X5 stalled/set codes while being inspected!

[workingonit]

[workingonit]

In celebration of my 1100th post here, I'd like to thank all who have helped guide me thru our mutual journey into E53-land, and state my hope that perhaps my sharing of my trials, tribulations, and many missteps may have helped others, and kept many from making similar mistakes. I'll say anything I believe might be useful, try anything (automotive) that might work, and report the results of such ventures, so you can see what not to do.

Right now, my X is down, and I've been ill (so's the wife), and the repairs scheduled are on a back-burner, therefore I'm reading and commenting on several forums, just to keep my hand in.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by workingonit

In celebration of my 1100th post here, I'd like to thank all who have helped guide me thru our mutual journey into E53-land, and state my hope that perhaps my sharing of my trials, tribulations, and many missteps may have helped others, and kept many from making similar mistakes. I'll say anything I believe might be useful, try anything (automotive) that might work, and report the results of such ventures, so you can see what not to do.

Right now, my X is down, and I've been ill (so's the wife), and the repairs scheduled are on a back-burner, therefore I'm reading and commenting on several forums, just to keep my hand in.

That's what makes this forum so great. We all learn from each others knowledge and mistakes. Sorry to hear you and the wife are ill. Hope you get well soon and you have great holiday!

[workingonit]

At last, I have a spare ignition/doorlock key. And it works!

Despite both my wife and I feeling very ill, we had to get our food and pet food (50% ratio), and other stuff, so we ventured out for 3 hours yesterday, and retrieved the Valet key I had ordered before Thanksgiving.

I just tested the key, and it worked fine, but it doesn't want to slide easily into or out of the door or ignition lock cylinders. I'll probably need to get some emery cloth to make the cut channel smoother, and round-off sharp edges.

Now, I can attempt to fix my OEM key, or at least install a new battery, and move the board and chip into the new shell I've had waiting for quite awhile.

[80stech]

You really should do a fuel proper fuel pressure test before you go replacing a bunch of fuel system parts and fuel. Did you ever check the line from the pressure regulator going into the intake boot F connector ?

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by 80stech

You really should do a fuel proper fuel pressure test before you go replacing a bunch of fuel system parts and fuel. Did you ever check the line from the pressure regulator going into the intake boot F connector ?

I didn't. It was the next test I was going to try, on the last day I worked on it (before my OEM key didn't work, side-tracking me towards getting a reliable Valet key).

I was first hooking up my fuel pressure gauge, using a long hose from the Schrader to the gauge, and then taping it to the windshield, so I could observe the fuel pressure when going around corners, but the gauge failed and/or the Schrader/fuel rail got plugged-up, hence zero fuel pressure and no fuel out the release valve. I bought a new gauge, and decided to amend my repair plan. Haven't tried anything but the Valet key, since.

If the vacuum hose to the F-connector has a leak, or is semi-plugged, would that cause a rich fuel trim? I plan to replace the vacuum hose when I replace the filter/FPR.

[80stech]

Originally Posted by workingonit

If the vacuum hose to the F-connector has a leak, or is semi-plugged, would that cause a rich fuel trim? I plan to replace the vacuum hose when I replace the filter/FPR.

I was thinking more about fuel coming up from the regulator if the diaphragm is shot causing the rich mixture.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by 80stech

I was thinking more about fuel coming up from the regulator if the diaphragm is shot causing the rich mixture.

Possibly, but what I don't get is WHY the (less than 6 y.o, and less than 4k miles) Bosch FPR diaphragm would rupture when a new Hella fuel pump was installed. Coincidence? And why did the fuel rail lose pressure, that last "work day"?

I'm sure I'm mis-thinking this, and I miss the old days when I could install, plumb, and wire a new tank, braided fuel lines, fuel pump, filter, pressure regulator, pressure gauge, carburetor, and fine tune it all in one afternoon. That was a long time ago, in a Galaxy far away....

[workingonit]

refresher post, from another thread: https://xoutpost.com/1248213-post75.html

As I stated in the last line of the post from the other thread, above, I am feeling semi-OK, and finally went out to the X today, to see how I left it. The ice is gone from the yard/driveway, so I had no excuse (to self), not to at least pop the hood, start it (if able), and check it out.

I didn't check the fuel pressure, nor vacuum at the F-connector, but it strated up instantly, and I ran it for about 30 minutes, letting the O2 sensors heat up, and the engine running at operating temperature for half that time (after sitting unused for months).

The fuel trims stayed normal (for a change), with the LTFTs at zero, and the STFTs around +/- 1-3. Not at all what I last saw. The MAF at 700rpm read 3.6gm/s to 4.2gm/s, also better than normal. O2 sensors were fine, withthe front sensors on point immediately, while it took 1-20minutes before the rear sensors toact right. Overall, I was pleased.

Since there was no hesitation whenever I pressed the accelerator, I'm assuming that the cause for zero pressure at the Schrader valve, last time I was testing, must be due to a restriction in the 5-ft extension hose, and/or the old fuel pressure tester gauge I was using.

My follow-up visit with my orthopedic doctor is next Tuesday, so if he doesn't plan any surgery, i'll start my planned course of checking everytime related to fuel, from

• 1) draining & filtering the fuel (checking for particulate matter knocked loose by Cataclean in the tank),
• 2) pressure testing the vacuum hose from the F-connector to the FPR (and/or replacing the hose),
• 3) once the fuel has been judged to be free from particulate matter, then I have a new Hengst filter/FPR to install, and
• 4) then i can roadtest it again, to see if the fuel trims stay neutral (or even revert to lean, which I'm used to), and perhaps the X won't stumble on hard turns and curves.

Of course, I will have to get a special permit to drive it even for inspction (overdue since Oct.), but at least I have a short 1/2 mile neighborhood loop I can drive for minimalist testing (no traffic in mid-day). At least it will be a start.

Maybe I'll just wailt until next Oct, after my X5 gets to be 25 y.o., and get to skip emissions testing altogether.

[workingonit]

I've got all the tools and parts I need, to fix my X's fuel problem, but no desire (due to health) to resume the work. The shoulder has intermittent pain (Dr. said there was a 50% chance it would get better in the next few months (as long as I don't aggravate the injury), or I could get surgery (which would be a lot of $$$ out-of-pocket, and I really don't want to do it), so I was waiting for a few days where it felt consistently better, to resume the work.

Then, last Friday, I had a severe attack of Vertigo, and I can barely function, much less crawl under a vehicle. The last time my vertigo was this bad, it lasted a week, so maybe it'll pass soon.