While tripping merrily through the mail, Ed Paulsen was overheard
 EP> Problem:  Engine dies while running.
 EP> Ok, thought I would throw this out for a bit of help.  Engine runs
 EP> fine at idle and power but within a few minutes (3-10 or so) will
 EP> suddenly just die. No warning at all.. it just quits - let it sit for
 EP> about 2 or three minutes and it starts up just fine and runs like a
 EP> champ until it suddenly just dies again.
I had exactly the same problem recently with an '83 318 "lean burn".
I switched brands of gasoline (from Amoco and Super America {Ashland}
87 octane to Citgo or Mobil 89 octane), and the problem went away like magic.
(My mechanic told me those two brands were notorious for water in the fuel,
which is what he thought was causing the problem.)
If you're in an area with federally mandated reformulated gas, the 10%
alcohol will cause it also (try and find a station that sells the MTBE
instead.)  In this case, the alcohol causes vapor lock in hot-running
engines.
Don
... He then left in a Huff (A small German sportscar).
---
---------------