jcjdavis1 Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi. Rough idle maybe a vacuum leak, with the engine running take off the oil filler cap and see if the idle changes. If it still idles rough then check all vacuum hoses for leaks. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi. Rough idle maybe a vacuum leak, with the engine running take off the oil filler cap and see if the idle changes. If it still idles rough then check all vacuum hoses for leaks. Jim Jim, Im going to seem a bit thick here, as I have just got my hands dirty and replaced this gasket, but which hoses in particular are vacuum hoses? Had a look at real OEM, i dont think any of these were removed or detatched to do the gasket. I willl try the oil filler cap trick tonight. Should the idle get better with the cap removed? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi. If the engine was fine and you took the oil cap of the idle would change, so if the idle is rough and you took the cap off and there was little change then I would think vacuum leak. If you took off the airbox and MAF to change the OFHG you may have not put something back correctly No17 & 7x4 are worth checking for splits- http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AL32&mospid=47631&btnr=13_0637&hg=13&fg=15 Check any hose that does not have coolant. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Cheers Jim. Job-on for tonight. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted September 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Another cyber beer for Jim. I did a quick visual inspection before doing the oil filler cap check. I found the hose connected to the rear of the large air intake pipe going into the manifold was disconnected. It wasn’t removed when I did the oil filter housing gasket, but the pipe had a small 5-6mm split at the end, so I could have worked its way off when I was wiggling the air box. It’s now fixed with a jubilee clip and the idle went instantly back to normal. Could this have caused an increase in fuel consumption? Can someone explain the vacuum system, and what it does? Got to look at the subscribing options, as this site has saved me a couple of hundred pounds already. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Hi. Glad you got it sorted. I find all these sites invaluable, as there is someone somewhere had the same problem. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pope Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi there people. I have got a oil leak which is blowing on to my exhaust and it smell awful and smokes a bit in traffic . I have been told that it is my rocker cover gasket but i had that changed 3 months ago. He thinks my rocker cover has warped and is lleaks oil! Can this be true. Please help before i spend 300 pound to fix it. Sorry about the spelling im on my phone. Thanks guys and girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi. I think I would change the gasket again making sure all surfaces are well cleaned, add a spot of gasket sealant on a few spots to make sure the gasket is sitting firmly in place. Or visit a breakers yard and see if you can pick up a rocker cover. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Not really still about the oil leak, which cleared up nicely with the change of OFH gasket. I had a vacuum leak afterwards and discovered a split hose, which i fixed with a jubilee clip, but now its time to fix it properly. Split hose is in picture 1. I don’t know where this goes. Is it the other end of hose 17 in the second picture? What am I going to have to strip to fix this? I assume the whole inlet manifold? Also, quick one about the cooling system. Looking from the front of the car, coming from the left of the radiator there is a cylinder, (it looks like a swirl pot). It sits on two rubber boots and a bolt. The nut has dropped of the bottom and it rattles. Anyone know what size the nut is? I can’t see this on any real OEM pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 On the coolant question can you take a pic and circle the item in question please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 (edited) Done. Pic 1, but on further reading I think this might be the vacuum pump? That said, it still rattles and needs bolting down... Pic 2, is my (Blurred) shot of my vacuum hose fix. Two Jubilee clips in centre. Im just trying to find out where this hose goes, and a part number if possible. Pic 3, is a self indulgent shot of my car at sunset at Hope Cove, Devon..... Apologies for the quality. All taken on my work issued Nokia! Edited November 4, 2011 by Johnny 5C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Hi. Picture No2, No17 in the link, runs from the fuel rail to the MAF- http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AL32&mospid=47631&btnr=13_0637&hg=13&fg=15 I used cable ties to sort my leaking airpump lid. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Hi. Picture No2, No17 in the link, runs from the fuel rail to the MAF- http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AL32&mospid=47631&btnr=13_0637&hg=13&fg=15 I used cable ties to sort my leaking airpump lid. Jim Cheers Jim. Now I need to decide on leaving the jubilee fix, or replacing the hose. My guess is the inlet manifold will have to come off to get at the fuel rail... So the air pump / vacuum pump can leak from the lid? Is this a common problem? Mine is just not attached to the car so needs bolting down. I should just take a selection of nuts to the car and have a go.. and some cable ties, to get ahead of that one.... