Common Problems With Your E46

[Rhowells89]

Not long bought an e46 Touring 318i 2 litre auto to replace my e36 318i saloon, the engine light was on and i read the codes and cleared them it says that the emission valves are deteriorated :/ the car does seem to smoke a bit while driving... any help would be greatly appreciated... Cheers guys

[choral]

14 hours ago, Rhowells89 said:

Not long bought an e46 Touring 318i 2 litre auto to replace my e36 318i saloon, the engine light was on and i read the codes and cleared them it says that the emission valves are deteriorated :/ the car does seem to smoke a bit while driving... any help would be greatly appreciated... Cheers guys

Mine is a 1995 e320i m52 so different engine you need a friendly BMW trained mechanic on a Sunday morning !

Good Luck !

 

[M57TUD]

Where did you pick up on the "emission valves are deteriorated" bit? Sounds a bit complicated.
Usually with smoke in the exhaust line, you should think about burning oil.
I'm not familiar with this problem but that would be my starting point guess.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

[Rhowells89]

UPDATE... Since clearing the faults the light came back on with the codes P110d (throttle position sensor) and P 0221 (catalyst system fault)

The smoke is white and smells of un burnt  fuel, and upon clearing the codes again it has gone into limp home mode :/

[MICK 330DCI]

Latest problems at 215,000 on the 330d.....

Had to replace all pulleys & tensioners plus remove those pesky rattling brake disc covers. Sorted a diesel leak from an injector . Full service & she`s fine again.

[MICK 330DCI]

Another garage visit...This time the 330Ci needed a new drop link & more importantly an expansion tank.

Hope  that's it for a while lol.................

[Stockcar12]

I've had a 2002 BMW 320D for 3 years and the only problem I've had is problem starting if you didn't use the car every day, this fault was sorted which was a dribble back on #4 injector. I am having a problem with a set of xenon head lights I am fitting from a 2001 E46 touring. they work fine without the engine running but flash on and off when you start the engine.  

[MICK 330DCI]

Me again,

New front bottom arms with powerflex bushes. New front wings. Both very common problems lol

[kfitzNH]

rear shocks appear to be "Weak" -tires exhibit scalloping

[Llantwit]

Hi, I am new to the forum,  I got a 2004 320d msport, it was not starting each time, I thought naively it was just because of the cold. After lots of googling I ended up replacing the middle green relay under the glovebox.  There are 2 on the right and one on the left, so of the 3 green ones the middle one. It was just very worn, see the pictures. This fixed the issue, I would try this first for anyone who has starting issues with the same car. Low cost part. 

[MICK 330DCI]

330d, 3rd set of rear springs!!! (Done 250,000 miles)

[TheRoosterinaBeemer]

Hi all. Has anyone yet figured out why the E46's suffer with misting around the power steering fluid reservoir ?

There is a small hole on the finger grip edge of the screw cap but I am not so sure that that is where the power steering fluid is exiting the chamber/reservoir.

Also while I am on the site - why is it that the E46 Convertible marque owners have not been warned that parking facing uphill is not a brilliant idea because of the inability for water to escape out of the drainage channels ?

 

[Fuzzy-19]

Just to start with Good evening, not been on for a while due to driving an A3?

Now I’m back to E46 320d se touring 51 plate (2002), shell sitting on 224k with full service history most being bmw, apparently engine and turbo was replaced at 197k due to eating a swirl flap? But really is a great car had it a month so far and no major problems, all cars have minors mines is the usual lol,

intermittent amber oil light, n/s mirror not dipping in reverse and reverse sensor not working, eats the back tyres tho? 

1st E46 and estate car I’ve owned and loving it so far, off this weekend so going to try and figure out the mirror and sensor problem, 

as usual any help and advice is always appreciated thanks 

[TheRoosterinaBeemer]

1 hour ago, Fuzzy-19 said:

Just to start with Good evening, not been on for a while due to driving an A3?

Now I’m back to E46 320d se touring 51 plate (2002), shell sitting on 224k with full service history most being bmw, apparently engine and turbo was replaced at 197k due to eating a swirl flap? But really is a great car had it a month so far and no major problems, all cars have minors mines is the usual lol,

intermittent amber oil light, n/s mirror not dipping in reverse and reverse sensor not working, eats the back tyres tho? 

1st E46 and estate car I’ve owned and loving it so far, off this weekend so going to try and figure out the mirror and sensor problem, 

as usual any help and advice is always appreciated thanks 

Hi Fuzzy. The intermittent Amber Oil light is a faulty sensor,I had mine replaced at approximately 132,000 by my BMW Specialist/Independent,not an expensive job as I recall.

The intermittent faulty reverse sensors on my 51 plate 330i Automatic has been diagnosed as a damage wire,possibly cracked outer plastic case and due a rewire shortly.

I recently had the transmission service carried out by the same BMW specialist,not cheap but less costly than replacing a buggered automatic box.

The car is going in on Wednesday for a new black rubber frame around the windscreen - circa £110.00.

The car is now at 135,200 and running as smooth and sweet as whipped cream.

 

[Fuzzy-19]

1 hour ago, TheRoosterinaBeemer said:

Hi Fuzzy. The intermittent Amber Oil light is a faulty sensor,I had mine replaced at approximately 132,000 by my BMW Specialist/Independent,not an expensive job as I recall.

The intermittent faulty reverse sensors on my 51 plate 330i Automatic has been diagnosed as a damage wire,possibly cracked outer plastic case and due a rewire shortly.

I recently had the transmission service carried out by the same BMW specialist,not cheap but less costly than replacing a buggered automatic box.

The car is going in on Wednesday for a new black rubber frame around the windscreen - circa £110.00.

