BMW e53 P1092 and P1093

[Roberto G.]

Hi Sir,
Thank you for the quick response.
I need to play around with my ADVANCER A10 XTOOL Bluetooth scanner to see if I can get a lecture of my O2 outputs. I suspect the answer is No.
In any case I will check out your scanner suggestions and order one in Amazon. I also will get a defouler like you suggested.

Question - do I need to get O2 readings while driving the car?

I'm not a mechanic so I apologize if I'm asking obvious questions.
Also, what's a tired Catalyst? Is it a clogged Catalyst?

About performing the troubleshooting steps you kindly suggested, do I need any special tools? I do have a decent tool set in my garage. Again, I'm no BMW expert so if you know of a video in YouTube that can illustrate a step by step it will definitely help.

Sir, thank you so much for guiding away from insanity and in the right direction.
Roberto in PHX

[andrewwynn]

Yes need to see the values while driving but you don't necessarily need to watch while driving.

Inexpensive solution like WiFi to phone usually work. I use a program called obd Fusion on iPhone. Also my foxwell nt-510 will grpah output from the sensors. You can do bank one and two at the same time to compare them.

This can help you confirm it's the cat not the sensor.

For post cat sensor you can also temperately swap the connectors to see if the problem switches banks for a diagnostic tool. But first you need to see what the signal is coming from the sensor giving you the grief.

I will usually make a graph while driving highway speeds for a few minutes with a couple speed changes. I'll see if I can make some examples.

I was having a similar problem that was determined to be a bad sensor but the error didn't resolve right aware when I replaced it until I've reset fuel adaptations. Something only BMW level scanner like foxwell can do.

Tired catalyst means close to end of life: either worn like the platinum is actually worn off from the matrix or just coated with enough deposits it's not effective. Clogged actually plugged with soot and can't breathe blocks the exaust from free flowing. From my understanding when that happens it will get very hot and you can use an IR Thermometer to confirm as well as pulling the pre cat O2 sensors to vent the exhaust if the engine is running poorly because its clogged. It will be quite loud of course and the engine will run in rich open loop mode and error due to no pre cat sensor.

[Roberto G.]

Hi Andrew, here's a recap of where I'm at.

1. I bought the special 18mm open socket tool and 2 spark plugs non defaulers (18mm), to add them to the post o2 sensor heads that are connected to the cat converter. I also drilled holes on the defaulers, etc.

2. I was able some how some way remove one of the o2 sensors from the cat converter. I noticed that the head of the sensor is black (looks like its burned), the other side is white.

3. I also noticed that the defoulers I bought were too short, meaning the head of the o2 sensor is almost as long as the defauler so it didn't fit. Looks like I have to buy longer defaulers.

4. So I had to abort because the 1st defauler didn't fit, and also I could not removed the second o2 sensor from the cat converter. I was frustrated. I used added wd40 to help loose the sensor, however no luck.

5. I put everything back and tested the x5 to ensure its still functional. I still get the p0430 code so nothing changed.

5. I suspect the o2 sensors are the original ones due some rust I was on the post cat converted o2 sensor connection. After all the 2005 x5 only has 111K.

6. After I put everything back together I ran the car and hooked my cheap 25 bucks Bluetooth sensor. I observed that the o2 sensor voltage on 'bank 1?' was all over the place. Ex. I saw 95, 65, 110. I'm not a mechanic so please do not laugh if my report does not make sense at all. I'm still getting one 1 error code (P0430)

Question:
Should I go ahead and replace place both 02 sensors and place defaulers on both the post cat o2 sensors?

How the hell can I remove the o2 sensor that's further from the engine that's tilted or angled to the side? I was able to removed the o2 sensor that's right on top of the cat converter. I could not find any videos on YouTube on this.

Please help. Please talk to me like I'm a 5 year old so I can understand next steps.

Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you....
Allan in Phoenix

[andrewwynn]

The bank one sensor is usually pretty difficult to remove since it's on the top side of the pipe.

1) remove the anti rattle donut that blocks your view

2) use a proper O2 socket. It will have a "crow foot" style and

3) put a long extension from the "wrong side"

4) now you can access with breaker bar from the bottom of the pipe.

5) it will be righty loosey (set ratchet to tighten to remove)

I would (and did) replace my O2 and add the defoulers. I bought two piece stainless from Amazon.

I installed them both facing back for my convenience but that made bank one cable too short to reach to the docking position so the connectors both share the same clip on top of the motor now.

You won't know until after you do the replacement if your cat has enough life left to be aided by the tweak. But the symptom of a tired cat is that the signal will follow the pre cat signal and not be smoothed out. Graph is the best way and phone apps usually will do that. I use obd fusion on iPhone.

[Roberto G.]

Hi Andrew. Here is my latest report.

1. I added defoulers to both post o2 sensors. I used the special 18mm tool to remove o2 sensors. I also drilled the defoulers to increase the size of the hole/output. This time I removed the stabilizer 3 hole ring piece as you suggested so I had easier access to the o2's.

2. After triple checking that everything is back together and in order I plugged my cheap scanner, I got a p0430 error as expected. I cleared the error code and went for a 17 miles highway drive. No issues, no warning lights, the car feels good so I'm happy for now.

3. Came home, plugged/ran my scanner and I got a P0174 sys too lean bank 2 error code and NO ENGINE ORANGE LIGHT. I'm not sure what to make of it. Do I need to reset the Fuel adaptations for this error to go away. Again, I'm not getting an engine light on.

4. I need a scanner that can produce o2 outputs graph, I will look into the WiFi one you suggested.

5. Am I missing something?

You are a savior Andrew, the X5 is my special project. I'm retired Navy (20 years) so getting involved and working on the X5 helps my PTSD (anxiety and depression). Thank you for all help and advice. Roberto in Phoenix.

[andrewwynn]

0174 usually is an actual lean situation from intake leak. If just one bank I would look into leak at the DISA.

Smoke test or even just a blow test; I put a rubber glove on the intake and just blew and heard air blowing though the DISA valve seal

[Roberto G.]

Thank you Andrew, I will try your approach and report back. Man I owe you a bottle of your preferred beverage. #PieceOfMind

[andrewwynn]

https://www.binnys.com/spirits/whisk...barrels-115788

That's my next purchase

Absolutely amazing. Look up reviews.