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Ok. I strapped down my vacuum pump at the weekend and no more noise at startup when cold. The lid wasnt loose, but the whole unit was not bolted down. its mounted on rubber mounts so it must be subject to vibration. Idle still drops randomly. Gotta fix that hose...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 Idle took a turn for the worst last night. I did the vacuum checks, and when i undid the oil filler there was no change. I unplugged the MAF and the revs picked up considerably. Im picking up the hose from BMW today, but I will not have a chance to fit it before i drive from Hampshire to Cornwall and back tonight.... Fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hose done. Pic 1 shows the new hose going on. Unfortunately the new hose didn’t make any difference. With the engine running I listened for the sound of a leak and narrowed it down to the rear of the intake manifold, so off it came again. The hose to the rocker cover was badly split underneath.. So, 12 inches of hose from Halfords later, it’s finally back to normal. I think this could be a winter project, to replace all the hoses in the vacuum system..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hi. Have you looked at the hoses x4 on the fuel rail? as they were split on mine and easy to replace, without taking anything off the engine. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AL32&mospid=47631&btnr=13_0637&hg=13&fg=15 No.7 . Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Jim, Got a fair bit of hose left, so i will look at these. cheers. Also looking at the small hoses that come out of the front of the inlet and have a T piece. These are secure, but are starting to crack. I have a very juddery clutch at one point of the bite. Really have to give it the beans to stop it. Bite point is right at the top of the movement. I wish there was another e46 local that I could compare with. How easy is a clutch change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hi. I got the hoses for the front of the engine from the Dealer, just bought a metre, also one of the small hoses comes with a covering on it (possible for heat). Also got the hoses for the fuel rail as they were not expensive and they fit. As for the clutch, I get that sometimes if I don't give enough gas, garage to change I think unless you have the correct equipment and skills. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Cheers Jim. I was starting to think I was talking to myself on this thread. I might not have got all of the leaks. Mrs Johnny 5C reports a still "chuggy" idle, but its not now dropping below 500 revs and nearly cutting out. It would be nice to have a thread dedicated to engine size to help find common issues... be nice to click down into technicals issues > 318i etc.. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hi. All the hose you are on about I have changed. When you changed the hose to the rocker cover did you change the Crancase Valve as well?, very simple to change just an allen key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Jim, I didn’t change the crank case valve. I didn’t know I had one. Can you point me to a real OEM or TIS picture? Just been reading up on the ICV. Might whip it out and give it a clean up with IPA. I'd like to get a list together of maintenance items which can be done by the amateur mechanic in order to keep your car in tip top shape. So far I have seen EGR, ICV, MAF all removed and cleaned. Hoses Crank Case valve etc. As you know im not afraid to get the spanners out, and I’d like to do more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 (edited) Hi. In your pictures you posted, on the first one where you see the two holes on the inlet manifold next to them on the right is the Crankcase Valve (black circle). Take off the pollen filter housing for easy access and you are good to go, just don'i drop any screws or allen keys. Jim PS Why is your text getting smaller? Edited November 21, 2011 by jcjdavis1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny 5C Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Jim, I cut and paste out of word because my native spelling on the forum would be terrible. Something funny goes on when i bring it in.... So the crank case valve. What does it do? Do i need a new one from BMW? I dont really understand the real OEM drawings: I can see the plate 13, does part 8 fit inside? What parts need changing, or is it just a clean up? Should have changed the gaskets (7) while i had the top off. Gave it all a clean up though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcjdavis1 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hose done. Pic 1 shows the new hose going on. Unfortunately the new hose didn’t make any difference. With the engine running I listened for the sound of a leak and narrowed it down to the rear of the intake manifold, so off it came again. The hose to the rocker cover was badly split underneath.. So, 12 inches of hose from Halfords later, it’s finally back to normal. I think this could be a winter project, to replace all the hoses in the vacuum system..... Hi I can't seem to copy and paste. But the CCV is the black circle to the right of the inlet manifold in your picture. I got mine from ECP, but check price at Dealers as well also try BMW Parts Online. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
