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Thread: E46 M3 - EML - Hopping/Stalling

  1. #1
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    E46 M3 - EML - Hopping/Stalling

    Looking for any advice or suggestions here.

    Was running low on petrol, filled up half way with some regular petrol by mistake, got home.
    Next day the car was driving like crap - bunnyhopping all over the place as if the car was having a coughing fit.

    Eventually got the EML on the dash (little yellow engine icon in bottom left as opposed to "EML" written in yellow).

    Ended up with 2 codes I read from an OBD2 reader:
    P0261 - Powertrain - Cylinder 1 Injector Circuit Low
    P0267 - Powertrain - Cylinder 3 Injector Circuit Low

    Realised it may be the wrong petrol, so went back and got the premium/higher octane stuff to fill the remaining half tank - so now I've got 50/50 split of regular/premium.

    Still driving like absolute crap.

    Tried popping a bottle of octane booster in it today in case it's just having issue with the diluted mix that I've got, but no difference (although, I've only popped it into a 2/3 full tank and instructions say to put it in a near empty tank). Not sure if that was advisable..

    Anyone got any ideas before I resign to the fact I've got to go to a mechanic (again)?

    I could potentially try dump the petrol out somehow but I'd need to figure out how.
    I'm guessing sucking it out via the fuel pump spot.

  2. #2
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    Welcome to the Forum!

    I don't think the octane rating is doing this, more so the actual fuel is. Is this a gas station you use on a regular basis? It sounds more like you have a bit of water in your fuel, and that is what's causing the issues.

    You can look at popular fuel additives to remove the water out, or you can see about getting the fuel tested for water.

    Lastly I really don't trust OBD-II codes, as they are merely a translation for BMW codes, which are more descriptive.
    Darin
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  3. #3
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    Eml engine malfunction light not to be confused with the check engine light almost always has something to do with the fly by wire throttle control or throttle body itself, off to the mechanic it goes

  4. #4
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    Sorry, neglected to update this post.

    So, I added a bit of Octane booster (which had some sort of cleaner in it too) into a 75% full tank (not recommended on the back of the bottle) and kinda hoped/prayed it would magically come good.

    The more petrol I used up (the bad stuff) and got down to second half of the tank (the good stuff), the better it started to behave.

    I got to the point where I had pretty much emptied out the tank and then refilled again with just the higher octane petrol and, so far so good.

    No more EML on the dash or any codes and the engine is smooth as silk again.

    I think the main issue was the lower octane fuel but maybe the fuel wasn't the cleanest (or was slightly contaminated), or maybe my tank was a bit dirty which compounded the issue?
    Not 100% sure but thankful that I didn't have any major issues.

    Coincidentally, I had a diff mount problem at the same time and, because the car was lurching and hopping, it made the diff mount issue 10 times worse because it was engaging/disengaging power constantly and making the diff hop all over the place.

    That's now sorted too and I've got a clean bill of health now I think.

  5. #5
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    Thank-you for coming back to close out the thread, as there are plenty on this forum that is still open.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

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