S54 engine "stumbles" when at idle

mousitch · 04-20-2010, 01:46 PM

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S54 engine "stumbles" when at idle. It only does this after about five minutes or so of running. It always happens at idle when stationary. I stopped at a car lot yesterday,left it running and it "dropped" a couple of times. Almost like it throttles down then back up. Radiator fan kicking on? Air con is off when this happens. Anyone else notice this with the car running in the driveway?
__________________

jragan · 04-20-2010, 01:51 PM

When was the last time you ran a bottle of Techron through?

nesrevival · 04-20-2010, 01:52 PM

Exact same thing happened to me. I don't know what is going on

mousitch · 04-20-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jragan

When was the last time you ran a bottle of Techron through?

Probably October 2009. That needs to be done. I run QT 93 and Phillps 66 94. No Shell around.

mousitch · 04-20-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nesrevival

Exact same thing happened to me. I don't know what is going on

Kind of embarrasing when I have friends around looking at the engine bay and it stumbles

hansaysso · 04-20-2010, 02:15 PM

this has happened to me twice now. last inspection i went to i mentioned it. and after checking over the car after service they said nothing seemed out of order and there were no codes. but it's happened again since then and it makes me worry

Kream · 04-20-2010, 02:23 PM

This happens to me as well. It only stumble one time but it happens almost every morning. The engine never dies though.

mousitch · 04-20-2010, 02:26 PM

Does everyone here have their chacoal filter removed? I'm debating taking it in to service because my warranty only has five days left.

DarkstarZero · 04-20-2010, 02:35 PM

It's probably a filter problem. Make sure you have clean filters and haven't removed the charcoal filter. If you removed the charcoal filter, then put it back in.

inTgr8r · 04-20-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jragan

When was the last time you ran a bottle of Techron through?

^WHS +1

mousitch · 04-20-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

It's probably a filter problem. Make sure you have clean filters and haven't removed the charcoal filter. If you removed the charcoal filter, then put it back in.

Will do tonight and see.

mousitch · 04-20-2010, 07:13 PM

Filter back in. Rain here so it will be a bit before I know. My Z4M OCD keeps me out of the rain.

garto87 · 04-20-2010, 07:49 PM

I called my SA since I've been having that problem for a few weeks now. Actually just two weeks. He basically said that one possibility is the gas since they are switching formulations away from winter gas and things might be getting screwy with ethanol content. He recommended Sunoco since they switched over to the summer formula first. But said that after a month or so all gas will be fine again.

I couldn't find a Sunoco around but I did go to Shell to use a different gas, it worked. The engine stumbles much less now and I expect that once I go through another tank it will be fine. I filled up at halfway since I wanted to put other gas in immediately.

For reference it used to stumble down to 200 rpm (yes, yikes!) but now it doesn't go below 900. It starts at 1200 flutters to 900 once then goes back up to 1100-1200. Same conditions outside, slightly cold temp (50ish), cold engine, clutch in, and gear selector in neutral.

Hope that helps, its worth a shot. If you are wondering, I usually use BJ's gas since it is really close and pretty cheap.

mousitch · 04-20-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garto87

I called my SA since I've been having that problem for a few weeks now. Actually just two weeks. He basically said that one possibility is the gas since they are switching formulations away from winter gas and things might be getting screwy with ethanol content. He recommended Sunoco since they switched over to the summer formula first. But said that after a month or so all gas will be fine again.

I couldn't find a Sunoco around but I did go to Shell to use a different gas, it worked. The engine stumbles much less now and I expect that once I go through another tank it will be fine. I filled up at halfway since I wanted to put other gas in immediately.

For reference it used to stumble down to 200 rpm (yes, yikes!) but now it doesn't go below 900. It starts at 1200 flutters to 900 once then goes back up to 1100-1200. Same conditions outside, slightly cold temp (50ish), cold engine, clutch in, and gear selector in neutral.

Hope that helps, its worth a shot. If you are wondering, I usually use BJ's gas since it is really close and pretty cheap.

Sounds exactly what mine does. The gas thing makes sense. Mine started in late March.

JB 007 · 04-21-2010, 02:05 AM

I have same problem since buy the car as new.When engine running at an idle I press the gas pedal hardly and than leave ,first engine stumbles and sometimes stops..I am going to my Bmw dealer maybe 20 times for this problem but they said nothing wrong everytime...I dont know what is that but especially in traffic that is very boring thing..

mousitch · 04-21-2010, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB 007

I have same problem since buy the car as new.When engine running at an idle I press the gas pedal hardly and than leave ,first engine stumbles and sometimes stops..I am going to my Bmw dealer maybe 20 times for this problem but they said nothing wrong everytime...I dont know what is that but especially in traffic that is very boring thing..

I've noticed Im stalling in first alot more now too. Like overnight I forgot how to drive the car. Always does this as I pull off after it's been idling for a bit. I hope it's the gas issue above. JB, have you used Techron in yours?

JB 007 · 04-21-2010, 08:18 AM

Techron ??? Sorry...

mousitch · 04-21-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB 007

Techron ??? Sorry...

Techron is a fuel additive approved by BMW. I get mine at Autozone.

jragan · 04-21-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB 007

Techron ??? Sorry...

Were you asking if he's used Techron or were you asking why someone would use Techron?

jragan · 04-21-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousitch

Techron is a fuel additive approved by BMW. I get mine at Autozone.

