ck1995
04-06-2007, 05:52 PM
Firstly, I hope I am not breaking any forum rules here but my problem is w/my E36 not my E34. I have always received good advice here for my E34 and it doesn't look like the E36 site gets much traffic, thus I figured E34 gurus should be able to help w/E36 as well.
Also want to apologize as this will likely be a long post to describe.
Car is 1998 E36 323isa w/just over 100,000 miles I had car built to order back in 1998. I know you are thinking and he got an auto? It was the deal I made w/my wife. anyway back to issues at hand.
I have been experiencing intermittent and slight power loss or sluggishness under acceleration. The other day was stopped and went to accelerate and barely got her moving. My Initial thought is Cat. is clogged. Have had marbles in can sound for awhile and it just feels like she isn't breathing properly, plus exhaust sounds are coming from engine compartment instead of tailpipe when accelerating. So at this point I pulled over and I smell coolant. I shut her down and pop hood. Don't see much but coolant residue on engine. Crank her back up and temp gets a little warm but, not past normal line. Check under hood again and notice pin hole in hose above radiator spraying fluid on engine. Shut her down add water and try to drive. As soon as I get to street I hit throttle and sounds horrible almost metallic like and no acceleration. At this point I think I am lucky, as I am right around corner from independent BMW shop I have used in past for repairs I didn't want to tackle. Unfortunately, they have a new lead mechanic.:(
They replace obviously leaking hose and do a 150 point inspection. Of course they point out other issues, but say hose fixed my problem. The only other issue they cite with the engine, is valve gasket is slightly leaking and that I should replace fairly soon or risk coil damage in future. Did I mention they also went for 2, 5 mile test drives. I pick up car get it on street and immediately notice exhaust still sounds like it is coming from under hood, then I get out of traffic hit gas and............. Revs go up noise increases but little to no acceleration. Eventually I get to approx 85mph and she is cruising normally. Seems fine at a constant speed but as soon as I hit accelerator hard, noise starts and acceleration doesn't:(
Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated..
Also want to apologize as this will likely be a long post to describe.
Car is 1998 E36 323isa w/just over 100,000 miles I had car built to order back in 1998. I know you are thinking and he got an auto? It was the deal I made w/my wife. anyway back to issues at hand.
I have been experiencing intermittent and slight power loss or sluggishness under acceleration. The other day was stopped and went to accelerate and barely got her moving. My Initial thought is Cat. is clogged. Have had marbles in can sound for awhile and it just feels like she isn't breathing properly, plus exhaust sounds are coming from engine compartment instead of tailpipe when accelerating. So at this point I pulled over and I smell coolant. I shut her down and pop hood. Don't see much but coolant residue on engine. Crank her back up and temp gets a little warm but, not past normal line. Check under hood again and notice pin hole in hose above radiator spraying fluid on engine. Shut her down add water and try to drive. As soon as I get to street I hit throttle and sounds horrible almost metallic like and no acceleration. At this point I think I am lucky, as I am right around corner from independent BMW shop I have used in past for repairs I didn't want to tackle. Unfortunately, they have a new lead mechanic.:(
They replace obviously leaking hose and do a 150 point inspection. Of course they point out other issues, but say hose fixed my problem. The only other issue they cite with the engine, is valve gasket is slightly leaking and that I should replace fairly soon or risk coil damage in future. Did I mention they also went for 2, 5 mile test drives. I pick up car get it on street and immediately notice exhaust still sounds like it is coming from under hood, then I get out of traffic hit gas and............. Revs go up noise increases but little to no acceleration. Eventually I get to approx 85mph and she is cruising normally. Seems fine at a constant speed but as soon as I hit accelerator hard, noise starts and acceleration doesn't:(
Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated..