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Spluttering 740i

4K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  PETER NEWMAN 
#1 ·
First of all hello to all.
I'm new to this forum but far from new to BMW's.
I have a problem with my 4.4 740i (1998)
It has covered 90k miles and always been serviced and has run perfectly up to now.
Yesterday about 10 miles after putting some fuel in (this could be coincidence) the car started to splutter and hold back and now refuses to rev beyond around 3k rpm.
It doesn't matter whether it is under load or not as it does it both when it is stationary or driving.
I just wondered if there is anything obvious that could be at fault here and if someone can tell me how to access fault codes to see if it shows-up anything?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Jules...
 
#2 ·
Bad fuel is always a possibility...you may want to check your fuel filter. Does the symptom manifest itself after you have shut it off, left it off and restarted in the morning? You may also want to add a substance to your gas which would absorb any moisture/water which might be present in the gas.

There was a time when AutoZone would read the codes, but this is becoming less and less common. Your friendly 'indy' could certainly read any set codes and diagnose the problem.

jake
 
#3 ·
Hi Jake
Thanks for your reply.
The problem is there all of the time regardless of the temp of the engine.
Bad fuel was one of my thoughts as was the fuel filter.
Can you tell me where the filter is? I'm guessing somewhere near the rear underneath?
Regards Jules...
 
#4 ·
Right i have now changed the fuel filter and run some injector cleaner through and the problem is still there!
Its a weird one as it ticks-over fine but just doesn't like throttle very much and refuses to rev beyond 3k unless you really feather the throttle.
If you use the kick down the car changes gear but the engine splutters and the car slows down!
Any further help before i get my matches out?
Cheers Jules..
 
#7 ·
No dash lights? No CEL/SES light?

Sorry, didn't see your 6/9 post. If you are headed to the mechs, they will pull codes and give you a good idea. I would be interested in what they find.

jake
Hi Jake
Thanks for your reply.
I can sort most things but this has me baffled.
There are no lights on or anything, the car seems to think it is ok:rolleyes:
I'll keep you posted if i get to the bottom of it.
Rgerads Jules..
 
#10 ·
let me tell you a story.......lol 3 years ago, me and some friends went to the casino in my 740 IN THE POURING RAIN!!. we stopped for gas on the way out. i filled up and got on the highway. about 5 to 10 miles into the trip, the car started sputtering and misfiring and had no power, i was well on my way to go to the casino anyway, so i said, effitt! lets try to make it, if i have to get towed, i get towed, so what right? the whole drive there, the car was sucking down fuel at an alarming rate due to the fact i was pegging the throttle the whole way. the low fuel light comes on just before we got there. we go in, gamble have a great ole time and now its time to go home. luckily the casino has a gas station and i can use my player points to fill up. im gassed up and get on the highway. about 5 to 10 miles into the trip, with my foot standing on the pedal trying to make it up an incline.................. BAM!!! the black beast comes back to life and everyone in the car gets pinned to thier seats and we are gone!!! moral of the story is, was it raining when u gassed up or just recently? if so, get under the car and pull the fuel filler tube hose foo the tank on the passenger side and drain as much fuel as you can (maybe even lift up the front of the car. then remove the little hose on the drivers side of the tank(its a little hose thatcomes out one spout and goes right back into another one next to it. you might have to cut the original crimp clamps to remove it, then put the hose back on and install new hose clamps. dont forget to put the fuel filler hose baclk on too. good luck
 
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