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Thread: 2003 BMW 325 xi bogs down and shakes a bit...

  1. #1
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    2003 BMW 325 xi bogs down and shakes a bit...

    when trying to reach highway speed of 100 km/hour.
    I just replaced all the spark plugs and it is running great other that the 100 km issue.
    I am wondering if this could be a fuel filter issue?

  2. #2
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    Check engine light on?

    Can the car go faster than 100km?

    Is the shake in the car seat, or the steering wheel?
    Darin
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by dworthy View Post
    Check engine light on?

    Can the car go faster than 100km?

    Is the shake in the car seat, or the steering wheel?
    No check engine light.

    The car can go beyond 100, it just seems to bog down when approaching that speed. Anything below or above that speed, the car runs fine.

    No shake in just the steering wheel or car seat. The whole car seems to shake/shutter a bit, seems to be coming from the engine compartment. Once I hit 110, everything settles down
    and the car is peppy again and hits 120 with no problems.
    Last edited by CynthiaK; 03-24-2019 at 09:52 AM.

  4. #4
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    I would still scan for faults, it is an all wheel drive, all the tires are the same and have even thread wear.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by jclausen View Post
    I would still scan for faults, it is an all wheel drive, all the tires are the same and have even thread wear.
    Scanned for faults - none.

    All tires are the same and have the same tread wear.

    I don't think that bad tires would cause the bogging down, but I appreciate all help with this.

  6. #6
    dworthy's Avatar
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    Humm does sound a bit odd.

    Can you read live data?
    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

  7. #7
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    Hi again, sorry to take sooo long to reply.
    No, I cannot read live data.
    Another thing that has now started is that when I am in gear at a stop light, the car shakes but when I put it into neutral, it runs perfect.
    I still have the shake at 100 KM also but at 120, it runs perfect.
    No engine codes.
    New spark plugs, and checked all the coils when plugs were changed and they are all good.
    I read that maybe it is the ICV but that should throw engine codes which I do not have.
    I changed the fuel filter in 2017 but am thinking maybe that is the issue? Not sure how that
    could make the car shake at 100 but run smooth at 120 though.

  8. #8
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    The icv will impact engine performance up to about 1800rpm. I’d pull it and clean it with brake cleaner OUTSIDE. Why? Brake cleaner is some nasty stuff. What tool are you using to scan the engine computer (DME)? If you’re using a scanner from the local parts store I’d go to another store to use a different scanner. As for capturing live data, you can get the OBDFusion app for your smartphone or tablet. It’s an excellent diagnostic tool. Go to E46Fanatics and search for threads on OBDFusion in which jfoj has commented. He’s the guru.

  9. #9
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    Thank-you! I will clean the icv and get the OBDFusion app.

  10. #10
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    Have the fuel pump and the fuel filter been changed? The pump is good gut about 5000 hours of operation. The filter should be changed every 50k miles (80k km). The fuel filter has the fuel pressure regulator. I’d buy/borrow a fuel pressure gauge to see if the fuel pressure drops below the required 50psi. Item #2 in the link is the cap on the fuel pressure test port on the fuel rail. You could tape the gauge to the windshield to see what happens when you’re driving.

    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=13_0900

  11. #11
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    I cleaned the ICV today, it was completely stuck, no clicking sound when I shook it. I used carb cleaner and eventually it did the clicking sound when shaken.
    I re-installed it and took the car for a drive. It is much more peppy and is way better on idle in gear than it was before but still not as good as when it is in neutral.
    There is still bogging down at high speeds.
    The fuel filter was changed 2 years ago so I guess it is time for another one. I have never changed the fuel pump since I bought it.
    I will have to get a fuel pressure gauge.
    Last edited by CynthiaK; 06-22-2019 at 09:37 PM.

  12. #12
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    At wide open throttle (WOT) is when the most demand is placed on the fuel pump.

    When you do attach the fuel pressure gauge, place it under the wiper arm, and go for a drive at WOT to see if the pressure drops below 50 psi.
    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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