4.6is New Problem: P0011

[robbtennis]

Ok thanks. After researching it is comprehensive and includes the same VANOS rebuild seals that Beisan sells. So this kit and a timing chain replacement kit plus timing tool should do the job.

Robb

[guntherrex]

thanks for the link! pricy but complete set! very good instructions too. Wonder if anything like that can be sourced in europe too, because import and special tool rent will be expensive!

[elliotnes]

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

The plain and simple reason I sold it is that it was so unreliable that I was afraid to drive it. It's not an exaggeration to say that if I went somewhere in it and made it home without some sort of failure, I would be surprised.

So I was faced with a choice: Keep it and keep putting money into it so I can occasionally take it out for a nervous drive, or cut my losses. In the end I decided that the best way to get out of a hole is to stop digging.

I can deal with just about any mechanical problem, but it was also plagued with electronic gremlins that are damn near impossible to track down. The most troubling was that the instrument cluster would occasionally go berserk. And when it happened, it was also shut off the A/C. I live in south GA. One could easily spend a small fortune trying to isolate that problem with no guarantee of success. It would also sometimes drain the battery when parked for only a few hours, so I had to carry a jump box with me all the time. There were random warnings on the MID ranging from air suspension faults to low oil pressure. No way to know if they were phantom warnings, or not.

Anyway, the list goes on and on.

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

The plain and simple reason I sold it is that it was so unreliable that I was afraid to drive it. It's not an exaggeration to say that if I went somewhere in it and made it home without some sort of failure, I would be surprised.

So I was faced with a choice: Keep it and keep putting money into it so I can occasionally take it out for a nervous drive, or cut my losses. In the end I decided that the best way to get out of a hole is to stop digging.

I can deal with just about any mechanical problem, but it was also plagued with electronic gremlins that are damn near impossible to track down. The most troubling was that the instrument cluster would occasionally go berserk. And when it happened, it was also shut off the A/C. I live in south GA. One could easily spend a small fortune trying to isolate that problem with no guarantee of success. It would also sometimes drain the battery when parked for only a few hours, so I had to carry a jump box with me all the time. There were random warnings on the MID ranging from air suspension faults to low oil pressure. No way to know if they were phantom warnings, or not.

Anyway, the list goes on and on.

Man, you sure that’s the car you sold to me?
My ownership was pretty much the opposite, but the is has never been my daily.
And for a full disclosure, the only major trip I made with it was when I got it from you and drove it back to Michigan. Ever since, I only drove it around the block on weekends as my son is crazy about the is.
As for the electrical gremlins, I believe the cluster is the culprit despite being serviced in the past. During my ownership it went crazy less then handful of times and almost exclusively if it sat for a week or two without being hooked up to a trickle charger.
Mechanically, it remained superior thanks to the work you’ve performed. I changed the oil twice, put the new tires, swapped the steering wheel for like new condition one, made a dedicated 100w solar charger and enjoyed the looks, the sound and every other uniqueness of the car.
However, I’ve just listed it for sale locally as I’ll be moving to another state this summer and will likely be loosing garage privilege for a while. If, for any reason, sale doesn’t happen before then, I’ll be moving it with me and probably keeping until I get obsessed with some other unicorn

[robbtennis]

Good news gents! I finally took the time out to tackle this super human job. I'm approx half way completed and about to start reassembly after everything checked out with 2nd VANOS timing alignment. I do have a question re the lower timing cover reassembly, it seems there is a thin existing gasket already in place. Should I use gasket maker that came with the kit I bought from ECS? If not where should I use the gasket stuff?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Robb

[robbtennis]

I'm respectfully bumping your comment re the lower oil pan bimmer man! Hope all is well.

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

No apologies needed! The intention for this thread is to provide help to others.

Removing the lower oil pan on the V8 is a whole lot easier than on the I6. You have to remove the large aluminum skid plate (6 16mm bolts), and then there are about 25 10mm bolts around the perimeter of the oil pan. Remove those, and it drops right off.

No need to raise the engine or lower the subframe. It's THE ONE job that's easier on the V8 than on the I6!

[robbtennis]

Hey guys I could really use some help. I finally completed the rebuild and started my X5 yesterday. It actually ran terrific to my amazement! However when I turned it off I noticed a terrible oil leak below the exhaust headers. So I'm assuming my 1st valve cover replacement attempt failed somehow. Does anyone have advice on how to bulletproof this procedure? I have several types of sealant should I use one?

Thanks in advance!

Robb

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by robbtennis

Hey guys I could really use some help. I finally completed the rebuild and started my X5 yesterday. It actually ran terrific to my amazement! However when I turned it off I noticed a terrible oil leak below the exhaust headers. So I'm assuming my 1st valve cover replacement attempt failed somehow. Does anyone have advice on how to bulletproof this procedure? I have several types of sealant should I use one?

Thanks in advance!

Robb

You did put small dabs on sealant on cutout on all 4 moon shape ends in the back of the valve covers (per BMW instructions)?
I've used Victor Reinz sealant probably on 10 + VC jobs and it works great:
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/VZ-559...yABEgKH1_D_BwE

[robbtennis]

Hello again fellas! The 4.6is has been running quite well since replacing the timing chains and guides and rebuilding the vanos units. But just today coolant started leaking from somewhere under the intake manifold. I can't pinpoint exactly where it's leaking but it's definitely under the intake. Somewhere. Has anyone had this issue and what's the prognosis and cost? Is it a fairly easy fix at home? I guess anything is easy compared to the timing job!

Thanks in advance,

Robb

[CapeX5]

Working on putting my 4.6 back together today fyi. Only a couple places it can leak from under intake. The 2 transfer tubes that have rings at each end or the valley pan. You will have to take the intake off. And, a "while your there" job, plan on just taking water pump off, doing the rings on the tubes and the valley pan. Really simple job. Do it now and you won't have to worry about it again.

Originally Posted by robbtennis

Hello again fellas! The 4.6is has been running quite well since replacing the timing chains and guides and rebuilding the vanos units. But just today coolant started leaking from somewhere under the intake manifold. I can't pinpoint exactly where it's leaking but it's definitely under the intake. Somewhere. Has anyone had this issue and what's the prognosis and cost? Is it a fairly easy fix at home? I guess anything is easy compared to the timing job!

Thanks in advance,

Robb

[robbtennis]

Thanks for that insight! Is this a common problem? How much time and money will this require? Any help is greatly appreciated and good luck on your project!

Robb

Originally Posted by CapeX5

Working on putting my 4.6 back together today fyi. Only a couple places it can leak from under intake. The 2 transfer tubes that have rings at each end or the valley pan. You will have to take the intake off. And, a "while your there" job, plan on just taking water pump off, doing the rings on the tubes and the valley pan. Really simple job. Do it now and you won't have to worry about it again.