car idling rough

[toniarae]

Hi everyone. I have a question about my 2002 325i. Whenever the car is started first thing in the morning, it idles rough. This seems to be the only time it happens. Once it warms up, it quits idling rough and everything seems fine. Has anyone else experienced this, and is it something that I need to be concerned about? Oh, by the way, it is not making any strange noises just the rough idling. Thanks!:confused:

[Mr. The Edge]

First off, welcome tonia rae--or is that toni arae (or ton iarae?)

My '02 M3 has the same rough idle issue. I call it "issue" and not problem, because, as you said, it gives me no problems other than that--rough idle in the a.m.

There was a TSB issued for a ECU software re-program for the M3's that supposedly only covers the first '01s. The people I know who had the re-program ended up having more problems than before.

My advice is to just let it go--although maybe the other 3-series owners can be of more help.

[toniarae]

Thanks atyclb for your reply. I won't be so worried about it unless I start hearing weird noises. By the way, it is tonia rae.:)

[ayn]

Originally posted by toniarae
Hi everyone. I have a question about my 2002 325i. Whenever the car is started first thing in the morning, it idles rough. This seems to be the only time it happens. Once it warms up, it quits idling rough and everything seems fine. Has anyone else experienced this, and is it something that I need to be concerned about? Oh, by the way, it is not making any strange noises just the rough idling. Thanks!:confused:

is your car brand new? if you are done with breakin, try doing an oil change. My car idles a lot smoother after changing oil.

--Andrew

[toniarae]

Thanks Andrew for your advice. My car has aprox. 4300 miles and I am about to get an oil change so maybe this will help.
I appreciate your input.

[ayn]

Originally posted by toniarae
Thanks Andrew for your advice. My car has aprox. 4300 miles and I am about to get an oil change so maybe this will help.
I appreciate your input.

No problem, and with 4300 miles, I highly recommend an oil change! One after breakin is generally a good idea, at least you'd feel good knowing you have clean oil in your engine when you redline it. =)

[LilEccentricJ]

Originally posted by toniarae
Thanks Andrew for your advice. My car has aprox. 4300 miles and I am about to get an oil change so maybe this will help.
I appreciate your input.

Welcome! If you got a sec.. run over and vote in Geomax's Poll (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=525&highlight=female)

[geomax]

Try a different brand of gasoline or station. I've noticed that my car idles a little rougher on some brands. So far, Gulf seems to be best. Also, are you using premium?

[toniarae]

geomax-Thanks for your reply. I am using premium gasoline and normally I use Texaco gas. We have no Gulf stations around Lake Jackson, TX. Maybe I'll try Chevron or something on that order.


2002 Alpine White 325i:D

[geomax]

Originally posted by toniarae
geomax-Thanks for your reply. I am using premium gasoline and normally I use Texaco gas. We have no Gulf stations around Lake Jackson, TX. Maybe I'll try Chevron or something on that order.


2002 Alpine White 325i:D

Yeah, I was using Texaco because there is a station is very close to work (sic: was - got layed off today). Then over the holidays, I gased up twice at a Gulf, and noticed right away the engine ran a bit smoother, especially on the highway. Started better, too.

[toniarae]

:( geomax-Sorry to hear about your layoff. There seems to be a lot of those recently with our economy. I only wish you the best of luck in your search for employment. Just keep your head up and keep pushing forward because it will all work out!

toniarae


2002 Alpine White 325i :D

[geomax]

Originally posted by toniarae
:( geomax-Sorry to hear about your layoff. There seems to be a lot of those recently with our economy. I only wish you the best of luck in your search for employment. Just keep your head up and keep pushing forward because it will all work out!

toniarae


2002 Alpine White 325i :D

Thanks! :)

[The HACK]

Why is it that we find ourselves going out of the way to help a "tonia" instead of "toni"? :)

I've nothing further to add.

[CaliColin]

Originally posted by toniarae
Whenever the car is started first thing in the morning, it idles rough. This seems to be the only time it happens. Once it warms up, it quits idling rough and everything seems fine.

Tonia, I too experience a rough idle when cold. Mine sounds almost like the exhaust is puffing out air very quickly and unevenly. It is only noticeable if you turn down the radio and listen carefully. You can feel it just a tiny bit too. It instantly disappears after I let it warm up for several minutes and then idles very smoothly. If this is what you are experiencing, it is definitely not related to oil and changing the oil will not do a thing. I changed the oil at 5K mi. and the symptoms persist. The gas theory is a little more plausible, but I have used Chevron for several months, Mobil for a few others and now Texaco for about a month now. Again, not a bit of change. The M3 engine is completely different from ours and so it's very hard to make an apples to apples comparison with the problem the other guy had. It feels like either fuel delivery or ignition (more like ignition since the idle smooths out in a fraction of a second.) I asked the same question on bimmer.org a few months ago and 3 or 4 people replied saying that they had the same thing and that it was normal. One of them said it was lack of fuel pressure from the fuel pump when cold and that it was normal. I don't like that answer because other cars don't do this and it simply doesn't feel normal. I can't take it to the dealer because it will be fine once I get there and they would probably tell me it's normal anyway. So after all that, I gave up and decided to accept that it is "normal" for it to do this. It rides fine once you put it in drive and putt around for a bit. I hope it is normal and that everyone else just doesn't notice it because it is so gentle. So everyone, please pay close attention in the morning and listen to the exhaust to see if it is puffing erratically when cold. Then when warm, listen again. Thanks