325xi "service engine soon" tailpipe?

Maaz

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Monroeville, PA
#1
I have a 2003 BMW 325xi with 37k miles on it (yes, I drive quite a bit I know). All regular maintainance has being performed on the car including Inspection 1 at 30k miles.

Last night, I stopped somewhere to eat and shortly after I left, the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. Also, my car was shaking a little. I attempted to stop and start the engine several times to see if the problem persists and it did. Since I was running low on fuel, I stopped and got gas and the problem still persisted.

Being a Saturday night with no one to help fix it until Monday, I decided to try to diagnose the problem. I came up the following. There is a clicking noise underneath the tailpipe. In addition, the right tail pipe appears to be clogged and water is coming out of the left one.

The temperature outside had been in the single digits all day. Could something have frozen inside the tailpipes by any chance? Anything else that would cause the clicking? It appears that the car shakes a little because the exhaust can't come out the right tailpipe.

Thanks for any advice.

Maaz
 
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#2
This problem could be due to dirty fuel which usually results in catalyc converter failure. But there are many thing like Injectors, valves, etc. or even cold can cause problems.

If you see some water from the exhaust dripping thats normal.
 

Bmw 325i 7803

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#3
I always knew those discount gas station in PA were bad for your bimmer...... Why not go to Sunoco or bp or exxon out there they have great prices compared to NY, and its only about a dime over the discount gas outlets..
 

Maaz

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#4
Thanks for the advice. Does this mean that I may have to get my catalyc converter replaced or should the problem go away once I clean out the gas? Would one of those gas treatment things help or are they a waste for my car?

Actually, I normally go to BP or Sunoco but I was in Ohio on business a few days ago and got gas there at a Shell station. Still, it shouldn't have been bad gas as it is not a discount station. Also, I didn't have the problem until the tank was almost empty (80 some miles left to empty). I'm still thinking the cold might have something to do with it. Oh, the gas prices have gone up here quite a bit. They are usually higher in Ohio but right now they are the same. But even so, I avoid discount gas stations except in an emergency.

I left my car parked at my dealer and got a ride home but I was unable to obtain another vehicle (borrow or rental) today for me to use for work tomorrow so I may have to just go get my car later tonight. I don't want to do so though if it will cause any long-term harm or break down on me. Do you feel the car is safe to drive for a few days until I have time to get it fixed or should I not risk it? I would probably put about 500 miles on it.

Thanks,

Maaz
 
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#5
Well if the problem started when the tank was almost empty that you should realy check it out. All the dirt and particles are laying on the bottom of the fuel tank. You should change your fuel filter and have the engine flush, and also have inspection of the catalyc converter.

But like I said it might not be the fuel.

Engine restorers/gas treatments are not good and it can damage the engine.
 

Maaz

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Monroeville, PA
#6
Thanks for the advice. I attempted again to drive my car last night but it kept stalling as soon as I started it. Fortunately, the dealer was able to take a look at the problem first thing this morning.

They initially suspected bad gas as well but it turns out the problem was the ignition coils instead. They replaced all 6 of them and are now on their way delivering the car here to me so hopefully everything else is okay. They said that they have a service bulletin that claims that there were problems with some of the ignition coils.

Maaz
 

Maaz

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#8
I have a pretty good relationship with my dealer. They will fix my car immediately if they are open and able to. I never heard of the problem either. In addition to the 6 ignition coils, they also replaced one of the spark plugs. And it's been driven 180 miles or so and no problems, running great.

Maaz
 


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