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1993 BMW 525i Engine?

Tiny
MANNY0978
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 BMW 525I
  • 6 CYL
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,000 MILES
It started last week when I started the car it would bounce until the car warmed up. I was told to add fuel injector cleaner & if that didn't fix the problem I needed a tune up. Yesterday morning on the way to get the cleaner I had more exhaust than normal but by the end of my driving around everything appeared to be normal. This morning it took me 5 tries to get the car started but when I did the bouncing seemed to have stopped but I still had a little more exhaust than normal. At lunch I went to check on the car. It started hard but it did start however the bouncing was back & the exhaust didn't seem bad?

Thank you for any suggestion you may have, I really don't have extra money right now so I don't want to be taken advantage of when I bring it somewhere. Happy Holidays
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 AT 11:42 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,913 POSTS
When you say bouncing, do you mean there is a misfire? Also, by more exhaust, do you mean there is smoke coming from the exhaust?
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
MANNY0978
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The car shakes but just till it warms up. It could be smoke I guess, it is white but it only happens when I'm idling for awhile.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,913 POSTS
Okay, I have to ask more questions. Is the smoke white? Are you in a cold environment that could cause you to see normal steam from the exhaust? Is the coolant low? Does the exhaust have a sweet odor to it?
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
MANNY0978
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes it is white. Yes I live in upstate ny. The smell I think is normal. And the coolant I think is ok? The car hasn't said that I was low.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,913 POSTS
Okay, I was worried about a bad head gasket. Most likely, you are just seeing steam from the exhaust getting hot. However, check to make sure the coolant is full. If it isn't, let me know.

When was the last tune-up? Has the check engine light ever come on when it is running poorly?
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
MANNY0978
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Coolant is low, car over heated. I'm afraid you are probably right about the head gasket.

Check engine light has never came on before but I've never had a problem with the car before.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,913 POSTS
Did it just overheat today? Also, check the engine oil to see if there is any coolant mixing with the oil. It may not be, but if it is, then I can be sure it is the head gasket.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
MANNY0978
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Just tonight on the way home from work. Put water in the overflow & it was fine. A friend checked the oil last night & said it was clean? I decided it was best to drop it off, maybe think about trading it in. Thank you for all your help and time. I will definitely recommend you. Hope you & your family have a very happy holiday season.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,913 POSTS
I'm glad to help. And the same to you and your family. Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
MANNY0978
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Update. I just got my car back from the shop and luckily I was told the the drainage cap from the radiator was loose. Hari said that it because the coolant was that I was having the problems. So she flushed the system & it's running great now. He actually said what a great car it is, he said he couldn't believe what great condition it's in.

Thank you so much again!
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Friday, December 6th, 2013 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Glad you got it fixed.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2013 AT 5:10 PM

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