My e92 m3 is idling very oddly..

AMG_LAWL · 11-04-2015, 01:52 PM

Hey dudes! Before I start I wanna say that Ive checked the online information and all I can find is people having this problem only on startup/cold starts.. Heres my issue.. I have had a little concern for my idling lately. My start up is perfectly okay, I just got an oil change a month back and my gas levels are never low. But for some reason whenever I'm stopped in traffic or at a red, my idle starts going below 500, then back up to 700ish, then back down to 500, then occasionally it'll drop below 500 like its about to die then ill shoot back up to 1000, then back down to 500. What I'm trying to say is, my idle isn't idling normally.. Could this be a bad or aging battery, bad spark plug(s), bad idle control valve, or something more serious?? Any info from you guys will help dearly.

kscarrol · 11-04-2015, 02:12 PM

Any correlation to filling up? I had idle issues similar to what you describe but only after filling up. The fix was the fuel tank breather valve. If not happening after filling up, ignore my comment!

WickedE93 · 11-04-2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG_LAWL

Hey dudes! Before I start I wanna say that Ive checked the online information and all I can find is people having this problem only on startup/cold starts.. Heres my issue.. I have had a little concern for my idling lately. My start up is perfectly okay, I just got an oil change a month back and my gas levels are never low. But for some reason whenever I'm stopped in traffic or at a red, my idle starts going below 500, then back up to 700ish, then back down to 500, then occasionally it'll drop below 500 like its about to die then ill shoot back up to 1000, then back down to 500. What I'm trying to say is, my idle isn't idling normally.. Could this be a bad or aging battery, bad spark plug(s), bad idle control valve, or something more serious?? Any info from you guys will help dearly.

Idle Control Valve for sure. My car did the same thing when it went out. It'll get progressively, the car will go into limp mode eventually.

aris21 · 11-04-2015, 04:50 PM

check for any vacuum leak(s)... sounds like the car is compensating for lack of air hence the up/down rpm.

Strick · 11-04-2015, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Any correlation to filling up? I had idle issues similar to what you describe but only after filling up. The fix was the fuel tank breather valve. If not happening after filling up, ignore my comment!

Had the same thing as yourself, also would crank 5-10 seconds ONLY after a fill up. New valve fixed it. - Would also get a "Tighten fuel cap" prompt.

AMG_LAWL · 11-04-2015, 07:40 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Seems like its something to do with the idle valve since the problem persists after filling up. Do you think any qualified bmws shop can fix this or do I need to go to the dealership? The dealership doesn't even have loaners for me at this time since its high traffic and enterprise is a pain in the ass... So I dont mind getting it fixed at a shop if its not expensive

CognitiveDistortion · 11-04-2015, 10:22 PM

I believe the part is under $400 and labor should be 1-2 hours. Indy should charge around $600 or so for the whole job.

I am trying to get mine replaced as well, hopefully in the next few weeks.

atruelunatic · 11-04-2015, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CognitiveDistortion

I believe the part is under $400 and labor should be 1-2 hours. Indy should charge around $600 or so for the whole job.

I am trying to get mine replaced as well, hopefully in the next few weeks.

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3...Valve/ES33154/

Found this at $250

InnerBlueSkies · 11-04-2015, 11:33 PM

I had the same symptoms with my car and it was in the shop for 35 days (under warranty). After 35 hours of labor and replacing a ton of parts including the idle control valve it turned out to be leaky fuel injectors, at least that's what they told me.

CognitiveDistortion · 11-05-2015, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atruelunatic

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3...Valve/ES33154/

Found this at $250

I got the quote several months back. This is even better.

Thanks for the correction!

AMG_LAWL · 11-05-2015, 11:02 AM

Yup I saw that on ecs tuning website a few days back. So Im assuming with labor and what not, it'll cost about 300...

Rat3d ///M · 11-05-2015, 11:10 AM

So is your issue only after fill up, or at other times? I was under the impression that erratic idle after fill up = fuel tank breather valve (about an $80 part). Fuel tank breather valve and idle control valve are two different things. Make sure you're replacing the right part and not wasting money.

AMG_LAWL · 11-06-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ||||||||||

So is your issue only after fill up, or at other times? I was under the impression that erratic idle after fill up = fuel tank breather valve (about an $80 part). Fuel tank breather valve and idle control valve are two different things. Make sure you're replacing the right part and not wasting money.

Its not an issue after filling up because I've already tried filling up at shell and chevron both (for whatever its worth) and both resulted in same idle issue. So Im assuming its a fuel tank breather since the local german shop said my ICV is not damaged or defective. I have to go back and recommend an evaluation for the fuel tank breather. I really hope this is the problem

AMG_LAWL · 11-06-2015, 02:51 PM

I think this is half the reason I've liked V6's more in the past because they have fewer working parts within the engine than this S65.. But my annoyed state of mind might be saying that haha

thekurgan · 11-06-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG_LAWL

I think this is half the reason I've liked V6's more in the past because they have fewer working parts within the engine than this S65.. But my annoyed state of mind might be saying that haha

Really? You think your idling issues relates to 2 cylinders and associated parts?

AMG_LAWL · 11-06-2015, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Really? You think your idling issues relates to 2 cylinders and associated parts?

Its a joke bro.. hence the "haha"

thekurgan · 11-06-2015, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG_LAWL

Its a joke bro.. hence the "haha"

Whew, happy Friday.

