X won't idel after replacing valve stem seals - receiving misfire codes.

[Purplefade]

Hi guys – I need the power of the forum brain trust!

I just completed installing new valve stem seals in my 05 X5 4.4i, which went pretty well, but upon completion I can’t get the car to idle right, I continue to have misfire codes.

Codes I have:
2A89 – DME: Exhaust Vanos 2 (I was able to resolve this code by resetting the adaptations for the valvetronic motors a second time – it is now gone, but I wanted you guys to have the history.)
29CC – DME: Combustion misfires several cylinders
29D2 – DME: Combustion misfires cylinder 6
29CF – DME: Combustion misfires cylinder 3 (This one is totally intermittent, it showed up on first start, went away right away and then came back the next day but went away again as fast as it appeared.)

What I have done:
1) Verified voltage at the Vanos plugs – 12.44v batt side and 3.49v DME side = plugs seem to be working
2) Swapped Vanos – exhaust for intake, intake for exhaust = no change, issue stayed with exhaust vanos 2
3) Swapped bank 1 exhaust CPS for bank 2 exhaust CPS = no change
4) Swapped coils with cylinder 5 & cylinder 6 = no change
5) Installed a new plug in cylinder 6 = no change
6) Swapped plugs from cylinder 5 & cylinder 6 = no change
7) Reset valvetronic motors (again) = no change, but it did clear my exhaust vanos code which has remained gone through all recent testing
8) Cleared adaptations (again) = no change
9) Climbed all over the valve covers and spark plug tubes looking for vacuum leaks or oil seepage – everything seems solid.

Car will start and almost immediately surges up to about 2000 RPM then drops to 400/500 RPM, almost dies and then catches this off idle slow, rough idle that hangs around 600 or so RPM. There is no valve clatter, no tick, no ping, nothing, both valve covers are as quiet as a church mouse.

I have gone back through everything that I have done, verified all plug-in connections and even reset the majority of them just to be sure. It seems like if I start the car cold I just get the codes and rough idle, after messing with it for a few cycles l I get codes, rough idle and it will start to give me a VERY SOFT “pop”, “pop”, “pop” that I can barely hear through the air intake tube – I have the MAF and air intake pipe connected but have the actual air filter box off.

Battery is 12.7 volts
Battery with car running is 14.2 volts
Gas is new (considering the “old” gas factor I syphoned the tank down and filled it with fresh fuel, I then clamped a 1/2 hose to my fuel hardline and allowed the pump to run for a handful of seconds to push fresh fuel to the engine. (anal retentive I know…but I’m stumped))

NOTE – unplugging the MAF it idles “better”, marginally, but I still have the misfire codes.

Where do I go with this thing next?



EDIT - 4x4 light just came on as well.