Idle Thoughts!!!

[SilverFive90]

'90 525i (M20)
Can someone please tell me at about what RPM should my car idle. It idles now at about 950...someone told me it should be around 1.5. I ask because I'm spending the weekend replacing my MAF...so your advice is appreciated.

Thanks all

[VentoGT]

1500 idle sounds extremely high and is most likely incorrect. My M5 idles at 850-900, although the motor in my car is different than yours.

[Alexlind123]

Yea 1.5k sounds wrong...

[Rodericb]

My 89 M20 idles between 750 and 800

[Jzza4]

Around 900 for me. When I do the display thing (where all the display lights go crazy), the car idles around 1100 upon start-up, but would go back to around 900 when the car was put into gear or shut off and turned on again.

[joshua43214]

1500 is way to high. should be about 900. its controlled by the dme anyway, so its only a spec to see if you have some ther problem.

[guinness]

I have an 89 that idles around 750

[Bill R.]

m20b25

[BillionPa]

my 530 idles at about 480 rpms when it warms up, but it is extremely responsive for off the line acceleration (massive tire squeal in .1s on an auto anyone?) so i dont plan on screwing with the idle settings.

i suspect the DME drops the idle speed if it determines the engine has enough power, or raises it if the engine is getting weak.

[KenB]

Mine idles right around 700, give or take a few...

[Alexlind123]

my 530 idles at about 480 rpms when it warms up, but it is extremely responsive for off the line acceleration (massive tire squeal in .1s on an auto anyone?) so i dont plan on screwing with the idle settings.

i suspect the DME drops the idle speed if it determines the engine has enough power, or raises it if the engine is getting weak.

But...but...i have more torque than you and i dont have massive tire squeal unless im turning a corner :( *Converts to stump-puller supreme differential*

[BillionPa]

with the suspension mods i made recently, i have to be going pretty fast around a corner to squeal the tires. I only found out a few days ago that i can do a burnout like it was nothing. i can only guess that the plugs air filter and chip, combined with some gas additives, give my car a massive low end boost and let it go to 500rpms to 4000 rpms in about... .7s. yay torque converters!!!

ps i hope i dont rip my transmission out my accident!

[Alexlind123]

with the suspension mods i made recently, i have to be going pretty fast around a corner to squeal the tires. I only found out a few days ago that i can do a burnout like it was nothing. i can only guess that the plugs air filter and chip, combined with some gas additives, give my car a massive low end boost and let it go to 500rpms to 4000 rpms in about... .7s. yay torque converters!!!

ps i hope i dont rip my transmission out my accident!

Maybe your TQ is locking up too late? I was talking about starting out around corners, not going around corners. I dont think i have even approched the limits of traction around corners yet.

[E34 530]

with the suspension mods i made recently, i have to be going pretty fast around a corner to squeal the tires. I only found out a few days ago that i can do a burnout like it was nothing. i can only guess that the plugs air filter and chip, combined with some gas additives, give my car a massive low end boost and let it go to 500rpms to 4000 rpms in about... .7s. yay torque converters!!!

ps i hope i dont rip my transmission out my accident!

How you doing this? I can't make my car burn out unless it's wet or taking a turn really sharp. Also about your idle... My 530 idles fine at startup- about 750. But after I've been driving around for awhile and come to a stop (stoplight- go inside for about half hour and start the car up again) the car will idle at about 500. Do I need to replace some gaskets or the PCV or something??

[BillionPa]

mine also starts at the 750ish area, then as soon as its out of the blue it drops to 500, i suspect the PCV is the problem. I have a new one in a box with gaskets, just waiting to get some time.

i really have no idea how i did it, the radio was loud, was at a stop light, i jam on the gas, and all i can hear is the tires! i turn the wheel right to take the turn, slide the back a bit, and before i know it im going 40 (tires stopped squealing at 20mph i think)

im gonna try it again thursday when i get the rest of my suspension situated

[Alexlind123]

mine also starts at the 750ish area, then as soon as its out of the blue it drops to 500, i suspect the PCV is the problem. I have a new one in a box with gaskets, just waiting to get some time.

i really have no idea how i did it, the radio was loud, was at a stop light, i jam on the gas, and all i can hear is the tires! i turn the wheel right to take the turn, slide the back a bit, and before i know it im going 40 (tires stopped squealing at 20mph i think)

im gonna try it again thursday when i get the rest of my suspension situated

meh...if i wanted to squeal my tires i would have a pos mistang 5.0

[BillionPa]

so let me get this straight, your Honduh has 1.6 liters, but my bottle of Mountain Dew has 2.0?

[SilverFive90]

Thanks for the advice everyone...it seems that around 950 is normal for my car...not going to that mechanic anymore. I guess by the power of elimination I will eventually figure out this stuttering problem...

[BillionPa]

make sure you replace all the o-rings on the intake line and check for cracks in the plastic boots.