5 Likely Causes of BMW Jerking While Accelerating

BMW is a very popular German car brand known for delivering vehicles carrying an ultimate luxury, style, comfort, & sophistication. BMW is definitely worth the money because of its excellent safety features & expert craftsmanship.

The uniform weight distribution, easiness of customization, ultra-responsive steering, affordable maintenance structure, & exceptional ability to hold the value- are the key reasons why most car enthusiasts prefer to pick a BMW as their road companion.

Though this brand commits to offering high-performance & reliable rides on the roadways, sometimes due to certain reasons, it fails to stick to its commitment. It can also come with a fair share of complications after remaining in use for a long spell. Jerking while accelerating is one of those hassles that stresses every BMW owner on the road.

A jerk during acceleration can mean several things. It can be a serious safety concern if not diagnosed promptly. So, as a responsible BMW owner, you must pay attention to your vehicle’s health no matter how busy you are.

This article reveals 5 probable causes of BMW jerking in the following. Let’s take a look at those causes.

1- Blocked Catalytic Converter

A catalytic converter is like other components that come with a certain life expectancy. So, if it remains in use for a longer period of time, then it will fail eventually. Out of the many reasons why a catalytic converter fails, the blockage is probably the key reason behind its failure. The blockage happens when the air-fuel mixture becomes too high. These carbon deposits do not allow the catalytic converter to do its job by destroying the airflow. The engine fails to generate enough power for its operation, & the vehicle jerks & struggles to accelerate thereby. If the blockage is minor, use hot water & degreaser for unclogging. Otherwise, you can replace it straight away.

2- Clogged Air Filter

A car needs a clean air filter to run smoothly & efficiently. An air filter is a vital component of your vehicle’s air intake system. Its job is to filtrate the dirt, dust, & other contaminants from the air & improve the quantity & quality of clean air entering the car engine. Over the time, it accumulates dirt & gets clogged. With a clogged air filter, the amount of clean air entering the engine gets reduced, & the dust particles find it effortless to reach the engine. The presence of dirt, & the absence of enough clean air make it harder for the engine to operate properly. This is what causes your car to jerk when you try to accelerate. So, take the help of a professional & replace the air filter from time to time.

3- Moisture On The Distributor Cap

The distributor cap is a pivotal part of your vehicle’s ignition system. It plays the role of transferring electric charge from the ignition coil to the spark plugs according to the firing order. Once the spark plug gets the charge, it sparks & ignites the air-fuel mixture for powering the engine. But when the distributor cap accumulates moisture, the distribution of spark to the spark plugs gets affected. The engine does not receive enough power for its operation & thereby producing jerky acceleration down the road. Park the car in a warmer area to avoid the accumulation of moisture.

4- Damaged Gas Lines

The flow of gas occurs via gas lines all through the vehicle’s engine. Any kind of damage to the gas line can lead to pressure loss in the speed machine. This pressure loss then contributes to jerking during an attempt to accelerate. The engine can catch fire when the damage to the gas lines is severe & remains there for a considerable amount of time. So, make regular inspections of gas lines to ensure that they don’t have holes for performance impairment.

5- Compromised Acceleration Cable

The acceleration cable connects the engine throttle plate & the gas pedal. When you press the gas pedal, the cable opens the throttle body by pulling itself out. Thus, if the acceleration cable is broken or damaged, it will become a challenge for the vehicle to gain motion & move forward. The vehicle may jerk often & leave you frustrated. So, always take measures to keep the acceleration cable in pristine condition. Replace the cable in no time, if it is found damaged.

Word from the Experts

A BMW is not designed to jerk, rather it is designed to give hassle-free rides to the operative. So, if it jerks every time you try to accelerate, that means your vehicle is not well & is needing some attention. You have to know the cause before trying to fix it. Being a layperson, you should not try to fix things on your own, otherwise, the situation will become worse. The wise decision would be to reach out to a competent BMW specialist for service & repair. With professional assistance, you will find a more effective solution rather than facing unwanted complications.

We at Momentum Motorworks are one of the most sought after german auto specialist in Birmingham. We offer specialists level maintenance for all models of Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche.