Weird sound from car when idle

[kerriannec31]

I have just bought my first BMW 316i and its lovely inside and out but i have been having a few problems from the get go. First of all when the car sits idle it drops below half a thousand revs and sounds like it is about die but after a few minutes it picks itself back up and idles normally, 2nd it sounds as though it may be misfiring when driving and feels like it is going to die at times when you slow down and also the tappets can be noisy at times. Then when i take it to a friend to get it checked out they tell me that the suspension arm has came away from the bush and one side is just hanging there. The suspension is getting sorted tomorrow but the other problems i am yet to resolve. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks
Kerrianne

 

[Yugguy]

Howdo.

Could be a lot of things but I would be checking ignition leads.

Change the air filter if its not been done recently.

 

[kerriannec31]

Hi thanks for the reply.

The air filter is like brand new. Service books states it was changed back in April 2011

 

[jarrus]

Check it anyway mate, "never assume" is something I stick to.
as in never assume it is something if you can physically check it for yourself so you know what it actually is if you know what I mean...

Anyways like said it could any number of things. crappy idle could be loss of compression, the engine isn't getting enough fuel, the spark is weak, just to name a few,

Is there any abnormal lights currently turn on in your dash board around the intrument cluster?

 

[kerriannec31]

Hi, its booked in for a full service just to be safe and then will go from there.

Dont have any lights that pop on just the usual instrument lights then go off. The oil light stays on for about 10-15 secs then goes off thats about it.

Thanks

 

[HDi fun]

Is this the red or yellow oil light?

Yellow is low level, red is low pressure.

 

[kerriannec31]

Its a yellow light. is this a good sign as i just filled it with oil yesterday when i got it.

 

[HDi fun]

The yellow light is a low oil level warning. Check the dipstick as well (if it has one) to confirm the level. Low pressure is BAD. very BAD.

Does the light stay off now you've topped off the crankcase?

 

[kerriannec31]

I have checked the dipstick and it looks like it is at maximum level but the light still pops on a couple of times through the day but goes off after about 10-15 secs

 

[Yugguy]

That could just be a sensor actually.