Unplanned maintenance

X5chemist · #1 01-12-2022, 09:29 PM

D1 - no problem. I set off the alarm accidently last week.

A8 - I noticed since last week the temp needle was cooler than normal. Even on warm days. The SES light never turned on. Is there an aftermarket cooler thermostat that works on an M54? Would an aluminum house work better? I'll probably order one from FCP. Good maintenance to replace it every few years with a lifetime warranty.

F0 - Okay, that will explain on why "Scooter" had no power temporarily. It went away. I started it up after work at home and it was gone. Since I don't know the plug mileage, I'll swap them out. I have the single prong ones recommended here.

1E - Okay, this one concerns me. Is it a coil going out? Did it detect a bad ignition condition? 152k miles is a lot of miles. The coils may be original.

andrewwynn · #2 01-12-2022, 09:34 PM

Ihad to replace a coil or two on wife's m54 about 160-170k mi. Mine made it 205 on original coils.

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x5Alpine · #3 01-13-2022, 01:55 AM

Just replace the thermostat with an OEM one. 95C is actually a good temperature for an engine to be at. Running cooler might cause CCV issues.

X5chemist · #4 01-13-2022, 08:48 AM

BKR6EIX Iridium spark plugs will go in as replacements. I'll have to look up torque specs in my Bently manual.

Does anyone run NGK coils? I use NGK products on all my other vehicles. Never had any issues with their products. All 6 are reasonable at RockAuto.

A few hoses have been replaced. On hand is a coolant o-ring kit. I'll replace a few o rings on hoses. Plus, a new heater valve is ready for installation too.

80stech · #5 01-13-2022, 10:58 AM

Be aware of "fake" or not up to spec Iridium plugs. +1 on the thermostat, nothing wrong the original temp. I would go with the Bosch coils but probably not a big difference.

Fifty150hs · #6 01-18-2022, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80stech

Be aware of "fake" or not up to spec Iridium plugs. +1 on the thermostat, nothing wrong the original temp. I would go with the Bosch coils but probably not a big difference.

+1 on beware of bogus NGK Iridium plugs. Don't by them on line. I bought a set on Amazon. The electrodes melted down in about three months. Clearly not iridium plugs.

X5chemist · #7 01-18-2022, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

+1 on beware of bogus NGK Iridium plugs. Don't by them on line. I bought a set on Amazon. The electrodes melted down in about three months. Clearly not iridium plugs.

Yup, plugs is an item I don't buy on Amazon. I've seen too many fakes. The easy ones to spot are Motorcraft. A friend had a 3.5 twin turbo F150 4X4. Ran great for about 2 months. I get the call. My first question, where were the plugs purchased, Amazon! Told him to get me Motorcraft from a dealer and I'll pull the old ones out and install them. Ran great afterwards. If I can't find my RockAuto ordered ones, I'll buy a new set at Summit Racing, Arlington.

X5chemist · #8 01-22-2022, 07:42 PM

Shorts to parkas to light jacket weather all within 5 days.

Today, I helped a friend check his wife's SUV brakes. The brakes were good. A little grease and cleaning stopped squeaks. I bought new coil packs at Summit Racing, Arlington. $140 NGK 6 pack over a single $100.18 single Bosch at a shop! No parts stores had a single coil. Using my friend's garage, new plugs and coils went on in about 20 minutes. Only two were tight, all others were kind of loose. #6 looked the worst. The prongs had gunk all over them. #1 was next. The misfire #3 had oil residue. Time for a valve cover gasket and gourmet. The #3 and #5 had different coil packs. The #3 had a replacement Bosch coil. #5 had a NGK coil. The #5 coil part number matches the new set. So three different aged coils. The plugs are 1-6 left to right. The #5 plug was not burned through like the others. It bucked a little at startup then smoothed out. Drove home 20 miles and it ran great. The in gear idle shake is gone! I assume #3 was misfiring enough to cause the shake but not set a code. Well, only once. I'll drive it the next few days and check operation. I wanted to have them installed before shop scanning on Thursday. Hopefully the scan will show what's keeping it awake. Once I know, I'll fix it. Even if I have install an accessory kill switch.

The cap oil sludge is back. It had gone away until now. I guess the cold weather is causing it. Plus the thermostat is stuck open. After the scan on Thursday, the water pump will be replaced.

zener · #9 01-13-2022, 07:07 PM

Guess I've been lucky. Have owned 20+ bmw's, mainly gasoline and have not ever had a problem with coils. Problem has always been elsewhere.

X5chemist · #10 01-13-2022, 10:52 PM

A single Bosch is hard to find in Austin. All special order or mail to home. A euro shop ordered one. I’ll go pick it up tomorrow. I’ve set up appointment with them. For $85, they’ll give the X5 a full scan and diagnosis report. Super price if you ask me. They can scan the CAN BUS for activity. Maybe they can tell me what’s keeping it wake and pulling the amp draw. I’ll get the other coils ordered on line. The single one is pricey but worth to keep it running. The shop is busy so the appointment is 1/27. I plan to do more testing myself. I’ll take as much info to them as possible.