Well I found a steal (under a grand) on an '87 325 with 110k on it. the body and the interior are in excelent condition. Infact I'm not sure it has ever seen a winter. The problem is that the engine does not run smooth. I'm not sure if it is at idle only or all the time. From reading alot about this car I hear the fuel injectors tend to be the major problem on this car. The place I am buying from isn't sure if it is a tune up problem, a fuel problem, or a crank or cam shaft problem. If anyone has any ideas the feedback would be appreciated. Thank you in advance
Noobie Looking at a 325
- Thread starter andycasper
- Start date
Since the car has so few miles on it for it's age, besides doing the normal tune up items. I would suggest you change the fuel filter and toss in some good injector cleaner (like Chevron's Techron and see if the problem clears up. It could have moisture in the tank. The injectors are not really problematic in these cars and if needed can be serviced by a shop for a reasonable cost.
Gordon
WitchHunter Performance
Fuel injector cleaning & flow testing service
Gordon
WitchHunter Performance
Fuel injector cleaning & flow testing service
Ahhh, the old "rough idle"!
Possible causes are as said above - dirty injectors or dirty fuel. Other possible culprits are poor airflow caused by either dirty filter, mal-adjusted airflow meter, or maladjusted mixture screw (all usually easy and cheap fixes).
It could also be poorly adjusted tappets as they are adjustable on the 6-cyl. This often happens after someon has tryed to eliminate rattling caused by worn tappets which is a very common problem with these cars. If this is the case, get them adjusted back and live with the noise - it is very rarely a major problem.
It could be a problem with the ECU, but hens teeth are more common than this.
It could be an issue with the ignition system esp. if it "misses" under acceleration as well.
So my advice is to do the usual maintenance that you should always do when buying a new used car:
Change the air and fuel filters, change the oil and oil filter, change the coolant, change the plugs, and then if you want to get it tuned. Also, with a car of this mileage I would definately get the timing/cam belt replaced ASAP and make sure they replace the belt idler/tensioner as well as these parts are not that expensive, but if they fail will probably destroy your engine. All of this is relatively inexpensive, but as I am not from the US, I have no idea what this would cost you there. Less than NZ$1000 including labour for all of the above here.
If that does not fix the prob, then it is a job for a BMW service agent, or a qualified mechanic. I have spent heaps trying to iron out rough idling and flat spots on my car, and have only just got it right, I am a perfectionist however and am very particular - most of my friends couldn't even hear/see/feel what I was on about. So, if it is at a level you are happy with - leave it.
Possible causes are as said above - dirty injectors or dirty fuel. Other possible culprits are poor airflow caused by either dirty filter, mal-adjusted airflow meter, or maladjusted mixture screw (all usually easy and cheap fixes).
It could also be poorly adjusted tappets as they are adjustable on the 6-cyl. This often happens after someon has tryed to eliminate rattling caused by worn tappets which is a very common problem with these cars. If this is the case, get them adjusted back and live with the noise - it is very rarely a major problem.
It could be a problem with the ECU, but hens teeth are more common than this.
It could be an issue with the ignition system esp. if it "misses" under acceleration as well.
So my advice is to do the usual maintenance that you should always do when buying a new used car:
Change the air and fuel filters, change the oil and oil filter, change the coolant, change the plugs, and then if you want to get it tuned. Also, with a car of this mileage I would definately get the timing/cam belt replaced ASAP and make sure they replace the belt idler/tensioner as well as these parts are not that expensive, but if they fail will probably destroy your engine. All of this is relatively inexpensive, but as I am not from the US, I have no idea what this would cost you there. Less than NZ$1000 including labour for all of the above here.
If that does not fix the prob, then it is a job for a BMW service agent, or a qualified mechanic. I have spent heaps trying to iron out rough idling and flat spots on my car, and have only just got it right, I am a perfectionist however and am very particular - most of my friends couldn't even hear/see/feel what I was on about. So, if it is at a level you are happy with - leave it.