need replacing and it may not throw a code.

 

[04yfz]

Those things are maintenance, hell I document everytime I clean and mosturize the seats

I agree, I am just saying that to some people maintenance only entails oil changes, where as in reality it is much more involved than that, so if the dealer says it was well maintained I'd want to find out what was done.

By all means ignore a sponsor telling you to chuck 1k at coils, seriously wtf, get out.

Here's my take. My M is high miles and I do all my own work. Like the above said, start with the basics (cheap). 1) Check your codes, 2) if it hasn't been done recently, inspect and replace your air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs. You can do all of that for under 100 bucks. 3) clean your MAF, cost is MAF cleaner and takes 5 minutes, 4) throw a bottle of techron in the gas tank, cost is 1 bottle of techron, 5) remove intake manifold and clean throttle bodies (if needed), cost is the cost of the pliers needed for the throttle body boots and whatever you use to clean them, 6) consider removing your fuel injectors and having them cleaned, costs about 100 bucks to have them done professionally, 7) inspect your valves, I did this last week and only had 3 valves very slightly out of spec after 50k mi, no noticeable change in performance.

Thats my .02. Notice I'm not recommending upgrades. These are just things I do to restore lost hp.


Edit: I DID replace my MAF for causing hesitation issues a year ago, BUT I did have a MAF code.

Great Idea on the maf sensor.

Also does the car have an aftermarket intake or is it OEM? Get some MAF sensor cleaner and clean the sensor, that will not hurt for sure.