Top 20 2010 BMW 3 Series - Page 7 Questions & Answers

it usually indicates an open circuit such as a door or trunk maby even gas cap not tight

this sounds like a water blockage, take off the water hose that goes to the engine block, start the engine, and see if there is water flow going to engine...if this is the problem, then you need to buy an engine flush fluid, and flush out your engine....please be carefull, as the E36 320i, has an aluminium head, and is easily warped by heat

Float in tank could be stuck or malfunctioning, or sensor wire from tank damaged or not grounded properly.

Try the fuel filter to begin with, and go from there.

Does it happen when you accelerate and decelerate? If so, it might be a motor mount or transmission mount. If it only happens on bumpy roads, check to see of the battery is held down tight, otherwise I'm at a loss.

what oil regulators?? only change the oil filter and oil ,their is no regulator only a pressure relief valve but thats in the oil pump ,if the injector failed ,and allowed neat fuel into the piston then this would cause the piston to seize because it wash all the oil off the cylinder bore .then seize up time

Pull off the front left corner marker light and reach in and pull cable.

usually noise complaint can be pretty tricky to repair. especially if its intermittent. since you say it only when its cold my first guess would have to be a wheel bearing. some other things you can check is how the tires are wearing. when you rub your hand along the tread is it smooth or does the tread catch your hand. if your tires aren't wearing smooth noise complaints can be heard while slightly turning, braking, or even accelerating.also if its a wheel bearing you can lift the vehicle up in the rear (turn off your dsc) and run the rear tires up to speed. usually you can hear a loud wheel bearing. also you can drive the vehicle and swerve back and forth and see if the nosie changes. depending on which side of the vehicle suspension is being loaded

You cannot replace bulbs in the led display you will either have to buy a new one from BMW or get one from a scrap yard. This is a common problem with all the BMW's with the led displays.

Lambda sensor is broken

Buy a cd player cleaning kit from Walmart or stereo shop and try it. Check all fuses.

the latch for the boot is bad

Check the timing

I had a similar problem. The power loss is very common. I finally got tired of it all and hired a lemon law attorney. BMW bought back my vehicle. http://www.attorneyforcalifornialemonlaw.com

rub your **** on the key fob

i do not know but try these websites www.autozone.com and www.alldatadiy.com if all fails stop by your local dealer and in the part department they will print you off a diagram

Hi Retze

From your report on the symptoms of your problem, it definitely points to an electrical problem, which is aggravated by cold and damp.

The smell of fuel in your oil, points directly to a misfire and non combustion on one, or more cylinders, and the subsequent unburnt fuel washing down the bores and into the fuel, thus breaking down the viscosity of your oil, and going to give you premature , and excessive wear on your engine before too long, if not already.

As you say loosing oil, which I expect is going out the exhaust, due to ring or piston wear.
This problem must be cured quickly !

I would firstly suggest, all the spark plugs are removed, and inspected very closely for contamination signs, from oil or fuel.

This will hopefully give you a clue, as to the problem cylinder/s.

Also a dry and a wet ie:- ( injection of some oil in the cylinder ) compression test should be carried out, on cold engine.
This will tell you if your valves, pistons and rings, head gasket,etc are all serviceable, from the pressure readings.


A master guage should also be connected, and your oil pressure checked to give your oil pump, and lubrication system, to hopefully give it too a clean bill of heath.

Now as to my gut feelings as to where your problems may lie ?

I too suspect the spark plug coils, as they are problematic with BMW, as they are also, with my specialist subject, Jaguars.

They are sometimes difficult to fault, as the problem can be intermittent.
And usually the clear sign is the spark plug condition on removal, which is the give away !

I am also very concerned as to how long ago you changed your engine oil & filter, as if you can smell the fuel in your oil, it must be thinned down considerably, and also affecting your hydraulic valve lifters.
Mind you if worn or faulty, you can usually hear the problem.

Your first line of attack is remove the spark plugs, and inspect those plugs !

Let me know what you find, and give me your feedback as to your thoughts on my comments.

Good Luck !

Remember to give me a rating if you think I have been of assistance, thanks !

John.

hi, check the rubber hose between the air box and the inlet manifold, it may be cracked causing it to draw in hot air from the engine bay! temp fix it by taping it up with elec. tape, otherwise you;ll have to replace it, hope this helps, steg

To accurately check oil pressure, you need a mechanical pressure gauge and feed line. To use, remove the factory pressure sending unit and attach gauge.
Likely if the engine is already knocking, the problem is already there and the oil pressure light is telling you that (knock is either rod bearing, main bearing or lifter) Oil pumps do not generally fail. the pump gets oil before any other component is the last to not get oil. Pressure loss at a worn bearing causes pressure drop that turns on light (unless you don't have sufficient oil in the pan.)

U can keep driving, just make sure the oil always shows on the dipstick when u check it, if not then u can cause the engine to just freeze up from lack of lubrication.