Engine light and unstable idling/shuddering - help pleeeease!?

[Cjonaldo]

Hey guys, hope you can help or give some advice please!
Have a 54 plate 2.2 z4 on 61000 miles.
Yesterday the yellow engine light came on on the dashboard. Had been using the car fine earlier in the day, but now the car sounds dodgy. Feels as though the car is shuddering/shaking and idling is unstable. What is this likely to be? I've read it could be a coil on one of the cylinders? (I don't really know what that means - I'm great at keeping the car clean but anything under the bonnet is an unknown to me).

Any advice on what I should do? Get down to the local garage ASAP I assume for them to run diagnostics? I'm in south east London and have been to Pullman garage a couple of times, but if anyone has and other garages maybe more specialised to bmws, that would be great! Would like to know what I'm in for ;( Thanks a lot!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

No one can really help you online, you need the fault code read. If your car is a daily then you don't have much choice but to go locally. If you can wait then get a cable and read yourself, can be had online for £30 and is almost always cheaper than paying someone else.

 

[Stuartt]

If you have AA or RAC cover call them out they will read the codes and if they have the part will fix for just the cost of the part.
No diagnostic or labour fees, just pay for the part

Stuart

 

[Lance]

Sounds very much like a coil failure, cheap and very very easy fix, even for those not used to getting under the bonnet.

Try YouTube for a coil replace video.

 

[Jmcg666]

Could be your inlet valve sensor playing up, but only a code reader can tell you.

 

[Smartbear]

Or a perished/split inlet boot causing an air leak-get it plugged in!
Rob

 

[Scooba_Steve]

If you have AA or RAC cover call them out they will read the codes and if they have the part will fix for just the cost of the part.
No diagnostic or labour fees, just pay for the part

Stuart

This is a good shout, didn't know they did this.

 

[goldbcfc]

get yourself a diagnostic scanner will save time and money I wrong assumptions

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-C110-MANUFACTURER-OBDII-FAULT-CODE-ENGINE-ABS-TRANSMISSION-AIRBAG-SCANNER-UK-/201424851513?hash=item2ee5db5239:g:aDwAAOSw34FVCUiC

most likely its a

vacuum leak, split intake hose, blocked CCV etc....do vacuum tests

dodgy disa valve

bad coil packs or sparkplugs

faulty camshaft sensor

 

[Wendy02]

Hi I've just recently had your same problem 2 days ago. The code scanner on mine said inlet camshaft sensor. Had the sensor replaced at BMW and all is fine again. The battery light came up and the check engine light was lit. Felt lumpy, rough.
Wendy

 

[Cjonaldo]

Thanks for the advice. I'll call breakdown cover tomorrow as I get that with my bank! Didn't think of that. I'll let you know the outcome

 

[Cjonaldo]

So I called my breakdown cover (through my bank) and someone came round in under an hour...gave me some useful advice etc and what they though issue would be so that was a great idea before heading to a garage.

Took to "Andrews Garage" by Loughborough junction as recommended on east dulwich forum and he was really helpful and honest etc. Found that there was a problem on cylinder number 6 and replaced the ignition coil. Cost me £90 and running perfect again woohoo!

 

[stevo///m3]

So I called my breakdown cover (through my bank) and someone came round in under an hour...gave me some useful advice etc and what they though issue would be so that was a great idea before heading to a garage.

Took to "Andrews Garage" by Loughborough junction as recommended on east dulwich forum and he was really helpful and honest etc. Found that there was a problem on cylinder number 6 and replaced the ignition coil. Cost me £90 and running perfect again woohoo!

Great result! Couple of pics of the car whilst you're at it..?
Stevo

 

[sw4nny]

So I called my breakdown cover (through my bank) and someone came round in under an hour...gave me some useful advice etc and what they though issue would be so that was a great idea before heading to a garage.

Took to "Andrews Garage" by Loughborough junction as recommended on east dulwich forum and he was really helpful and honest etc. Found that there was a problem on cylinder number 6 and replaced the ignition coil. Cost me £90 and running perfect again woohoo!

Hi there,you may want to think about changing the other coils,don't think it will be long before your calling him again.
Easy swop you can diy in 20 mins

 

[goldbcfc]

get the metal tipped bosch coils not the plastic tipped bremi ones bmw uses which are widely are known for failing. Bosch ones are about £20-£25 each if you start getting same symptoms again just change them all pair them with new spark plugs coils just pull out so is easy diy