Top Reasons Your BMW Is Running Rich & How to Deal with It from Experts in Pontiac

Most of the time it is seen that the majority of BMW drivers are not aware of the complex problems that affect the performance of their high-end vehicle. One such concerning issue is the BMW engine running rich which in the long run can severely damage the engine of your car.

Here in this article, we will discuss the underlying factors that cause the engine to run rich as shared with us by the expert technicians in Pontiac, MI.

• Bad O2 Sensor
• Failing Fuel Injectors
• Malfunctioning MAF Sensor
• Faulty Coolant Temperature Sensor

Bad O2 Sensor

Your BMW comes equipped with a host of sensors that are responsible for keeping a tab on the functioning of the vital parameters in your vehicle. Mostly the problem of your car running rich is associated with the malfunctioning of one or multiple sensors.

The first thing that you must inspect is the oxygen sensor or O2 sensor as it is popularly called because the O2 sensors are responsible for monitoring the ratio of air/fuel mixture present in the exhaust gases coming out of the exhaust pipe of your car.

Now, this information is used by the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to adjust the flow of fuel into the engine. However, with a bad O2 sensor, the information relayed to the ECU will be erroneous for example if the sensor relays information about a lean mixture, then the ECU will release more fuel causing your engine to run rich.

The only way to successfully deal with the problem is by replacing the bad oxygen sensor with a new one & this will solve all your woes.

Failing Fuel Injectors

Another leading cause behind your BMW running rich is related to the functioning of the fuel injectors in your car. The proper functioning of the fuel injectors is crucial for your car because the efficiency of the combustion process depends on the working of the fuel injectors.

The pressurized fuel is delivered to the engine through the fuel injectors from the gas tank of your car. The fuel is routed through the intake manifold at a perfect time when the intake valves are open and the engine requires fuel for the combustion process.

The malfunctioning of the fuel injectors might lead to more fuel being delivered to the engine than requires which will cause your car to run rich. In addition to this, you will also experience engine misfire & rough idling while driving due to failing fuel injectors in your BMW.

Most of the time the fuel injectors get clogged with dirt & contaminants & cleaning it will solve the problem. However, if doesn’t solve the problem, you will have to replace them.

Malfunctioning MAF Sensor

The malfunctioning Mass Airflow (MAF) sensor is found to be the leading cause behind the engine running rich in cars. The MAF sensor is responsible for monitoring the amount of air entering the engine and then relaying this information to the engine control unit for adjusting the fuel flow.

Nevertheless, with a failing MAF sensor, the ECU in your car is going to get the wrong information regarding the amount of air entering your car. This disturbs the air-to-fuel ratio in your car and would cause your BMW to either run rich or lean.

The sensor gets clogged with dirt & debris with continuous usage and this affects its functioning. You need to take your luxury car to a BMW Specialist who can diagnose and fix the issues with the MAF sensor.

Faulty Coolant Temperature Sensor

Most of the time drivers are surprised to know that a faulty coolant temperature sensor has also got the potential to disturb the air/fuel mixture of their car leading to either your vehicle running rich or lean. The data from the coolant temperature sensor is also relayed to the engine control unit so that the air-fuel mixture can be adjusted accordingly.

Whenever the engine of your BMW is running cold it requires more fuel for its efficient functioning and the coolant temperature sensor measures the temperature of the coolant to identify when there is a requirement of additional fuel.

A faulty coolant temperature sensor can cause more fuel to flow into the engine leading to the rich running of your luxury car. Replacing the coolant temperature sensor is going to solve your problems.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the leading causes behind your BMW running rich. Most of the time drivers choose to ignore the rich running of their car until something catastrophic happens. It is advised that you should immediately get in touch with a certified repair shop for getting your BMW diagnosed & fixed.

Nikolas Motorsports located in Pontiac, MI is a leading independent auto repair and maintenance facility that specializes in BMW, Mini, and Porsche. We have years of experience in looking after these high-end German cars.