car troubles?

[Craig.]

Okay, so it seems overnight my car has gained traction control.
Basically theres not even half the usual power going to the rear wheels that I usually get. I thought something was off this morning when pulling out of my road I put my foot down to beat the traffic, usually I'd get a little wheel spin and then shoot off like a rocket, in this case it pulled as though someone had attatched TC to it. No big deal I though maybe the car was just getting good grip off the road. Tonight as I was leaving the works car park I decided to try it out again, basically the car park is one giant skid pan and sliding around it after work is becoming a good way to let off some steam. tonight however again the car just pulled away, and the place was soaking wet and like an ice rink. So whats going on? does my car have TC thats just suddenly started working again, or more likely is there a problem I need to look into.

[TSC.]

Are all the cylinders firing Craig?

TSC.

[Craig.]

They seem to be, certainly not the same feeling the last time I lost one.

[MWISimmer]

Don't tell Bernie Craig, these things are banned from this year..  ;)

Seriously though, aside from the not being able to "wheelspin" are you getting the same amount of power to the rear wheels as before when you've got going? It may be a clutch issue.

[Craig.]

It just generally seems down on power, theres a lag when I put my foot down, whether smoothly or just flooring it. It's almost like its pulling away in second then always in a gear one higher than it should be. **Remembering to add that it's an auto**

[MWISimmer]

I don't know anything about Automatic gearboxes Craig, if it were a manual I'd be checking a few things...fuel pump, filters etc.
Have you checked your oil to make sure nothings getting into it? Water ingression can make engines lag, look for a creamy deposit on the underside of the oil cap.

[expat]

Craig, I would look at the Mass Air Flow Sensor. I had similar symptoms on my last car (E46 320). The bad news is they are expensive, the good news is you can change it yourself in a matter of minutes. Then the bad news again is that the car will ignore the new part until you go to BMW and tell them to perform a computer reset.

A couple of other things to check. I have just had to have a new fuel pump on my 525d, also an automatic. If it is the fuel pump, when you use the kick down the car will act like it does not know what gear it wants. Up and down like a wh#re's draws. The other thing, it could also be the gearbox oil filter. BMW say it is life long. It is BS and needs to be changed at about the 100,000 miles along with the oil (that I got from a BMW master mechanic). If you have this gear changing, it is a toss up between the two. But I am still thinking air sensor.

Hope this is a little help.

Matt

[Craig.]

Hi Matt,
thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out asap.

[expat]

Hi Matt,
thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out asap.

Sorry, forgot to add one thing. To check the mass airflow sensor, there is no real test apart from taking the car to BMW and having them check it out. The only thing you can do, is disconnect and see if there is anything else that feels different when you drive. If no difference is felt, then you have fond your problem. If you notice other things in the running of the engine, then it is something else. The MAS works or does not work. if you take a look, all it is, is a cheap thermistor glued on a plastic matrix. You can remove this small housing, but BMW will only sell you the whole unit complete with manifold. A bit of a phuqing rip off,

[Craig.]

To be honest mate, if I do find something, the cars getting traded in immediatly. I've been looking for a mazda6 anyway, but right now I've got little reason to actually go out and buy one. But if my cars got a problem then it'll give me that reason.

[expat]

To be honest mate, if I do find something, the cars getting traded in immediatly. I've been looking for a mazda6 anyway, but right now I've got little reason to actually go out and buy one. But if my cars got a problem then it'll give me that reason.

As much as I love BMW, and I am on my 5th 5 Series, they are getting to be so complex you can't work on them and so dam expensive. For the price of a two or three year old minimal extras Tourer, I can buy a new Japanese car, top of the range with a 5 year warranty or 100,000 miles. I hate to say it, but I think this one will be my last beamer.

Matt

[Craig.]

I love the car, the way it drives is just great, but to be honest the hassles it's starting cause me, are just willing me towards the mazda. We used to have a 323 that was brilliant, it was quick comfortable and never had a thing go wrong with it, till my mom god bless her, drove it into a wall.
Today a heat shield panel above the exhaust fell loose and is now rattling against the exhaust pipe so I'm just getting fed up.

[MWISimmer]

I've been looking for a mazda6 anyway

You surprise me Craig, I always took you as BMW through and through.

The Mazda 6 is a nice car though.

[Craig.]

To be honest if money were not an issue, i'd take my cousin up on his offer to buy his 2004 330i, it's an absolute rocket and because he's a mechanic he's taken off the limiter and done a few bits and bobs to it under the bonnet. Unfortunatly he want's 8 grand plus for it add in the fuel costs, tax costs and repairs, unfortunatly in my current situation I just cant afford it. The mazda6 is a fair trade off, I test drove one not long ago, it's not got the same driving experience as the beemer, I think the fact its front wheel drive and the wheels being closer together add to that, but it's very comfortable and just feels nice to drive. Maybe it'll teach me to drive less like michael schumacher and more like ralf