stalling..chugging issues

[flutterby]

Please help...my 1985 318i runs fine at times..but has an intermittent problem with stalling. Engine chugs and does not seem to be getting any gas. I have replaced the fuel filter..spark plugs and wires. Could it be an electrical problem? Any help would be much appreciated. Im in a poduck community..that seems too know nothing about beemers. TYIA

[FastAggie]

I had a VW with that problem...it turned out to be the fuel injectors. The car (an '85 Cabriolet convertible) would chug and buck and finally stall out.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

This can be many things, i would need afew more specfic details..

Have you changed the O sensor? How many miles? etc...

[flutterby]

Jared... my car has 190,000 miles on it. We recently replaced all the plugs and wires. cap and rotor, and fuel filter. This problem seems too happen most often when the fuel is about at a 1/4 tank. But perhaps it is just that i run on low fuel more often than not. Im not sure what the o sensor is. Another thing i failed too mention is that my stereo has no power whatsoever. Most likely nothing to do with my stalling issues. Any advice would b much appreciated Jared!! btw would you happpen too have any info as too what fuse goes too what? thank you in advance. Hallie

[FastAggie]

o sensor = oxygen sensor

if your bimmer is like my 325 es, there should be a plastic cover over the fuse box with numbers on it. you can find which fuse goes to what by looking at the manual for the car.

[pyguinard]

It may not be it but...

I Also had a somewhat similar problem (also with a VW - 1983 Scirocco) and it turned out to be a rusty gas tank with holes that allowed the water to get in.

It was most noticeable when I was slowing down (by engine compression or braking). I temporarely solved the problem by adding "water remover" in the filler neck. I fixed the tank after.

[Dub-Dub]

I didn't have the problem, but I had my tank rust out (gotta love the northeast) so it is something that can happed... but mine was accompanied by a gas smell... due to the ariated tank.... think it'd be a reach for yours if it spent its life in VA

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I would check the O2 Sensor, as well as the plugs, rotor, cap, as well as the vacuum hoses.

[pyguinard]

In fact, the way the problem was described, it could be all of the above!!

Snow White,
Is the engine hard to start? (if not, it is probably not related to fuel delivery (accumulator, pump, etc)
Does that problem hapens with engine hot, cold..... or both?
Does it stall only at idle?
... when A/C is on?
What happens is you suddently press on the gas pedal? Does it misfires and then, catches up (signs of vacuum leak in CIS inj. system)
Could it be the idle screw?
We need to know more!!

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

A good starting point would be to read the codes coming off the engine computer.

[flutterby]

Thank you everyone for the tips. I looked in my fuse box, the stereo issues were due to a fuse not making a connnection. I have tunes now. .There are numbers on the clear plastic fuse box cover, but un fourtunatly there is no corresponding info. on which fuse controls what. I do recall a diagram in my original owners manual, which i have since lost. "how strange? Must b with the mysterious missing tools that attach under my trunk. Any one have a dupicate copy 2 share? But i have tunes now Havent had stalling for a couple days...I added fuel dryer 2 a tank of gas. Bottom line is though, that my car is getting old and needs some work for sure. I was fourtunate enough 2 find a new local european shop in the area. With some luck my baby will be purring again. The sunroof crank fell out..and nobody seems too get it..perhaps this mechanic will. Having too much fun in Montana