Costco has it by the case for cheaper

(and not only is it approved, BMW actually has a part number for it and reccommends it!)

hansaysso · 04-21-2010, 11:41 AM

i'm going to run a bottle through and see if it works

JB 007 · 04-22-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousitch

Techron is a fuel additive approved by BMW. I get mine at Autozone.

Yes I understand..In Cyprus these are hard to find..

Quote:

Originally Posted by jragan

Were you asking if he's used Techron or were you asking why someone would use Techron?

I dont know what is Techron that is the reason I ask..Now I learn..

04-20-2010, 01:46 PM	#1
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	S54 engine "stumbles" when at idle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S54 engine "stumbles" when at idle. It only does this after about five minutes or so of running. It always happens at idle when stationary. I stopped at a car lot yesterday,left it running and it "dropped" a couple of times. Almost like it throttles down then back up. Radiator fan kicking on? Air con is off when this happens. Anyone else notice this with the car running in the driveway? __________________ __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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04-20-2010, 01:51 PM	#2
jragan Imola Lover 26 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2007 Imola Red M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas iTrader: (0)	When was the last time you ran a bottle of Techron through? __________________ His: RIP-"Ruby" *E86 ///M Coupe: Pics Track Pics Short Vids Long Vids Hers: 997-1 C4S*: Pics
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04-20-2010, 01:52 PM	#3
nesrevival First Lieutenant 28 Rep 392 Posts Drives: Z4MC 07' Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	Exact same thing happened to me. I don't know what is going on
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04-20-2010, 02:15 PM	#6
hansaysso Private First Class 8 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC, 93 RX7 FD3S Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Federal Way iTrader: (0)	this has happened to me twice now. last inspection i went to i mentioned it. and after checking over the car after service they said nothing seemed out of order and there were no codes. but it's happened again since then and it makes me worry
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04-20-2010, 02:23 PM	#7
Kream Private First Class 10 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 07 M Coupe, 11 GLK350 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (2)	This happens to me as well. It only stumble one time but it happens almost every morning. The engine never dies though.
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04-20-2010, 02:26 PM	#8
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	Does everyone here have their chacoal filter removed? I'm debating taking it in to service because my warranty only has five days left. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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04-20-2010, 02:35 PM	#9
DarkstarZero Lieutenant Colonel 1014 Rep 1,721 Posts Drives: Daytona 95 M3, X7 M50, e92 M3, Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	It's probably a filter problem. Make sure you have clean filters and haven't removed the charcoal filter. If you removed the charcoal filter, then put it back in. __________________ BMW CCA Track Instructor Join to win a M School Day at the Performance Center! Enter Referral ID: 420186
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04-20-2010, 07:13 PM	#12
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	Filter back in. Rain here so it will be a bit before I know. My Z4M OCD keeps me out of the rain. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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04-20-2010, 07:49 PM	#13
garto87 New Member 4 Rep 20 Posts Drives: Imola Red Z4m Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I called my SA since I've been having that problem for a few weeks now. Actually just two weeks. He basically said that one possibility is the gas since they are switching formulations away from winter gas and things might be getting screwy with ethanol content. He recommended Sunoco since they switched over to the summer formula first. But said that after a month or so all gas will be fine again. I couldn't find a Sunoco around but I did go to Shell to use a different gas, it worked. The engine stumbles much less now and I expect that once I go through another tank it will be fine. I filled up at halfway since I wanted to put other gas in immediately. For reference it used to stumble down to 200 rpm (yes, yikes!) but now it doesn't go below 900. It starts at 1200 flutters to 900 once then goes back up to 1100-1200. Same conditions outside, slightly cold temp (50ish), cold engine, clutch in, and gear selector in neutral. Hope that helps, its worth a shot. If you are wondering, I usually use BJ's gas since it is really close and pretty cheap.
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04-21-2010, 02:05 AM	#15
JB 007 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 380 Posts Drives: Z4MC RRS MINI... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nicosia iTrader: (0)	I have same problem since buy the car as new.When engine running at an idle I press the gas pedal hardly and than leave ,first engine stumbles and sometimes stops..I am going to my Bmw dealer maybe 20 times for this problem but they said nothing wrong everytime...I dont know what is that but especially in traffic that is very boring thing.. __________________ Z4MC_Black Sapphire/Imola-_-DMS ECU ll H&S cat-back ll H&R coilovers ll CF Lip ll Lamin-X ll Matte black kidneys ll Afe drop in ll Afe intake elbow ll RPi scoop ll LeatherZ imola shift boot ll ZHP knob...
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04-21-2010, 08:18 AM	#17
JB 007 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 380 Posts Drives: Z4MC RRS MINI... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nicosia iTrader: (0)	Techron ??? Sorry... __________________ Z4MC_Black Sapphire/Imola-_-DMS ECU ll H&S cat-back ll H&R coilovers ll CF Lip ll Lamin-X ll Matte black kidneys ll Afe drop in ll Afe intake elbow ll RPi scoop ll LeatherZ imola shift boot ll ZHP knob...
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04-21-2010, 11:41 AM	#21
hansaysso Private First Class 8 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC, 93 RX7 FD3S Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Federal Way iTrader: (0)	i'm going to run a bottle through and see if it works
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