Looking at 04 330i

[superj]

man, that is so inexpensive compared to some of the other bmws I have owned in the past

[por911]

man, that is so inexpensive compared to some of the other bmws I have owned in the past

I just consider them both, 60k maintenance items, like engine mounts and the water pump. Petrol quality is pretty poor in North America. You would be surprised how much debris comes out of pump gas. At least these older cars have a filter, whereas newer cars, it's all-in-one(read: $$$ replacement cost, auto manufacture save, we get screwed, service life of F-pumps are 1/2).

[superj]

I would not be surprised. I always get weird junk in the tank of the lawn mower and than have to get it out or keep changing the little inline filter each year

[superj]

Screenshot_20180822-162846.jpg

Fuel pressutr is still down. Regulator/filter vacuum line wad not even connected. Now, at least thats hooked up.

I found a loose hanging black line with blue stripe that was coming from the firewall by the brake booster. Since it was only 8 or so inches long, i found a small vacuum port under the intake near it that was open to atmosphere and attached it there. No noticeable difference.

One thing that hooking that regulator up did do, though, is clear about 4 of the codes.

Now i only have the ones shown in the screen shot.
20180822_162856.jpgi20180822_162856.jpg

[MIKYZZ4]

Check O2 sensor fuses,wiring for damage,specifically bank 2 pre-cat.

Check coils,sparkplugs,sparkplug wells, particularly cylinder#6.

[superj]

Ok. Just an update. Now the car won't start. I didn't get to check that stuff. I pulled a vacuum port plug to hook my vacuum gage up, near where that other line was hooked up, and now the car won't start. I unhooked my vacuum gage and put the blqck rubber plug back on and still no start.

So, back to the beginning and starting at the fuses

[superj]

Well, that was a fluke. All the fuses are still good and the car started right back up once i got then all rechecked.

What is this20180822_175539.jpg

Whatever that is, it doesn't seem to do anything. With the car running, i unplugged it and no change in how the car ran. I plugged it back in woth no change, also

[MIKYZZ4]

Secondary Air Pump (SAP)
Don't worry, only operates on initial cold-startup,
between 30~90 sec.

[superj]

OK.

the wiring harness before the plugs for the o2 sensors have been resoldered from some prior damage. also, after the plugs. so maybe that is causing enough of a resistance change that the ecu thinks the o2 sensors are bad? I am trying to locate a local replacement harness at the junkyards but the only 330i one I have found has different shaped plugs at the point where the o2 sensors plug in so I don't think it will work. well, I guess it will work, I just have to always remember the o2 sensors will have to be once with round plugs instead of square plugs

[MIKYZZ4]

Yep,keep searching as BMW's are fickle when it comes to circuit resistance values.

[superj]

got it.

the people who own it told me they are done messing with it and I can have it for 1k or they are just going to let it rot away, unless I can find someone who will pay for it and I can have anything over the 1k. unfortunately, I think 1k is to much and selling a broken bmw in south texas is super hard. they are going out of state for a few weeks so I am going to buy the regulator/filter and put it in and then, if I have to, buy the fuel pump and put it in. hopefully that will make it run well enough that it will be worth getting from them. if not, at least its only 150 bucks and it can go back to them.

it such a bummer. this is such a beautiful body style. I love the e30s and always will but this two door e46 is a very good looking car

hopefully she comes back though

[superj]

Since i am bored, i pulled the fuel pump, just to check stuff out. I figured i would run 12v to it from a spare battery and see it if pumps or not. So i am to the point of hooking up my little jumpers and running power and the pump doesn nothing but when its in the car, i can hear it prime and pump to at least the 38 psi i was reading on the fuel pressure gage.

Soes the pump not run on 12v?

This is an airtex e8416m. Not sure if they are good or not but this one seems to be dead

[superj]

Hmm, it must need some power signal from the s3nder, also. I set it in the back and plugged it in and tuen the keey and it spins right up

[superj]

Dang, stupid small phone keyboard.

Anyways, i put the main pump back in and pulled the cover to the other one. I think that one is not working. I hrar no noise and feel no vibrations when my hand is on it. And, someone glued the hose to the nipple. Its been cut and forced on and no pliers will get it to spin free

[MIKYZZ4]

If it tops out at 38psi replace it:https://www.fcpeuro.com/products?keywords=16146766942
also fuel filter:https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...em-13327512019

[superj]

I am. I was just messing around while i wait to order when the wife isn't looking. She wants me to save as much as possible because we are taking our two boys to puerto rico when my hs sophmore graduates but i know a oump and filter/regulator isn' t going to cost her a trip. Not when she has two years to save up

[superj]

well, when the filter/regulator gets here, I will swap it in and hopefully that helps the pressure move up to where it should be. i think either that, or a new pump, and this car will be back to running right. then, i will have to swap out that messed up harness so the 02 sensors read within spec and then car should be back to perfect.

i never looked at a newer bmw because i am not a computer person but this car is pretty easy to work on (other then stuff is a pain to get to under the intake manifold)

[rbelton]

If you end up needing pre-cat 02 sensors I have a new set for sale

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1238813

[superj]

ok, thanks

[superj]

the filter/regulator showed up yesterday. I will try and get it in tomorrow afternoon, or sunday. hopefully, that gets her back up and running. if not, and the pressure us still low, I will get a pump

[superj]

No change. Old filter/regulator was full of black crap but pressure stayed too low when replaced, still 38 so i will order a pump this week and see what happens

[superj]

Ok, new fuel pump in and the car ia driveable, but not right. Still has a slight misfire and feels sluggish when accelerating.

Here are the codes that still pop.Screenshot_20180914-124700.jpg

[MIKYZZ4]

What is the new fuel pressure reading with the new fuel pump installed?

[MIKYZZ4]

Was an exhaust backpressure test ever preformed?

[MIKYZZ4]

Was another harness ever installed?