E92 M3 Erratic Idle After Fill-Up

[gpitts]

I have an E92 M3, and love the car, BUT... In the past month or so, I noticed what I can only describe as "erratic" idling when sitting at a traffic light immediately after a fill-up. I generally use Chevron or 76 fuel, and only use premium. It now happens most every time I fill-up. Sometimes it "chases" the proper idle, others the car completely stalls. More the former than the latter though. Once I go past the traffic light, things seem to settle out. I've never seen this other than immediately after the fill-up. Maybe I should just avoid stopping at that traffic light.

The first time in to the dealer, the service guys could not reproduce the issue. The second time in to the dealer, they were able to reproduce it and ultimately replaced a fuel system canister and idle control somethingoranother. After my next fill-up, the issue resurfaced and she's now back in the shop for a third time.

Anyone else had a similar issue with their M3?

[grantmax]

I have this issue. Not every time I fill up but it's there. I've experience one full stall and a number of narrow misses.

Sounds like they replaced what I considered the issue to be: the idle control valve. If that didn't do the trick, my next guess is an injector or the fuel pump.

I'd like to know if other have this and if it has ever been successfully diagnosed and/or fixed.

[rdoctor]

It could be the gas you're using. These cars are VERY sensitive to fuel. One companies premium is mid grade for others. The car will adapt to different octane levels to a point but if you go below the 93 octane threshold you can see interesting messages on the OBC. I was getting the dreaded "increased emissions" message when I used 91 octane at an Exxon station (their "premium") and when I filled up the car the next time with my normal 93 octane ethanol free Shell V-Power I have never had a problem.

It's worth a try. These are special cars that like special gas. Go figure.

[G80indy]

Where do you find E-0 V-Power 93 ????

[bde]

definitely sounds like a faulty gas, try a different location

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by bde

definitely sounds like a faulty gas, try a different location

That was my guess as well, but the fuel checked out fine per BMW standards (one of the first things they checked). Additionally, I do move from station to station, and there has been no correlation to any particular brand or station.

[rdoctor]

Originally Posted by 330indy

Where do you find E-0 V-Power 93 ????

We've got a couple of Shell stations with the good stuff here in the Charleston, SC area and 146 other stations in the state that have 93 octane E=0 fuel. It's all I've ever put in both of the M3's I've owned.

Look for some Shell stations on this site: http://pure-gas.org/ Looks like you have 5 stations (no Shell) in the entire state of IN that have 93+ E=0

City Brand Octane Name Street Address GPS*
Bremen AMOCO 93 Bellman Oil Co [574-546-2342] 550 E 2nd St N41.45340 W86.13805
Evansville UNBRANDED 93 St Joe Mini Mart [812-963-5761] 6000 W St Joseph Rd N38.06610 W87.64662
Hamilton UNBRANDED 93 Clarks Landing Marina [260-488-2169] 80 Ln 101b Hamilton Lk N41.56115 W84.91157
Mishawaka BP 93 Bell-Mart Bp [574-252-5290] 3505 Bremen Hwy N41.62927 W86.17716
Somerset UNBRANDED 94 Somerset Super Store [765-981-2600] 2 Shopping Center Rd N40.66692 W85.82755

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by rdoctor

It could be the gas you're using. These cars are VERY sensitive to fuel. One companies premium is mid grade for others. The car will adapt to different octane levels to a point but if you go below the 93 octane threshold you can see interesting messages on the OBC. I was getting the dreaded "increased emissions" message when I used 91 octane at an Exxon station (their "premium") and when I filled up the car the next time with my normal 93 octane ethanol free Shell V-Power I have never had a problem.

It's worth a try. These are special cars that like special gas. Go figure.

Seems like a good guess. Although you haven't taken into account California. We don't have 93. It's 91 or bust. Also, our adaptive ECUs should be able to figure this out without choking out.

I only use Shell. And mid-grade (89) fuel is the one that could be faulty. Some stations use tanks underground to mix 87 and 91. Other stations order actual 89 fuel.

