I fixed it!!!

[Adam318is]

The problem of my CEL is now over, done, gone! WOOOOO! And it only took $3.59...

So I found out my "major" vac leak causing both CEL codes 1286 and 1222 at idle wasn't the intake boot. I have a new one in the mail as my old one is steadily cracking, but no "leak" as of yet, but I'm going to swap it out for a new one anyway as I've now learned that anything plastic/brittle in this car should just be swapped out anyway.

Buuttttttt, the vac leak was f***ing massive, and I hit myself a few times for not noticing it before as it was plain as day. It was the crankcase vent hose, with two VERY visible slices in it and the entire hose itself had the consistency of putty. The second I saw it, I was thinking wow...all this time... :banghead:

Looks like the little clip that just holds it in place away from the intake just dug into it over time, causing it to get worse and worse.

So for now, I ordered the OEM one on Bavarian Auto but in the meantime I took a trip to Auto Zone and got some generic 5/8 " hose and clamps. Took the old POS out, put the new one in, and WOW the difference. No more rough idling, CEL codes AT ALL, and no more starting problems in the morning.

$3 for all this. Seriously. So now I have a new intake boot and vent hose on the way, and am so glad I was able to diagnose this now.

Since I've acquired her on 10/31:

Brakes Serviced F&R (new pads, rotors)
Fuel Filter
O2 Sensor
Coolant Flush
Thermostat
Water Pump
Front Struts (KYB Excel-G)
Multiple Oil Changes with Royal Purple Syn.
OBC bulbs

Need-to-do's

Automatic Tranny Drain/Refill
CV Joints
Brake Fluid flush

[E36 Phantom]

The problem of my CEL is now over, done, gone! WOOOOO! And it only took $3.59...
:clap:

Need-to-do's

Automatic -> Manual Tranny Swap
CV Joints
Brake Fluid flush

Fixed :eeps:

[Adam318is]

:clap:


Fixed :eeps:

No kidding, bro...I absolutely hate the AT in this car, but you have to remember I had no mode of transportation after my nasty, nasty wreck with the Camry and after holding out and test-driving many cars, this was easily the best deal for the $$ and I was getting desperate after bumming rides from my friends Monday-Friday to and from work.

It was between this and a 2000 Audi A4, but was talked out of that after this guy was trading IN his '03 A4 to the same dealership I was at and rattled off a million problems he's had with it, so I tore up the papers. :)

[E36 Phantom]

Ugh......A4.

My roommate has an S4 from the same generation. There is NO room in the engine bay to do work, it's not DIY friendly at all. And yeah, not reliable. I hate working on it.

Now do the tranny swap...:eeps:

[Adam318is]

Yeah man, when I popped the hood on the thing I was like, "how the hell do they fit everything in here?" The turbo itself took up a huge chunk of space...that's what I like about my 318 is that there is ample room to move your hands freely in there, it's also clean and tidy so at a glance I'm able to spot problems (except the vent hose, if it was a snake it would have bitten me in the a**)

[E36 Phantom]

(except the vent hose, if it was a snake it would have bitten me in the a**)

I'm trying to understand just what you were doing that would have caused a hose in the engine bay to bite you in the ass, as opposed to something more normal like a hand or arm.........


:dunno:
http://zalexindustries.com/sitting%20on%20engine.jpg

[amancuso]

:clap:


Fixed :eeps:

you manual snobs suck :D

A/T in 4 bimmers and never a problem. (granted the 318 is a bit anemic with an auto, but it gets the job done!)

[E36 Phantom]

you manual snobs suck :D

A/T in 4 bimmers and never a problem. (granted the 318 is a bit anemic with an auto, but it gets the job done!)

Dude, if I could find a way to bolt up a 6spd to the Jag, it would be in there this summer. I HATE my AT. :(

Manual FTW!!!

[Adam318is]

Hahaha, good point, just a figure of speech I guess :eek:

Guess we'll say "hand" for all intents and purposes, Chad, lol.

[cjf351]

Grats!!

:clap::clap::clap:

[im]

The positive crank case valve / pvc valve $50 part WILL very very likely get stuck soon.
basically garbage from rotted hose has little be little made its way inside.
The valve is disc shaped and was at end of hose you replaced.
*symptoms will be a really wierd sound, run really bad at idle and inability to remove oil fill cap with engine running..i mean really really difficult to remove with engine running.
it may even suck valve cover gasket just enough to get leak.The engine crankcase is unable to breath because valve is stuck.
WHEN this happens just leave the RUBBER hose open to air at crank case/PVC valve end and plug the PVC valve entrance until you get replacement part...you will understand when you look at it...also the pvc/crankcase vent has allen bolts that hold the disc from the bottom up so you will work blindly when replacing.

[im]

may look like this link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E36-Crankcase-Vent-Valve-318i-318Is-318Ti-Z3-93-98_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33621QQihZ003QQitemZ 130290556786QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW