Dear. I am having an idle trouble.
It is a 1981 E21 323i
The car runs great but it started to fail when idling.
When the car is cold it fails less and it becomes worst when warming.
I uploaded a video for easy explanation.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Pablo
E21 323i irregular idling
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29994
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
- My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
- Location: The Netherlands
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Re: E21 323i irregular idling
Did this start all of a sudden or after work was done? Most likely options: 1. a vacuum leak , check all hoses around the intake 2. check the exhaust gasses and especially the CO%, it may be off by a bit.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
Re: E21 323i irregular idling
Hi, thanks for your reply.
I replaced the spark plugs and it was ok for a couple of weeks. Then started to do this.
1. It is what I thought. I found but I could not discover any leak.
2. I dont know how to do it. Could you please help me to find information to do that? Is any link explaining?
Thanks again.
I replaced the spark plugs and it was ok for a couple of weeks. Then started to do this.
1. It is what I thought. I found but I could not discover any leak.
2. I dont know how to do it. Could you please help me to find information to do that? Is any link explaining?
Thanks again.
- polov8
- E21 Pro
- Posts: 522
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 6:30 pm
- My E21(s): '83 Polaris silver 316
- Location: Dronfield
Re: E21 323i irregular idling
You'll have to take it to a garage that can stick the gas analyzer up the exhaust. But I doubt it'd cost you much, if anything if you have a friendly local mechanic.
Andy
Re: E21 323i irregular idling
I am going to the garage next week.
What should I expect from the exhaust readings?
In which manual can I found info about the necessary adjustments to do?
Kind regards,
Pablo.
What should I expect from the exhaust readings?
In which manual can I found info about the necessary adjustments to do?
Kind regards,
Pablo.
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
- Posts: 29994
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
- My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: E21 323i irregular idling
Make sure static ignition timing is correct (22 degrees before TDC @1500 rpm with vacuum hoses disconnected from the ignition distributor)
Suggested CO is abt 2.0% @900 rpm (depending on local emission laws). CO is adjusted with a long 3mm hex driver on the fuel distributor, Idle with the brass screw on the throttle body.
Suggested CO is abt 2.0% @900 rpm (depending on local emission laws). CO is adjusted with a long 3mm hex driver on the fuel distributor, Idle with the brass screw on the throttle body.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
- Heinrich
- E21 VIP

- Posts: 78
- Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:29 am
- My E21(s): '81 323i TC-1 Baur 5-speed
- Location: Denmark
Re: E21 323i irregular idling
Any updates on your problem?
Re: E21 323i irregular idling
If you bought french NGKs, just throw it far away, and buy Denso.Pablo19 wrote:Hi, thanks for your reply.
I replaced the spark plugs and it was ok for a couple of weeks. Then started to do this.
1. It is what I thought. I found but I could not discover any leak.
2. I dont know how to do it. Could you please help me to find information to do that? Is any link explaining?
Thanks again.