Help Needed - SES Codes 215,225,227,235(INPA)

[LeiZ]

Update_11.21.2015 : Hi Gents, Sorry for being away for so long. Business trip took me 3 weeks to get back to normal. I really appreciate every bit of advice here. And as I promised, I'll be back with the fuel pressure test results and see if I can rule out the fuel pump/filter/injector issue.

Basically Actron CP7818 gave me a fairly clear reading. Priming (w/o starting) shows 42~46 PSI, upon starting 50~52 PSI steady. Tried both high and low throttle, pressure never go beyond +/- 1 PSI.

So I guess the fuel system is doing fine. I checked the codes again (Dad's been driving it while I left), and he codes still exist, same ones. Also, I did a quick test by disconnecting the MAF while engine running, it's fairly big idling change, so I guess MAF is still working. Thanks again for all your help again!
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First off, Happy Holloween!!!!!

Really need some help here. My 01' M54 3.0i was throwing me 4 codes since 2 weeks ago. Checked with INPA, codes are 215,225,227,235. Cleared then came back within 1 mile of driving. Car is still driving fine, w/o noticeable difference, maybe only 1~2 mpg down, but that's it. Both upstream & downstream 4 O2 sensors have been replaced recently.

Here's a quick summary:

225 Reaction time NKAT-Probe BK2
Errorcode: E1 B2 25 28 15 A2 00 00 95 99

235 Oxygen-sensor control upstrem bank 1
Errorcode: EB B2 05 26 19 A1 00 00 95 AA

227 lambda contol tolerance Bank 1
Errorcode: E3 B1 01 1F 32 34 8B A1 95 BF

215 downstrem sensor, active test BK1 (Probe 3)
Errorcode: D7 72 01 28 02 19 20 34 95 F6

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Lei

[jfoj]

Ditch INPA for Driveability problems, get OBDFusion and the proper wireless interface from Amazon for under $20.

Make sure the wiring for the O2 sensors was not mixed/crossed Bank to Bank.

Lean condition may be the problem, I did not bother to look up and translate the BMW codes to standard Pxxxx format.

Notice the word "Rich" in the INPA report. The engine is not running Rich, it is running Lean, most likely one or more vacuum leaks, a soft fuel pump or an aftermarket counterfeit MAF. INPA shows the errors around 1600 RPM which is off idle, without being able to compare warm idle and steady cruise Fuel Trims it is mostly a guess at this point.

Trust me, the engine is running Lean.

[LeiZ]

Thanks for the reply, jfoj, The MAF is genuine and the fuel pressure is only 2 yrs old. Fuel pump and DISA valve is still factory original. Do you think the vacuum leak comes from the rubber elbow or DISA valve?


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[jfoj]

MAF could be degraded and under reporting the airflow, but for now will assume it is ok.

Might want to pull the DISA for inspection and plan on replacing the main DISA O-ring. This is a "hack/mod" so you will need an O-ring that BMW does not sell and you will need to scrape out the molded silicon seal in the groove.

See German Auto Solutions, you should buy a few of the cheaper orange O-ring.

Smoke testing is the easy way to find vacuum leaks, but I an not sure INPA is giving us all the data at this point. Would prefer to see warm idle and steady highway cruise Fuel Trim values.

[LeiZ]

Run it with Torque, and found the following codes:

P0313 - misfire detected with low fuel
P2096 - Post cat fuel trim system too lean bank 1
P1144 (pending) - Unknown

Fuel pump????


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[jfoj]

I am not a fan of fuel pumps that are over 8 years old, regardless of mileage.

Bank #1 Lean could be due to fuel starvation. If you had 1/4 tank of fuel, I would not let it go below 1/2 tank for now.

Without seeing fuel trims and other info, it is still a guess.

Get OBDFusion and this interface for your iPhone, both for under $30 - Amazon.com: Veepeak mini WiFi OBD II OBD2 Scanner iPhone Diagnostic Adapter, iOS Car OBD2 OBDII auto scanner, OBD2 scan tool For check engine light & diagnostics for iOS Android & Windows: Automotive

[upallnight]

When was the last time you change the fuel filter? Before throwing money and time at a new fuel pump, get a fuel pressure gauge and connect it to the fuel rail and tell us what type of pressure you have at the rail with key on, and with the engine running.

[LeiZ]

About 2 years ago, Mann filter with pressure regulator. I'm getting the Ackron CP7818 fuel pressure tester this week and will report back the fuel pressure.

Thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by upallnight

When was the last time you change the fuel filter? Before throwing money and time at a new fuel pump, get a fuel pressure gauge and connect it to the fuel rail and tell us what type of pressure you have at the rail with key on, and with the engine running.

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[jfoj]

I can tell you without hesitation BMW fuel pumps actually soft fail as well as hard fail. I do not know the E53 fuel pump like I know the E46 and E39 fuel pumps, but I tell people to not even bother testing fuel pressure.

At the end of the day it is not if, but when the fuel pump will fail. Yes, it is wise to replace the fuel filter, but I have yet to see a fuel filter cause the problems that weak fuel pump can and do cause.

You can use the Hidden OBC to monitor the fuel level in both sides of the tank, the drivers/left side should never have more fuel than the passenger/right side unless you make a hard right turn, but the drivers/left side should pump down quickly. With soft fuel pumps we find that the passenger/right side of the tank runs out of fuel with 1/4 tank still showing on the gauge. If this happens, the fuel pump NEEDS to be replaced.

You need to verify both pressure and volume. But given the age of these vehicles and the history of pump problems, even if it does not resolve your problem, you have headed off a future failure. I find it is actually just a waste of time checking duel pressure and volume on vehicles 8+ years old. I just replace the pump and filter.

Pump with sending unit should be around $200.

You can use this tool to find the best pricing from major suppliers - BMW Part Number Price Comparison for Windows & Mac

If you can get OBDII Logs so Fuel Trims and other values can be reviewed along with Freeze Frame data it would be helpful.

As mentioned, OBDFusion is the App I highly recommend.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by jfoj

I can tell you without hesitation BMW fuel pumps actually soft fail as well as hard fail. I do not know the E53 fuel pump like I know the E46 and E39 fuel pumps, but I tell people to not even bother testing fuel pressure.

At the end of the day it is not if, but when the fuel pump will fail. Yes, it is wise to replace the fuel filter, but I have yet to see a fuel filter cause the problems that weak fuel pump can and do cause.

You can use the Hidden OBC to monitor the fuel level in both sides of the tank, the drivers/left side should never have more fuel than the passenger/right side unless you make a hard right turn, but the drivers/left side should pump down quickly. With soft fuel pumps we find that the passenger/right side of the tank runs out of fuel with 1/4 tank still showing on the gauge. If this happens, the fuel pump NEEDS to be replaced.

You need to verify both pressure and volume. But given the age of these vehicles and the history of pump problems, even if it does not resolve your problem, you have headed off a future failure. I find it is actually just a waste of time checking duel pressure and volume on vehicles 8+ years old. I just replace the pump and filter.

Pump with sending unit should be around $200.

You can use this tool to find the best pricing from major suppliers - BMW Part Number Price Comparison for Windows & Mac

If you can get OBDII Logs so Fuel Trims and other values can be reviewed along with Freeze Frame data it would be helpful.

As mentioned, OBDFusion is the App I highly recommend.

You must be from the school of throwing parts at a problems instead of actually doing some investigative work to verify what is the problem.