Loss of power under load.

[Ben. T]

Hi, I have a 325IS that, when going up hills and more recently even starting into first gear, the engine does not provide enough power, as if the fuel just isn't there. I'm a newer driver, so as a nervous driver, this doesn't help. Please, if you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

[JhwShark]

MYear please??

Newer driver...to a car or this car??
If a new to you car, what is the compression and smog test results? How many miles on engine? What documented work has been performed?

Jon

[Ben. T]

New driver to driving. 350000 Kms on the engine and the only work thats been done on it has been to keep it going. I could tell you it all, but that could take awhile. The lady gave me a binder of it. 1987 is the year. Not sure about the others, but I'll check.

[Manolito]

The first thing that pops to mind when a driver reports power loss going up hill is the fuel filter. I posted instructions for replacing it here.

Fuel_Filter

Also, inspect the air tubes and the elbow between the air filter and the throttle. Air leaking in will cause an over-lean condition. Remember that these tubes tend to crack on the bottom where you cannot see the cracks unless you take it apart.

While you have it apart, it would not hurt to spray some mass airflow meter cleaner through the MAF.

[JhwShark]

350,000 km is about 217,000 miles. '87 325is...it has been a while since I had a 325...

So, definitely go through the fuel system as Manolito suggests. Also, while you are at it, look into the in-line mesh fuel filters (if this car has them) in the inlets of the fuel pump and where the output from the fuel filter goes (maybe the fuel pressure regulator FPR; don't remember configuration). Your FPR may also be old and in need of replacement or repair?

If after checking out the fuel system completely you still have a problem...it could be a tired engine needing valve job.

A simple compression test, which is a lot easier to do than all the above, may give a clue to the cause; primarily if the engine state is tired. A compression tester is cheap and the test is eaasy to do on this car. If you do this test examine the spark plugs you remove to perform the test. Keep track of which one came from which cylinder and what the electrode (spark plug end) looks like; take a pic of them to post if they look odd/sooty/oily or are wet and smell like fuel. post the compression of each cylinder and show a pic of each plug...

Also, since this is new car to you post the smog test results, if you had a test when you took ownership.
Jon