AMG_LAWL · 11-09-2015, 04:01 PM

BTW.. I got an oil change about 2 months ago, my car is already telling me to put a qt in.. wtf.. is this a side effect of the idle problem I'm having?

kscarrol · 11-09-2015, 05:57 PM

Unrelated. Whoever did the oil change must have not really topped up when refilling...

AMG_LAWL · 11-12-2015, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Unrelated. Whoever did the oil change must have not really topped up when refilling...

Got that issue fixed.. Still irritated with the idling! Today it went all the way down to 0 then went back up and put my car in N.. Scary shit..

AMG_LAWL · 11-12-2015, 04:50 PM

Also, last option, do you guys think it can be my battery? Im assuming if it was he battery, my car would tell me so? OR maybe the spark plugs? Does the car act like this with bad sparks?

kscarrol · 11-12-2015, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG_LAWL

Got that issue fixed.. Still irritated with the idling! Today it went all the way down to 0 then went back up and put my car in N.. Scary shit..

Yes, that was what mine would do. Dropped to zero and put the car into neutral. Actually stalled a couple of times... Here is an old video of what my idle would do before replacing the fuel tank breather valve. The car did not stall or drop the DCT into neutral but you can see the wild swings in rpm's...

11-04-2015, 01:52 PM	#1
AMG_LAWL E92 M3 99 Rep 508 Posts Drives: (2) E92 M3's & F30 320i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Playa Vista, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [0.00]	My e92 m3 is idling very oddly.. Hey dudes! Before I start I wanna say that Ive checked the online information and all I can find is people having this problem only on startup/cold starts.. Heres my issue.. I have had a little concern for my idling lately. My start up is perfectly okay, I just got an oil change a month back and my gas levels are never low. But for some reason whenever I'm stopped in traffic or at a red, my idle starts going below 500, then back up to 700ish, then back down to 500, then occasionally it'll drop below 500 like its about to die then ill shoot back up to 1000, then back down to 500. What I'm trying to say is, my idle isn't idling normally.. Could this be a bad or aging battery, bad spark plug(s), bad idle control valve, or something more serious?? Any info from you guys will help dearly.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-04-2015, 02:12 PM	#2
kscarrol Brigadier General 8906 Rep 4,107 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i, 1974 2002 Tii Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0)	Any correlation to filling up? I had idle issues similar to what you describe but only after filling up. The fix was the fuel tank breather valve. If not happening after filling up, ignore my comment! __________________ 2021 X3 M40i 1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475
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11-04-2015, 04:50 PM	#4
aris21 Private First Class 36 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (1)	check for any vacuum leak(s)... sounds like the car is compensating for lack of air hence the up/down rpm.
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11-04-2015, 07:40 PM	#6
AMG_LAWL E92 M3 99 Rep 508 Posts Drives: (2) E92 M3's & F30 320i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Playa Vista, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [0.00]	Thanks for the info guys. Seems like its something to do with the idle valve since the problem persists after filling up. Do you think any qualified bmws shop can fix this or do I need to go to the dealership? The dealership doesn't even have loaners for me at this time since its high traffic and enterprise is a pain in the ass... So I dont mind getting it fixed at a shop if its not expensive
	Appreciate 1 RomesM30.00 Quote

11-04-2015, 10:22 PM	#7
CognitiveDistortion Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 242 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I believe the part is under $400 and labor should be 1-2 hours. Indy should charge around $600 or so for the whole job. I am trying to get mine replaced as well, hopefully in the next few weeks.
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11-04-2015, 11:33 PM	#9
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1093 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	I had the same symptoms with my car and it was in the shop for 35 days (under warranty). After 35 hours of labor and replacing a ton of parts including the idle control valve it turned out to be leaky fuel injectors, at least that's what they told me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2015, 11:02 AM	#11
AMG_LAWL E92 M3 99 Rep 508 Posts Drives: (2) E92 M3's & F30 320i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Playa Vista, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [0.00]	Yup I saw that on ecs tuning website a few days back. So Im assuming with labor and what not, it'll cost about 300...
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11-05-2015, 11:10 AM	#12
Rat3d ///M 997.1TT 1003 Rep 1,672 Posts Drives: 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	So is your issue only after fill up, or at other times? I was under the impression that erratic idle after fill up = fuel tank breather valve (about an $80 part). Fuel tank breather valve and idle control valve are two different things. Make sure you're replacing the right part and not wasting money.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-06-2015, 02:51 PM	#14
AMG_LAWL E92 M3 99 Rep 508 Posts Drives: (2) E92 M3's & F30 320i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Playa Vista, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [0.00]	I think this is half the reason I've liked V6's more in the past because they have fewer working parts within the engine than this S65.. But my annoyed state of mind might be saying that haha
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-09-2015, 04:01 PM	#18
AMG_LAWL E92 M3 99 Rep 508 Posts Drives: (2) E92 M3's & F30 320i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Playa Vista, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [0.00]	BTW.. I got an oil change about 2 months ago, my car is already telling me to put a qt in.. wtf.. is this a side effect of the idle problem I'm having?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-09-2015, 05:57 PM	#19
kscarrol Brigadier General 8906 Rep 4,107 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i, 1974 2002 Tii Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0)	Unrelated. Whoever did the oil change must have not really topped up when refilling... __________________ 2021 X3 M40i 1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475
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11-12-2015, 04:50 PM	#21
AMG_LAWL E92 M3 99 Rep 508 Posts Drives: (2) E92 M3's & F30 320i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Playa Vista, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [0.00]	Also, last option, do you guys think it can be my battery? Im assuming if it was he battery, my car would tell me so? OR maybe the spark plugs? Does the car act like this with bad sparks?
	Appreciate 0 Quote