e46 Engine Warning light - Exhaust Emissions
Discussion
Long time lurker, short time poster! And i'm after some help! Driving home from work tonight, the engine warning light came on (orange) and the handbook mentions exhaust emissions problems... (02 325ci)
Any ideas what could be causing this? Been using vpower unleaded for the last 4 tanks...
Is it safe to continue driving until the car goes in for a service in a couple of weeks? Will be doing about 200 miles a week.
Am off out tonight, so many thanks in advance for any advice anyone wishes to offer!
Any ideas what could be causing this? Been using vpower unleaded for the last 4 tanks...
Is it safe to continue driving until the car goes in for a service in a couple of weeks? Will be doing about 200 miles a week.
Am off out tonight, so many thanks in advance for any advice anyone wishes to offer!
It's all to do with the air/fuel mix I think, which in turn determines the emmissions. Mine kept coming on (330Ci) and staying on, then it would go off for a day or so.I got the car on a computer a couple of times and no fault was found (very annoying). The garage just reset the obc but the light would come on again soon after.
I took it to my local garage and he spent hours looking for the fault (like a good mechanic, with his hands and his eyes), and he found a little 1" hose that goes into or out of the air filter box, which had a little split on the underside of it.
That little split was making the car run a bit lean, because too much air was going in (I think). Once changed the light has never came on again.
Bottom line is, the light comes on for numerous reasons, but none of them will end up killing the engine if you keep driving. Hope ths helps.
Les
I took it to my local garage and he spent hours looking for the fault (like a good mechanic, with his hands and his eyes), and he found a little 1" hose that goes into or out of the air filter box, which had a little split on the underside of it.
That little split was making the car run a bit lean, because too much air was going in (I think). Once changed the light has never came on again.
Bottom line is, the light comes on for numerous reasons, but none of them will end up killing the engine if you keep driving. Hope ths helps.
Les
Does the car run lumpy - if so, likely to be one or more ignition coils. Cost around £90 each iirc and easy diy job. You have 6 in your car but unusual for them all to go.
Other common triggers are O2 sensor(s). If this is the problem, the catalyst might get damaged if you continue to drive the car.
Ideally get the fault codes read at a local independent. Mine does it for around £40 - this will indicate what the problem is.
Other common triggers are O2 sensor(s). If this is the problem, the catalyst might get damaged if you continue to drive the car.
Ideally get the fault codes read at a local independent. Mine does it for around £40 - this will indicate what the problem is.
thanks guys - light was on this morning, but not on way home from work! very confusing! Got it booked in at local indy a week saturday - it needs service and MOT anyway, so hopefully they won't take the proverbial!! Will let you know if anything other than already mentioned - may be of use to others! 
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