Running problems in the morning

[m3f_huss]

Hello, most mornings when i start the car, as i pull away driving carefully, the car chugs as if its a little lumpy. A friend of mine thinks it could be the Lambda Probes (oxygen sensor). After about 15 minutes driving the problems seems to be gone.



My car is an e36 m3 evo 3.2l european spec, 1997.



Any ideas

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

its probably just cold and trying to warm up the oil..

[m3f_huss]

I don't think its that because i've had the car for nearly 3 years and its only done that in the last month.



Huss.

[m3f_tgergen]

Do you have an aftermarket chip? I notice a change when I installed one.



Another thing that is common to fail it the Idle Control Valve...it will cause the chugging....but most commonly is noticed when the car will not idle steady....just a thought.

[m3f_huss]

cheers mate, i'll ask a mate of mine at BMW if he could look into it on saturday.



P.S The only mod my car has is a JR airfilter element supplied by AC Schnitzer.



Huss.

[m3f_essejM3]

I am not sure on the Euro M3's, but on the American versions the dealer needs to upgrade to the newest version of software. This topic has been talked about on many other boards, search for cold start problem. It is free from the dealer but it will overwrite aftermarket software which is why many owners do not have it fixed.

[m3f_merlinM3]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum. I own a '97 M3 sedan that just started experiencing a rough idle problem. I have been told that it could be a worn or sticking ICV.

Can anyone tell me where the ICV is located and how difficult it is to service?

Any recommendation on service manuals?



Thanks much!

[m3f_DSK M3/4_7bd32f4682]

M3s are known for having a rough idle. mind idles rough for the first 30 seconds or so each day, then it's gone. if yours idles roughly for more than this, it might indicate a problem. but the initial roughness is pretty normal.

[m3f_BlkBimM3R_4c5ffa766f]

on cold mornings (if you can consider So CA mornings cold) it seems to idle a bit lumpy until it gets a little warmer/closer to operating temp... is your idle off or unsteady in any way? maybe have a look at your cold idle air control valve... other than that haven't had the car long enough to know all its quirks and fixes..

[m3f_KUpolo]

I also have a cold idle problem. I just bought the car in Florida and drove it home to Colorado just in time for a blizzard. I think it's just mad at me for making it move, but when it is cold (below 30F) it will actually die if I don't hold the RPM's at 1000 for about a minute. My mechanic told me to give the engine computer a few weeks to adjust to the lack of oxygen up here. He said if that didn't work he may need to reprogram. Does this sound right to everyone?



Dan



-'97 M3 Boston Green Coupe

-K&N C/A intake

[m3f_merlinM3]

I spoke with my local BMW repair shop and he suggested that I really gun the engine at start-up, and it may free up a sticking Idle Control Valve. I took his advice and sure enough IT WORKED!

My rough idle problem went away.

Easiest & cheapest tune-up I've ever done!

[m3f_NLR]

Originally posted by merlinM3

I spoke with my local BMW repair shop and he suggested that I really gun the engine at start-up, and it may free up a sticking Idle Control Valve. I took his advice and sure enough IT WORKED!

My rough idle problem went away.

Easiest & cheapest tune-up I've ever done!



Hopefully, your implying that was a one time thing. Don't want to be gunning an engine on a cold-start.

[m3f_merlinM3]

Yes, I revved it up just this once to see if what was suggested would work. It did and I have started and driven my car twice since then without revving the engine and it is idling normally again.

[m3f_topboy323ic]

Do you have an aftermarket chip? I notice a change when I installed one.



Another thing that is common to fail it the Idle Control Valve...it will cause the chugging....but most commonly is noticed when the car will not idle steady....just a thought.



My check engine light went on not long after my 1998 323ic Convt. started chugging when started cold or when hot stopped at a light. It comes and goes but mostly comes. I have taken tried Molly Lubro Jectron and the product they make Sauber?? Same... I have taken in up to 120 a few times. Just had service oil. I keep reading about the ICV Valve. It sounds like what is wrong with my engine. How hard is it to clean? I take good care of the car service up to date. Keep lights re set. Always use 93 octane Mobile or Shell. Any ideas?? I just paid it off and I dont want to go to the dealer. :banghead:

[m3f_topboy323ic]

I spoke with my local BMW repair shop and he suggested that I really gun the engine at start-up, and it may free up a sticking Idle Control Valve. I took his advice and sure enough IT WORKED!

My rough idle problem went away.

Easiest & cheapest tune-up I've ever done!



So I live in Chicago and well its below zero here. I'm not sure of I should gun my engine when it's cold.

What did U do start it and just hold the pedal down? Did you keep gunning it over and over again. How long did U hold the pedal down?

I appreciate it very much the chugging is driving me crazy..