Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: 1989 535i lacks power and under preforms

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    8
    My Cars
    E34

    1989 535i lacks power and under preforms

    I got a 1989 535i (automatic) with around 76,000kms on it(was sitting in a field for a decade) the issue is it severely lacks power and most of the time if I go past 20-25 percent throttle it’ll drop the rpms to idle and won’t recognize that I’m pressing the gas at all, other times when I floor it the car 100 percent car will rev up to 4k or 5k (hard to tell my instrument cluster rarely works) but the car won’t move any faster the engine will just rev and you’ll move at the same speed the car feels like it’s go an 80 hp engine, also sounds like it’s misfiring or something when idling engine does not run smooth at all, I’ve changed the fuel filter, spark plug wires, engine air filter, spark plugs and got a o2 sensor and temp sensor on the way, what can be the cause of this? Car can get up to even 120kms/h it just takes some time because it only accelerates at 25 percent throttle max anything after that it moves at the same pace just revs the engine.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Also I’ve heard of the stomp test to see any error codes but my instrument cluster is faulty so that’s not an option

  2. #2
    MauiM3Mania's Avatar
    MauiM3Mania is offline Observer/Master Skeptic Moderator
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Central Pacific
    Posts
    10,809
    My Cars
    88M3 99M3 04M3 ITBx16
    Hi Max, welcome to Bimmerforums.com! Your post was moved to this sub-forum, you will get excellent advice here.
    04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
    99M3 Cosmos 61k S50B32 euro 6Spd

    88M3 AW 43k miles Project FS


    WTB: 3.5" Eurosport/Conforti CAI

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    if it was sitting in a field for a decade, what have you done so far as maintenance to get it running again, please list all items, easier for us to help you. Stomp test does only work on US spec E34.
    Changed all the old fuel? Cleaned the fuel tank? Checked fuel pressure? Fuel pump, fuel filter, filter in the fuel injectors?
    Here is my check list, more than 10 years old, but still a good guide, refers mainly to E32 , but same for your E34 535 as they use the same M30 engine, - Rough Idle & Shimmy – the Ultimate Guide!
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...power+ultimate

    Did you change all the brittle vacuum hoses in engine bay? They are important, as they also control for example the fuel pressure regulator http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/hose_map.jpg
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    12,459
    My Cars
    36 Cylinders
    Quote Originally Posted by MaxBMWe34 View Post
    I got a 1989 535i (automatic) with around 76,000kms on it(was sitting in a field for a decade) the issue is it severely lacks power and most of the time if I go past 20-25 percent throttle it’ll drop the rpms to idle and won’t recognize that I’m pressing the gas at all, other times when I floor it the car 100 percent car will rev up to 4k or 5k (hard to tell my instrument cluster rarely works) but the car won’t move any faster the engine will just rev and you’ll move at the same speed the car feels like it’s go an 80 hp engine, also sounds like it’s misfiring or something when idling engine does not run smooth at all, I’ve changed the fuel filter, spark plug wires, engine air filter, spark plugs and got a o2 sensor and temp sensor on the way, what can be the cause of this? Car can get up to even 120kms/h it just takes some time because it only accelerates at 25 percent throttle max anything after that it moves at the same pace just revs the engine.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Also I’ve heard of the stomp test to see any error codes but my instrument cluster is faulty so that’s not an option
    If your auto transmission is slipping, I suggest doing a full fluid service. It sounds like it's low/leaked out.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    8
    My Cars
    E34
    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    If your auto transmission is slipping, I suggest doing a full fluid service. It sounds like it's low/leaked out.
    Is there a tutorial on how to do it and what fluid and how much I need of it?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    8
    My Cars
    E34
    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    if it was sitting in a field for a decade, what have you done so far as maintenance to get it running again, please list all items, easier for us to help you. Stomp test does only work on US spec E34.
    Changed all the old fuel? Cleaned the fuel tank? Checked fuel pressure? Fuel pump, fuel filter, filter in the fuel injectors?
    Here is my check list, more than 10 years old, but still a good guide, refers mainly to E32 , but same for your E34 535 as they use the same M30 engine, - Rough Idle & Shimmy – the Ultimate Guide!
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...power+ultimate

    Did you change all the brittle vacuum hoses in engine bay? They are important, as they also control for example the fuel pressure regulator http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/hose_map.jpg

    I changed the oil and that’s about it for the liquids, tank looked pretty clean, no fuel inside when I got it, haven’t checked fuel pressure as I don’t have the tool, new fuel filter I installed but the have no touched the injectors or pump, did swap in a new hose not sure which one it was or what it’s called or the purpose, got some more info when I rev the car it chokes really hard and sounds like it wants to stall and at the same time black smoke comes out the exhaust, I’m guessing this is either a vacuum leak or some bad fuel component or am I completely wrong?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Aberdeen, NC (yes, again)
    Posts
    23,672
    My Cars
    E39M5, E500 4WD
    Quote Originally Posted by MaxBMWe34 View Post
    I changed the oil and that’s about it for the liquids, tank looked pretty clean, no fuel inside when I got it, haven’t checked fuel pressure as I don’t have the tool, new fuel filter I installed but the have no touched the injectors or pump, did swap in a new hose not sure which one it was or what it’s called or the purpose, got some more info when I rev the car it chokes really hard and sounds like it wants to stall and at the same time black smoke comes out the exhaust, I’m guessing this is either a vacuum leak or some bad fuel component or am I completely wrong?
    Hi Max, and welcome to the forum.

    Please know that I am not trying to be unkind, but you need in-person help that has more experience than you do. While we at this forum are dedicated to helping, the owner has just got to have some degree of mechanical experience or information, or we don't have a place to start.

    Not being able to identify the hose you replaced is a really bad sign; "when I rev the car it chokes really hard and sounds like it wants to stall and at the same time black smoke comes out the exhaust, I’m guessing this is either a vacuum leak or some bad fuel component or am I completely wrong? " makes it pretty certain that you need someone with BMW mechanical experience to lay hands on your car.

    What appears to be a transmission issue complicates the matter greatly, but a good BMW tech could likely sort out the most crucial diagnoses in an hour or two. I'd recommend you start there.

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Transmission-Fluid-Level-Checking-Procedure-and-Application-Chart https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...lication-Chart
    http://www.europeantransmission.com/...MWtechinfo.htm
    your E34 535 has a ZF 4HP22 automatic transmission.
    The ATF filter number you can find here in the ETK http://bmwfans.info/
    In case the ATF and ATF filter change does not help, I would overhaul and clean the transmission valve body, maybe some solenoids are stuck,details on my website below.
    I suggest you get a Bentley Repair manual for the E34 for the DIYer http://www.bentleypublishers.com/bmw...ir-manual.html
    Wiring diagrams are here https://shark.armchair.mb.ca/~dave/BMW/e34/
    also read the E34 forum here to learn https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/f...988-1996-(E34)
    we also have a special section DIY E34 , E34 Common Problems and DIY Fixes https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/f...-and-DIY-Fixes
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

Similar Threads

  1. 1989 535i lacks power and under preforms
    By MaxBMWe34 in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 09-20-2022, 10:04 PM
  2. 88 535i loses power at highway speeds under load
    By oldbimmergirl in forum 1982 - 1988 (E28)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-29-2014, 11:38 AM
  3. 1989 535I (E36) Shuts Down
    By wgf1960 in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-19-2004, 12:26 PM
  4. 1989 535i rpm question
    By RALPHIES in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-03-2004, 02:34 PM
  5. 1989 535i Questions.
    By fishpoopy in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-26-2004, 02:43 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
  •