Re: 320i Stalls at idol....Need Help???? (archive)

Not enough fuel after the cold start valve shuts off. Remedy: replace/overhaul warm-up regulator, adj. fuel mixture (need prof. tools to do properly), clean injectors, de-gunk sticky air flow meter.

The last two can be fixed somewhat by starting the car after pouring some injector cleaner into the tank. Get the car going and keep it running until it has warmed up, letting the cleaner do it's job. Revving the engine up and down will also move the baffle plate which will help loosen the plunger (this seems to be a common problem when 320i's sit a while).

The other problem is not enough air. The idle speed adjustment screw can be accessed from the passenger side of the intake manifold. Counter-clockwise will open it up and raise the idle speed. This might have been adjusted improperly.

Try a few more things. Check the gap of the spark plugs, maybe even get new plugs (0.028"-0.024"). Check the airfilter. Check the distributor.

Those are all easy things to check. They may not be the source of your problem, but they will help.

Get back to the board after you narrow down the possible symptoms.

HTH,

Mark J

Hi,

This is my first project car, it is a 81 320i. Sat for about three years. Just did some minor tune up stuff and started it up. It fires up and the immediately dies. Could this be a fuel pump or maybe the fuel pump relay? New to working on cars and looking for some suggestions. Thank you in advance.

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