I think this issue has to be more than a bad batch of fuel. Or two.

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by gpitts

I have an E92 M3, and love the car, BUT... In the past month or so, I noticed what I can only describe as "erratic" idling when sitting at a traffic light immediately after a fill-up. I generally use Chevron or 76 fuel, and only use premium. It now happens most every time I fill-up. Sometimes it "chases" the proper idle, others the car completely stalls. More the former than the latter though. Once I go past the traffic light, things seem to settle out. I've never seen this other than immediately after the fill-up. Maybe I should just avoid stopping at that traffic light.

The first time in to the dealer, the service guys could not reproduce the issue. The second time in to the dealer, they were able to reproduce it and ultimately replaced a fuel system canister and idle control somethingoranother. After my next fill-up, the issue resurfaced and she's now back in the shop for a third time.

Anyone else had a similar issue with their M3?

Just an update... apparently BMWNA is sending a Field tech to take a look at the car. Should be on the ground Thursday morning.

[RezTTU]

My car is at the dealer for this EXACT issue, it stalled once, and I have it recorded, and showed them, and they are having issues figuring it out. Keep us updated please, my car has been at the dealer for 2 weeks now. I figured it was either idle control valve or fuel pump/injector.

[kscarrol]

Same here. Was recently at the dealer for regular service and mentioned the issue. Despite keeping it overnight they were unable to replicate the issue and the car had no codes indicating problems. Happened again yesterday after filling up at my local Shell station. Unfortunately I do not have it filmed to show the dealer. Tried yesterday but the idle smoothed to before I could dig my phone out...

[RezTTU]

I got my clip uploaded. I wish i commented on it, and recorded me filling it up. This clip is recorded right after I got done filling up. I got in the car and started it up, and it started erratically idling, here is the video:

[MMM3PWR]

I have an early 08 e90 m3 and mine has done thing for the past 70k miles...all different types of gas ..now at 120k and counting

[5soko]

Alot of M5 S85's have this issue aswell..

It also does this when the car is at full temp, left to sit for a hour and started again.

[skate0518]

I have same issue after full Gas it stalled, but only happened couple times ....

[RD1M3]

Ditto, just happened to me for the first time after my last fill up. Let's hope it doesn't become a recurring issue...

[G80indy]

I assume you guys are not overfilling/ topping off
Right?

[RezTTU]

I let it click twice, I can usually tell how much I need to fill up. 14.5-15 gallons.

[mjposner]

Trying stopping at the first click, and see if that helps. You maybe overfilling it.

[kscarrol]

Here is a quick video from this afternoon right after filling up. But it also did this earlier today around a 1/4 tank of gas. The rough idle earlier didn't stall the car but did cause the DCT to go into neutral...

Edit: And no, I did not over fill, simply let the pump shut itself off and removed nozzle with no extra topping off!

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Here is a quick video from this afternoon right after filling up. But it also did this earlier today around a 1/4 tank of gas. The rough idle earlier didn't stall the car but did cause the DCT to go into neutral...

Edit: And no, I did not over fill, simply let the pump shut itself off and removed nozzle with no extra topping off!

Update on my car (and confirmation to kscarrol that what is shown on the video is exactly what I experienced)...

The Field Tech had the service department change the fuel pump and also a fuel pressure valve (don't have the paperwork in front of me, so I'm probably off a bit on the exact name of the part). Neither of those items is monitored by the engine control unit. I picked up my car Friday, but as I was leaving the dealership the "Increased Emissions" indication came on, so I took it back to them this morning.

I can't say with 100 percent certainty that my issue is resolved, but it makes sense that a stall caused by a component that is not monitored would result in the absence of a logged fault.

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by M3DreamTTU

My car is at the dealer for this EXACT issue, it stalled once, and I have it recorded, and showed them, and they are having issues figuring it out. Keep us updated please, my car has been at the dealer for 2 weeks now. I figured it was either idle control valve or fuel pump/injector.

Check my post (above) for an update on my situation. Hope it helps you!