P0011 Code 2001 X5 4.4 M62 V8 -New Owner-

[andrewwynn]

118,000 is way too young to expect timing chain problem other than if the tensioner is broken. That will affect the right bank.

You can see the timing chain through the oil fill. I can't remember if the oil will spray out if open when running but you might be able to see the chain enough to see if there is slack especially use slow motion video to capture.

Also, the M62tu I worked on the exact error came on immediately AFTER replacing the timing chain guides.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[lebowski9]

Thank you all. I do appreciate it. I have a borescope I will use to take a look with the engine off. It does spray oil when its on.

Tensioner is brand new, updated style.
Both vanos solenoids are brand new
CPS are old BMW which I swapped sides to move code--It did not , P0011 returned.

Still have been driving it, runs great as ever. P0011 has not returned for a few days.

[andrewwynn]

New solinoid old CPS did the code come back quickly before? You did suspect the vanos solinoid, correct? Did you remember which side had the easy to spin solinoid?

[white46]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

118,000 is way too young to expect timing chain problem other than if the tensioner is broken. That will affect the right bank.

You can see the timing chain through the oil fill. I can't remember if the oil will spray out if open when running but you might be able to see the chain enough to see if there is slack especially use slow motion video to capture.

Also, the M62tu I worked on the exact error came on immediately AFTER replacing the timing chain guides.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

My guide went @ 152000 km. That's about 95000 mile.

[lebowski9]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

New solinoid old CPS did the code come back quickly before? You did suspect the vanos solinoid, correct? Did you remember which side had the easy to spin solinoid?

1. Swapped CPS from Bank 1 to 2 and Vice versa. Code came a back after a few starts.

2. New chain tensioner, code came back after a few more days.

3.Both sides had the easy spin solenoid. The new ones are completely tight.

Code came on immediately after replacing Bank 1 solenoid. I cleared it and replaced bank 2, no code yet.

The code seems to return every six starts or so.

I would really like to keep the car and dig into it as it is in very nice shape, but I cannot financially justify the $1,000+ cost to replace the guides and what have you.

[white46]

Originally Posted by lebowski9

1. Swapped CPS from Bank 1 to 2 and Vice versa. Code came a back after a few starts.

2. New chain tensioner, code came back after a few more days.

3.Both sides had the easy spin solenoid. The new ones are completely tight.

Code came on immediately after replacing Bank 1 solenoid. I cleared it and replaced bank 2, no code yet.

The code seems to return every six starts or so.

I would really like to keep the car and dig into it as it is in very nice shape, but I cannot financially justify the $1,000+ cost to replace the guides and what have you.

I totally hear you cannot justifying $1000 for guides, especially when the car worth so much.
The problem you are having will eventually come down to broken guides. It sucks, but it is what it is.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by white46

My guide went @ 152000 km. That's about 95000 mile.

Ouch close to half the normal. 150-160 is the usual lifespan or so I'm told. That said, zero percent chance guides are starting to fall and no plastic in the oil pan.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by white46

I totally hear you cannot justifying $1000 for guides, especially when the car worth so much.

The problem you are having will eventually come down to broken guides. It sucks, but it is what it is.

I would absolutely spend $1000 on a car "worth $3000" it's value is depressed becuase of the chain guides. Not that non X5 owners will know that. The only thing that irks me is the random computer glitches like reading O2 sensors heater wrong and setting MIL so you can't pass emissions. The mechanical stuff is mostly well enginereed and mostly reasonable to work on.

I haven't dug into the M54 but after looking at my cam position tracking and having a minor oil leak that is likely valve cover, I think I'll be doing vanos seal refresh within the next year.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by lebowski9

1. Swapped CPS from Bank 1 to 2 and Vice versa. Code came a back after a few starts.



2. New chain tensioner, code came back after a few more days.



3.Both sides had the easy spin solenoid. The new ones are completely tight.



Code came on immediately after replacing Bank 1 solenoid. I cleared it and replaced bank 2, no code yet.



The code seems to return every six starts or so.



I would really like to keep the car and dig into it as it is in very nice shape, but I cannot financially justify the $1,000+ cost to replace the guides and what have you.

So indications are solinoid was at fault? If you went from immediate error to hasn't returned yet that's pretty clear evidence.

[lebowski9]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

So indications are solinoid was at fault? If you went from immediate error to hasn't returned yet that's pretty clear evidence.

Possibly, now I am thinking the immediate error came on due to the 1) vanos being drained of oil and thus not complying with the DME's commands.

or

2) It was the magical 6th start which precipitates the code.

Either way, there are no codes or pending codes as of now. So I will see after a few more start cycles.

Also, if I could get 50,000 or even 30,000 miles out of it I would be very pleased. I am hoping the fact that it was only owned by an older gentleman and religiously serviced would buy me some time. After all, some people are up to 250K on original guides.

I am new to bmw so thanks for putting up with me.