New to BMW and need some help!!

[TexasBoy]

My girlfriend was driving my car and she said that when she stopped at the gas station, it would not start back up right away. But after about 10-15 minutes it fired right up and as long as she kept pressure on the gas pedal there was no problem. I know in all my old trucks that this would indicate a clogged fuel filter. Am I heading down the right path with this? Thanks

Sean

[sexye36]

My girlfriend was driving my car and she said that when she stopped at the gas station, it would not start back up right away. But after about 10-15 minutes it fired right up and as long as she kept pressure on the gas pedal there was no problem. I know in all my old trucks that this would indicate a clogged fuel filter. Am I heading down the right path with this? Thanks

Sean



thats what i would say, make sure you use premium gas not regular or that will happen

-rob

[TexasBoy]

I am using the mid grade right now.....should I be using the top end fuel in this car?

Sean

[sexye36]

for all high end performance car you want to use premium, or else the fuel lines will get cloged witht he crappy gas

-rob

[TexasBoy]

Is a 1993 316i considered a high end performance car? am trly retarded what it comes to the BMW world right now. Oh yeah and its the gas on the Army Post, so who knows the quality? I do add fuel system cleaner when it suggested if that helps anything.

Sean

[C Sean Watts]

I am using the mid grade right now.....should I be using the top end fuel in this car?

Sean


German mid grade (super but not super plus) is fine for it. Try a new fuel filter if you don't know when the last one was changed. BTW I though Bamuholder was geschlossen.

[jmo69]

for all high end performance car you want to use premium, or else the fuel lines will get cloged witht he crappy gas

-rob

Since when does low octane gas have 'chunks' in it? Fewer cars use premium than regular, so it's less fresh. It's all about slower burning.

[ptrcd003]

for all high end performance car you want to use premium, or else the fuel lines will get cloged witht he crappy gas

-rob

I'm sorry, but that is one of the dumbest things I have ever read. If you know nothing regarding the subject, avoid commenting.

[E36 Phantom]

thats what i would say, make sure you use premium gas not regular or that will happen
for all high end performance car you want to use premium, or else the fuel lines will get cloged witht he crappy gas

Errr, no offense, but if you don't know what you're talking about, please don't give advice.

First of all, ALL E36 models except the M3 will run perfectly fine on American low grade (87 AKI). In Europe, I believe they use only the RON, which reads higher than our AKI. Now, there can be benefits to running higher octane in cars that have electronically controlled ignition/timing and knock sensors and such, but it's not necessary by any stretch of the imagination. Octane does NOT NOT NOT mean power or quality. It means the resistance to burning. It's needed in "high performance" cars due to the compression and timing that they often use, because it keeps it from pre-igniting in the cylinder causing detonation. You'll be perfectly fine on the E36 to use lower grade gas. And, not to mention, on modern cars with knock sensors and electronically controlled timing, it can advance or retard the timing to compensate for fuel types, so it won't cause harm if you get stuck using low grade on a car that wants premium, because it can compensate.

What matters is using good gas, not the octane number. (And yes, there will be some people who differ on whether there's an appreciable difference in gas. My reading has led me to believe there is.)

Anyway, for the OP, could be a fuel filter or a vacuum leak that occurred while she was driving there.

[TexasBoy]

Changed the plugs yesterday cause the parts store had them and had to order the fuel filter, and that didnt help. Although it was obvious that those little bastards needed to be changed anyway. I'll let you know as soon as I change the Fuel Filter. Thanks for all the advice. As far as the vacuum issue goes.....I'll be hunting on here for some "How To" postings. Thanks again.

Sean:thumbup:

"German mid grade (super but not super plus) is fine for it. Try a new fuel filter if you don't know when the last one was changed. BTW I though Bamuholder was geschlossen."

I have abolutley no idea.....I have only been here 2 months.:dunno:

[C Sean Watts]

Sean:thumbup:

"German mid grade (super but not super plus) is fine for it. Try a new fuel filter if you don't know when the last one was changed. BTW I though Bamuholder was geschlossen."

I have abolutley no idea.....I have only been here 2 months.:dunno:


When you go get your coupons it's the "mittle" or mid grade - one step above 'benzin.'

If you still can't figure it out, in B'holder try Auto-Albert. Kuseler Str. 20 phone 0 67 83/99 45-0

If you and your girlfriend feel like a drive to Fulda (Hessen) I personally know a garage indy owner there who's a master mechanic instructor and really good at his work...let me know and I'll send you his number and address.