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Common Problems With Your E46

G4VHD

By G4VHD,
in BMW 3 Series Forum

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Ockyclarke Apprentice

Ockyclarke

Posted
Posted

If there are no obvious oil leaks (oil on the floor), have a smell at the fumes at the tail-pipe you will notice a difference with burnt fuel vs burnt oil !! This could mean excessive wear at the valve-stem seals, engine breather-pipe issues, head gasket ... Worst case scenario would be piston rings (oil control ring)...

Best to start with the easy stuff and have a real good look around the engine, top to bottom and check all mating gaskets and oil seals for leaks... Then maybe remove and possibly clean out the engine breather hoses...

The morning after it has been used try removing the spark-plugs and notice their condition (keep each one with it's corresponding cylinder)...

To be honest, if it is burning oil excessively you would probably be getting Fault Codes !

Thanks for the advice Dabsy, I'll let you know how I get on

  • 1 month later...
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G4VHD
G4VHD

Ill start 320d 2003 115k Control arm bushings, Front links, Strut mounts, Rear shock mounts, and hand brake not holding.

G4VHD
G4VHD

Can everyone post the problems that they have had with their E46 so that we can try to find a pattern of everything that we should expect to have to replace/fix on our 3 series? We want to catalog

DeanT
DeanT

bugger!! got a problem! knew it was too good to be true. the passenger side wing mirror dips when the gear stick is placed in reverse so you can see the curb, well thats stopped working, not a huge pr

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oscarboy Newbie

oscarboy

Posted
Posted

Hi, im a new member but i hope you can help. recently i found my steering getting heavy only sometimes then a metallic thudding noise on my e46. Any ideas?

  • 2 weeks later...
JohnP Rookie

JohnP

Posted
Posted

2002 Pre-face lift E46 Coupe 318 (N42B20) 2.0ltr valvetronic engine. Recently just past 120,000 miles.

Common issues that I have had were:-

Control Arm Bushes - Replaced with Lemforder units

Rear Coil Springs - Replaced with Boge HD Springs

Rusty Front Wings - Bought two wings from a scrapped E46 Coupe from Fab Direct (recommended BMW breakers in the Forest of Dean)

Sagging Door Seal Liners - sorted (I did not buy new door seals from BMW because they wanted £250.00 per door seal!!)

Flaking Interior (Plasticised Trim) - removed the plasticised material and will be sourcing replacement trim gear surround & inner door handles

Oil Filter Housing Gasket Perished & Leaking - Replaced with OEM gasket

Air Conditioning (Turned out to be a faulty temp sensor behind the center of the dash)

Final Stage Resistor (Still need to replace as the fan blower is at erratic speeds)

Specific to my engine were:-

Leaking Vacuum Pump

Chain Tensioner - (Modified Version Available from BMW)

Overall, I love this E46 Coupe! The E46 is by far the best looking of the 3 series although I am a big fan of them all.

  • 3 weeks later...
Gifford24 Rookie

Gifford24

Posted
Posted

Hi guys I have just bought a 320ci convertible and I have tried have a lil play but when it starts to go side ways it dies and I tried doing a stand still burn to see what the problem was and the wheels didn't even move.

Would be nice to here others opinions

Thanks

BMWayne Contributor

BMWayne

Posted
Posted

Had a recent service & report came back clean. Just One thing was front pads low which I knew. Don't know if it was a sales pitch, but Sytner rep said I have a good 2nd hand One that's been looked after (er - that's why I brought it) & then showed me a fault list on an 08MY which was Three A4 long!

However even before my service, I'm getting a slight judder when in low revs between all gears. I've heard from a few it may be the EGR Valve...

Is this the best place to start or could it be something more obvious? Thanks!!

  • 2 weeks later...
Ockyclarke Apprentice

Ockyclarke

Posted
Posted

320i SE Saloon 2001 x

112,000 miles owned for last 2 years and covered 30,000 miles.

Nsf lower suspension arm

NSF & OSF susp arm bushes

Airflow masterpipe split

Radiator sidetank

Central locking a bit temperamental as is front passenger window

High oil consumption, approx 500 miles to a litre

Aroung 30mpg overall

May look like a lot of problems but the car has never let me down and generally runs well

Since August I've had a new cam sensor - symptom was rough running when warm

SAM_328ISE Community Regular

SAM_328ISE

Posted
Posted

water seems to be geeting into the boot and dripping onto battery tray / cover.

dont know if this a common problem but it drivin me crazy haha :D

  • Like 1
G4VHD Grand Master

G4VHD

Posted
  • Author
Posted

LOL, its a Common Probs with your e46 thread Sam..

Start one for the E36 mate, might be a good idea

  • 2 weeks later...
Ockyclarke Apprentice

Ockyclarke

Posted
Posted

2001 320se (See above)

Central locking

Intermident problem where remote key won't unlock doors. Worst when cold.I can open drivers door manually but is there anyway of opening others?

Thanks

Ocky

Guest Mister Dabsy

Guest Mister Dabsy

Posted
Posted

As it is intermittent I would have to say that it could be any of these...

Tired fob battery...

Wiring connection (worse when cold)...

Receiver...

Module, either faulty or connection (as above)...

HTH... Could be allsorts matey :unsure:

Ockyclarke Apprentice

Ockyclarke

Posted
Posted

As it is intermittent I would have to say that it could be any of these...

Tired fob battery...

Wiring connection (worse when cold)...

Receiver...

Module, either faulty or connection (as above)...

HTH... Could be allsorts matey :unsure:

As always thanks for the advice Dabsy.

Is there a way of unlocking the other doors manually?

Guest Mister Dabsy

Guest Mister Dabsy

Posted
Posted

Yes, pull the inside lever twice if the console button doesn't work !!

If its a four-door and the rears won't unlock manually, then the child locks are on also :huh:, door cards off and push the lock-rod upwards...

Also, using the key in the drivers-door has other functions too, like dead-locking and "combination" lock/unlock...

I remember having to turn my key in the door clockwise 3 times and the same anticlockwise to override the central locking on my E34 some years back !!... Or was it the other way round :o

  • 2 weeks later...
BMWayne Contributor

BMWayne

Posted
Posted

Rear heated screen inop. Looks like the rubber on the tailgate has worn the elements bars away. Will need a repair kit but forums say they're not very good.

Ockyclarke Apprentice

Ockyclarke

Posted
Posted

As it is intermittent I would have to say that it could be any of these...

Tired fob battery...

Wiring connection (worse when cold)...

Receiver...

Module, either faulty or connection (as above)...

HTH... Could be allsorts matey :unsure:

Hi Dabsy

Thanks, I've had the control unit replaced (with a second hand one) which seems to have done the job and not too expensive

Thanks

Ocky

  • 3 weeks later...
rm1859 Newbie

rm1859

Posted
Posted

318i SE, 2001, 73,000 miles

Indicators flash at double speed for first few miles when car started up, either left or right. Was told its a common fault with instrument panel. Anyone else had the same problem?

Adam.

Guest Mister Dabsy

Guest Mister Dabsy

Posted
Posted

Either a dodgy earth or two.. Or the LCM, try reconnecting the plug to the LCM. And double check ALL earth points. ;-)

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