bmw e46

[Skids]

Hi there motorheads, maybe you can help me out a bit.

BMW 3-series (E46), 2.2 litre M54 engine. Occasionally on start up the engine will fire and then just die without idling. Sometimes it takes a good second or two to fire and start up. Sometimes when driving, if I take my foot off the accelerator and let it idle, it will fall past idle and die. Sometimes when I press the accelerator the engine lacks power. The temperature of the engine doesn't make any difference as to when any of these symptoms occur.

Any ideas as to why?

Thanks.

[Loosehead]

The M54 is a 3.0 litre straight 6 first featured on 2001 (E46) models. Are you sure this is the correct engine. What year is your car, year of manufacture not registration if poss how many miles havs it done? What area of the country do you live in?. Are you sure of the engine size? Sure it's not 2.3 ? I realise these may be strange questions but the symptoms sound like the Nikasil issue.

[Skids]

Its the correct engine.  The M54 comes in either 2171cc, 2494cc or 2979cc capacities.  There isn't a 2.3 in the E46 series.  Mine is the 2171cc.  Registered in 03/2001, don't know manufacture date.  57,500 miles.  Live in the South.

Hope this helps Loosehead.

[Loosehead]

OK, if it's later than 1998 then it's not what I thought it was. I recently investigated engine problems because I was looking at buying a 328, 1996 model. Your problem sounded like the Nikasil issue. Sorry can't be much more help, you coudl try the owners club and any number of BMW sites.