BMW E46 318i '98 - Codes P0300/P0301/P0302/P0303/P0130/P0170

Hi There,

Just new to the forum and tried to search my answer ... but no luck unfortunately.
I hope someone can help me here.

Car: BMW E46 318i from Oct '98 (yes, one of the first E46's ).
Engine: M43TU

The following Fault Codes appeared in my PCM Scan software:

P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0130 O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P0170 Fuel Trim Malfunction (Bank 1)
P0170 Fuel Trim Malfunction (Bank 1)
P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected

Somehow I think these codes are all related to eachother and there might be even just one rootcause for it.
I attached an Excel file with a Data Read-out of all supported program PIDs for my car (sorry, haven't filtered out the non-related data yet).

Thanks in advance for any help !

Greetings,
Vincy

PS: For some reason twice a P0170 code...but that is now of minor importance.

I just came across your comment and have a lot of the same fault codes, is it running rough on the start and idling funny? you might check your idle control valve. mine was running rough, i took it down and found that my intake bellow had a large hole in the small tube, HTTP://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... p?t=900798

hope you figure it all out,

Hi David,

Thanks a lot for your input.
I will also take a look at my ICV after reading that post.

It is only in idle running 'funny' (well....funny ... actually not funny at all ... ).
As soon as I hit the gas it runs smoothly.
Once back in idle again same complaints.

If it idles rough and run ok down the road...sounds like you have a air leak somewhere.

Yes, in the mean time I was also thinking about that.
I will check that first and then go to the MAF sensor cleaning and/or replacing.
Thanks for your input.

This weekend (if weather permitting) I will take a thorough look at the vacuum hoses etc.

I will keep this post updated if I have some results.

Hi everyone,

Got an update for anyone who is interesting to read:

Found the breather hose (a thick hose) of the carter totally worn an torn off at both sides (see picture).
Also I found some smaller vacuum hoses in a bad condition which I replaced preventively.
Car is running smooth again

I resetted al the fault codes but after a few rides I got the P0170 (Fuel Trim Malfunction (Bank 1)) back again.

Freeze Frame Data
Name English Value English Units Metric Value Metric Units
Fuel system 1 status CL CL
Fuel system 2 status Off Off
Calculated Load Value 29,4 % 29,4 %
Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1 0,0 % 0,0 %
Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 3 10,2 % 10,2 %
Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1 19,5 % 19,5 %
Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 3 30,5 % 30,5 %
Engine RPM 767 rpm 767 rpm
Vehicle Speed Sensor 2 mph 4 km/h

Both my LTFT are pretty high.
Somehow I suspect my second O2 sensor (behind the CAT) because this one had not Voltage fluctuation like the first O2 sensor (before the CAT).
But I haven't figured out yet what the second O2 sensor should react in normal conditions.
In my car it now quite irregular fluctuating/waving.
Beside this O2 sensor I might suspect still an air leak somewhere.

Anyone got a suggestion ?

Greetings !
Vincy

My '97 528i is giving me the P0170 also. Bank 1 Rich Mixture, that's cylinders 1 2 3.
I recently did the Gasket job on it and rebuilt the Head... Cylinder 3 had a crack... of course, the cooling system was redone with new parts, except for the radiator.
Since, I drove almost 1000 miles, without any issues until the code came up. It happened one morning, the first time it started snowing here and got below freezing.

I reset the CEL and it came back up after 100 miles.

I was told that since there was water in Cyl 3, the O2 Sensor was affected, and then it froze, and now it just needs to be replaced... Not sure if that makes sense. Can anyone tell me?
I bought 2 sensors, left and right, they are the same, but just in case, I'll replace both.

Will see if that helps. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

what happened Vincy and Scorpion - did these get fixed? From what I understand, the front O2 fluctuates about once per second between about 0.2 and .8 volts. When the cat converter is working properly the rear O2 sensor should read on the low side of the 0 to 1 volt range. The front O2 sensors can affect how the engine runs, but the rear does not (at least that is what a mechanic said, and it appears to be true on my cars - two cars with bad rear sensors - no problem with running except for code - bad front sensor - car bucks at various speeds