Hi there. This is a common problem for your vehicle. There are many different things that can be effecting your idle rpm. The Idle Air Control Valve for your Vanos needs attention. Vanos is the variable valve timing BMW incorporated...
Hello. We'll be happy to help with your 1998 BMW 318i. Your power loss may be due to something like a clogged catalytic converter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/catalytic-converter-replacement), a bad ignition module, or faulted spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement). Check the flow of the catalytic...
To estimate a variety of leaks please request a leak inspection/diagnostic (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-fluid-leak-inspection). If coolant is leaking from the reservoir, the reservoir may be cracked; if so, YourMechanic can replace the reservoir (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/coolant-reservoir-replacement). If the leak from the bottom of the...
Hello. From what you describe it sounds as if your vehicle may be experiencing more than one issue. Brakes not functioning are usually caused by serious issues with the brake system. If they are not functioning at all then that...
This problem may be caused by a coolant temperature sensor, idle air control valve, throttle position sensor, or O2 sensor that may be failing. Use a digital volt ohm meter (DVOM) to check resistance on all of the sensors. If...
Hey there. You are looking at a minimal charge just to remove the head and install the head with a new gasket to be 9.0 hours. There is always additional charges like disassembly of cylinder head to prepare to go...
Hello. Thanks for writing in about your 1995 BMW 318i. This problem is usually caused by worn out spark plugs and spark plug wires. When the spark plugs are worn out (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) they don’t fire as well during acceleration. If...
Hello. It doesn’t sound like the problem with the shifter moving around and the car not starting are related. The part of the system that deals with starting the car is the clutch and clutch pedal switch. There is a...
Hello. We will be happy to assist you. Your description makes me get the impression that the vehicle may have two separate issues going on. The vibration (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-shaking-or-vibrating-inspection) is likely to do with the motor mounts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-mount-replacement). The engine mounts...
Hello. It sounds to me as if the fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) is straining to pump the fuel when it reaches a low point causing a misfire. I suggest that a diagnostic test is performed on the vehicle with the scan...
Hello, when a vehicle doesn't start,there are two things to check, the base engine and the electrical circuits to the starter motor. The base engine is easy to check, by seeing if the crank rotates with a ratchet and socket...
First you need to remove the three bolts holding in the starter and then on back side remove support bracket off of back of starter. the starter will ten be able to be removed.
The black/yellow wire is the ignition wire, which goes to a small stud on the starter. The large red cables come from the battery and power distribution box. They go to the large stud on the starter. The black/green wire...
If your cooling fans are not coming on, this suggests that either the fans themselves are faulty, the relay switch is not working properly or the coolant temperature sensor is not working properly. If the car is still overheating, this...
Hey there. Without additional detail as to the characteristics of the acceleration it may be difficult to diagnose without test driving the car. You will want to check to see if the acceleration feels more like a jerking or surging...
Taking on a project such as this takes lots of time, even for the most experienced mechanic. You will be re-engineering your car and this will require you to learn a lot and make a lot of decisions. There is...
Hello. There is usually a tray inside the fuel tank located under the fuel pump. This is used to get fuel to the pump when the gas is low or if the car is on an incline. This tray could...
I have had a number of customers make requests such as this. The first few times I entertained the possibility of bypassing this system, but the simple fact is, it is less expensive just to have it fixed. The immobilizer...
Hi. The concern you are describing for your 1999 BMW 318i sounds like that of a worn engine or transmission mount (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-mount-replacement). The transmission and engine mounts have rubber bushings inside of them which dampen the engine vibrations. The mounts...
