Need help figuring out where to start

[Palindrome]

So recently I've noticed that at low fuel loads that my idle is much more unsteady and even feels like it is going to die at times. Tonight when I drove briefly, the car felt fine when I was accelerating and using the throttle in general. But the car sounds like dog poo at idle. The sound was directly related to the cars idle being unsteady and trying to die as they both happened at the same time.

Also, sometimes when I am accelerating the car feels like the power is "swimming" kind of like a sin wave.

Thus far, I have never seen a check engine light or any electronic indication that anything is wrong; just what I have seen, felt, heard from the car.

I wanted to see what others thought about these things. I took a couple videos, and I may post them later, but I think most of the sound is washed out on my poor cell phone microphone.

If all else fails, does anyone know a reliable and trustworthy repair shop in the Austin area of Texas?

[johnrando]

Big time guess but perhaps fuel pump... those are known to go bad and one symptom is issues when fuel is low.

[Meric]

Could be fuel filter? With low pressure it might be clogged and not much of a fuel going in to the engine?

[webster]

could be fuel pump/filter. i know we have a few guys in ATX, they should be able to recommend a shop.

[Hornung418]

Change your fuel filter. If trouble persists, replace the fuel pump. Easy swaps and you should be back on the road in no time.

[brettbimmer]

Change your fuel filter. If trouble persists, replace the fuel pump. Easy swaps and you should be back on the road in no time.

^What Justin said! Try fuel filter first!

[johnrando]

Agree. I was thinking filter too but for some reason just left it off.

[danewilson77]

May also want to check for stored codes in the absence of an ses light.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Palindrome]

What is the best (i.e. cheapest, reliable) place to get a fuel filter?

[danewilson77]

What is the best (i.e. cheapest, reliable) place to get a fuel filter?

Probably can get one at autozone, or the like, for cheap....if you're in a bind. Otherwise, FCPeuro, ECSTuning, or AutohausAZ online.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Palindrome]

I can get a Beck/Arnley from Advance Auto for $85. I've used other Beck/Arnley parts before with no issues.

Nvm, they don't have them locally.

Is it safe to go with the el cheapo version on ECS? http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/Fuel_Filter/

[danewilson77]

I can get a Beck/Arnley from Advance Auto for $85. I've used other Beck/Arnley parts before with no issues.

Seems tooboku imho.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[danewilson77]

Yeah..around $50 was more what I was thinking.

http://www.fcpeuro.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keywords=+13327512019

Up to you though. Don't know much about Beck Arnley.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[danewilson77]

I have Kayser.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/13327512019/

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Palindrome]

I like the price of the one you linked at fcpeuro. I may as well get some oil change supplies as well, what oil and filter is recommended? I've only been using synthetic for a few years now in my other vehicles. And, just to confirm, I need 7 quarts?

[danewilson77]

I like the price of the one you linked at fcpeuro. I may as well get some oil change supplies as well, what oil and filter is recommended? I've only been using synthetic for a few years now in my other vehicles. And, just to confirm, I need 7 quarts?

M1 0W-40 or BMW 5W-30. Both fully synthetic. Go with a Mann or a Mahle filter.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[echo46]

+1. Kayser Fuel Filter, Mobile 1 0w40 for me too. If you do the fuel pump, make sure you do the sender too.

[Palindrome]

Installed the fuel filter today. That seemed to take care of part of the issues I'm having. The car accelerates much more smoothly and didn't feel like it was "swimming" for power like I mentioned in my first post. Unfortunately, I'm still having idle issues and strange noises.

The idle is unsteady and the car is making a very strange noise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2iccjKR_tU

[Hornung418]

Sounds like a VANOS rebuild is in order.

[BCS_ZHP]

Can you describe the strange noise -- maybe like marbles in a can? Hopefully not as that's the Vanos, a DIY but you might want someone who's done it
to walk you thru it, several folks here have.

[danewilson77]

Sounds like geese rapidly farting in a lake. You can clearly hear it on the video.

[toddness]

Sounds like geese rapidly farting in a lake. You can clearly hear it on the video.

Are you sure those aren't rapidly farting ducks on a pond?

- sorry, couldn't help myself