Anyone knows how to fix the idle in my 320 i, 1983?

[e30driver1]

Hello everyone! I'm really happy to be part of this beautiful community! I have a bmw e30, 320 I, yaar 1983 and, after 10 years, I've decided to start a renovation project on it. After couples of fixing (timing belt, tachometer, stereo wirings etc...) I have got a big problem: the idle. My e30 when is cold is quite okay, 800 rpm and all fine but, after the engine becomes warmer (or if i press the throttle) the idle goes up to 1200 rpm and there is no way to take it down. I send all of you a picture so you can undarstand better the situation. I guess i should work on the spots labelled as 1) 2) and 3). But I have no idea on what to do . Thank you all
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[sienayr]

Welcome. Fire up the googles and do some searching, there's lots and lots of info out there on how to systematically troubleshoot idle issues step by step. If you get through all of the steps and have eliminated a lot of the common problems and are and still having issues, that's when you might be able to get help on specifics.

[superj]

Man, thats a bunch of vacuum hoses compared to an american spec car.

Maybe if you cannot get it fixed, you just change to an american set up?

[chefpeterlevine]

clean the ICV to start with. That solves a lot of problems.

Sent from Hell using Tapatalk

[agisthos]

image_148526.jpg

Wait for the car to come up to temperature.

Number 3, turn the white plastic knurl until the throttle cable is only slightly tight.
Number 4, in here is the idle air screw, now adjust it with a big flat head screwdriver until the idle is about 900.

Doing these two things should get your warm temp idle back to normal.
But what is then the cold temp idle?

The early 320i engine is like the L-Jetronic 323i. There is no ICV on these cars. they have a water temp operated air-slide valve, and its hard to get to.

[e30driver1]

image_148526.jpg

Wait for the car to come up to temperature.

Number 3, turn the white plastic knurl until the throttle cable is only slightly tight.
Number 4, in here is the idle air screw, now adjust it with a big flat head screwdriver until the idle is about 900.

Doing these two things should get your warm temp idle back to normal.
But what is then the cold temp idle?

The early 320i engine is like the L-Jetronic 323i. There is no ICV on these cars. they have a water temp operated air-slide valve, and its hard to get to.

Exactly! That's my situation. I'll do it this morning and I let you know ASAP. Thank you so much!! P.s. Almost forgot. My cold idle is perfect at 800/750 rpm. Nonetheless, I noticed that (even with cold engine) if I press the gas pedal, RPM goes up to 1000 and it stucks there. I guess it might be due to the white/yellow plastic knurl that is too tight...

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Man, thats a bunch of vacuum hoses compared to an american spec car.

Maybe if you cannot get it fixed, you just change to an american set up?

Didn't know about this difference till now . Yeah, if I can't solve my issues with this set, I will ask for your help for switching to an american set up!!

[e30driver1]

I just came back from the garage. I guess I found the problem(s) on the idle of my e30. The TPS valve under the throttle valve is so dirty of oil that I don't even know how it works. Moreover, I have unmounted the MAF and found that the Oil Level Matic during these years has leaked all around and even the MAF inside is so nasty. So, I'm going to clean everything and to buy a new gasket for the throttle valve before trying to adjust the idle with the valve suggested by @agisthos. I'll keep you posted.

[e30driver1]

Hello everyone. I cleaned my car and tried to fix the idle as suggested by you. Unfortunatly, nothing changed. I think i found the porblem. My MAF has got this code 0280202050 but i found out that this code belongs to a bmw e30 318i and not 320i as my car is. Could you help me please?

[323i E30]

I'd get a smoke test done to find out if there are any intake leaks.

[e30driver1]

Thanks for the reply. Okay, so I will buy a smoke test (maybe a cheap one frome China) and try this possibility as well...

[323i E30]

Not sure about buying low quality diy stuff, but if it works..
Replace/connect what’s leaking, then test again if needed.

[e30driver1]

I'll keep you posted

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[e30driver1]

Update! Just to know. I found the problem and the solution. The warm idle was high because of air additional valve (NOT ICV but the early type with water sensor) stuck on open position.
I solved by bypassing the additional air slide valve.
Thanks to everyone

[superj]

Good deal!

[John Adkins]

Good information. I have a herd of five old BMW's, and from my experience, they idle where they want to. I have done all the troubleshooting, but now, if they don't idle over 1200 rpm or so I don't worry about it. They also fix themselves from time to time!

[dukudude]

Update! Just to know. I found the problem and the solution. The warm idle was high because of air additional valve (NOT ICV but the early type with water sensor) stuck on open position.
I solved by bypassing the additional air slide valve.
Thanks to everyone

How did u by pass the air slide valve

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Email me dukudude90@gmail.com