The car is now at 135,200 and running as smooth and sweet as whipped cream.

 

Stunning car mate, 

so i’m best to check wires and trace them to check for damage?

any idea how to open rear window I’ve tried through holding button on fob and wee button under the wiper and still not opening?

Edited August 23, 2019 by Fuzzy-19
To add picture

[TheRoosterinaBeemer]

Hi again Fuzzy. I have heard of the rear window issue before and I think that it was a faulty Micro switch,the rear sensor wiring issue and the rear window issue are best checked out on the MB Star Diagnostic Tool at your nearest BMW Independent/Specialist. 

You could spend hours chasing faults and still not find/solve them;the Star Diagnostic tool will pinpoint then in minutes and save you possibly hours of frustration.

[Fuzzy-19]

Driving home today and think a power steering pipe has burst 😡😭😭 as no fluid and steering really hvy

[Kenny530]

Hi lads, new to the forum and in need of a bit of help.

Familiar with mechanics and basic work.

Rattling coming from my 320, drivers side calliper area. Pretty sure it’s a strange washer that’s sat where the calliper connects to the strut of the car. Was expecting to see 2 bolts and unsure what the washer shaped piece of metal is supposed to be doing (due to it not existing on the passenger side).

Also looks like someone has gone heavy with the welder on the back of the nut.

Any help/pointers will be really appreciated.

Ash

[Greydog]

Welcome Ashley 

"BODGE" how horrendous is that!!! Take a look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your vin number in the search box and it will bring up your model, then look in the relevant section. The small exploded drawing will show what should be there plus the part numbers for replacement. With luck you may be able to soak it in penetrating fluid and undo it, fingers crossed the threads are sound and it will just need replacement bolts. I would do both sides to be sure plus check the rears seeing as you have discovered"Bob the Butchers" handiwork.

From the picture I wonder if they have bitched the head of the torx bolt and welded a nut on to try and fix their problem?? You should as you say have either M12 bolts or M12 torx bolts

I believe BMW only sell/use the torx head bolts now

Also check www.newtis.info this one is a BMW online technical information site that is the same as the information BMW Dealers use.

Good Luck

Let us know the outcome this certainly isnt a common problem

Dave

 

[aab104]

320Ci Rear springs - Front calipers - Rear brake pipes - Rot in front wings (both now replaced) - Interior heater, fan motor end stage resistor - Other than that, no problems and a nice drive.  I had an E46 touring (318i 8V), that needed front & rear springs while I had it - Coil pack - and the NSF seat airbag sensor went open circuit on it too.

[TheRoosterinaBeemer]

41 minutes ago, aab104 said:

320Ci Rear springs - Front calipers - Rear brake pipes - Rot in front wings (both now replaced) - Interior heater, fan motor end stage resistor - Other than that, no problems and a nice drive.  I had an E46 touring (318i 8V), that needed front & rear springs while I had it - Coil pack - and the NSF seat airbag sensor went open circuit on it too.

Hi Alan. There was a recall on the driver airbag followed very soon after with a repeat on the passenger airbag.

I had my 320i Touring Automatic done,followed by my 325Ci Convertible Auto and then my 330i Touring Auto.

The 325Ci Convertible suffered a failure with the sound system and needed to be sent away for a new component at an eye-watering £300+00. followed by a failure of everything 'air distribution',fan,AC,de-mist,heater - the lot but that was a mere £160+.00. that was all below 60,000 miles albeit the car was a 2002 model.

[aab104]

19 minutes ago, TheRoosterinaBeemer said:

Hi Alan. There was a recall on the driver airbag followed very soon after with a repeat on the passenger airbag.

I had my 320i Touring Automatic done,followed by my 325Ci Convertible Auto and then my 330i Touring Auto.

The 325Ci Convertible suffered a failure with the sound system and needed to be sent away for a new component at an eye-watering £300+00. followed by a failure of everything 'air distribution',fan,AC,de-mist,heater - the lot but that was a mere £160+.00. that was all below 60,000 miles albeit the car was a 2002 model.

Hello John,

I noticed today that there is a recal on mine.  I have already contacted the dealer and it is for the replacement of the drivers airbag. I will get it booked in next week.

I think on your sound system I would have just replced the head unit with a double DIN sound system/satnav/phone. Wouldn't have been any more expensive and you'd get a warranty on the new system too.  I am just about to do that exact thing with mine as the 6 disc cd player has packed up.

[TheRoosterinaBeemer]

1 minute ago, aab104 said:

Hello John,

I noticed today that there is a recal on mine.  I have already contacted the dealer and it is for the replacement of the drivers airbag. I will get it booked in next week.

I think on your sound system I would have just replced the head unit with a double DIN sound system/satnav/phone. Wouldn't have been any more expensive and you'd get a warranty on the new system too.  I am just about to do that exact thing with mine as the 6 disc cd player has packed up.

Alan. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the SatNav/Radio/Audio tape,the BMW diagnostic tool that my BMW Independent/Specialist uses confirmed the issue.

[Fuzzy-19]

A wee update...., high pressure power steering pipe replaced 😁, 

reversing sensors checked by just listening for the clicking..? Only 2 were working so now I have 4 clicking but still not working properly?

rear window? Is it possible to set up a different switch to be the button on rear wiper? Maybe open the window 🤔😻

[USNChief]

I bought my 2003 320d with 320,000 km. (EU/Spain model) back in September. Like it a lot. The Brake Warning Light and Dynamic Stability Control lights are on. Handles fine and no brake issues. My U.S. Spec OBD2 tester will not recognize the car (go figure, just my luck). Any suggestions on what I should check? Also, what ODB2 tester or other device should I buy to use for troubleshooting. Cheers in advance!