Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Help diagnosing - 1987 325iC - periodically stalls out

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    1987 BMW 325i Convert

    Help diagnosing - 1987 325iC - periodically stalls out

    Inherited my parents 1987 BMW 325i manual convertible. It's in great physical and running condition with just over 100k miles. Ive been driving it on the weekends for the past few months and on occasion it quickly loses power and stalls. I have to pull over quickly and then restart it. It always restarts fine and then Im off and away. This will happen 10 minutes into a drive or 45 minutes into a drive, but it always happens at least once.

    To note:
    -The car never starts on the first turn. It always only starts on the 2nd or 3rd attempt.
    -It stalls out really in no particular driving moment, it can be on the freeway at 70mph or slowly on a residential street.
    -Ive replaced the distributor cap, ignition rotor, plugs, coil and wires.
    -The car runs great it idles and runs quietly and smoothly.

    I was thinking this could have to do with the fuel pump ( or pumps). When it stalls out it feels like the engine simply isnt getting fuel. From my reading online, some of these 1987 vehicles have 1 pump and some have 2 pumps (under the rear seat and another along the line under the driver side door.). Would it make sense that the pump or one of the pumps was functioning but not in its full capacity and occasionally failing?

    Love everyone on here. Thanks in advance for the help and advice!!

    1987 bmw 325ic.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Des Moines, IA
    Posts
    1,005
    My Cars
    90 ix, 91 i & ic, 02 325
    Ive struggled with this in the past. I had to pull over on the interstate cause it would barely run. I always maintained fuel pressure (I have an in line gauge in the bay) and it always started back up once it sat for a few minutes.

    I assumed it was electrical - so I checked / tightens my ground strap - I replaced the Main relay and the fuel pump relay. I also went through all my terminals and plugs and sprayed contact cleaner and made sure no corrosion on my wires leading to the bottom side of the relays and fuse box. I dabbed dielectric grease on exposed terminals.

    After a few weeks of methodically checking and going through the wires - I haven't had an issue. I'm at 310,000 and its my daily.

Similar Threads

  1. 96 M3 Help Diagnosing Stalling on Idle
    By stevensullivan in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-06-2019, 02:21 PM
  2. 1987 325ic Help putting it back together.
    By mortonarts in forum General BMW Mechanical Help sponsored by RM European Auto Parts
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-17-2013, 12:20 PM
  3. please help diagnose my random stalling
    By marcop3312 in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 11-12-2010, 10:11 PM
  4. HELP with 1987 325ic please
    By eshqbhnw in forum 1983 - 1991 (E30)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-04-2009, 05:33 PM
  5. help anything wrong(1987 325ic)
    By abq in forum 1983 - 1991 (E30)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 09-14-2007, 05:51 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •